The biggest blessing a man can have is to be able to turn his hobby into a full-time career. Matthew Hofmann, CEO of Living Vehicle is fortunate in doing so. He spent his childhood practicing Scuba diving and participating in snow sports in the Eastern High Sierra of California and has his youth immersed in building high-end RVs for camping trailer enthusiasts. His passion for nature is evident in the design of his product lineup, which enables a mobile, sustainable, and adventurous lifestyle.
Hofmann’s innovative approach to off-grid, sustainable living has garnered significant attention globally since the company’s inception in 2017. But in May this year, he and Living Vehicle added another feather to their cap. Living Vehicle announced the arrival of CyberTrailer. The towable trailer has a design inspired by Tesla CyberTruck and is packed with features never seen before in a camping trailer. I recently had the pleasure of speaking with Matthew Hofmann about the company’s latest innovations and plans. Here is what he had to say:
Homecrux (HC): Since its inception in 2017, Living Vehicle has gained significant global popularity. How has life changed for you and Living Vehicle since then?
Matthew Hofmann (MH): I started Living Vehicle out of necessity because there wasn’t a product on the market that met my needs for a full-time mobile lifestyle. Since then, we’ve achieved many of our goals, creating off-grid-focused products. Personally, not much has changed; I still live in a trailer full-time, running the company from there. We’re continuously evolving our products and expanding into new markets.
HC: In your previous interview, you mentioned not competing with Airstream or Bowlus because Living Vehicle is designed as a full-time dwelling. Who constitutes your target buyers?
MH: Living Vehicle caters to those who need spaces designed for extended periods. Unlike traditional RVs built for short-term travel, our products prioritize living first, with the ability to travel as a secondary feature. Our customers typically spend all their time in these vehicles, with some using them part-time or setting them up on a ranch.
HC: Your company focuses on creating sustainable living solutions. How do you integrate the philosophy of completely self-supporting net-zero products into your lineup?
MH: Energy is the cornerstone. We generate as much power as possible from solar panels, with backup generators for cloudy days. Our systems are all-electric, reducing dependency on propane or gas. We also focus on minimizing energy consumption through efficient design. Additionally, we’re developing water generation and waste management systems to move towards a closed-loop system, enabling prolonged off-grid living.
HC: Speaking of the upcoming CyberTrailer, is it in production?
MH: The CyberTrailer is set to go into production in 2025. We’ve completed the design and are currently teasing images and renderings to educate the market about our new product.
HC: What inspired the CyberTrailer? Do you see it as the future of fully off-grid living?
MH: I’ve been influenced by companies like Apple and Tesla, which challenge the status quo. The CyberTruck’s design and functionality inspired the CyberTrailer. It’s built primarily for travel, with a lighter weight and aerodynamic design, offering superior livability and the ability to carry recreational gear. So when you’re traveling, you know, you’re recreating more and so you can take toys with you.
HC: Could you provide more details about the construction materials used in the CyberTrailer?
MH: We use aluminum as our primary construction material, optimized for quality and weight. The engineering process involves light-weighting various components, from the frame to the fixtures and cabinetry, ensuring the trailer is robust yet travel-friendly.
HC: What is the configuration of the CyberTrailer?
MH: It will be about 25 feet in length. We’re still finalizing the exact details, but it will be designed to offer a balance of livability and travel efficiency. Our vision for Living Vehicle is to redefine mobile living by creating sustainable, high-quality, and functional spaces for extended use. With innovations like the CyberTrailer, we are poised to lead the way in off-grid living solutions, combining modern design with practical functionality.
HC: What amenities does the CyberTrailer include, and what level of backup power do its batteries offer?
MH: The amenities are fundamentally designed to be a self-sustaining vehicle. The trailer boasts all the comforts of home, including a full kitchen and bedroom, adaptable spaces with beds that descend from the ceiling, and multifunctional areas that can transition from offices to sleeping quarters. Efficiency is key, with all systems engineered to maximize off-grid living capabilities.
When it comes to off-grid self-sufficiency, we will tie the size of the battery to the end result, which is to power everything for a longer period of time. The focus is on creating an efficient system where the smaller the battery required, the lighter the overall vehicle. Starlink will be a standard feature in every trailer that we build. This ensures that occupants can stay connected even in remote locations, enhancing the off-grid living experience.
HC: Could you provide us with detailed information about the efficiency of the onboard water air generator that has been teased in the model?
MH: We’ll have onboard water generation included as an option, depending on what it is that you value. The current projection is to produce up to 9 gallons of water a day. Even in arid climates, this system is designed to be effective, making the trailer a viable option for long-term off-grid living.
We thank Matthew Hofmann for taking time out for this interview.
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