Polydrops, Inc.
 | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
|---|---|
| Industry | |
| Founded 📆 | February 11, 2019 |
| Founders 👔 | Kyunghyun Lew, Jieun Cha |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | , , United States |
Area served 🗺️ | Worldwide |
| Products 📟 | |
| Members | |
Number of employees | |
| 🌐 Website | polydrops |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Polydrops, Inc. is an American teardrop trailer company based in Los Angeles, California. Polydrops is known for its polygonal shape, all-electric climate control features, and lightness, towable with most vehicles including electric vehicles.
The company strives to foster sustainable camping culture – minimizing human footprints on nature through its EV-towable and fully climate-controlled teardrop trailer.[1]
History
Founding (2017–2019)
Founded as Polydrop Trailer in 2017, Polydrops was incorporated in February 2019, by Kyunghyun Lew and Jieun Cha. The couple created the first prototype in 2017 at the school parking lot located in Downtown Los Angeles while earning their master's degree in architecture. They used the trailer both for traveling and as a workspace. Later, it became a micro-office for growing the business at the startup incubator.[2]
2019 Polydrops Limited Edition (2019)
Polydrops released its first trailer, "2019 Polydrop Limited Edition," in March 2019. It had a lightweight aluminum frame with timbren independent suspension and hydraulic disc brakes for drivability and safety. The wooden cabin is bolted onto the metal frame and weighs 760lbs in total. There is a three-quarter size mattress, storage space, and a roof vent in the cabin. Each storage section has hidden indirect LED lighting. Also, 8.2″ thick rigid insulation has been inserted into the walls to save energy, and an aluminum skin wraps the wooden cabin to provide protection from harsh weather conditions. The trailer’s electronic system is powered by a 100w solar panel and a 110v power inlet on the left side of the body for heating and lighting.[3]
Polydrop K Series (2019–2020)
In October 2019, Polydrops released upgraded versions called the K series – K-17, K-19, K-20, KJ-20. Each model has different features, and the price ranges from $14,495(USD) to $19,995(USD) depending on its options. The body of the trailers is 149 inches long and 65.6 inches wide. The interior height is 42.5 inches tall.
Maintaining the design values of the previous model, the aluminum-skinned trailer increased its wall thickness from 8.2 inches to 8.7 inches to protect it from harsh weather, including snow. Also, the trailer’s improved outdoor kitchen comes with more amenities, including a fridge, hand pump sink, spice rack, cabinet and drawers, and two-burner stoves with vents along with the cooking counter and LED lights.
The most equipped model – The K-20 Fully Loaded – has a ceiling fan and a 5,000 BTU air conditioning unit, a heater with a thermostat, and insulated interior window covers. Also, there are four separate security cameras outside of the trailer. A roof rack, road shower, and awning are installed for a better camping experience.[4]
P17A (2021)
In March 2021, Polydrops launched P17A. It is claimed as ‘the most advanced travel trailer’ – an all-electric zero-emission travel trailer that can be towed by most vehicles, including electric vehicles. This model has improved from the previous models in power supply/storage, interior volume/layout, aerodynamics, and entertainment. The price ranges from $24,990 to $36,140 with all of the add-ons included.
It has a battery-operated air conditioner, heater, fridge, induction cooktop, bluetooth speakers, and many more with 110V outlets. The lithium-ion battery batteries integrated in the trailer’s floor supply between 2.4 and 12-kilowatt-hours of energy. This battery system also accompanies the solar panels, which then supply between 260 and 520-watts of solar energy. The 2.4 kilowatt-hour battery can be upgraded to 4.8 or 12 kilowatt-hours. Similarly, the 260-watt solar panels can be boosted to 520-watt for an additional cost. A fully upgraded Polydrops trailer can last off-the-grid for six nights.
The trailer stands at about 13.5 feet long, six feet wide, and 5.3 feet tall. The interior width is 4.5 feet, which is bigger than the previous Polydrops trailer model. This allows the unit to fit a full-size mattress. Also, the trailer’s unconventional layout – connecting the galley and sleeping area – lets users access everywhere from inside, unlike traditional teardrop trailers. The kitchen can be accessed from both inside and outside the trailer.
