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loampey
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Joined: 26 Mar 2013
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Topic: long term storage Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 7:32am |
I purchased a new 2014 171. Before I purchased I asked if my Jeep Rubicon would pull it. The reason I mention Rubicon is that it has a heavy duty drivetrain and lower 4:11 gears. The dealer said no problem so I purchased it. It was a two hour drive home. The best I could manage was 50 mph at an average of 7.5 mpg. And the jeep ran at 250-260 degrees all the way home. I think the only reason the engine survived was the use of high end synthetic oil. Needless to say I'll be going nowhere like that. Until I can afford a new vehicle my pod will be parked. I keep it hooked up to shore power and it is under a carport. never used the water tanks or toilet. My question is what else can I do to keep my 171 fresh until I am able to use it? I am thinking about putting jacks under the axle to take the weight off the wheels. Any other ideas would be appreciated.
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 8:14am |
Sorry to learn of your difficulties. I believe it is not recommended to jack or support the trailer by the axle tube. I jack/support on the frame - near the axle, with a scrap of wood between the jack or jack stand and frame to spread the load.
I am curious about your tow vehicle. Does it have a manual or automatic transmission?
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loampey
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 8:27am |
It is a manual. 200hp
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jato
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Location: Kewadin, MI
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 11:59am |
Are you located in the north or south? If in the south it would probably be a good idea to pack some steel wool in the exhaust ports coming from your furnace to keep bees and such from building a nest. Keep us updated on your tow vehicle. Something doesn't seem right with the Jeep, it ought to be able to do the job, unless it only has a 4 cyl. engine. What size engine does that hold?
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God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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loampey
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 1:24pm |
It has the straight 6. I should point out that the day I towed it home it was 95 degrees out. I have since put a larger aluminum radiator with an electric fan in but I have not tried to pull the pod yet. The thing is that 7.5 mpg is what will get me. with that kind of fuel burn I will not get very far before it becomes too costly. I kind of expected it because of the straight 6 and low gears plus a Jeep is as aerodynamic as a brick. Oh and I live in central IL. Hot summers cold winters Good idea about the steal wool as I live by the river and the mud dobbers are in the billions here
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Tars Tarkas
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Location: Near Nashville
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 1:37pm |
7.5 mpg is a bit low. 9 to 11 is pretty normal though.
Did you check the traier brakes?
TT
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2010 176
FJ Cruiser
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loampey
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 1:52pm |
No I did not. I did stop several times on the way home to let the engine cool a bit I did do a walk around and I never smelled anything hot. I think I will do better now that I have a better cooling system. The engine was overheating badly and I'm sure that doesn't help mileage any. If gas prices keep going down it may not even be an issue anymore.1.77$ per gal. here.
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wingnut2312
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Joined: 25 Aug 2013
Location: MI
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 1:57pm |
I had a jeep before I got my 182. They said it should be fine, but after some investigating, I found it wasn't true.
I bought an Expedition. Jeeps are too light and the wheelbase is to too short. It CAN tow it, but shouldn't.
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2014 rpod 182G
Ford Expedition
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loampey
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 2:09pm |
Same thing my dealer said. No problem he said it will pull it just fine. I do have the anti-sway set up. I was on the interstate for a while and you needed to stay heads up for sure.
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Posted: 29 Dec 2015 at 2:36pm |
Originally posted by loampey
It is a manual. 200hp |
I suspected this. I'm guessing you are towing in high gear, also. You may want to try it in the next lower gear, when at cruising speed. The lower RPMs of the higher gear don't always equal better MPGs. Your MPGs indicate to me that the motor is operating well out of it's most efficient power band/range.
That said, with your rear gear, it's going to be turning very high RPMs at highway speed. My experience with motors is that they don't like to live for long above 3000 RPMs. Occasionally - OK, but not cruising for hours. All things considered, a different vehicle would work better, if it is in the budget. I wish I had something more cheerful to offer.
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