Is the Polydrops P21 the Most Aerodynamic Camping Trailer Ever?

With their large size, the average camping trailer isn’t a very aerodynamic thing to pull behind your truck or SUV. This is even more evident when you’re hauling with an all-electric vehicle like a Ford F-150 Lightning, even with its 300-plus miles of range when unladen. That’s why having a much more aerodynamic shape is one of the keys to increasing range for any towed camper. Polydrops seems to think their P21 is the start of that solution.

While we’re sure other camper trailer makers do some Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) work, Polydrops starts with this program to build their trailers. In a release by its CEO, Kyunghyun Lew, the drag of a Tesla Model Y without a trailer is 157.1 pound-force when driving at 55 mph.

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When you use the three traditional trailer designs on the market at the same dimensions as the P21—the bullet-shaped boat tail, the leaned front travel trailer, and the teardrop—at those same speeds, the drag ranges from 184.3 pound-force for the bullet trailer to 271.1 pound-force on the teardrop when towed with a Model Y, according to Polydrops’ CFD data. When Polydrops places its P21 behind that same Model Y at 55 mph, its drag comes out to 119.1 pound-force and is an impressive 65.2 pound-force drop compared to the best of the three traditional camper trailer designs.

How to Make Your Trailer Aerodynamic

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To make the P21 more aerodynamic, the exterior design needed reimagining, and the company's earlier minimalist P19 wouldn’t do as a start. The front of the P19 utilized a horizontal shape for the front end, which works as it doesn’t eclipse the roof of the typical towing vehicle. The P21 is made for families and needed to be taller, and a wedge-shaped vertical front end was designed. The rear of the P21 when tapers into a boat tail design that’s far more optimized for air flow than the Kammback of the P19. This design also required the use of a small spoiler to reduce wind resistance further as well as create laminar flow over the top surface of the P21. This reduces wind turbulence and improves stability, according to Polydrops.

Another drastic change compared to a typical camping trailer is the use of a flat underfloor. On most campers, the frame and floor are exposed to the air that’s generated under the towing vehicle and the trailer itself. The P21 uses a flat underfloor that eliminates these protrusions (and the drag they create), just like you'll find under many EVs for exactly the same reason.

Fenders are another source of drag found on your typical camper trailer, and the fenders of the P21 are integrated into the body of the trailer. There are also some additional airflow techniques to drive air around the tires with air curtains and vents that let tire wake smoothly back into the rear body of the P21. It is interesting that the P21 uses standard trailer wheels over something more aero-friendly like we find on many EVs. You’ll also find that the P21 uses an aluminum frame that not only helps reduce weight—which Polydrops lists at 1,800 to 2,000 pounds dry for its 21x7.5x5.6 ft footprint—but will also last much longer than most steel frames found on camper trailers.

A Better Interior Than You Expect

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The only problem is that the major body design of the P21 introduces many new challenges in building a camper trailer for families as it’s intended for. First, the main bed space is found at the rear of the P21 with windows surrounding occupants until the headrest. While the head does taper in, the main bed still measures 58 x 80 inches, sleeping two comfortably. It can also become a work or dining space when the central rear section of the be is removed and the table raised up in its place. The front of the P21 is designed as the children’s bed but can also be co-opted into additional storage space for those who don’t travel with kids. There is an additional table that can be used for someone who needs some “me space” while working. The other good news is that the P21 features a seamless insulation construction that not only offers additional thermal protection, but also offers noise reduction for easy sleeping space for all who stay inside.

Powering the interior is a 5-kWh lithium iron phosphate (LFP) battery system that can be changed by the integrated 1.3-kW roof solar panel array. This allows the P21 to offer an off-grid climate control with its 12,000 BTU air conditioning and heat pump system. While you have solar, the P21 also includes a 30-amp shore power inlet on the side so you can power everything when the weather isn’t good enough for solar charging. Interior power and climate control is controlled by a seven-inch touch display that can also connect to your smartphone for remote control.

Add-Ons

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While the standard P21 is still rather minimalist, there are add-ons you can opt for to make your travel trailer more like a true home on wheels. The cooking station add-on includes an 1.8-kW inductive stove, 700-W microwave, and 1.15 cu-ft overhead cabinet. The sanitation unit will add in amenities like a sink with a Dometic Go faucet, Geyser EcoShower and 36x24-inch shower pan, and 2.6-gallon portable toilet along with a 9-gallon freshwater tank and a 1.3-gallon water heater tank. This all gets stored under a lounger that can also double as the additional space for the longer kid’s bed mattress. Finally, you can add on a portable, 25-liter Dometic CFX 3 fridge that you can take outside but is normally stored under the kid’s bed space.

Deliveries Coming Soon

With everything so well thought out, you might be wondering when this futuristic camper will come to market. If everything remains on track, it won’t be long as the Polydrops is scheduled to begin production by Q4 with the P21 Base starting at $38,900. At the time of publication, the additional prices for the add-ons haven’t been announced. If you want to make sure you’re one of the first in line, Polydrops is offering reservations with a $100 refundable deposit that can be made today, though you will have to contend with a 3 percent processing fee if you use a credit card. Once production begins, an additional $4,900 deposit will be required to secure your spot before you can fully purchase a brand new P21.