The aluminum trailer has an aerodynamic shape, allowing the electric vehicle towing the 1,200-pound trailer to save some energy. And an 8.7” thick wall is maintained for its insulation.[5]
| Year | Model | Dimension | Weight | Wall Thickness | Finish Material | Electric Power Capacity | Price (USD) | Upgrade Options |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Prototype | 12.4’x5.5’x3.5’ | 680 lb | 1" | Plywood | 50ah AGM | N/A | N/A |
| 2019 | 2019 Limited Edition | 12.4’x5.5’x3.5’ | 760 lb | 8.2" | Plywood, FRP, Aluminum | 100W solar panel
80Ah AGM Battery |
$9,000 | N/A |
| 2020 | K Series
(K-17, K-19, K-20, KJ20) |
12.9’x5.5’x5.8' | 900 - 1200 lb | 8.7" | Plywood, FRP, Aluminum | 100W solar panel
100Ah AGM / LiFePO4 battery |
$14,495 - 19,995 | Roof Rack, Awning, Road Shower, Off-road Lift Kit, Battery, Security Cameras |
| 2021 | P17A | 13.5’ x6’x 5.3’ | 1,100 - 1,400 lb | 8.7" | Plywood, FRP, Aluminum | 260W-520W solar power
2.4kwh-12kwh LiFePO4 battery |
$24,990 - 36,000 | Solar Panels, Battery, Kitchenette, Bluetooth Speakers |
Technologies
Electric Power
Polydrops is involved in battery research. Starting in 2019, the company has been researching its own battery system for off-the-grid camping. Currently, the company uses lithium-ion battery LiFePO4 from Battle Born, which is known for reliable performance and safety. The batteries are located under the trailer’s floor and supply between 2.4 and 12-kilowatt-hours of energy. This battery system also accompanies the solar panels, which then supply between 260 and 520-watts of solar energy. The 2.4 kilowatt-hour battery can be upgraded to 4.8 or 12 kilowatt-hours. Up to 520W rated solar panels and up to 12kWh batteries power all components, including a 5000BTU air conditioner, heater, fridge, and induction cooktop, for more than 6 nights.[1]
Aerodynamics
Aerodynamics is one of the key features of Polydrops. Their recent model, P17A, is designed to optimize airflow and reduce air resistance, resulting in a 55% resistance reduction compared to traditional teardrop-shaped trailers. This result benefits both EVs and gasoline cars to minimize their energy consumption. Especially for EVs, efficient aerodynamics minimizes charging time and shortens the total distance of a trip.
The Computational Fluid Dynamics(CFD) result of Polydrops shows that the total air resistance is 778N, with 242N of air resistance added to a towing vehicle by P17A when driving at 55mph with a Tesla model 3. Compared to that, a typical teardrop trailer generates a total of 1077N of air resistance and adds 541N of air resistance to a towing vehicle.
The lowest pressure point while towing a P17A is -5916dyne/cm2, while the teardrop trailer is -3711dyne/cm2. The actual airflow or the pressure created around the perimeter of the car is very close for both of them. [1]
Insulation
Polydrops uses up to 8.7" thick insulation walls to achieve fully climate-controlled camping. It assists either cool or warm energy to be captured inside, so that a minimum amount of electric power for the HVAC system is required. Due to its seamless solid insulation shell, the trailer has no thermal bridges losing heat energy, unlike typical wood-framed trailers.[6]
Controversies
Exterior Design
Polydrops’ trailers have been compared with Tesla’s Cybertruck after the truck’s unveiling event in November 2019.[7]
Aerodynamics
One of the most controversial issues is the aerodynamics of P17A. Due to its angled shape, Polydrops’ trailers are usually considered non-aerodynamic. However, the trailer’s edges split the airflow from the front and let it smoothly flow over the trailer based on their CFD results.
Further reading
- Banham, Reyner (1965). A home is not a house. New York: Art in America #2. ISBN 978-1101985953. Search this book on
- CNN “The latest trend in RV'ing: Getting way off the grid”
- Campendium “What Is Boondocking(And What It Isn’t)”
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 Polydrops Official Website
- ↑ Dwell "New Polydrops 2020 Camper Is the Perfect Companion to Tesla’s Cybertruck"
- ↑ Designboom "the polydrop trailer is a lightweight portable living space for comfortable travelling"
- ↑ Business Insider “This compact tiny home on wheels was inspired by a spaceship”
- ↑ Business Insider “This company created a $25,000 RV travel trailer designed to be towed by an EV like a Tesla”
- ↑ Forbes New Polydrop Teardrop Trailer Gets Tesla-Friendly With New Solar, Batteries, And Better Aero
- ↑ Slate The Windows On Tesla Cybertruck Are Not Unbreakable
External links
- Official website
- Forbes "New Polydrop Teardrop Trailer Gets Tesla-Friendly With New Solar, Batteries, And Better Aero"
- Designboom “Polydrops’ Battery Powered Mobile Room for EVs”
- Dwell “The New Polydrops Camper Pairs Perfectly With Electric Vehicles”
- Car and Drive “Polydrops P17A Is an Off-the-Grid Trailer for EV Towing, Camping”
- Men's Health “The 2019 Polydrop Trailer is the Future of Campers”
- Curbed "Spaceship-like camper asks $9K, can be towed by any car"
- AFAR "8 Tiny Travel Trailers We’re Drooling Over Right Now"
Polydrops, Inc
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