FIRST CAMP WITH THE AMP (2024 Aliner AMP camping trailer)

[Lil'O Annie]

FIRST CAMP WITH THE ALINER AMP!

We finally managed to get away in our new 2024 Aliner AMP. Had a great trip! Everything worked great, but I am disappointed with a few poor-quality build issues, but nothing that would keep me from buying it again. The EcoFlow system is stellar--800W solar panels easily kept us charged up even in the heavily forested area with some slightly overcast skies. Built-in induction burner really cooks great!

We're very happy with our AMP that we've named "Squid" (for squashed lid). The quad Rivian R1T handled it with ease and we got better range values than we expected--no problems there, except the need for more DCFC (DC fast chargers) on our favorite NE WA route. Charging desert--No chargers on every corner, yet, like gas stations. We dealt with the limited charging availability by staying one pleasant night at a state park with 30/50amp power.

As for the range hit, we were surprised to do as well as we did, but speed makes a huge difference. With our AT tires we get 289 non-towing highway miles. With the trailer that drops to 190, so we're seeing around a 35% drop. Efficiency is around 1.5-1.6mi/kWh. We were taking our time on a windy remote back-road going around 35-45mph average. I did a range test with this trailer the week before at 50mph and got an efficiency of 1.4mi/kWh. The R1T estimated the weight of our full trailer at 3,000lbs. (empty weight is 2602lbs), which I think is fairly accurate. We were pleased with the results.

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[R1TCA]

I love that the aero seems to be decent being a squished ( ) lid.

How’s the setup and tear down when you get it to camp? Fast? Easy? 1-person doable or?

How easy is it to unhitch for charging? I’m guessing you can throw the jack stand down fairly easily.

 

[HaveBlue]

Very nice. I love the Aliner, Chalet and TrailManor type trailers. Looks like you had some extra wind resistive items on the truck as well. Between that, the quad and an open bed making streamlining a bit more uneven, you had really good efficiency! Looks like you had a fun trip.

 

[JoelD]

We get about 1.6 m/kWh pulling this 2023 Aliner Expedition so your efficiency sounds about right. The furthest I’ve gone between charges is 180 miles, had about 15% left. Was going downhill

I keep it at 65 mph on the highway, and stay in the right lane.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

How’s the setup and tear down when you get it to camp? Fast? Easy? 1-person doable or?

How easy is it to unhitch for charging? I’m guessing you can throw the jack stand down fairly easily.

Setup/Tear down is not bad. Does take some time, but easier for us than the tent camping we were doing last year. One person can do it easily. Pushing up the two big center panels requires a pole with a soft pad at the end (see the blue pad on a pole in the camp photo) due to the height.

Hitching is the same as any trailer. We didn't need to charge while on the road, since we charged once overnight in the campground with 50amps.

What I want to try out is charging the Rivian with the EcoFlow solar setup while camping. I have 800W on top of the AMP, plus an additional 600W portable panels I can add for a total of 1400W, which is enough to add 1.5 miles to the Rivian per hour, just like being plugged into a 120 outlet. I've tested that at home and it works surprisingly well. That won't get me 100% in a day, but could add around 9-10 miles or so per day in good sunlight, which is at least something in a pinch. My EcoFlow Kit has the 5K LFP battery, which has powered our trailer needs with a lot to spare so far.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

We get about 1.6 m/kWh pulling this 2023 Aliner Expedition so your efficiency sounds about right. The furthest I’ve gone between charges is 180 miles, had about 15% left. Was going downhill

I keep it at 65 mph on the highway, and stay in the right lane.

NICE! The colors together look great! Your Expedition is nearly identical inside to my AMP, except for the EcoFlow hub and battery inside next to the toilet cabinet. After our first trip, we're convinced that this was a good option for us.

 

[JoelD]

NICE! The colors together look great! Your Expedition is nearly identical inside to my AMP, except for the EcoFlow hub and battery inside next to the toilet cabinet. After our first trip, we're convinced that this was a good option for us.

When we bought our Expedition the preliminary info on the Amp was just coming out, but we were ready to take the plunge and found a really good price on the Expedition.

On setup, used to use the wind stabilizer poles, but I have found that I can quickly pop up the main panels by pushing up from the outside until one side clicks in, and then switching sides of the camper to do same. It gets easier the more you use it. It helps that I’m 6’5”

Charging the truck from the camper is pretty cool. We have several times plugged the camper into the Rivian in non electric sites.

 

[Polar]

Excited to hear more - I’m looking at this exact trailer - appreciate hearing the aero hit is low (as expected). Also love going fully electric for both tow rig and trailer.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

It gets easier the more you use it. It helps that I’m 6’5”

YES INDEEDY!! That would make it easier. I'm 5'8", so the pad/pole works great for me from inside. It does seem to get easier as I get more practice.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

Excited to hear more - I’m looking at this exact trailer - appreciate hearing the aero hit is low (as expected). Also love going fully electric for both tow rig and trailer.

The "nearly" all-electric is why I ordered and waited for mine. The most impressive thing is the EcoFlow Power Kit...it really rocks!!! I also wanted a built-in induction burner, since I've been cooking with induction for over 10 years now. Having the backup propane option for the fridge is nice to help manage the power draw on the EcoFlow battery. The tank-less water heater uses propane, too, and works well.

