On the eve of CES 2025, I found myself behind the wheel of an electric SUV, swiftly and silently towing an electric-assisted camper trailer and seriously considering if this could be the future of battery-powered glamping. Recreational vehicle startup Pebble returns to the show this year with its battery-powered Flow electric RV, which is now closer than ever to production.Â
I tested out the camper's remote controlled positioning and automatic hook-up functions behind a Rivian R1S, before hitting the road to see how its Magic Pack electric assist motors can boost hauling efficiency and ease.
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The broad strokes of the Flow haven't changed much since last year. The slick-styled camper still boasts a 45 kilowatt-hour battery pack capable of charging at DC fast charging stations, camp RV hookups or at home via its J1772 CCS port. The RV also features bidirectional power for vehicle-to-load applications at the campsite or vehicle-to-home when you're not exploring the great outdoors.
We've since learned that while the battery is standard, the dual electric motors will be an optional upgrade called the Magic Pack, which enables app-controlled remote positioning when unhitched, automatic hitching and unhitching once lined up, and electric assist and regenerative braking while towing. The Flow also features deployable stabilizing legs and steps, a motorized cowl that covers the flat front window for improved highway aerodynamics and a new awning supplied by Thule.
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Look closely and you'll note that the Flow's rear end is now more upright, freeing up a bit more headspace for the bedroom area than the prototype's boat tail design while matching its aerodynamics. While reshaping the rear, Pebble has added a hitch receiver to accommodate accessories like bike racks and redesigned the tail light bar with what I think is a very Rivian-inspired aesthetic (and a fitting match for the day's host vehicle).
Pebble has also shifted the rear axle rearward by about a foot for better rear clearance over uneven terrain and upgraded the front caster wheel to a more all-terrain design. Up top, the solar roof has been bumped to a 1.1 kW array (up from 1.0 kW), and the engineers have made all sorts of quality-of-life tweaks, including redesigned water hookups and integrated exterior lighting.
After testing out the remote control modes and hooking up to the Rivian R1S, I was able to try the Magic Pack's three assist modes on the road. There are three to choose from via the Pebble app, including Off, Active Tow Assist and Recharging modes. Off gives no assist at all, which gave me a freewheeling baseline for how heavy the Flow would feel without the motors helping.
Active Tow Assist mode uses sensors and Nvidia-powered intelligence to automatically detect when the host vehicle is accelerating or decelerating and can apply electric assist or regenerative braking to help pull its own weight or stabilize while slowing. Upon engaging, I was immediately able to feel the whole rig seemingly lighten up with improved acceleration. Speed was easier to maintain, the trailer felt more stable, and (perhaps most interesting) I saw improved results on the Rivian's in-dash efficiency meter. With the Flow helping, towing was more efficient, which would result in more towing range for an EV like the R1S, but also improved mpg if the host were a combustion-powered pickup. Win-win.
Overall, I was impressed not just by the lighter, easier towing, but also by how fluidly and transparently the assist kicked off and on in the normal mode. You can see my firsthand reaction in the video embedded above.
The final mode is a Recharging mode that adds a bit of regenerative braking drag at all times. This recharges the Flow's battery at the cost of increased energy consumption from the towing vehicle. Pebble doesn't recommend using this mode with an EV (it's less efficient overall), but if you're hauling with a big diesel over relatively flat or declining terrain, it can be helpful to top up the camper's battery without stopping for a charge.Â
Pebble says the Flow is on track to begin production in early 2025 and is taking orders for the electric travel trailer. The Pebble Flow starts at $109,500, which seems like a lot, but isn't too far above comparable non-electrified luxury travel trailers, which easily crest the $100K mark at this size. However, if you've made it this far, you're probably most interested in the dual-motor Magic Pack upgrade which starts at $135,500 and is the only way to get the really cool remote control and active-assist functions.
For more on CES 2025, check out the new CES products that you can actually buy right now, or scroll through the most ridiculous and bizarre CES gadgets from this century.
