Gas Mileage

I too would be interested in doing prototype testing if that were an option.  Since I am centered out of Northern Wisconsin and mainly camp there and in the UP, obviously if it happens and occured in the winter months, folks in the southwest and south would be the most likely candidates.  Data collection which includes vehicle make and model, engine type, transmission, rear end gearing, terrain, weather conditions and speed will all play into any potential testing.  Folks who are chosen to do testing, if it were to happen, would have to very carefully record all of that information.  In addition to MPG recording, performance information would also be very necessary.  Rpms at different miles/hour, does your transmission search constantly for the proper gearing on a rolling highway etc. 

I need to do some more playing with the kayaks and r-pod.  I do not always carry them with me as we are camping depends on where and who is going.  The wind noise was the kayaks while they were in the vshape and the wind was hitting the cockpits.  They do sell covers to cover them up but I have not yet got them.  I did do some playing about a year ago on a short haul comparision with a straight wind deflector on top of the car and really did not see any difference.  One thing we need to remember we are pulling a "brick" wall down the road on wheels as it sits up high behind the vehicles. 

rpodcamper - what about mounting the 'yaks with the cockpits facing inward?  Eliminates the turbulence from the air crossing that hole.

No, but we were in Bewabic State Park 2 weeks ago. 

I hope this forum has not run out of gas.  I realize that it is a lot more fun to discuss the modifications and other fun things that we all do with our R.Pods, but I was hoping that through the contact from Forest River that responded to us all through Techntrek, that we might be able to get some live research on the pod to see if there is any chance of improving gas mileage we get.  At gas below 3 dollars / gallon stateside it is hard to keep the discussion going, but I'll bet that when we go to 4.00 per gallon again that there will be a lot of campers that will look to park their units at one campground, sell their units etc.  I think what people have said is that they would purchase a proven after market wind diflector or spoiler if made avaliable and if affordable.  So far, other than the kayaks that were mistakenly loaded in a V that appeared to improve mileage we have heard nothing other than we are pulling a barn door or a brick.  Though it is a brick and seems to push a lot of wind, it is a pretty light unit and the fact that V8s have difficulty show that the problem is wind.