If you have any questions about the AMP, I'd be happy to answer them, if I can. We are truly very pleased with it. I see you are in WA...which side? If you happen to be passing by Ritzville on I-90 I'd be happy to show you our AMP. Oh...and ignore the MSRP on these...I paid $45,500 for mine.

 

[Polar]

The "nearly" all-electric is why I ordered and waited for mine. The most impressive thing is the EcoFlow Power Kit...it really rocks!!! I also wanted a built-in induction burner, since I've been cooking with induction for over 10 years now. Having the backup propane option for the fridge is nice to help manage the power draw on the EcoFlow battery. The tank-less water heater uses propane, too, and works well.

If you have any questions about the AMP, I'd be happy to answer them, if I can. We are truly very pleased with it. I see you are in WA...which side? If you happen to be passing by Ritzville on I-90 I'd be happy to show you our AMP. Oh...and ignore the MSRP on these...I paid $45,500 for mine.

Absolutely appreciate that!! Over on the west side; but head over to WSU enough may try to detour up 90 rather than hit 26 the whole way.

Good to info already with the water heater still needing propane; makes perfect sense though. Does your model have AC/Heatpump? Had you owned any trailers before? I am looking at the a-liner for the reduced aero impact absolutely.

 

[mrodriguez]

FIRST CAMP WITH THE ALINER AMP!

We finally managed to get away in our new 2024 Aliner AMP. Had a great trip! Everything worked great, but I am disappointed with a few poor-quality build issues, but nothing that would keep me from buying it again. The EcoFlow system is stellar--800W solar panels easily kept us charged up even in the heavily forested area with some slightly overcast skies. Built-in induction burner really cooks great!

We're very happy with our AMP that we've named "Squid" (for squashed lid). The quad Rivian R1T handled it with ease and we got better range values than we expected--no problems there, except the need for more DCFC (DC fast chargers) on our favorite NE WA route. Charging desert--No chargers on every corner, yet, like gas stations. We dealt with the limited charging availability by staying one pleasant night at a state park with 30/50amp power.

As for the range hit, we were surprised to do as well as we did, but speed makes a huge difference. With our AT tires we get 289 non-towing highway miles. With the trailer that drops to 190, so we're seeing around a 35% drop. Efficiency is around 1.5-1.6mi/kWh. We were taking our time on a windy remote back-road going around 35-45mph average. I did a range test with this trailer the week before at 50mph and got an efficiency of 1.4mi/kWh. The R1T estimated the weight of our full trailer at 3,000lbs. (empty weight is 2602lbs), which I think is fairly accurate. We were pleased with the results.

Care to share the quality issues? We have been doing some research. I’m more inclined towards a tear drop and my wife the Aliner.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

Absolutely appreciate that!! Over on the west side; but head over to WSU enough may try to detour up 90 rather than hit 26 the whole way.

Good to info already with the water heater still needing propane; makes perfect sense though. Does your model have AC/Heatpump? Had you owned any trailers before? I am looking at the a-liner for the reduced aero impact absolutely.

I have a question for you, Scott. Did you go to the Emerald City Rivian event up at Wild Horse Wind Farm in May?? We were parked right next to a gorgeous Compass Yellow R1S and briefly chatted with you and your family in the parking lot...if that was you. I had planned on bringing the AMP with me to that event, but the high winds made me change my mind about camping overnight, so I left it at home.
Okay, to answer your question: Yes, we have the AC/Heat-pump. It won't cool things down quickly, especially in really warm weather, but it does cool. The heat option is more to maintain the heat after you first use the propane furnace to really warm things up quickly, but together they do a nice job. Yes, there is a typical propane furnace as well as the heat-pump.
We've owned a few campers and trailers, as well as a cargo and flatbed. Haven't towed with the R1T much with the cargo or flatbed, though. We have a wonderful Arctic Fox camper to sell now since we got the AMP.

 

[Lil'O Annie]

Care to share the quality issues? We have been doing some research. I’m more inclined towards a tear drop and my wife the Aliner.

Sure. The quality issues are not serious functional issues--everything works great. It's just sloppy build issues, like; caulking, alignment of tie-down buckles, rough cutouts, and cost-cutting little things here and there. The RV industry typically builds crap, so I expected a few misses. But, the important things all work. We were spoiled by our top-quality Arctic Fox camper we'd been using for the past six years, and could see the difference between high quality and lower quality right away. As a-frame trailers go, though, the Aliners seem to have a good reputation and fewer issues.
We looked at small tear-drops, but for us, they were just too cramped inside, or too big if they had room and features we wanted.
Here are some photos to show what I mean about quality issues...
ROUGH-CUT LATCH OPENINGS WITH INSULATION UNPROTECTED

ROUGH-CUT LATCH OPENINGS WITH INSULATION UNPROTECTED

SLOPPY CAULKING

CROOKED TIE-DOWN LATCH FOR TOP PANELS

MORE SLOPPY CAULKING AND FUNKY GAPS

 

[Polar]

I have a question for you, Scott. Did you go to the Emerald City Rivian event up at Wild Horse Wind Farm in May?? We were parked right next to a gorgeous Compass Yellow R1S and briefly chatted with you and your family in the parking lot...if that was you.

That would have been my wife and I absolutely; while my son probably complained in the middle seat of our CY R1S.

Always wonderful to meet more owners, and funny it’s such a small world.

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