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Seanl View Drop Down
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Joined: 19 Sep 2011
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Topic: Mileage Per Gallon
    Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 9:04am
Originally posted by techntrek

 
Originally posted by Burt

...

Most likely, as long as the tow vehicle is capable, the only real answers for better mileage are to use a lower speed as proven, or buy a bigger TV.   ...

As shown in my last post, our mpg went down when we bought a larger TV.


techntrek

Do you think that is because you tow faster with the more powerful TV? I know my terminal speed with any kind of head wind on the Jeep is 60MPG but with a little more horse power I would push it to 65 or 70.
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posts: 9062 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 9:28am

I didn't change my towing habits, at least not intentionally.  I would regularly tow at 65 with our old TV and if anything I tow a little slower now at 60-65 trying to get a little higher mpg.  The amount of stuff we take hasn't changed.

One thing that did change is the octane of the gas, but I don't see how that would affect the equation.  I had to put 92 octane in our Sienna to squeeze out every available horsepower.  It had variable valves and would only put out its maximum 215 hp with high octane gas.  This was very noticeable to me on the few occasions where we towed with lower octane gas (usually the first trip of the season since we would put 87 in it over the winter).  The Suburban only requires 87 octane and the manual doesn't even claim it will give you any more with a higher octane so 87 is what it gets.
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 11:01am
Thanks for the answer Techntrek. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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Posts: 315 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 11:20am
WinkOne variable that is difficult to pin down is the amount of ethanol that is actually in gasoline!
Ethanol may make gas burn cleaner but it has less energy per gallon.  Here in the Midwest, States are pushing for 15% ethanol vs the normal 10%.  Theoretically, this is a farmer pushed potential change.  More money for them but a noticeable decrease in mpg.  In Minnesota, several sampling tests were done and the 10% ethanol varied +/- 2%.  This may not seem to be much...but when
R-Pod owners are trying to 'hyper-mile' their tows, this can make a noticeable difference in mpg.
I took a trip out west with the Pod and as soon as I passed into another state which had non-ethanol 87 octane gas...my mpg jumped by more than 3 mpg!
TIDALWAVE
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Posts: 704 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 24 Jun 2013 at 12:31pm
Recent trip from MI to NC averaged 10.1 MPG, with a low of 9.9 MPG and a high of 12.44 MPG averaged over 9 fill ups. I did not include one tank used sightseeing with no pod which was 16.7 MPG.
.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.
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hogone View Drop Down
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Posts: 1060 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 8:44am
Ethanol definately decreases MPG.  Another point that hasn't been brought up is time of year, use of air conditioner, windows up or down.  Probably minimal effect however. 
Jon & Pam
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Posts: 1223 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 8:54am
Originally posted by hogone

Ethanol definately decreases MPG.  Another point that hasn't been brought up is time of year, use of air conditioner, windows up or down.  Probably minimal effect however. 
And being a sailor I would like to add wind direction and speed.
2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-              
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2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014)
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Seanl View Drop Down
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Posts: 633 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 25 Jun 2013 at 8:57am
Originally posted by David and Danette

Originally posted by hogone

Ethanol definately decreases MPG.  Another point that hasn't been brought up is time of year, use of air conditioner, windows up or down.  Probably minimal effect however. 
And being a sailor I would like to add wind direction and speed.

+1 to this if I am bucking a headwind I think I can watch the gas gauge go down. 
Sean, 2011 Rpod RP-173,2009 Jeep Liberty Rocky Mountain Edition
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CharlieM View Drop Down
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Posts: 1797 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 26 Jun 2013 at 5:08pm
For what it's worth: I just returned from a 780 mile camping trip towing the 172 with a Honda Pilot. MPG was 12.7 towing at 60 MPH, including about 200 miles not towing. Trip included climbing to 2400 feet at Cheaha State Park, AL (oxygen not required). This with 93 octane gas.

I have found the 93 octane gas can make 2 MPG difference while towing with my Pilot. Other TVs will differ, but at present prices, the cost/mile is a bit improved and I get more miles per tankful and more horsepower for climbing. It's worth a trial to see if you can benefit. Non ethanol gas would probably be even better.
Charlie
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OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD
PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD
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hogone View Drop Down
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Posts: 1060 		Direct Link To This Post Posted: 27 Jun 2013 at 11:38am
I was always under the impression that you can actually do damage to a car engine running higher octane fuel if not called for.  And could actually decrease your MPG using higher tyan recommended octane. 
Jon & Pam
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2010 F150
2017 HD Streetglide
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