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Old 01-31-2019, 02:21 PM   #1
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The Iridium...

I can't remember if anyone (Chance...) has posted about this rig yet...
But I saw it pop up on the news this morning...

https://www.curbed.com/2018/12/14/18...orhome-iridium

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Old 01-31-2019, 02:25 PM   #2
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Seems to me we've discussed that guy before... ?

(At least reading the two articles on it sounds very familiar. Other article: https://www.electrive.com/2018/12/05...dy-for-market/)

In any case, 124 miles of range isn't going to cut it.

No mention of the battery size in either article.
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Old 01-31-2019, 02:52 PM   #3
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Cool concept...I think, as this technology develops, so will the battery life. If batteries for these RV's become consistent, I can see an exchange program across the country (like gas stations) where you just pay a fee to "swap" charged batteries out at specific locations (maybe truck stops or RV dealers). The battery portion on the coach would become a leased item where you just pay a monthly fee for it's use. I will be pushing up daisies by the time something like this comers along...but it's a great possibility. Electric forklifts have had similar programs for years...you buy the equipment, lease multiple batteries and swap them out between shifts...no down time or battery replacement costs.
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Old 01-31-2019, 03:09 PM   #4
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
Cool concept...I think, as this technology develops, so will the battery life. If batteries for these RV's become consistent, I can see an exchange program across the country (like gas stations) where you just pay a fee to "swap" charged batteries out at specific locations (maybe truck stops or RV dealers). The battery portion on the coach would become a leased item where you just pay a monthly fee for it's use. I will be pushing up daisies by the time something like this comers along...but it's a great possibility. Electric forklifts have had similar programs for years...you buy the equipment, lease multiple batteries and swap them out between shifts...no down time or battery replacement costs.
There was a company trying to do that with cars in Israel. It didn't work out for them (not because of the tech, mostly due to mismanagement).
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Old 01-31-2019, 03:22 PM   #5
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I saw another story about it, that mentioned a 186 mile range.
It's sounding a little bit better...
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Old 01-31-2019, 03:26 PM   #6
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This article says 200 km (124 miles):
https://electrek.co/2018/12/10/elect...idium-e-mobil/
This one also says 200 km:
https://insideevs.com/iridium-e-mobi...ric-motorhome/
This one says 300 km (186 miles):
https://newatlas.com/iridium-electric-motorhome/58270/
Note the date (the other two were from December and this one is from yesterday..hmm).

The last article also shows the battery size: 106 kWh Lithium Phosphate--interesting choice. The ones used in cars have a bit better power density than those.
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Old 01-31-2019, 04:18 PM   #7
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I think a small version of that would make a great toad!!
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Old 01-31-2019, 04:36 PM   #8
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Quote:
Originally Posted by The Gritz Carlton View Post
I think a small version of that would make a great toad!!
I agree... and an even better "Mother-in-Law shelter".
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Old 01-31-2019, 04:44 PM   #9
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With a quick release, electric hitch controlled from the dash!!
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Old 01-31-2019, 05:11 PM   #10
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Gunny 02.jpg
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Old 01-31-2019, 09:42 PM   #11
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Talking of smaller motorhomes that could also double as a cool toad, that website had an article on Ford selling Transit Custom motorhomes in Europe from dealers in a few countries.


https://newatlas.com/ford-nugget-camper-van/58176/


Apparently, they have a pop-up and a tall roof version. One even has a restroom without a shower. Beyond serving as a toad, they may also be great for traveling, tailgating, or short weekend trips (if only they were imported to US).

I like the high-roof although it looks a bit tall for its width. The pop-up should be garageable, a real plus if used as a second car.
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Old 01-31-2019, 11:18 PM   #12
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It would of be nice to know what the overall height of that vehicle is.
Do you have any idea?
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Old 01-31-2019, 11:41 PM   #13
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Here is a custom company in the US that produces Transit Connect van conversions.

Here is another one. Looks like for this one you supply the Transit Connect.
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Old 01-31-2019, 11:46 PM   #14
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http://www.thorforums.com/forums/att...1&d=1548978385
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Old 02-01-2019, 12:21 AM   #15
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Denman View Post
It would of be nice to know what the overall height of that vehicle is.
Do you have any idea?
In US, we only get the full-size Transit and the Transit Connect. In Europe, Ford makes other Transit vans including the Transit Custom which fits between our full size and Connect Transits.

Not sure what the OAH of that camper is because it’s using a fiberglass add-on roof which is a lot taller than Ford provides. You can probably look it up though through the RV manufacturer.

The low-roof Transit Custom-based Nugget with pop-up roof looks plenty low to go through an 8-foot garage door. It may even make it through 7-foot-high garage door.
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Old 02-01-2019, 12:47 AM   #16
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The Westfalia website indicates height at 2.8 meters, or about 9’-2”.
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:01 PM   #17
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No doubt the Ford Transit Custom is a bit small for our American RV preferences, but Ford’s approach to the plug-in hybrid mentioned in article is very interesting and may reveal future direction for larger vehicles.

The Custom can go 50km or 31 miles all-electric on batteries, and 310 miles using the range extending generator. Once fuel tank is refilled, I’d assume you can keep going another ~300 miles.

The onboard battery capacity should be plenty to allow a small camper to be all electric, including air conditioning, heat, entertainment, fridge, cooking, etc.



https://www.parkers.co.uk/vans-picku...lug-in-hybrid/
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:03 PM   #18
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9' 2" might not fit in a garage... but it's still pretty manageable!
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:09 PM   #19
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Sadly that is Europe only (see here).

14kWh is a pretty big battery (the one in my C-Max was ~7kWh) and thus really would provide a lot of power for camping. Too bad they should bring it over here.
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Old 02-01-2019, 02:22 PM   #20
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Give them some time...
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