You can wait until others do it – or do what others are still waiting for: This time, the already traditional Ford Go Camping event was all about electromobility. The basis for this was provided by the proven Mustang Mach-E and the brand new Explorer, which not only have five seats and a large trunk, but also a range of up to 600 kilometers.
Packing a tent and a few air mattresses in the trunk wouldn’t have been enough to check whether they were suitable for camping – we were also able to successfully tick off the topic of a roof tent on an electric car last year. So a new challenge was needed: We found this in two family-friendly caravans from Caramobil’s rental offer in Leopoldsdorf near Vienna.
Provided you have an E to B driving license, the Cara One caravan models can be towed with both the Mustang Mach-E (1.5 tonne trailer load) and the new Explorer (1.2 tonne towed load). The questions that arose were: how, how far and with what comfort? In order not to work with a false bottom, a preliminary test was not carried out; instead, local motor journalists took a seat behind the wheel of the two Ford models.
Starting in Vienna Simmering we went to nearby Leopoldsdorf, where we received comprehensive training from Caramobil on the subject of caravans and operating with trailers.
Accompanied by a Ford Ranger – also equipped with a caravan – we continued via Hochstrass (yes, this many-kilometer-long climb has increased energy consumption), with a detour via Petzenkirchen – the Bärenwirt resident there is always worth a detour towards the west. Even before Linz, it became clear that the battery capacity in trailer operation would no longer be sufficient to reach the destination, Lake Attersee. There was plenty of electricity in Eberstalzell, but no one thought of a charging station for electric cars with trailers when designing this charging station. It was the tolerance of all the other tankers that allowed us not to have to hang out here. Up to this point it had been over 250 kilometers, a value that clearly exceeded our own expectations and after just over half an hour we went on to Lake Attersee where we were able to spend the night in beautiful surroundings.
The way back to Vienna led via a fuel stop in Linz – where the caravans had to be taken down – and via Leopoldsdorf, where we left the five sleeping places on wheels behind. The remaining range for both models was over 100 kilometers.
Of course, it may still be a bit unusual to interrupt a holiday trip for around half an hour every 250 kilometers. However, a toilet, coffee and a bit of exercise make this time fly by and in the end you may arrive at your destination a little later, but also much more relaxed.
Both Ford electric models presented themselves to the press as agile, high-torque and absolutely confident in handling the caravan. There was slight criticism for the wobbly additional mirrors (which came from the landlord), which are essential and mandatory due to the wide caravans. We also encountered the problem that electric cars often send too much electricity to the caravan via the trailer hitch. The result is that normal absorption refrigerators do not work without further intervention. However, the caravan manufacturers are already working on a solution here.
In conclusion, it can be said that nothing stands in the way of a holiday trip with the Ford electric trailer. On the contrary, they help to make camping, which is already a very resource-saving topic, even more environmentally friendly.
You can find extensive, high-resolution images for this press release in our Media Center media.ford.com.