The Airstream Basecamp Xe features an integrated battery pack; however, this does not drive the wheels.
- The inaugural production-model electric camper trailer from Airstream features a 10.3-kWh battery pack.
- In contrast to the significantly bigger and pricier Lightship RV, this trailer lacks powered wheels.
- The battery of the Airstream supplies power to all the devices.
Airstream, known for its distinctive aluminum recreational vehicles, has officially embraced electrification with the introduction of the Basecamp Xe. Built upon the standard Basecamp design, this new version includes an additional battery pack along with multiple solar panels atop the trailer to energize interior features.
As mentioned, Airstream’s initial electric camper does not include electric motors to mitigate the range reduction faced by the tow vehicle. The firm presented an quite notable electric trailer concept named the
eStream
In 2022, it featured an extensive 80-kilowatt-hour battery pack and was capable of helping the tow truck while in transit.
The Basecamp Xe doesn’t work like that. Instead, it features a 10.3-kWh Battle Born lithium-ion battery bank that powers a completely invertible 30-amp electrical setup with integrated 600 watts of solar panels (expandable up to 900W), along with a 3000W inverter. In case of emergencies, there’s also a 20-pound propane tank available for supplementary heating needs such as warming water or the entire trailer using the efficient Truma Combi Eco Plus System capable of operating on either electric power, propane, or both simultaneously to generate warmth.
More Electric Camping
- A $175,000 CyberTrailer Camper That Can Charge Your EV Is In The Works
- The Living Vehicle is an off-grid camper featuring a folding patio deck.
- Lightship’s Self-Propelled Electric RV Trailer Is Going Into Production, And It Ain’t Cheap
- Thor’s Updated Extended Range RV Offers Multi-Day Off-Grid Power With A 500-Mile Range
The trailer measures 20 feet in length, features a single axle, and can accommodate up to four individuals in its designated rear sleeping area. Additionally, the dining table at the front of the unit can convert into extra bedding space. It comes equipped with a full bathroom featuring a shower, sink, and toilet, along with a detachable induction cooktop. Optional upgrades include a composting toilet, a microwave oven, and an air conditioning system. Heating is available as another add-on option.
It hasn’t been specified how long it takes to drain the battery completely, which makes sense since this largely hinges on the amount of power consumed by connected devices. Should you push the 3 kW inverter to its limits, a fully charged battery might sustain operations for just over three hours; however, this would probably represent an extreme scenario. Under typical weather conditions—neither excessively warm nor chilly—a full charge ought to suffice for one to two days of camping use.
The Airstream Basecamp Xe has a starting price of $76,900. This is approximately $6,000 higher than a new Lucid Air sedan, which is a luxurious electric vehicle capable of self-propulsion. While camping inside an Air might not be very comfortable, the Basecamp Xe comes with a price tag that is also $22,000 above the standard, non-electric version of the Basecamp trailer.
Is it really worthwhile? Let’s indulge in some calculations, purely for entertainment purposes. With the base price of an Airstream’s electric camper trailer, you could instead pay for 384 nights in hotels at $200 per night. Given that most people get about 30 vacation days annually, it would take almost 13 years to rack up $76,900 in lodging costs.
That doesn’t seem like a particularly budget-friendly buy, but we shouldn’t overlook the fact that Airstream (and
others like it
They also offer camping trailers priced at more than $200,000. These are indeed purchased by people who want something special. While staying at a comfortable hotel might be cheaper, you cannot set up your hotel room beside a tranquil riverside in a remote mountain valley.
