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Tow Vehicle Effiency
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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Joined: 11 Nov 2018
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Posts: 426 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tow Vehicle Effiency
    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
Kawasaki KLR650
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scroc View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		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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JR View Drop Down
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Location: Manistee, MI
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Posts: 392 		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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gpokluda View Drop Down
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Posts: 426 		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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scroc View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		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: 426 		Post Options Post Options   Quote gpokluda Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post 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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CUGrad90 View Drop Down
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Posts: 16 		Post Options Post Options   Quote CUGrad90 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2025 at 11:10pm
Just made the same trip from NC to camp for a week in central Florida...

Switched tow vehicles, from using my wife's 2011 Honda Pilot, to a new-to-me 2016 F150, 5.0 6 speed trans.

Totaled 1440 miles and got home at 14.8 MPG.  That's about what I was hoping for. A constant headwind dropped me below 15 mpg about halfway through Ga on the way back.
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FlyBigSky View Drop Down
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Posts: 2 		Post Options Post Options   Quote FlyBigSky Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 04 May 2025 at 11:54pm
I have an Rpod 179, and I tow it with my 2013 GMC 1500, 5.3 Litre.  I average 13 to 14 MPG on hiway / Town, and on a long trip maybe a little better., maybe 15. 
I have Brains I Haven't Even used. Nyuk Nyuk
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Travel is Fatal View Drop Down
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Posts: 11 		Post Options Post Options   Quote Travel is Fatal Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Today at 12:21pm
scroc,
that is a neat idea to drive with an OBD to check health/operation of the vehicle.  I had not thought of that.  Since I drive an older tow vehicle 2010 Tacoma without the bells/whistles other than basic dashboard dials without much detail, now I'm curious to grab an OBD and drive with it on.  After having used yours do you have any recommendations as to the one you use and/or competing sensors?
"Travel is Fatal to prejudice, bigotry and narrow mindedness and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts." Mark Twain
2017 RPOD 179
2010 Toyota Tacoma 4 liter V-6 w E Brake
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scroc View Drop Down
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Posts: 9 		Post Options Post Options   Quote scroc Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Today at 2:04pm
I use the MX Bluetooth sending unit from the truck and the OBDLink app on my android phone.
Have used this system with no issues or problems except the learning curve to program the various/ mind boggling MANY PID's available on the device.
Have settled on: Speed mph/ RPM /Engine Temp / Instant Economy / Engine Torque / Absolute Throttle Position % / 
Can access engine and trans temp but requires tapping into a different PID from the Nissan/ Infinity ECM.
Lots of choices.
Bottom Line: it does a good job for us to monitor whats happening with our old truck.
Steve
2024 R-Pod 194C
2013 Nissan Frontier 4X4
1 big cat travel bud
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