Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum - EcoModder.com - View Single Post - Here's a new company at least trying to make a aero camping trailer

slowmover · 10-20-2016, 01:22 PM

Skyking correct about sharp edges. It ain't aero in that case. Crosswind handling is an enormous concern (safety) but even a steady minor wind is an FE problem.
The easiest aero RV is an older Airstream coupled to a good turbodiesel tow vehicle. And a pickup is a poor choice, overall, for that function. (The number of miles towing is almost always a third of less of annual miles).

As to the 2.8L Diesel report, the same loop traveled solo and a second time while towing (same speed and on cruise control at 60-mph) will give the percentage difference. A 40% drop is standard. But not very good (for purposes of this site). 40% highlights that attention to mechanical details is needed. As most are part of routine maintenance and/or combined rig lash up, it's a double win to search the details and fix them.

Even on brand new vehicles. Best to assume TT alignment is off, bearing preset and lubrication is wrong, and that brakes can be better adjusted than as delivered. Same for wheel balance. (Adding shock absorbers another worthwhile upgrade; and with Spring equalizers and wet bolts).

Tire pressure on the tow vehicle according to load, correct alignment (from FE perspective), tire/wheel balance and brake drag.

Same for hitch lash up. Big payment here. 90% of the time it's wrong. Bad for safety and for FE.

This is how one trends down to 30%. The rest is in trip planning. All stops planned a day in advance. Fuel, food, etc.

10-20-2016, 01:22 PM	#23 (permalink)
slowmover Banned Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Fort Worth, Texas Posts: 2,442 2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT Team Cummins 90 day: 19.36 mpg (US) Thanks: 1,422 Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts	Skyking correct about sharp edges. It ain't aero in that case. Crosswind handling is an enormous concern (safety) but even a steady minor wind is an FE problem. The easiest aero RV is an older Airstream coupled to a good turbodiesel tow vehicle. And a pickup is a poor choice, overall, for that function. (The number of miles towing is almost always a third of less of annual miles). As to the 2.8L Diesel report, the same loop traveled solo and a second time while towing (same speed and on cruise control at 60-mph) will give the percentage difference. A 40% drop is standard. But not very good (for purposes of this site). 40% highlights that attention to mechanical details is needed. As most are part of routine maintenance and/or combined rig lash up, it's a double win to search the details and fix them. Even on brand new vehicles. Best to assume TT alignment is off, bearing preset and lubrication is wrong, and that brakes can be better adjusted than as delivered. Same for wheel balance. (Adding shock absorbers another worthwhile upgrade; and with Spring equalizers and wet bolts). Tire pressure on the tow vehicle according to load, correct alignment (from FE perspective), tire/wheel balance and brake drag. Same for hitch lash up. Big payment here. 90% of the time it's wrong. Bad for safety and for FE. This is how one trends down to 30%. The rest is in trip planning. All stops planned a day in advance. Fuel, food, etc. Last edited by slowmover; 10-20-2016 at 02:01 PM..