We Spent a Night in the All-Electric Lightship AE.1 RV (at Liberty Harbor in Jersey City)

On this week’s episode of The RV Atlas Podcast, we had the opportunity to experience something completely different from a typical campground review or RV walkthrough. As travel evaluators for Good Housekeeping’s Travel Awards, we were invited to spend the night inside the Lightship AE.1, one of the most innovative travel trailers to hit the RV market in years.
The overnight experience took place at Liberty Harbor RV Park in Jersey City, giving us the chance to evaluate both this groundbreaking electric RV and one of the country’s most unique urban campgrounds—all while enjoying views of the Statue of Liberty.
Rather than approaching the experience as a product demonstration, we approached it the same way we would evaluate any RV: Who is this built for? Does it accomplish what it’s trying to accomplish? And what is it actually like to spend a night inside?
It made for one of the most fascinating RV experiences we’ve had in quite some time.
To listen to Jeremy and Stephanie talk about their night in the Lightship AE.1 please click on the media player above–or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite shows!
A Different Kind of RV Review
Before diving into the trailer itself, it’s worth explaining the context.
As evaluators for Good Housekeeping, we weren’t paid by Lightship, nor were we participating in a sponsored promotion. We were simply invited to test the trailer as part of Good Housekeeping’s annual travel awards evaluations—a process that involved actually spending the night in the RV, using the kitchen, stocking the refrigerator, sleeping in it, and evaluating the overall experience the same way a potential owner would.
That mindset shaped our entire conversation.
Rather than asking, “Would we buy this?” we kept returning to a better question:
Who is this RV actually designed for?
That’s a much more useful lens for evaluating any new product—especially one that’s pushing the boundaries of RV technology.
What Makes the Lightship AE.1 Different?
At first glance, the Lightship AE.1 doesn’t look like a conventional travel trailer.
When it’s being towed, the trailer sits in Road Mode, lowering the roof to create a much more aerodynamic profile.
Once you arrive at camp, the trailer transforms into Camp Mode, where the entire roof raises electronically to create a dramatically more open living space with panoramic 270-degree windows.
The effect is striking.
Instead of feeling enclosed, the interior has an openness that reminded us more of camping in a pop-up than a traditional travel trailer—but with all the comforts of a modern luxury RV. It creates one of the brightest, airiest interiors we’ve ever experienced.
The Technology Everyone Is Talking About
Of course, the biggest conversation surrounding the Lightship isn’t the floor plan.
It’s the technology underneath it.
The AE.1 features Lightship’s TrekDrive system, which actively powers the trailer’s wheels while towing. The goal is to dramatically reduce the extra energy normally required to pull a travel trailer, helping electric tow vehicles maintain much of their normal driving range.
For anyone following the evolution of electric RVs, this is one of the industry’s most significant developments.
Range anxiety has long been one of the biggest obstacles preventing widespread EV towing. While electric trucks continue to improve, towing a heavy trailer has traditionally reduced range substantially.
The TrekDrive system represents one possible solution—and one that we’re genuinely excited to watch develop over the coming years.
We aren’t suggesting that every RVer should rush out and buy an electric trailer tomorrow. Rather, we think it’s fascinating to watch where the technology is headed and how companies like Lightship are tackling some of the biggest challenges facing electric RV travel.
Who Is the Lightship Really For?
One of the most interesting conversations we had during our overnight stay had very little to do with batteries or solar panels.
Instead...