LightShip Systems Review - Aerodynamic Enhancement System

[Holdmybeer]

Hi Josh -

Come visit us sometime in Colorado and test it yourself?

Here are my rough rules of thumb, using an R1T as an example at 65-70 mph.
R1T alone: 2.5 mi/kWh
R1T with Lightship with trekdrive 2.4 mi/kWh (4% loss)
R1T with Lightship without trekdrive 1.4 mi/kWh (44% loss)
R1T with slab sided trailer (square box) - 0.9 mi/kWh (64% loss)

At lower speeds we of course do better, and while the shape of the truck matters too, I find these loss percentages to be fairly indicative.

We have offered other trailer manufacturers the chance to tow side by side with us and none have taken us up on it. We find it very hard to believe that a trailer could do better than our 44% loss without an actuated system like ours to reduce frontal area. But if you could get your hands on a Bowlus, we'd be happy to test it!

I'd be interested in seeing a Bowlus v. L1 apples to apples comparison. I'd suspect the L1 would have quite the advantage at flat hwy spds, it might lose much of that advantage in mountains where profile takes a backseat to mass, the L1 is ~twice the weight of the Bowlus. A 180 lb rider might do okay on the flat stages of a bike race, not so much in the mountains ( unless you're Jan Ullrich).

 

[turbopilot]

I think it is interesting to compare the aerodynamics of different towable RV's. But when you compare the actual specifications of the LightShip Atmos and the Bowles Endless Highway models the only category where the Bowles beats LightShip is the price. There is certainly a place in the market for a Bowles (at maybe half the list price) and I applaud the nostalgic nod to enhanced aerodynamics, but I just don't think it is going to make it at that price.

Side-by-Side Specifications​

Feature	Lightship AE.1 Atmos	Bowlus Endless Highway (Frontier/Performance)
Starting Price	~$184,000	~$185,000 (standard) / $211,500+ (Frontier)
Exterior Length	26' 7" (w/ AeroHub)	26' 9" (standard) / 27' 2" (w/ Maneuvering Pkg)
Gross Weight (GVWR)	8,200 lbs	4,000 – 4,400 lbs
Dry Weight	7,200 lbs	3,200 – 3,600 lbs
Propulsion/Assist	TrekDrive™: Self-propelling electric motor	AeroMove®: Remote-controlled parking/maneuvering
Battery Capacity	77 kWh (LFP)	4 kWh (Std) / Up to 19 kWh (Off-Grid Pkg II)
Solar Power	1.8 kW (Integrated roof panels)	400W (AeroSolar) + optional portable panels
Interior Height	7' 5" (Camp Mode)	6' 4"
Fresh Water	50 Gallons	30 Gallons (Up to 50 with Luxe Package)
Gray/Black Water	35 Gal Gray / 30 Gal Black	30 Gal Gray / 4.5 Gal Cassette Toilet
Sleeping Capacity	Up to 4	Up to 4
A/C Off-Grid	Extended use (77 kWh battery)	Up to 16 hours (with 19 kWh battery)

 

[Rory (Lightship Team)]

I'd be interested in seeing a Bowlus v. L1 apples to apples comparison. I'd suspect the L1 would have quite the advantage at flat hwy spds, it might lose much of that advantage in mountains where profile takes a backseat to mass, the L1 is ~twice the weight of the Bowlus. A 180 lb rider might do okay on the flat stages of a bike race, not so much in the mountains ( unless you're Jan Ullrich).

great point that would be an interesting experiment! being a serious cyclist myself but a pretty light guy, the mountains are where I thrive

 

[Holdmybeer]

great point that would be an interesting experiment! being a serious cyclist myself but a pretty light guy, the mountains are where I thrive

You're in your element around the plant there then. I'm from Co. Spgs., where I started riding in the mid 60's when 10 speed meant two chainrings and 5 gears in the rear on what was called a freewheel. My first bike with STI was an 80's giant cadex 980C carbon fiber tubes with aluminum butt joints. I converted it from downtube shifters to STI, best innovation to road bikes since the derailleur. Still have that bike, it was bullet proof.