Gas Mileage

I wish the Pod had a more aerodynamic shape, how ever, factor in the neat shape, the graphics, all the things that brought us all to the Pod, the weight, interior layout. It all boils down to we saw it, we like it, we bought it, and we are going to have FUN in it. Damn the torpedos, full speed ahead. I can live with 11 to 13 mpg. The free feeling of "heading out" and whats around the corner off set a few miles per gallon. but I still like the science of lift over drag, induced drag and parasitic drag. Throw another log on the fire.

When we first started towing a camper I had one of those vinyl roll-up bed covers on the Tacoma. That helped a little when I was just operating the truck   ...but it left a huge gap between the cab of the truck and the forward edge of the camper roof. By adding a hard cap/topper I believe I did away with a lot of the wind turbulence that was eating up my fuel economy.

Of course now I'm pulling an R-pod, which has greater height so I will probably regain some of the resistance I lost.

Time will tell   ...

MJ

The final aerodynamic simulations I ran were putting spoilers on the TV.  I placed a rooftop spoiler midway on the TV and then at the rear...I also changed the angle of attack.  There was only minor variations in turbulence.  Again the deciding factor was the open gap between the TV and the Pod roof.  There really is no way to smooth the airflow between the TV and the Pod because of the curved frontal roof of the Pod. That long gap really causes a lot of turbulence and pressure fluctuations.
It seems that you can gain 2+ mpg if your trailer has a rectangular 'breadbox' shape.  The roofline
helps eliminate that open turbulent gap always present in the Pod.

I had the same problem on my 03 Trailblazer, they corrected the problem in later models and it is no longer an issue, I really like my 08 Trailblazer, my 03 was totaled by an Idiot running a red light and hitting me in the left front wheel dead center, I had small cuts, abrasions and light case of concussion, If she would have got me 3 feet further back I may have been killed, Thank God for 4200 lbs of american steel. I think we will have to live with less than desireable fuel economy, Come on Tail Wind

We have only pulled ours twice since we bought late in 2011. My 08 Trailblazer with 4.2 L6 did 11.5 the first pull and then I lowered my tow speed to 50 to 60, I then got 13.5 I was slightly disappointed. It is really Hilly in southern Indiana. I have seen over the road tractors with a sharp angled spoiler on the tractor, I assume this kicks the air up and over the trailer behind. I would like to see wind tunnels results of the Pod. Like an earlier post I bet if you put air pressure sensors in various areas between the TV and the pod you would see vacuum/turbulance between. double the velocity and you quadruple the drag. I guess we could reduce our tow speed to 40 or 45, but I guess we would have to get used to multiple middle finger gestures. Donna and I have been talking about finding old lazy 2 lanes roads to go down where the speeds are lower and the scenery is better, there has to be a balance somewhere between mpg and getting there.