Pairing a 50-Year-Old Camper with an Electric Vehicle for a Long-Distance Challenge
Australian traveler John Murray and his companion recently completed an ambitious journey, driving a five-year-old Tesla Model 3 while towing a half-century-old Cub Drifter pop-top camper. The 33-day trip covered 5,693 kilometers, traversing Brisbane, Wilson’s Promontory, Melbourne, the Great Ocean Road, the Hume Highway, Sydney, and the Pacific Highway. The entire route was completed under electric power, testing the practical performance of an EV when towing a heavy load over long distances.
The Cub Drifter camper, loaded with food, bedding, and water, weighed 730 kilograms. It was equipped with a 3kWh Powertech battery pack, powered by 600W thin flexible solar panels or mains electricity. Inside, the camper featured a 30-liter fridge and a 22-liter freezer, both running on the battery pack. Murray noted that under normal usage—including lights and an induction cooktop—the solar panels could keep the battery charged, allowing for three days of off-grid operation with reasonable sunshine. With vehicle-to-load capability, he suggested that off-grid duration could extend to weeks, provided water was available.
Charging Strategies and Practical Challenges
The journey involved 41 separate charging sessions, excluding home charging before departure and after return. Due to tight spaces or multi-level carpark constraints at some charging stations, Murray unhitched the camper six times to charge the Tesla alone. One of the most challenging moments occurred in Wangaratta, where limited space forced him to park the camper on the street before driving to the charging station.
Charging relied primarily on the Tesla Supercharger network, with occasional use of Chargefox and BP charging stations. Target charge levels were typically set at 80% or 90%, depending on the distance to the next leg of the journey. Murray found that frequent charging during long drives (400 to 500 kilometers) aligned well with the need for breaks, making the overall trip smooth. Some caravan parks offered overnight trickle charging; Murray proactively inquired upon arrival, with most parks providing free charging and only one charging a AUD 20 fee. Eden Reflections Caravan Park and NRMA Umina Beach featured free EV-specific charging stations for park residents, while NRMA Shellharbour offered a 22kW charger activated via the Chargefox app.
Efficiency and Cost Analysis
Over the entire journey, the average efficiency was 23.4kWh/100km, with total charging costs amounting to AUD 657.59. Excluding the 710 kilometers driven without towing (calculated at the car’s lifetime average of 15.5kWh/100km), the weighted average efficiency while towing was 24.5kWh/100km. Compared to the Model 3’s normal efficiency of 15.5kWh/100km, this represented a drop to just 63% of its usual range—meaning the 730kg camper significantly reduced the vehicle’s driving range.
Murray emphasized that despite the reduced efficiency, the electric vehicle remained capable of handling long-distance travel. He noted that the distribution and speed of charging stations were sufficient to meet the trip’s demands, with charging intervals aligning well with rest stops, avoiding additional burdens. Looking ahead, he plans to continue traveling in the same manner and anticipates further advancements in EV technology to improve towing performance.
This journey not only demonstrated the real-world capabilities of an electric vehicle towing a heavy load over long distances but also provided valuable insights for EV owners. As electric vehicles become more widespread, similar long-distance trips will likely become more common. The continued improvement of charging infrastructure and vehicle technology will further enhance the practicality and convenience of electric vehicles.
