Gas Mileage |
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Bigbit
Groupie Joined: 27 Feb 2010 Location: USA Online Status: Offline Posts: 58 |
Topic: Gas Mileage Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 8:38am |
Out of curiosity, what has convinced you folks that the "foil" on the upper rear of a 173T is there solely for aerodynamics?
To me, it looks like it was placed there simply as a rain gutter to keep roof rain run-off from inundating the canvas tent when expanded. I think it was designed that way to minimize it's effect on the aerodynamics, but not to improve overall aerodynamic performance.
JMHO; I could be flat wrong...
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 9:30am |
I think this is exactly what is happening, but it doesn't make sense. Some ultra-high-mpg'ers have added extra-long nose cones and tail cones to smooth out the air flow (http://autos.aol.com/article/boat-tail-boosts-mpg/). It would seem that the curves of the 'pod would do the same. But apparently not.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 9:32am |
bigbit - Some said they heard that from FR people that were at a rally. But the email I posted earlier denies that.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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rpodcamper.com
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 10:44am |
I used to have a Sears Cargo Carrier we would put on the roof. It was so full of wind drag it was bad. BUT the Thule Company has designed their equipment to cut through the wind.
This weekend I'm doing some testing pulling the Camper as I need to dump the tanks. I plan to throw the kayaks back up in a v shape and run the camper round trip that way, then move the kayaks straight and see what that does to the MPG. I also have permission from an Auto Dealer to try out any of the Trucks on his lot to see how it pulls the Rpod as I'm just about to make a deal with him on a truck. Debating about a Dodge Ram 2500 Crew Cab 4x4 or if I should scale it back to the Dodge Dokato Crew Cab he has.
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 11:05am |
rpodcamper - can you mount the 'yaks with the cockpits inward for these tests?
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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rpodcamper.com
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 26 Nov 2009 Location: Reading, Pa Online Status: Offline Posts: 3990 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 12:01pm |
I'm going to try that bit if that does not work I have tarps to fasten down to them.
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brownd
Newbie Joined: 25 Jul 2010 Online Status: Offline Posts: 36 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 1:34pm |
I will be anxious to hear the results of the kayak test. Also the Thule idea is very interesting and gave me a thought. This would only apply to those with pickup trucks. Some pickup truck toppers are shaped almost like a spoiler. They start out the same height as the cab and angle up somewhat higher, almost like a spoiler. That would make the pickup plus the topper push air higher onto the R.Pod. Anyone using the Thule or this type of topper? Thedoghouse gave us the first 173t report. Though just one run, at 15mpg, it is the highest mileage I have seen on either of the pod forums. I would be interested to know if he calculated mileage or used the averaging on his trip meter. Also does the truck have a topper? This is the 1st 173t reporting as you get more information please report it. Thanks.
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Dave
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popgoesweasel
Groupie Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Location: Costa Rica Online Status: Offline Posts: 49 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 4:59pm |
techntreck,
I personally had a conversation with the engineer who came to the Eastern Round Up in June. He said that one of the functions for the air-dam on the 173T was to reduce the drag of the r*pod while it is being pulled. He was responding to a question concerning the reduced mileage on the TV while pulling an r*pod. Regards, Ed Reames
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R171 2010
Frontier 2009 Site 40 Eastern Rally 2010 |
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photog
Groupie Joined: 13 Jan 2010 Location: Alberta Canada Online Status: Offline Posts: 80 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 9:08pm |
happy podding
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Heinrich and Elly
2010 Dodge Dakota Crew Cab 2010 Prime Time Tracer 205M |
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062 |
Posted: 03 Sep 2010 at 9:48pm |
popgoesweasel, next time I talk to FR I'll pass that along, thanks. You know how companies go - left hand may not know what the right hand is doing.
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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