Gas Mileage

When I did the airflow analysis last year, positioning a spoiler at the top/rear of the r-pod seemed to have the best effect for moving the disturbance away from the trailer.

Something to keep in mind:

The drag of an object (truck w/ rpod) scales as the square of the velocity (v^2), meaning the drag increase between 30mph and 60 mph is not double, but 4X.

The power required to overcome this extra drag scales at the cube of the velocity (v^3). This means that the extra power required in the case above is 9X.

Slow and steady wins the race.

While at the Eastern Round up in Kentucky, I talked to the FR engineer who readily admitted the spoiler on the 173T was to reduce drag.  I did not ask about having the airfoil available as an after-market kit because I did not figure that it could be done without compromising the integrity of the unit.  The 173T seems to have some additional components for the slide out that support the airfoil.

We just purchased a 177 and were surprised and disappointed at the fuel consmption it commanded. We have a V8 Touareg and towing our 17 1/2" outboard with a 115 HP motor we pulled almost 15 mpg on a trip to Canada and the rig weighs in very close to the Pod. Coming back from Michigan with the POD, we were running less than 10 mpg.  I double checked tire pressures on both units and they were both at or near max psi recommended. Sure the Pod is much taller but that was a big mileage hit. On the converse, the V8 still allowed me to pass when I needed to.  I'd e interested to see or hear from others. I'd happily drive somewhat slower but even when I did I did not see a bid difference in mpg.

Originally posted by TIDALWAVE If anyone still has the photos of the 'factory trip' a member took a few months ago, which had the aluminum ribs exposed...it should be possible to anchor a spoiler across the back of the Pod, without going all the way through the rear wall.