Towing a caravan behind an EV has its challenges. You struggle with the range, weight, and efficiency. Dethleffs is planning to change that perception with its new c.fold caravan concept. Designed specifically with electric tow vehicles in mind, the c.fold caravan challenges conventional caravan design and puts great attention into aerodynamics and lightweight construction. The most exciting feature is that its structure can be lowered to reduce drag while moving and can be unfolded into a larger living space when you reach your destination.
The heart of the c.fold trailer is its unique folding mechanism, which lowers the upper part of the caravan at the touch of a button. As highlighted by New Atlas, the trailer uses a central cable pulley system for lifting instead of electric actuators. The maker claims this system improves aerodynamics and increases the range of a mid-range electric towing vehicle by up to 100 kilometers. The trailer has a height of just 1.65 meters and a width of 1.90 meters, making it compact and lightweight, suitable for smaller garages and campsites.
The travel trailer features an outer wall and chassis made of Alucore, a honeycomb structure with recycled PET insulation, while felt is used for the interior. It measures 549 cm long (216 in) and weighs 1,709 lbs (775 kg), which seems light enough to be towed by a wide variety of EVs. The independent wheel suspension with air springs from Goldschmitt techmobil GmbH is also added for comfortable driving and easy leveling.
On the inside, everything is designed for variable height, which means no furniture elements need to be removed or folded away for lifting or lowering the trailer. Once you get inside, you can see a small seating area with a table on one side. The seating area can be folded away to create a small garage for e-bikes or sports equipment. Next is the kitchen with a sink, a portable induction cooktop, and plenty of storage cabinets on both sides. The other end of the trailer houses a U-shaped bed that seems sufficient for a couple. A retractable toilet compartment with a Clesana dry toilet and washbasin is also integrated into the interior layout.
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There are also solar panels on the roof, along with 300 Ah lithium-ion batteries and a 2000-watt inverter to generate environmentally friendly energy for off-the-grid stays. Furthermore, an integrated weight monitoring system adds another layer of safety by helping to prevent overloading. Other highlights include blackout blinds, mosquito nets, and overhead cabinets.
The inspiration for the c.fold foldable travel trailer came from Monika and Peter Marchart, a caravan-enthusiast couple who approached Dethleffs to build a trailer that matches their electric tow vehicle. It is developed under the “Destination Future” project and was unveiled for the first time at the CMT 2026 in Stuttgart.
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