Quote:
Originally Posted by Hersbird
I hope the reality of towing the current crop of trailers with an EV does lead to some better trailers. There is a lot of things that could be done in manufacturing that really wouldn't add much to the cost or detract much from the function to improve a modern camper.
Just cleaning off the roof would be a start.
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No. Not really. The roof is the weakest part of the trailer (difficult work for immeasurable gain). And low-profile AC units are available. Place a fairing behind it. Done.
It’s the ground clearance (floor height), and all edge radiuses curved.
Crosswinds matter. Head-on aero doesn’t (where safety is ALWAYS paramount), as it’s relative to conditions. (Wait one day to travel).
Typical RV’er: In a 10-year lifespan at 5,000-miles per year, a travel trailer is underway but 1,000-hours. Lifetime use will be 4,500 hours. (20-weeks).
Packaging efficiency is close enough to five times as important as FE gains.
For the full-time retiree, reliability and longevity Trump a few MPG. There’s no commute. (Wake up).
A fuel burn for a retiree can be GREATLY reduced by planned use. But this conflicts with EM’er virtue-signaling. The vehicle takes the blame. The point to a RV today is that it’s paid for long before age 65. And then, sell the house.
As with cars, there’s a minimum size for a full-time trailer encountering the edges of high summer heat thru deep cold (where leaving is the result). Thermal mass isn’t available. A full range of clothes for two. Plus adequacy of storage for other supplies and especially food which eliminates weekly shopping. Full-sized beds. Fully-built bath (no, “wet bath”). 35-50/gals water tankage. Etc.
Assume it’s shelter when sick or injured. A visiting nurse or physician suffices. Hotels or hospitals not needed. No abandonment.
A 1965-1979 27-28’
Silver Streak or
Streamline fits the bill. A Charger/300 can easily tow it. The right size & design for safety, plus long production and fleet use. Given power, a low fuel burn.
Deduct 40% from EPA Highway estimate (or use the Combined Average).
What’s the cents-per-mile change to the Annual Fuel Cost? 5,000-mile average annual vacation travel
Focusing on fuel cost won’t deliver more travel. It’s the length of reliable ownership where economy resides. Same as a car. (Garage both).
Degrading packaging efficiency for some gasoline is really dumb. Liquid fuel is what makes an RV possible. The energy content versus weight won’t be changed to favor of batteries + solar, and neither will initial or long-term expense.
You want something nice, get going on a concrete pad plus 30A, water + sewer.
Where HIGHLY aero is designed from scratch, it’s not a pair of vehicles which can be separated. Custom, each to the other.
One had best decide:
- how many miles
- how many years
to get a handle on custom work. And, then, what percentage reduction of fuel burn will justify custom work.
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