[gordonrands]

I'm an environmentalist who drives a plug-in Toyta Prius hybrid, with a Dodge Dakota as a wood hauling truck. I'm nearly 70 and only need one vehicle going forward and want it to be an EV truck for overall versatility.

We plan to haul a lightweight (1700 lbs.) Camp365 tenting trailer. Our retirement travel goals include trips to Alaska, all across Canada and across the US, along with a tandem e-bike and a tandem fishing kayak. Some mild off-roading but nothing extreme. Our kids are located from PA to OR and in between, so lots of travel planned in a few years.

I want to have a vehicle that meets all my needs without overbuying. Its the remote camping trips that make me interested in the 400 mile range, and the larger truck bed that is particularly intriguing about the Silverado.

I've also got reservations on the Rivian R1T (Max pack 400 mi. range, now not due until 2024) and the Cybertruck. Had a reservation on the Lightning but passed on it this summer. Thought the larger range Rivian would be here by now. .

 

[ChargedSilvE]

Welcome to the forum @gordonrands. What spec Silverado EV are you after?

 

[HawaiiEV]

The range while towing will be half or less, depending on speed. Might be a big factor, that’s a lot of stops for fast charging if the charging is even available on the way in remote parts.

 

[tsuintx]

Welcome, Gordon! Hopefully I could also retire one of these days in the not too distant future...

The range while towing will be half or less, depending on speed. Might be a big factor, that’s a lot of stops for fast charging if the charging is even available on the way in remote parts.

This.

 

[EVTrucking]

Hi and welcome to the forum. My wife and I are retired and made the switch from Prius to EV in February of this year. We are environment conscious and tired of being under big oils thumb. No more ICE for us. We don’t necessarily blame global warming on ICE , we just don’t think breathing in their exhaust makes sense.

Currently we have an R1T and really enjoy it. As you probably already know you will take a hit on range when towing but it should not be too bad with a tent trailer. Some planning and a mindset that takes others into account (breathable air) you will enjoy traveling and camping without fouling up the great outdoors you seek to camp in!!

I recently completed a camping trip with my adult daughter to Anthony Lake in the Elkhorn mountains using my R1T. No charging ports but a little planning and we had a great time.

I am thinking of getting a tent trailer, any recommendations?

 

[gordonrands]

Hi and welcome to the forum. My wife and I are retired and made the switch from Prius to EV in February of this year. We are environment conscious and tired of being under big oils thumb. No more ICE for us. We don’t necessarily blame global warming on ICE , we just don’t think breathing in their exhaust makes sense.

Currently we have an R1T and really enjoy it. As you probably already know you will take a hit on range when towing but it should not be too bad with a tent trailer. Some planning and a mindset that takes others into account (breathable air) you will enjoy traveling and camping without fouling up the great outdoors you seek to camp in!!

I recently completed a camping trip with my adult daughter to Anthony Lake in the Elkhorn mountains using my R1T. No charging ports but a little planning and we had a great time.

I am thinking of getting a tent trailer, any recommendations?

We have ordered a Camp365, which should be ready about the first of the year. They are made by AWOL Outdoors, a small company based in Minnesota with a factory in south central Iowa. You can find information and lots of videos at https://camp365.com/exterior/

 

[gordonrands]

Welcome to the forum @gordonrands. What spec Silverado EV are you after?

Either the RST or the Trail Boss. Will the Trail Boss have the midgate feature? Will the RST be able to do mild off roading? The Rivian R1T has that capability, but has the short bed (which of course is helpful off road). Sigh. Trying to figure out the perfect configuration for a variety of uses is tough!

Oh, and for wood hauling I would like to have power outlets right behind the cab where I could plug in a removable electric winch to haul logs up into the truck. Get my wood at a city yard waste site that gets lots of great wood but doesn't allow the use of chain saws for fear of being sued in case of an accident.

 

[EVTrucking]

We have ordered a Camp365, which should be ready about the first of the year. They are made by AWOL Outdoors, a small company based in Minnesota with a factory in south central Iowa. You can find information and lots of videos at Exterior - Camp365. Watch videos to learn about he exterior.

Thank you. Interesting rig that has me thinking.

I don’t think the R1T will suit your log retrieval and hauling needs as the bed is too short and not conducive to installing a winch. You might consider keeping your current ICE as your dedicated log hauler.

 

[NutsnBolt]

Our retirement travel goals include trips to Alaska, all across Canada and across the US.

I live in Alaska, and have driven the Alaska Highway many times, including twice this summer. I can tell you that range for an EV would certainly be a concern for that trip -- especially in northern BC and the Yukon. I had some range anxiety in a few stretches with a HD ICE truck pulling a heavy load. But I'd expect that to be changing in the next few years. Plan the trip carefully, based on needed stops. If there's anything I can do to help with you plans, let me know.

