Question about Highway Towing Spades

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   I'll slow down in a strong headwind because it does kill gas mileage. At 70-75, we can usually get 11-13 mpg with our setup and minimal winds.

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TheBum Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 26 Feb 2016 Location: Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 1407	Topic: Question about Highway Towing Spades Posted: 10 Jul 2018 at 6:10pm
	I'll slow down in a strong headwind because it does kill gas mileage. At 70-75, we can usually get 11-13 mpg with our setup and minimal winds.
	Alan 2022 R-Pod 196 "RaptoRPod" 2022 Ram 1500 Lone Star 4x4 Three cats

GlueGuy Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 15 May 2017 Location: N. California Online Status: Offline Posts: 2702	Posted: 10 Jul 2018 at 6:54pm
	Going 70 or more with an R-pod just seems like you're asking for trouble. The maximum trailer-tow speed in California is 55. We might push that a little bit, but never over 60.
	bp 2017 R-Pod 179 Hood River 2015 Ford F150 SuperCrew 4WD 3.5L Ecoboost

PilotPodder Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 04 May 2016 Location: Portage, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 305	Posted: 10 Jul 2018 at 7:35pm
	60 mph is my normal speed on the interstate. I take my time, stay in the right lane and let everyone pass me. MI to FL and back this winter and just now up to the UP of MI and back to lower MI. No issues, best mileage, no stress. Like Mike Carter, I also have a EEZ TPMS to keep track of all tire pressures and temps. Really highly recommended. Also, have a torque wrench to check you lugs every 400-500 miles and make sure they are 100 lbs. torqued. If anyone has a 179, reinforce the black tank outlet before you go long. I have a couple of videos on what happened to mine this winter. ~PP
	Portage, MI — 2017 RPod 179 - sold / 2017 Toyota Tundra — My RPod YouTube Videos

jato Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Feb 2012 Location: Kewadin, MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 3325	Posted: 10 Jul 2018 at 8:35pm
	We have logged over 25,000 miles on our 177. Normal speeds are 65 for us, unless posted lower. Like others, we aren't in a hurry to get into trouble, enjoy the journey and smell the roses along the way.
	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."

ToolmanJohn Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 23 Apr 2014 Location: Connecticut Online Status: Offline Posts: 451	Posted: 11 Jul 2018 at 5:15am
	65 mph. If you can reach your destination in 3 days at 70-75 mph, and also 3 days at 65 mph just taking a little longer, why bother with the higher speeds? My usual trip takes 4 hours 15 minutes for 248 miles each way, at the 65 mph limit, which includes a break and fuel stop. If I went 60 mph, it would take a little longer and I might get 1 mpg better, still would have to stop for fuel (just in case) and a break. At 70 mph, I could maybe shave 15 minutes off the trip, but still would need the fuel stop and a break, but cost me another 1 mpg likely. SO I just go speed limit. If I encountered higher speed limits (70-75?? not sure which states have those) then I might press 70 mph, but no higher. I'm just not in that big of a hurry. Leave earlier? A lot depends on the tow vehicle power, and the weather and road conditions too. If the actual speed limit is 75 mph, and the road is straight as an arrow an no bad winds and light traffic, then it's the tow vehicle capability, tire pressures, fuel mileage, blah blah blah, you get the idea. Whatever you are comfortable with.
	2017 ATC 7X20 Custom Toy Hauler 2013 R-Pod 177 (SOLD) 2013 VW Touareg TDI

lostagain Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 06 Sep 2016 Location: Quaker Hill, CT Online Status: Offline Posts: 2595	Posted: 11 Jul 2018 at 7:53am
	I set the cruise control at 60 (GPS says 63), as a general rule. When we get into hills or mountains (with relatively straight roads) where we need to down shift some, I set it at 55. When it downshifts it stays at about 3600 rpm, max, which is the optimal torque for our engine. If there is a strong head wind and I'm getting a lot of downshifting, then I also set it at 55 unless the wind is blowing so hard that the truck is struggling at 55. But, if I've got a 30 mph tail wind, I might drive 70, close to the maximum range of my D tires. The point, for me, is to drive to the optimum engine output for mileage and torque, so as to not waste gas or strain the engine. When we travel, we try to keep it relaxed. Going really fast with a trailer is not relaxing. For us, if we are in a big hurry to get "there," we'll drive the car and fudge the speed limit all the way, but when traveling for fun and recreation, it's more comfortable to leave the anxiety and stress at home. If we get to our destination an hour later, as far as we are concerned, so what?, we're still there and haven't broken anything or spent more than we should on gas to get there.
	Never leave footprints behind. Fred & Maria Kearney Sonoma 167RB Our Pod 172 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 2.7 EcoBoost