What?
A hitch mounted hand wagon used to transport and power most portable electronics with up to 10.24 kWh of power from two 400AH 12.8V lithium batteries.
5 days boondocking deep in a national forest resulted with this concept. I’m now stuck with designer’s block. So far I have a partial frame, a partial suspension assembly, & partial batteries modeled. As modeled, the Camprover has over 5 inches of suspension.
The assembly is missing the hubs, which will contain their own individual drive motors. There will be a handle on the front of the assembly to “pull” the 200lb+ wagon with a throttle grip. This is where I’m stuck. I want the batteries to remain in parallel at 12v, but the available hub motors are designed for 24v to 48v. My biggest hope lies with motorized wheelchairs. A hand pulled wagon doesn’t need a high speed motor. The Camprover needs a high torque, low RPM motor to move fire wood or an injured camper.
This design may quickly require foreign manufacturing aid if I intend to motorize the propulsion. Though I ask myself if its necessary. The main function is to act as a large hitch mounted battery. Does it need to move?
But why?
My friend, Chief, is the person who came up with the name. Initially I was fond of the Off-road Fridge, which I used to show my acknowledgment of the ridiculousness of this idea. A fridge is not the typical object somebody envisions outside a home, let alone in an wilderness environment. Strangely enough, it now is. I blame Yeti coolers. The advent of the rotomolded coolers with a boujee price tag to match has spawned an interesting trend. High-end outdoor products are a thriving new industry. What was once a practice of minimalist existence over a labor day weekend is now a trial run for an societal collapse. My Camp Wagon may find a use if made & marketed in the correct manner.
Everything gas powered now has an electronic counterpart. A large battery will only continue to increase usefulness. Bigger the better.. kind of. Modern batteries have a great power to weight/mass ratio, but replacing a gas engine requires a very large battery. Each battery in this assembly weighs 75 pounds. Some allure of the Camprover is having an externally mounted battery which won’t weigh a vehicle down during the daily commute.
What’s next?
To be continued.
