Gas Mileage |
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KJR
Newbie Joined: 19 Sep 2010 Location: Frisco, TX Online Status: Offline Posts: 11 |
Topic: Gas Mileage Posted: 16 Oct 2010 at 12:01am |
American RV manufacturers need to look to the UK and Europe for some fresh ideas on how to design a lightweight and aerodynamic travel trailer. Gulfstream has made an attempt with the Visa. I decided to search for travel trailer or caravan manufacturers in the UK and found some links. Check these trailers out for weight and space utilization. All these can be pulled with small vehicles and definitely with our small SUVs, light trucks and Crossovers. None of these manufacturers use a tear drop shape. They keep the front streamlined by enclosing the propane inside an aerodynamic enclosure. The rear of the trailer is straight wall and not curved. I didn't see any slide outs on the UK RVs. The RPod and MPG are cute but their aerodynamics don't appear to be ideal. There is a lot of wasted interior space in the Rpod and MPG. The US market is ready for lightweight trailers so I hope well see some similar designs on this side of the pond. $4-5/gallon gas will be back with us sooner than we like.
http://www.bailey-caravans.co.uk/ http://www.elddis.co.uk/ http://www.swiftleisure.co.uk/ http://www.lunarcaravans.com/caravans/
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 15 Oct 2010 at 10:18pm |
Comments on roof construction continued in its own thread: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=1462&title=roof-construction |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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argh6
Newbie Joined: 30 Jul 2010 Location: Phoenix, AZ. Online Status: Offline Posts: 16 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2010 at 11:39pm |
From that video the roof appears to have wood bracing...
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Jerry, Julie, Kaiti, & Abbi ~ Phoenix, AZ ~ 2010 172T ~ 2004 Acura MDX
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2010 at 2:48pm |
As far as I know all structual supports are aluminum. At one point I found a video online of the factory floor, and while it was from a distance the 'pods that weren't enclosed yet appeared to have aluminum everywhere.
Edit: I found the video (coincidentally in this same thread back in August). I don't know if this is still good, they block Youtube at work so I can't try it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O0W9PCL7TZM&feature=player_embedded |
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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Gerald
Groupie Joined: 27 May 2010 Location: Bowmanville, On Online Status: Offline Posts: 73 |
Posted: 13 Oct 2010 at 9:06am |
That is good news and bad news about the spoiler, will be interesting to see if the (cosmetic)spoiler helps or not..........
Does anyone know if the roof rafters are wood or aluminum? I know the walls are welded aluminum frames but am not sure if the roof rafters that connect the walls are wood or aluminum. I am assuming the thickness would be about 2 inches? I would like to screw into these for a shelf support.
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2010 R-Pod 177 / 2009 GMC Canyon 4X4
Gerald, Lydia and The Boys (2 Shelties)......Canuck Podders |
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tma-333
Newbie Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Location: Miramichi, NB Online Status: Offline Posts: 14 |
Posted: 12 Oct 2010 at 1:15pm |
Hi, can my customer install this spoiler on his 177.Is it easy to install and what would be the cost on this spoiler.Thanks Sales Manager / Gerant des Ventes From FR:
No they would not; the backers would not be in the right locations. We had to move the roof rafters to be able to screw the spoiler on. The only way they could would be to tear the ceiling panels down and add extra support where the spoiler would go. This is something we just started doing on models at the product expo.
Thanks Dave FR
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techntrek
Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9059 |
Posted: 12 Oct 2010 at 11:25am |
I heard from FR today. Part of the message was about the new Hood River Edition, I'll post that info on that thread. Here is what he said about the new "spoiler":
"we've added a rear spoiler to the pods. mostly for cosmetics. and It has 3 LED running lights in it. Not sure if it will improve mileage or not"
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Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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tma-333
Newbie Joined: 05 Sep 2010 Location: Miramichi, NB Online Status: Offline Posts: 14 |
Posted: 08 Oct 2010 at 12:14pm |
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popgoesweasel
Groupie Joined: 22 Jan 2010 Location: Costa Rica Online Status: Offline Posts: 49 |
Posted: 08 Oct 2010 at 11:35am |
I bought my reflectors as a kit at WalMart. I also bought and installed a red/white tape kit as well.
I wonder if the ones in the photo were installed by the dealer or at the factory?
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R171 2010
Frontier 2009 Site 40 Eastern Rally 2010 |
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David and Danette
podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 24 Nov 2009 Online Status: Offline Posts: 1215 |
Posted: 08 Oct 2010 at 10:49am |
The fenders have reflectors or lights, that is another change. It is definitely a better improved R-pod. David and Danette
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2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018-
2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
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