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Old 08-02-2016, 12:41 AM   #16 (permalink)
Oceanic815
EcoModding Lurker
 
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Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: Central Oregon, USA
Posts: 59

02 Escape - '02 Ford Escape
SUV
90 day: 17.99 mpg (US)

87 Comanche - '87 Jeep MJ
90 day: 24.21 mpg (US)
Thanks: 3
Thanked 18 Times in 12 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poodwaddle View Post
For each MPG you gain for 2000 miles you will save $15+-. If you manage to gain 3MPG you will save about $50. Is there any cost of material? Is there any value for your labor? If you had a greater distance or if you will use the rig in the future this would make more sense.
Materials are at no cost; it is leftover from dad's woodworking days and there's an entire 1-car garage sized room full of organized lumber of various sizes on shelves and racks.

Stopped at the local u-haul dealer today to get a good visualization of the size of a 6x12 trailer; it will be about the same height as the F150's 5'10"-6' height so maybe a tonneau isn't the best option and grabbing a box of 3" deck screws in addition to the free lumber and chipboard at my disposal is. The only limitation I have is time which will be only a few hours as originally posted. It doesn't have to be pretty, only has to work.

The tongue of the trailer is about 6 feet in length so building a canopy that extends maybe 3' off the back of the truck's 7' bed would be a starting point? There would be a gap but it will allow articulation of the trailer for any situation on the road.

Regarding future use of the truck, it will be replacing the Comanche as the occasionally-used load hauler, as it is simply old and small and parts can be challenging to source at times from the doors back. Try pricing out a tail light for one of these Jeeps- ouch.
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15 Toyota Prius Three with solar roof - rear diffuser
08 Ferd Escape 2wd 4cyl - stock
85 Volvo 245 lowered with IPD springs and Bilsteins
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