Sponsored

Pebble Flow Electric Camper - Competition for Lightship RV

DaveA

Well-Known Member
First Name
David
Joined
Nov 17, 2020
Threads
15
Messages
2,239
Reaction score
4,052
Location
Texas
Vehicles
Rivian R1T
I like it...expensive, but what isn't nowadays? This seems to have better interior storage than Lightship and doesn't have the complexity of moving the entire RV up and down to improve aerodynamic efficiencies.

https://pebblelife.com/pebble-flow

Rivian R1T R1S Pebble Flow Electric Camper - Competition for Lightship RV 1697815746523
Sponsored

 

clockwork crane

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
66
Reaction score
89
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Vehicles
Rivian R1T
It's great to see competition in this space!

For the benefit of future readers, some notable differences between the Pebble Flow and the Lightship L1, as far as I've been able to scrape from their ad copy:

The big one (which DaveA mentioned above): The Pebble isn't hi-lo, which changes the interior a lot, at the cost of higher frontal area.

The main bed in the Pebble is a queen murphy bed (convertible), not a regular queen bed like in the Lightship.

The Pebble has a front dinette, middle bath, rear bed (instead of the Lightship's front bed, middle dinette, rear bath).

The Pebble has a combined gray/black tank at 50 gallons (which is really unusual; I don't think I've ever seen an RV with a combined tank sized that large). The Lightship has separate gray (35 gallons?) and black (30 gallons?) tanks.

The Pebble has 1 kW of rooftop solar, whereas the Lightship has 2 kW.

The Pebble appears to max out at 45 kWh of battery, whereas the Lightship is either 40 kWh or 80 kWh depending on trim level.

The Pebble has a self-driving coupler: it promises to move itself to your tow vehicle's hitch and hitch itself up autonomously. This is like a really advanced version of the eStream. The Lightship hasn't advertised any such capability (though in theory they could eventually do this too). Note that a hitchup can't be _completely_ automatic yet because you still need to connect safety chains and a 7-pin cable for trailer lights. But this does the more annoying part for you.

The Pebble is $15k to $25k cheaper depending on trim level (but it's still over $100k).
 

clockwork crane

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
66
Reaction score
89
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Vehicles
Rivian R1T
Oh, I forgot an obvious difference: The Pebble is single-axle; the Lightship is double-axle.

Single-axle makes the low speed self-navigating feature easier. But it's also weird to see a trailer this long and heavy with only one axle. That seems borderline dangerous.
 

zefram47

Well-Known Member
First Name
Aaron
Joined
Feb 6, 2022
Threads
16
Messages
2,404
Reaction score
3,915
Location
Denver, CO
Vehicles
Rivian R1T, Alfa Romeo 4C
Occupation
Software Engineer
It's great to see competition in this space!

For the benefit of future readers, some notable differences between the Pebble Flow and the Lightship L1, as far as I've been able to scrape from their ad copy:

The big one (which DaveA mentioned above): The Pebble isn't hi-lo, which changes the interior a lot, at the cost of higher frontal area.

The main bed in the Pebble is a queen murphy bed (convertible), not a regular queen bed like in the Lightship.

The Pebble has a front dinette, middle bath, rear bed (instead of the Lightship's front bed, middle dinette, rear bath).

The Pebble has a combined gray/black tank at 50 gallons (which is really unusual; I don't think I've ever seen an RV with a combined tank sized that large). The Lightship has separate gray (35 gallons?) and black (30 gallons?) tanks.

The Pebble has 1 kW of rooftop solar, whereas the Lightship has 2 kW.

The Pebble appears to max out at 45 kWh of battery, whereas the Lightship is either 40 kWh or 80 kWh depending on trim level.

The Pebble has a self-driving coupler: it promises to move itself to your tow vehicle's hitch and hitch itself up autonomously. This is like a really advanced version of the eStream. The Lightship hasn't advertised any such capability (though in theory they could eventually do this too). Note that a hitchup can't be _completely_ automatic yet because you still need to connect safety chains and a 7-pin cable for trailer lights. But this does the more annoying part for you.

The Pebble is $15k to $25k cheaper depending on trim level (but it's still over $100k).
The more interesting aspect of the Pebble "Magic Pack" is it sounds like they want to use the integrated battery pack and motors to reduce the load on the tow vehicle. Imagine the trailer brakes being regen instead of friction brakes to top up the trailer battery. Also, on uphill slogs or towing into the wind they could use the integrated motors to help move the trailer. Done carefully, it could yield range close to an unladen tow vehicle.
 

clockwork crane

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 25, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
66
Reaction score
89
Location
San Francisco Bay Area
Vehicles
Rivian R1T
The more interesting aspect of the Pebble "Magic Pack" is it sounds like they want to use the integrated battery pack and motors to reduce the load on the tow vehicle. Imagine the trailer brakes being regen instead of friction brakes to top up the trailer battery. Also, on uphill slogs or towing into the wind they could use the integrated motors to help move the trailer. Done carefully, it could yield range close to an unladen tow vehicle.
Definitely! I hadn't mentioned it in this list since the Lightship does something very similar: their higher trim level (Long Range) has drive-assisting motors also, though I don't know what the Lightship's regen braking behavior is since they have been vague about it.
 

