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Travel trailers, with very few exceptions, are variations on a theme.. It is a box, usually made of wood and fiberglass, mounted on some type of wheeled frame with a tow hitch on the front. This works because they are relatively easy to design and produce, and are made of inexpensive materials.
However, what if there was a different way to do it? LIV Travel Trailers believes there is. It’s called the e-Leaf, it was introduced in June, and it contains a lot of plastic and some lithium batteries.
Why plastic?
LIV (Lightweight Innovative Vehicle) Trailer Avoid using fiberglass and wood in construction and use plastic instead. Plastic honeycomb panels make up the body and structure of the living compartment (even the floor), and LIV says it’s superior because its ultrasonically plastic-welded seams are impervious to leaks, and because there’s no wood structure, there’s nothing to rot.
The folks at LIV are so confident in the durability and longevity of their trailers that they offer a lifetime warranty. That’s good, too, because we’re curious how well the plastic will hold up after years of baking in the sun in places like Arizona or Texas.
Building a trailer with honeycomb panels like this also reduces weight, making it easier to tow a variety of vehicles. The largest trailer offered by LIV, the 26 RBS, has a gross vehicle weight (GVW) of 4,990 pounds. This can be easily managed by a midsize SUV like the Kia Telluride or Subaru Ascent.
The 17-foot-17 FD falls under the Subaru Outback’s 3,500-pound towing capacity. Also of note is that LIV keeps the top of its trailers streamlined, resulting in a low overall profile that makes it easier to tow by reducing aerodynamic drag.
LIV also offers some models that it describes as “off-road” trailers, but that seems more like marketing than anything. They lack a true off-road hitch or any independent suspension that you’ll find on trail-ready trailers from more boutique manufacturers like ARB or Patriot Campers.
LIV e-Leaf fully electric? kinda
Last month, LIV launched the e-Leaf, a fully electric trailer. This model uses a pair of 200W roof-mounted solar panels and a 300Ah lithium battery to power a 3,000W inverter. This, in turn, powers appliances like induction cooktops and electric fridges, eliminating the need for propane.
A 20-amp DC-to-DC converter allows the E-Leaf to charge from your tow vehicle while you drive, ensuring a topped-up battery when you reach camp.
If the solar system isn’t producing enough to keep your trailer charged, there’s also a 2,250W generator, although this negates the whole “electric trailer” thing. Still, backups are smart, especially if you lack cell signal and are having problems. At least this means you won’t have to put off your travel.
The price of LIV travel trailers starts at around $20,000, and increases with options. There’s a nice configurator on the LIV website, so have a look around and have fun. If you’re looking for a lightweight trailer and live in an area where traditionally built trailers tend to rot, the LIV may be a good fit for you.