I also am waiting on Silverado details to decide on how I can use one. I'd like to pull a larger camper, but will decide when I know more details. I have Silverado reservations in AK and GA, and will decide which to use when details are available.

 

[gordonrands]

I live in Alaska, and have driven the Alaska Highway many times, including twice this summer. I can tell you that range for an EV would certainly be a concern for that trip -- especially in northern BC and the Yukon. I had some range anxiety in a few stretches with a HD ICE truck pulling a heavy load. But I'd expect that to be changing in the next few years. Plan the trip carefully, based on needed stops. If there's anything I can do to help with you plans, let me know.

I also am waiting on Silverado details to decide on how I can use one. I'd like to pull a larger camper, but will decide when I know more details. I have Silverado reservations in AK and GA, and will decide which to use when details are available.

Thanks for the input. The big question that I have is what kind of range is needed or will be in a couple of years: 300 or 400 miles? I expect to be towing a light trailer (1700 lbs), so that shouldn't be a big drag on range. For most driving in the lower 48 I expect that I could get by with 300 miles, but Alaska and Canada are to me unknowns, although I've read that Alaskan charging infrastructure is significantly going to be increasing.

Has anyone heard any estimates of the Silverado EV RST or Trail Boss prices yet?

 

[Burbman]

Weight is not the issue with towing, it is aero. Also, temperature plays a huge role in determining EV range, if you are planning on making the trip in the summer, you can probably plan on having range in the 200-250 mile range if you are towing. Not sure you will have the infrastructure to accommodate recharging. You will need to map out the trip in advance just to make sure you do not end up stranded somewhere far, far from any resources.

 

[EVTrucking]

Weight is not the issue with towing, it is aero. Also, temperature plays a huge role in determining EV range, if you are planning on making the trip in the summer, you can probably plan on having range in the 200-250 mile range if you are towing. Not sure you will have the infrastructure to accommodate recharging. You will need to map out the trip in advance just to make sure you do not end up stranded somewhere far, far from any resources.

I think it’s possible that trailer design will evolve to be more aerodynamic to be compatible with EVs. Simultaneously EVs will continue evolving and will attain superior towing capability.

 

[Burbman]

I think it’s possible that trailer design will evolve to be more aerodynamic to be compatible with EVs. Simultaneously EVs will continue evolving and will attain superior towing capability.

Also, some trailer companies have begun looking into adding their own batteries and helper motors, which could in the long run, end up making EV's the preferred method of trailering. Talking probably 10 years or so down the line.

 

[EVTrucking]

Also, some trailer companies have begun looking into adding their own batteries and helper motors, which could in the long run, end up making EV's the preferred method of trailering. Talking probably 10 years or so down the line.

Good point. Lets hope it is less than 10 yrs.

 

[HawaiiEV]

Until a new battery technology becomes available the whole pulling a trailer thing is going to be compromised compared to ICE. Gas and diesel have a dramatically higher energy density and can refuel in 5 min. The Silverado is going about as far as they can with the current NMC batteries and it’s not good enough for most, let’s hope solid state hits mass market within 10 years.

 

[EVTrucking]

Until a new battery technology becomes available the whole pulling a trailer thing is going to be compromised compared to ICE. Gas and diesel have a dramatically higher energy density and can refuel in 5 min. The Silverado is going about as far as they can with the current NMC batteries and it’s not good enough for most, let’s hope solid state hits mass market within 10 years.

Gas and diesel have the advantage for towing most types of trailers but pollute like crazy while doing it. MPG does take a pretty big hit depending on what they are towing.

For all our sakes I hope it does not take 10 yrs. A change in attitude from self centeredness to caring about others could solve a lot of the EV towing issue.

 

[HawaiiEV]

10 years is the timeline GM gave for the HD EV and I believe it is timed to solid state battery availability. Americans have been producing less CO2 for years now, the ICE trucks are cleaner and more efficient then ever. I think we have been doing a great job. China and some other countries are on a far worse trajectory that makes us look like small beans.

 

[EVTrucking]

10 years is the timeline GM gave for the HD EV and I believe it is timed to solid state battery availability. Americans have been producing less CO2 for years now, the ICE trucks are cleaner and more efficient then ever. I think we have been doing a great job. China and some other countries are on a far worse trajectory that makes us look like small beans.

Less is better but it is still too much.

I have no sympathy or respect for the oil or ICE car industry. They have kept us under their thump for a very long time. I cannot find anything nostalgic about what it has done to our environment.