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Tow Vehicle Effiency
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tow Vehicle Effiency
    Posted: 20 Oct 2024 at 8:55pm
Originally posted by scroc

We run the OBD link app with their MX BT hooked into the scan port on the Frontier. This gives us real time info on whats happening with the Tugger so you can adjust driving habits accordingly. 
We started with this tool in 2016 on our old Trek and found it was a great help with maintaining and monitoring the power train systems so we have continued updating and using it on all our tow rigs since then.
With the electronic throttle controls on most rigs today small incremental movements of your foot make a considerable difference in amount of fuel being used to cover the distance.
Enjoy our new Pod, Steve & Cheryl

I admire your dedication to data. I usually just put gas in the tank and point the thing in the direction I want to go and press on the accelerator. You all take it to a whole new level.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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scroc View Drop Down
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Location: S. Oregon Coast
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Posts: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Quote scroc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2024 at 10:35am
We run the OBD link app with their MX BT hooked into the scan port on the Frontier. This gives us real time info on whats happening with the Tugger so you can adjust driving habits accordingly. 
We started with this tool in 2016 on our old Trek and found it was a great help with maintaining and monitoring the power train systems so we have continued updating and using it on all our tow rigs since then.
With the electronic throttle controls on most rigs today small incremental movements of your foot make a considerable difference in amount of fuel being used to cover the distance.
Enjoy our new Pod, Steve & Cheryl
2024 R-Pod 194C
2013 Nissan Frontier 4X4
1 big cat travel bud
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2024 at 8:36am
Originally posted by scroc

We just finished a trip from western Idaho back to the southern
Oregon coast, R-Pod, 2024 RP194 came across the scale at 3550 lbs and
tugger, 2013 Nissan Frontier at 5400 lbs. Averaged 13.2 for trip using
true gallons and miles, several 5k+ passes and some bad winds between
Burns and Lakeview.
The Nissan does a good job, maintains
48-55 on the uphills at 2700-3200, could spin it and go faster but were
retired so wandering easy is fine with us.
Steve, Cheryl, & critters.


Wow. You must be living right to get that kind of performance out of the Frontier. We never got close to that and we travel lighter than some backpackers! Good for you!
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
Kawasaki KLR650
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JR View Drop Down
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Posts: 375 		Post Options Post Options   Quote JR Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 20 Oct 2024 at 7:40am
That's really good mpg WOW. But I think your secret trick is driving below 55 mph. Enjoy your travels.
Jay

179/2019
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scroc View Drop Down
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Posts: 7 		Post Options Post Options   Quote scroc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 19 Oct 2024 at 6:59pm
We just finished a trip from western Idaho back to the southern Oregon coast, R-Pod, 2024 RP194 came across the scale at 3550 lbs and tugger, 2013 Nissan Frontier at 5400 lbs. Averaged 13.2 for trip using true gallons and miles, several 5k+ passes and some bad winds between Burns and Lakeview.
The Nissan does a good job, maintains 48-55 on the uphills at 2700-3200, could spin it and go faster but were retired so wandering easy is fine with us.
Steve, Cheryl, & critters.
2024 R-Pod 194C
2013 Nissan Frontier 4X4
1 big cat travel bud
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 392 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 03 Oct 2024 at 9:25am
Originally posted by jato

Just returned from a 30 day, 6000+ mile trip towing a loaded 177 (2940#) from MI to IL to IN to IO to NE to CO to UT to AZ and then returned home going thru CO to NE to SD to MN to WI and back to Michigan.  Used 87 octane (never more than 10% ethanol) and averaged 13.2 using the trailer towing mode.  Gas prices ranged from 2.79 in Iowa to 4.49 in Colorado and 4.19 in Arizona.

We have an F150 with the 3.5 Ecoboost motor and 10 speed tranny and we are in the same ball park as you are with regards to mileage. Truly a wonderful motor and transmission combo. Towing with that combo is stressless for both the driver and the truck.
Gpokluda
2017 Rpod 179(sold 2023)
2022 Escape 5.0TA
2022 Ford F150 4X4 3.5EB
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3324 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 2024 at 9:11pm
Just returned from a 30 day, 6000+ mile trip towing a loaded 177 (2940#) from MI to IL to IN to IO to NE to CO to UT to AZ and then returned home going thru CO to NE to SD to MN to WI and back to Michigan.  Used 87 octane (never more than 10% ethanol) and averaged 13.2 using the trailer towing mode.  Gas prices ranged from 2.79 in Iowa to 4.49 in Colorado and 4.19 in Arizona.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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GlueGuy View Drop Down
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Posts: 2702 		Post Options Post Options   Quote GlueGuy Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 02 Oct 2024 at 10:38am
I wouldn't think that a couple of kayaks on top of the tow vehicle would help. Some kind of air tunnel tests would be needed to confirm. Most of the drag from a trailer is actually the vacuum bubble behind that big box.
bp
2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River
2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost
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CUGrad90 View Drop Down
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Posts: 15 		Post Options Post Options   Quote CUGrad90 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 01 Oct 2024 at 9:25pm
Just a follow up, however many months later...

Just made pretty much the same trip from NC to Fl and back...and this time got 12.6 on the Pilot.

I definitely took it much easier on the accelerator. Maybe that's the reason.

I also had 2 kayaks strapped on a kayak rack top of the pilot. I'm not aeronautical engineer, but I'm wondering if that might have actually helped break up the air in front of the camper and contributed to the improvement.

I'm heading back down to Jacksonville in a few weeks without the kayaks, so I'm going to see if that changes things.
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jato View Drop Down
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Posts: 3324 		Post Options Post Options   Quote jato Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 07 Jul 2024 at 1:38pm
Same 177 has been used for 13 years, loaded weight is 2940 lbs. and that includes the 36 gallons of water located behind the axle.  Tongue weight is 340 and a Curt friction bar is utilized.  First 8 years - .'08 and '13 front wheel drive Explorer's - average was 12 mpg. Next two years '11 F-150 with the 5.0 V-8 Coyote engine - 11 mpg.  Last 3 years '17 F-150 3.5 V6 with ecoboost - 13 mpg.  In all cases 87 octane (a couple exceptions we went with premium but only saw a 1 mpg or so increase, not worth the added cost, also all above include a lot of driving in the Rockies) was used, our destination from northern Michigan.  Speed is normally 60 - 65 mph.
God's pod
'11 model 177
'17 Ford F-150 4WD 3.5 Ecoboost
Jim and Diane by beautiful Torch Lake
"...and you will know the Truth and the Truth will set you free."
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