(Live Updates) Florida 1/14 to 1/23 - Tampa show + real world use

[Rory (Lightship Team)]

Hi all!

We're off to Florida this week for the Tampa RV show. Who's going to be there?

We'll be at the camping area just outside the exhibition space to make it easier for folks to visit us at any time of day, and to offer camping to some media! We'll also have a second unit in the area giving TrekDrive demos... if you want to get behind the wheel - send me a message!

From 1/18 to 1/21 Ben Parker (CPO) and I will each be driving a unit down from Tampa to Sarasota to Naples to Boca to West Palm. As we make this trip, I'll post daily updates here about what we're experiencing, how we're living in the vehicles, and what we're seeing on the road... the whole point of it. Plus photos. We'll pop up in these areas for a few hours every day, so if you have any contacts in the area who want to see the Lightship - send em our way! Exact locations and times TBC but Sarasota (1/18), Naples (1/19), Boca (1/20), West Palm (1/21).

From 1/21-1/23 we'll be hanging around West Palm beach as the title sponsor on a summit for sports executives (NFL, FIFA, etc). But ... we have windows of time in there, so let us know if you're in the area and would like to stop by!

Can't wait to get out there and camp Lmk if anything you'd like to see!

Rory

 

[turbopilot]

As we make this trip, I'll post daily updates here about what we're experiencing, how we're living in the vehicles, and what we're seeing on the road...

Great idea. Let us join the trip.

 

[josephpRV]

@Rory (Lightship Team) ... looking forward to being along for the virtual ride.

I'm sure others will have their own hot topics, of particular interest to me will be (a) what you're towing with, and (b):

1. Tow vehicles, efficiencies w/Trek Drive on and off as you confront the real world.
2. The viability of charging either Tow and/or Lightship on the road at either pull-through's or other stations.
3. As an imminent owner, just how much attention does the Lightship get.

In relation to 1, as you know, I'm pretty much sold on Lightship Aero+Trek Drive returning "near to baseline tow vehicle standard efficiency", but more real world data is always welcome! For me that's the key number as it's a "base case" that everyone already has in their heads.

Look forward to living vicariously through you guys on this trip!

 

[Rory (Lightship Team)]

@josephpRV - noted! will make sure to capture that! We'll tow with our R1T and a rental ICE truck, so some different perspectives to share. Maybe if Ben drives the ICE, I can just charge my R1T off his Lightship at night )

tell me, is getting attention good or bad?

 

[josephpRV]

@josephpRV - noted! will make sure to capture that! We'll tow with our R1T and a rental ICE truck, so some different perspectives to share. Maybe if Ben drives the ICE, I can just charge my R1T off his Lightship at night )

tell me, is getting attention good or bad?

Well for you guys and the brand in general I would think the attention is good. For me personally, I like to fly under the radar, and I believe towing the Lightship is going to cost me a social interaction tax that I hadn't banked on paying.

On another note, I meant to pass on to you guys, but you should get a big QR code sticker made for the back of the Lightship so prospective buyers can scan from their vehicles on the go.

 

[Rory (Lightship Team)]

I’m afraid that might be the case… we get folks pulling alongside us on roads all the time. We got an investor from a supercharger stop!

We’ve got one of those QR

 

[turbopilot]

Well for you guys and the brand in general I would think the attention is good. For me personally, I like to fly under the radar, and I believe towing the Lightship is going to cost me a social interaction tax that I hadn't banked on paying.

On another note, I meant to pass on to you guys, but you should get a big QR code sticker made for the back of the Lightship so prospective buyers can scan from their vehicles on the go.

Been there. You are absolutely correct. As an RV early adopter I picked up one of the first EarthRoamers 12 years ago from the folks up in Dacono, Colorado. It drew so much attention driving around the US it became a real safety hazard. People would pace the rig rear, side and front on the interstate to get a picture.

Just getting diesel became a real nuisance at every pit stop. Everyone wanted a tour as soon as they spotted it.

So I fully endorse the idea of putting a QR code on the back of the LightShip for customers who elect to have it on the rig. A heat sensitive decal is easy to remove when the buzz dies down. Might even configure the QR code to be specific for each LightShip, so if the QR scan led to a purchase the LightShip owner can get some "points".

The other thing that would help would be to include a box of brochures with each new LightShip delivery. I found folks at the fueling stops and campgrounds seemed to be less demanding with questions if you simply handed them a sales brochure.

The attention is not all bad. I did meet some very interesting people.

 

[josephpRV]

Been there. You are absolutely correct. As an RV early adopter I picked up one of the first EarthRoamers 12 years ago from the folks up in Dacono, Colorado. It drew so much attention driving around the US it became a real safety hazard. People would pace the rig rear, side and front on the interstate to get a picture.

Just getting diesel became a real nuisance at every pit stop. Everyone wanted a tour as soon as they spotted it.

So I fully endorse the idea of putting a QR code on the back of the LightShip for customers who elect to have it on the rig. A heat sensitive decal is easy to remove when the buzz dies down. Might even configure the QR code to be specific for each LightShip, so if the QR scan led to a purchase the LightShip owner can get some "points".

The other thing that would help would be to include a box of brochures with each new LightShip delivery. I found folks at the fueling stops and campgrounds seemed to be less demanding with questions if you simply handed them a sales brochure.

The attention is not all bad. I did meet some very interesting people.

I like the brochure idea. Gets me out of the social interaction tax elegantly.

I didn’t realize they already had a QR sticker (see @Rory (Lightship Team) ‘s earlier comment. I may have subconsciously registered the decal and stolen their idea!

 

[Rory (Lightship Team)]

oh yea, we slap the QR on marketing vehicles occasionally. we wouldn't put it on a customer vehicle without their permission!!

I like the brochure idea. Gets me out of the social interaction tax elegantly.

I didn’t realize they already had a QR sticker (see @Rory (Lightship Team) ‘s earlier comment. I may have subconsciously registered the decal and stolen their idea!

 

[turbopilot]

we wouldn't put it on a customer vehicle without their permission!!

You have my permission. Just do it so it can easily come off some day.