Can you ECOMOD this?!

[vao]

This is purely a hypothetical situation, but I was wondering how you all would like to modify this if you had the chance.

I work for a major hospital in NJ's community outreach dept., (free health screenings, care for the less fortunate at no cost etc), and we have this 2008 Ford Georgetown RV that we drive to different events, churches, fairs.

Now, the thing cost almost 200k to buy and have customized, so I don't think my employers would like me taping cardboard to it because 'it will reduce drag!'

Here's some stats-
2008 Ford Georgetown RV
34 ft long
22,000lbs
Triton V10 engine
Last fill up-45.27g for 171miles (3.78mpg) and about 10 hours of generator time
Generator runs full throttle to power huge A/C unit, lights, med.specimen freezers, etc.

Let's see what you think!
[IMG][/IMG]

[UltArc]

Originally Posted by vao

This is purely a hypothetical situation, but I was wondering how you all would like to modify this if you had the chance.

I work for a major hospital in NJ's community outreach dept., (free health screenings, care for the less fortunate at no cost etc), and we have this 2008 Ford Georgetown RV that we drive to different events, churches, fairs.

Now, the thing cost almost 200k to buy and have customized, so I don't think my employers would like me taping cardboard to it because 'it will reduce drag!'

Here's some stats-
2008 Ford Georgetown RV
34 ft long
22,000lbs
Triton V10 engine
Last fill up-45.27g for 171miles (3.78mpg) and about 10 hours of generator time
Generator runs full throttle to power huge A/C unit, lights, med.specimen freezers, etc.

Let's see what you think!
[IMG][/IMG]

Air dam.
Clean up the underbody, so belly pan and diffusers to keep the air underneath as smooth as possible.-
Sideskirts.-
Rear valance leading to...
Boat tail-can look good, have emblems, and be used for storage.

One could try, for traveling only, the nose cone. I only read a little on it, but basicLly a stick with a dinner plate can reduce the aero quite a bit. And if it can be pop on and off, it could be worth..

Ideally, try to make it a hybrid. My father always told me to never come to a stand still, that we use the most energy going from stop to moving. So even just an electric front axle helping take off should reduce energy. Surely this is a monster, but the driver must make the biggest difference. I imagine no one tries to drive friendly and efficiently in a 200k land Titanic.

-would need to be lowered to within an inch or so of the very bottom of the suspension.

Spending 200k for a monster, why not spend more on modding it to look good and be efficient?

Or the average US view

Spending 200k for a monster, I can afford 3-4 mile per gallon.

[hamsterpower]

A big rack of PV and batteries to cut down on the generator time. Or at least a CNG generator.

[Daox]

Yes, you can ecomod that. Actually, you aren't the first to ask or even do it:

http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...d-e-18151.html

[ksa8907]

two words, boat tail

[euromodder]

How many miles does it do/ year ?


The simpler things :
Air dam
Belly pan
Covering over the rear wheel arcs
Boattail

(Moderate) hypermiling techniques to be taught to the driver(s)


More involved :
Run the generator off some other fuel.

CNG-conversion if the monster has space for the tanks.

[jamesqf]

Originally Posted by vao

Generator runs full throttle to power huge A/C unit, lights, med.specimen freezers, etc.

It's probably not running full throttle. Instead, it has a governor that keeps it running at a constant 3600 RPM regardless of load, so that it will put out standard 60-Hz A/C power. If you listen closely to it when some load, for instance the A/C, is switched on, you'll hear the RPM drop slightly, then pick up as the governor feeds more fuel to the engine.

[JRMichler]

Change to diesel engines (generator also) and a manual transmission. Then a nose like the Airflow Bullet truck, clean up the belly pan, and a boattail. Make it look like somebody sawed the wings off an airplane and added wheels.

[312]

You'd see the largest improvements if you adapt your driving style. Accelerate slowly, pulse and coast, and try to lay off the brakes as much as you can!

An air dam and belly pan would give smaller bits of improvement, and only if you are using the expressways.

[IsaacCarlson]

Is there anything on the top of that boat? If not, try building a tear drop top for it. The air is detaching going over the front edge. You have to keep it on the roof to use a boat tail. Work your way from front to back.

The roofline should resemble the top of a wing.