Sponsored

WSea

Well-Known Member
First Name
Patrick
Joined
Mar 6, 2022
Threads
39
Messages
1,676
Reaction score
2,036
Location
West seattle
Vehicles
R1T, Outback
Occupation
Architect
If I was in the market (vs dreaming) this one is a no brainer compared to the lightship
 

solaskaze

Well-Known Member
Joined
Nov 6, 2021
Threads
13
Messages
171
Reaction score
282
Location
Los Gatos
Vehicles
Tesla X,3, R1T Duo Max
Also of note: the Pebble is 1000lbs lighter
Both claim 3x aero... so total tow range is similar?
 

MXA121

Well-Known Member
Joined
Mar 4, 2022
Threads
10
Messages
367
Reaction score
574
Location
California
Vehicles
R1T and Model 3
I want one.
The auto leveling feature is super nice as well.
 

Donald Stanfield

Well-Known Member
First Name
Donald
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
49
Messages
6,056
Reaction score
11,985
Location
USA
Vehicles
2025 R1S Tri Ascend, 2024 i4 M50
Occupation
Stuff and things
I'd buy one but these are a no go for the wife.
 

R1Thor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Aug 9, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
1,164
Reaction score
1,716
Location
Lancaster, PA
Vehicles
23QM R1T, Limestone + Ocean Coast, 21" & UBS
Occupation
Mechanical Engineering Lead
Clubs
 
I'd buy one but these are a no go for the wife.
See you did it incorrectly starting with this as the option.

Next time, start with explaining to her you want to camp in the wilds, just you and the dirt (hope there are no red ants or chiggers in your area, and no pop up storms). Then explain to her how you'd love to cook over the fire, hope your food doesn't spoil in the cooler with ice, bathe in the local stream, and dig holes for your...uh...you know.

THEN, when she tells you you're crazy, you can say something along the lines of "well, these glamping guys don't know what they're doing--they don't GET nature" and then it'll be her idea to look into RVs.

Then you win, my friend!
 

Sponsored

Donald Stanfield

Well-Known Member
First Name
Donald
Joined
Jul 31, 2022
Threads
49
Messages
6,056
Reaction score
11,985
Location
USA
Vehicles
2025 R1S Tri Ascend, 2024 i4 M50
Occupation
Stuff and things
See you did it incorrectly starting with this as the option.

Next time, start with explaining to her you want to camp in the wilds, just you and the dirt (hope there are no red ants or chiggers in your area, and no pop up storms). Then explain to her how you'd love to cook over the fire, hope your food doesn't spoil in the cooler with ice, bathe in the local stream, and dig holes for your...uh...you know.

THEN, when she tells you you're crazy, you can say something along the lines of "well, these glamping guys don't know what they're doing--they don't GET nature" and then it'll be her idea to look into RVs.

Then you win, my friend!
The problem is she is more rugged with that stuff than I am. She would call my bluff about sleeping on the ground because she knows I'd spend the next day whining about getting poor sleep the night before. She just wants the ease of hotel rooms but they often times aren't clean and who knows who did what in there right before you show up.

I primarily want something like that for cleanliness. Plus I would think it's more flexible as to where you'd stay campground wise than decent hotel wise. I'm still working on her I havent given up yet. I think I'm only going to win if I start traveling with her more frequently.
 

R1Thor

Well-Known Member
First Name
Joe
Joined
Aug 9, 2023
Threads
7
Messages
1,164
Reaction score
1,716
Location
Lancaster, PA
Vehicles
23QM R1T, Limestone + Ocean Coast, 21" & UBS
Occupation
Mechanical Engineering Lead
Clubs
 
The problem is she is more rugged with that stuff than I am. She would call my bluff about sleeping on the ground because she knows I'd spend the next day whining about getting poor sleep the night before. She just wants the ease of hotel rooms but they often times aren't clean and who knows who did what in there right before you show up.

I primarily want something like that for cleanliness. Plus I would think it's more flexible as to where you'd stay campground wise than decent hotel wise. I'm still working on her I havent given up yet. I think I'm only going to win if I start traveling with her more frequently.
Understood, sir. I was totally joking with you.

That said, we agree 100% in regards to wanting our own clean space to live. We visit family often enough, and their ...accommodations are lacking to say the least. If I could have my own bed (and shower and toilet), but can be in close proximity to them, that'd be my dream.

THAT said, insofar as this option is SUPER alluring, I'm in the camp of individuals whose income can barely justify my Rivian (ala irresponsibility!!), so...I'm going to have to sit this one out.

I will absolutely live vicariously through those in these forums who do grab one and take lots of photos of them in the future, however!!
 

VSG

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 3, 2022
Threads
4
Messages
2,256
Reaction score
4,219
Location
WA
Vehicles
R1T LE/RB/OC/20
Wow, I hate that website. Whoever made it was way too focused on using "cool" techniques and forgot all about usability and accessibility. That's why we got rid of <marquee> and <blink>.
 

LoneStar

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 2, 2020
Threads
78
Messages
1,572
Reaction score
3,509
Location
San Diego
Vehicles
'23 R1S Launch Ed.
Occupation
engineer
Clubs
 
Wow, I hate that website. Whoever made it was way too focused on using "cool" techniques and forgot all about usability and accessibility. That's why we got rid of <marquee> and <blink>.
for sure. Like when Facebook 3D is over-used. Dizzying and confusing
Sponsored

 
 





Top