Input needed XTerra (Gas Piggy) & R-Pod - Fuel Economy, Hypermiling, EcoModding News and Forum

XDotNet · 05-22-2012, 08:00 PM

I have a (paid for)2004 Xterra(gas piggy) and bought a R-Pod 171 because it was one of the few my Piggy (Xterra) could pull comfortably. The R-Pod looks all aero but come to find out it's shape makes it act like there is a parachute in the back.

I'm looking for input on mods that would help. I'm going to do some of the starter stuff, take off the luggage rack, make some flat covors for the headlight buckets etc.. But I am thinking of a air deflector on the back of the piggy and and end cap on the back of the R-Pod.

I'd love to hear any and all (constructive :-) thoughts y'all might have about improvements. Thank you!!!

(First time using the Flow Illustrator. I'm going to take a pic of my rig the next time the R-Pod is hooked up. I put this siloutte together from web pictures so it might not be perfect.)

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KamperBob · 05-23-2012, 08:42 AM

Can you put a stake in the ground? What kind of gas mileage are you getting? How does towing FE compare to your normal city and highway numbers? That might give us some idea how much headroom might be possible.

Fat Charlie · 05-23-2012, 11:55 AM

My wife had an Xterra for years. She refused to calculate gas mileage and I couldn't make myself drive it long enough to do it myself. But pulling a camper with a parachute on it could only have helped.

I'm sorry I can't offer much more constructive than understanding your pain right now.

aerohead · 05-23-2012, 07:04 PM

Will wait for photos.

Axv129 · 06-05-2012, 04:17 PM

XDotNet, I have a pathfinder and a R-pod 171 and I'm in your boat. I want to drastically improve the Cd of this rig. I followed your lead and have done extensive modeling in Flow Illustrator. Right now I'm finding that the higher pressure air under the rig is forcing the lower pressure air on the topside from following the structure. I'm thinking that an airdam under the RV would stop that. I'm also actually going to add a roof rack, bacause all the modeling is showing that I need a boost to get the air passing over the RV.