Poor Mileage - R-pod Owners Forum

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ToddsPod

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Joined: 20 May 2010
Location: Conroe, Texas
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Posts: 77

Topic: Poor Mileage
Posted: 10 May 2011 at 12:54am

I'm beginning to think that the only way we'll get any better mpgs is some sort of retrofitting:

That might do the job.

'07 Dodge RAM 1500 ST Longbed QuadCab 4.7L V8 --- '10 Forest River R-Pod 172

techntrek

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Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
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Posts: 9062

Posted: 10 May 2011 at 8:06am

Add some wings and you won't need the tow vehicle!

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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podders Helping podders - pHp

Joined: 10 Jun 2009
Location: Owosso MI
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 704

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 11:33am

FYI, on a recent trip of under 200 miles we limited our speed to 55 MPH. According to the onboard computer, mileage averaged 13.8 MPG. On a previous trip of over 2000 miles at 65 MPH, mileage averaged around 11 MPG.

We'll be taking a longer trip in the next week or so, and plan to limit speed to 55 MPH. I'll reset the computer, and file a follow-up report.

Out.

.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.

Snowbound

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Joined: 17 Apr 2011
Location: Edmonton, AB
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Posts: 270

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 1:54pm

We are pulling with a Grand Caravan too. Ours is a 3.3 L. Our 177 has the little spoiler with lights and we are still averaging around 9 to 11 gal on the highway depending on the wind, etc.

How are your rpms? My husband is concerned about how hard the engine is working (3000 rpms most of the time) and the fact that he feels he is not keeping up with the traffic.

I spent the morning checking out other vehicles.

Tom and Bette
in our 177 "The Gastropod"

HZNHRZ

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Joined: 09 Mar 2011
Location: United States
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Posts: 17

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 2:28pm

We have a 3.7 liter. I have not had an opportunity to test the optimum mpg yet. But feel I can keep rpm's under 3000. I believe it normally runs in the low 2000s without an rpod and I have had some success at the low 2000's with a short distance on a flat road averaging 45-50 mph towing my rpod.

However when I drove home on a superhigway from Ohio, I learned not to exceed 50 mph, not use cruise control, accelerate slowly and basically watch the cars pass me. I used this tactical manuever after I had averaged 11 mpg. I did not have enough time and distance on my trip to get it up past 12 mpg. I do not feel cofotable with towing at 3000 rpms and have adjusted to the fact that my trips will take longer. I have been advised the main culprit is wind resistance.

I am taking a trip in about 10 days and will use my new towing skills to achieve optimum mpg. I will let you know if I can get better mileage.

Rich and Nancy

GoTak

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Joined: 21 Mar 2011
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Posts: 2

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 4:29pm

Could you explain why NO cruise control is better?
Also why Over drive should be off?

Thanks

creel

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Joined: 29 Mar 2011
Location: Bozeman, MT
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 32

Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 4:36pm

with cruise control on, you'll find your auto transmission will change down in gear far more often trying to keep your 'set' speed than if you were controlling the speed by yourself, especially when driving into a head wind or up hills. It does not really matter if your flat road speed drops 5-10mph going up a hill, let it slow down, it'll pick up again when you're back on the flat.

Constant down shifting in gear really kills your mpg's!

Also in overdrive, your RPM's will be low, too low perhaps making gear down shifting more often. I keep our Tundra in 4th 95% of the time, the slightly higher RPM makes it easier to drive and keep at speed.

Cheers

GoTak

Newbie

Joined: 21 Mar 2011
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 2

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 10:51am

Thank you so much.

When I drive on the flat, does use of cruise control make any change for the gas mileage? I won't use cruise control in hills.

techntrek

Admin Group - pHp

Joined: 29 Jul 2009
Location: MD
Online Status: Offline
Posts: 9062

Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 5:04pm

Cruise control is ok on flat land, I use it sometimes on our trip to the beach where almost 3 hours of the trip is on mostly flat land. But keep it out of overdrive when towing if your manual says to.

Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

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ToddsPod Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 20 May 2010 Location: Conroe, Texas Online Status: Offline Posts: 77	Topic: Poor Mileage Posted: 10 May 2011 at 12:54am
	I'm beginning to think that the only way we'll get any better mpgs is some sort of retrofitting: That might do the job.
	'07 Dodge RAM 1500 ST Longbed QuadCab 4.7L V8 --- '10 Forest River R-Pod 172

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 10 May 2011 at 8:06am
	Add some wings and you won't need the tow vehicle!
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual

HuronSailor Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Visit Members Homepage Add to Buddy List podders Helping podders - pHp Joined: 10 Jun 2009 Location: Owosso MI Online Status: Offline Posts: 704	Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 11:33am
	FYI, on a recent trip of under 200 miles we limited our speed to 55 MPH. According to the onboard computer, mileage averaged 13.8 MPG. On a previous trip of over 2000 miles at 65 MPH, mileage averaged around 11 MPG. We'll be taking a longer trip in the next week or so, and plan to limit speed to 55 MPH. I'll reset the computer, and file a follow-up report. Out.
	.: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :.

Snowbound Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Senior Member Joined: 17 Apr 2011 Location: Edmonton, AB Online Status: Offline Posts: 270	Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 1:54pm
	We are pulling with a Grand Caravan too. Ours is a 3.3 L. Our 177 has the little spoiler with lights and we are still averaging around 9 to 11 gal on the highway depending on the wind, etc. How are your rpms? My husband is concerned about how hard the engine is working (3000 rpms most of the time) and the fact that he feels he is not keeping up with the traffic. I spent the morning checking out other vehicles. B
	Tom and Bette in our 177 "The Gastropod"

HZNHRZ Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 09 Mar 2011 Location: United States Online Status: Offline Posts: 17	Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 2:28pm
	We have a 3.7 liter. I have not had an opportunity to test the optimum mpg yet. But feel I can keep rpm's under 3000. I believe it normally runs in the low 2000s without an rpod and I have had some success at the low 2000's with a short distance on a flat road averaging 45-50 mph towing my rpod. However when I drove home on a superhigway from Ohio, I learned not to exceed 50 mph, not use cruise control, accelerate slowly and basically watch the cars pass me. I used this tactical manuever after I had averaged 11 mpg. I did not have enough time and distance on my trip to get it up past 12 mpg. I do not feel cofotable with towing at 3000 rpms and have adjusted to the fact that my trips will take longer. I have been advised the main culprit is wind resistance. I am taking a trip in about 10 days and will use my new towing skills to achieve optimum mpg. I will let you know if I can get better mileage. Rich and Nancy

GoTak Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 4:29pm
	Could you explain why NO cruise control is better? Also why Over drive should be off? Thanks

creel Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 29 Mar 2011 Location: Bozeman, MT Online Status: Offline Posts: 32	Posted: 02 Jun 2011 at 4:36pm
	with cruise control on, you'll find your auto transmission will change down in gear far more often trying to keep your 'set' speed than if you were controlling the speed by yourself, especially when driving into a head wind or up hills. It does not really matter if your flat road speed drops 5-10mph going up a hill, let it slow down, it'll pick up again when you're back on the flat. Constant down shifting in gear really kills your mpg's! Also in overdrive, your RPM's will be low, too low perhaps making gear down shifting more often. I keep our Tundra in 4th 95% of the time, the slightly higher RPM makes it easier to drive and keep at speed. Cheers

GoTak Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 21 Mar 2011 Online Status: Offline Posts: 2	Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 10:51am
	Thank you so much. When I drive on the flat, does use of cruise control make any change for the gas mileage? I won't use cruise control in hills.

techntrek Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Admin Group - pHp Joined: 29 Jul 2009 Location: MD Online Status: Offline Posts: 9062	Posted: 03 Jun 2011 at 5:04pm
	Cruise control is ok on flat land, I use it sometimes on our trip to the beach where almost 3 hours of the trip is on mostly flat land. But keep it out of overdrive when towing if your manual says to.
	Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual