We previously reported on the TakeOff’s unique driving characteristics and aerodynamics. In June 2022, the Dutch tourist association ANWB conducted a practical test comparing the energy consumption of an electric car with the same car in combination with the TakeOff. Result of this road trip over a distance of 550 km: the TakeOff affected the range by only 25%*. Recently, the Dutch national newspaper Algemeen Dagblad (AD) carried out a similar range test comparing not only the influence of a tent trailer but also of a compact pop-top caravan. The results are astounding and confirm yet again that ‘size really does matter’.
Caravan has major effect on range
For the consumption test, the Algemeen Dagblad used the currently most successful electric car in the Netherlands, the Tesla Model Y. For the test, the AD had the so-called Long-Range version at its disposal, which has a range of over 500 km. The test looked at the impact on the range of a lightweight tent trailer from fellow Danish trailer manufacturer Camplet and that of a compact pop-top caravan from German Eriba.
Even with a compact pop-top caravan, the range is more than halved. With the TakeOff, the additional energy consumption in practice is only around 25%*.
Where the solo Tesla Model Y had a consumption of 141 Wh/km over the route, the combination with the tent trailer had a consumption of 175 Wh/km. In this case, a modest additional consumption of only 24%, thus fully in line with our previous findings with the TakeOff. With the pop-top caravan however, consumption increased to a whopping 318 Wh/km. In practice, in the latter case, this means that the driving range is more than halved and you are therefore more than twice as much at the charging station.
‘Size does matter’: both in height and width, the TakeOff stays in the lee of the tow vehicle. In addition, the modern aerodynamic design contributes significantly to the extremely low air resistance.
Increase in aerodynamic drag biggest culprit
Of course, in addition to air resistance, weight also plays an important role. This particularly affects the rolling resistance of the combination and the power required during acceleration or when driving uphill. Fortunately, despite its full-size interior, the TakeOff’s weight is also significantly lower compared to a pop-top caravan. Still, air resistance is by far the biggest culprit on the mileage. Indeed, it increases quadratically with speed. The component of the so-called ‘frontal surface area’ of the combination plays a crucial role here. With a traditional touring caravan, the frontal area of the combination (depending on the type of tow vehicle) is on average twice as high as with a stand-alone car. With a pop-top caravan, the increase in frontal surface area (and thus drag) is still easily 30 to 40%. The TakeOff barely affects the frontal surface area of the combination by staying in the lee of the tow car.
With the ever-increasing and irreversible trend of electrification of the vehicle fleet, it is inconceivable that more manufacturers in the camping industry are not responding to this with their products. A traditional caravan combined with an electric car is an almost impossible combination. With the TakeOff, you travel much easier and also literally get much further.
Want to experience the TakeOff for yourself at your nearest dealer? Then take a quick look at https://www.easycaravanning.com/en/dealermap/ Only a few TakeOffs of model year 2023 are still available at reasonably short notice. After our summer closing, our production will switch to model year 2024 with corresponding prices.
Use the product configurator on our website to put together your own TakeOff in no time: https://www.easycaravanning.com/en/editions/
Handy in preparation for a showroom visit. Our dealers can give you detailed advice. Experience for yourself the convenience of opening and closing, ready for TakeOff. And be surprised, because the TakeOff may be small on the outside, but it is certainly big on the inside!
Read the full article (or watch the video) on the comparison test in the AD at https://www.ad.nl/auto/caravan-achter-je-elektrische-auto-dit-scheelt-het-als-je-een-vouwwagen-kiest~a8efeed4/
*) for exact results and disclaimer also see https://www.easycaravanning.com/en/nieuws-en/anwb-road-test-proves-sublime-driving-characteristics-takeoff/
