Dethleffs New Split-Shell Trailer Expands Upwards, Not Outwards
Dethleffs is ready to take pop-up RV’s up a level.
The German caravan brand unveiled a trailer concept called the C.Fold with a split-shell design at this year’s Caravan, Motor, and Tourism (CMT) convention, according to New Atlas. The feature allows the wedge-shaped vehicle to expand, which should make camping out of it significantly more comfortable.
The C.Fold is the latest entry in the Dethleffs’s “Destination Future” prototype series. The concept’s unorthodox design allows it to keep as low of a profile as possible during transport, broadening the amount of vehicle that can tow it to include EVs and smaller models. It was inspired by two of the brand’s longtime customers, Monika and Peter Marchart, who’ve been hankering for a more EV-friendly battery-powered vehicle a few years back.
Dethleffs C.Fold concept
Dethleffs/YouTube
The concept was designed to be as streamlined as possible and lacks the heavy batteries and bulky drivetrains found on so many of today’s luxury trailers. What it does have, though, is clamshell-like mechanism that allows it to tuck low for transport and expand upwards when parked. When fully deployed the C.Fold offers over six feet of headroom at its tallest point. The mechanism is controlled by a central pulley system as opposed to complex hardware to help keep weight down. Dethloeffs says the prototype tips the scale at just 1,709 pounds, which is light enough for smaller EVs and gas-powered cars.
The C.Fold still appears to be a work in progress, so the interior is less refined that we’re used to seeing from a trailer concept. Cabin shots on the brand’s website shows a sofa that can be converted into a bed at the shorter end of the vehicle, while the taller end is equipped with a kitchenette and a dining area with seating. There’s no sign of the bathroom, but that’s not unusual for a caravan that’s both compact and lightweight.
Inside the C.Fold
Dethleffs
Dethleffs has yet to say if it has any intention of building and selling the C.Fold, which would be in line with previous “Destination Future” prototypes. Still, features from the series have made it onto production models, so don’t be surprised if the company releases a clamshell trailer sooner than later.
Click here for more photos of the Dethleffs C.Fold trailer concept.
