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bruceb View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: towing MPG??
    Posted: 11 Oct 2020 at 9:02am
that is a cool web site.
Ya  I understand the drag thing.  I get 1 to 1.5 mpg better towing my boat with the cover than uncovered.
Just trying to figure out if one shape of TT is really better than another.  Rpod vs airstream vs large teardrop vs traditional box.
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Oct 2020 at 8:51am
Originally posted by GlueGuy

 
Towing a boat there is not nearly as much wind resistance, so I would expect a bit worse than that withy an Rpod.

GlueGuy is correct.  if I run a rig towing a 4000 lb boat with a frontal area of 35 square feet at 70 mph I get  right at the 17 mpg on diesel. Change that to an rpod 192 with about 55 square feet frontal area, same weight and speed, I get 12 mpg. The combo of relatively high speed and dragging a big box around does it. 

Here's the fuel economy model I'm using in case you're interested.
1994 Chinook Concourse
1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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StephenH View Drop Down
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Posts: 6288 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 11 Oct 2020 at 8:42am
In general, agree with the range, but we have experienced 11-16. Less if we wanted to try to go faster and in the mountains. Some of those fill-ups were in the 8-9 mpg range. I make it a practice to drive no faster than 60 mph. I get there and am much more relaxed than when I tried to drive faster.
StephenH
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Dirt Sifter View Drop Down
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Posts: 170 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 11:23pm
I'd say 12 - 14 mpg, but wind resistance is the issue. Also, at 70 mph on TT tires expect to be slowed by blow outs from time to time. 65 gets you there consistently quicker in my experience. The R-Pod is a great choice.
Greg n Deb 2020 195 HRE
'07 Tundra 5.7L., '17 Tacoma 3.5L. Both with tow packages
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2629 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 8:10pm
Originally posted by bruceb

we currently have a 2020 1500 4x4 silverado with the 3.0 liter diesel.  Gets 27 MPG empty and 17 MPG towing our 4000 lb boat.  Can you make any estimate for MPG towing an RPOD?
Thanks
Towing a boat there is not nearly as much wind resistance, so I would expect a bit worse than that with an Rpod.
bp
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:52pm
OK I'd estimate around 11-12 mpg for your diesel towing that trailer at that speed. Flat ground, no wind, good pavement.  Your fuel economy is getting killed by the speed. Air drag goes up with the square of the speed so your fuel economy is only going to be about 75% of what it would be at 60 mph.  
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bruceb View Drop Down
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Posts: 6 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:19pm
lets say its a 192 at 70 mph.  I like to get there.
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mcarter View Drop Down
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Posts: 3419 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:19pm
Bruceb,

Expect about the same as your boat.
Mike Carter
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offgrid View Drop Down
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Posts: 5290 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:15pm
Originally posted by bruceb

we currently have a 2020 1500 4x4 silverado with the 3.0 liter diesel.  Gets 27 MPG empty and 17 MPG towing our 4000 lb boat.  Can you make any estimate for MPG towing an RPOD?
Thanks

Its not weight related, its frontal area and speed related. 

Sure, I can roughly estimate it for you, if you provide a bit more info. What speed do you plan to tow at? Which rPod are you looking at? 
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1995 RV6A Experimental Aircraft
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podwerkz View Drop Down
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Posts: 966 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 10 Oct 2020 at 5:07pm
More than 10mpg and less than 20 mpg.

If you are camping on a strict budget and fuel mileage will make or break your ability to afford this, then buy a tent and a small car. 

Seriously, there are so many variables when towing...but a good estimate will be in the low to mid teens like nearly everyone else towing r-pods.
r･pod 171 gone but not forgotten!
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