Gas vs PSD
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
I learned a lot from Johnny several years ago reading his posts on tccoa. It didn't take long to figure out that he and a few other guys there really knew what they were talking about. And some of them have the Thunderbirds to prove it.
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Yes I believe TT's with slides must sit higher...they need more clearance for the slides to operate and not impact the wheels...much of the "workings" of the slides (motors/gears/tracks/etc) are below the TT and those "workings" need room...hence the taller profile.
BTW...I measured the height of my TT and to the top of the AC unit it measures 11'...an important number to know as I travel some of these back country roads!...I keep that number written on a piece of tape on the drivers sun visor so I NEVER forget it either!!!
A good buddy of mine from OH had a TT withOUT any slides...he used to pull that and get decent mpgs...purchased the same make TT but WITH a slide...his mpgs took about a 2mpg hit just from the added ~6 to 8" of added height and the added WIND resistance inherent with the taller TT...the TRUCK and driver were the SAME only the TT changed...and as we all know wind BLOWS!!!
So personally when I see people "comparing" mpgs...no two situations are EVER alike so it is impossible to "compare"...now throw in a 5'r which has an even TALLER frontal area...and that too plays into this mpg equation!
We've been thru the northern pan-handle of Texas...went right by Cadillac Ranch on I-40 on our way out to the Grand Canyon...both of those pictures above were from that particular trip.
We have an awesome time as a family traveling all over the country...I'm really looking forward to getting to North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and the eastern side of Washington State...4 states we haven't been to yet!!!...the memories I pray my daughters keep as they grow and hopefully share this gift with their children and their grand children...is something I felt was important to pass on to them...
What part of Texas would you head to?...that is one BIG state!
Thanks for the compliments on the pictures...I really love traveling and taking pictures...this summers travels will add yet more memory opportunities too!
Joe.
BTW...I measured the height of my TT and to the top of the AC unit it measures 11'...an important number to know as I travel some of these back country roads!...I keep that number written on a piece of tape on the drivers sun visor so I NEVER forget it either!!!
A good buddy of mine from OH had a TT withOUT any slides...he used to pull that and get decent mpgs...purchased the same make TT but WITH a slide...his mpgs took about a 2mpg hit just from the added ~6 to 8" of added height and the added WIND resistance inherent with the taller TT...the TRUCK and driver were the SAME only the TT changed...and as we all know wind BLOWS!!!
So personally when I see people "comparing" mpgs...no two situations are EVER alike so it is impossible to "compare"...now throw in a 5'r which has an even TALLER frontal area...and that too plays into this mpg equation!
We've been thru the northern pan-handle of Texas...went right by Cadillac Ranch on I-40 on our way out to the Grand Canyon...both of those pictures above were from that particular trip.
We have an awesome time as a family traveling all over the country...I'm really looking forward to getting to North Dakota, Montana, Idaho and the eastern side of Washington State...4 states we haven't been to yet!!!...the memories I pray my daughters keep as they grow and hopefully share this gift with their children and their grand children...is something I felt was important to pass on to them...
What part of Texas would you head to?...that is one BIG state!
Thanks for the compliments on the pictures...I really love traveling and taking pictures...this summers travels will add yet more memory opportunities too!
Joe.
For the height of the TT a neat thing to do would be the number 11' backwards on the front of the trailer so you would see it in the rear view. Nothing huge just like the 3x2" common ones. That is a good idea to measure though! I haven't checked mine yet, even though it is lower you never know what you'll come up on.
We will be heading to Georgetown (close to Austin) when we go to texas. I don't remember the interstate and hwy numbers I have been on but I have taken pretty much every possible route from wisconsin to texas east of nebraska. I keep moving west trying different routes to see other things so if time alows I will try to get over into at least nebraska, colorado, and maybe new mexico when we go as a family. Come back on the east side by tennessee and whatnot. I normally don't like stopping so most of my pictures are always out the windows of the truck and never of the truck and background. I will have to make it a point to get pics of the rig on the trip.
It would be nice if you could lower your trailer when the slide is in and in tow.
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 42,561
Likes: 423
From: Long Island USA
I've seen people drag TT's on the ground just trying to get into a camp ground, much less any type of even "mild" off-roading to get somewhere you actually want to camp. In cases like that, a little more ground clearance can be a good thing. Of course, the slides do make that a necessity, it seems.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Things people will do with their toys. There is a beach campground in So CA that has the only access across a creek entering the Ocean. People drive their toys over salt water just go there. Add the situation when someone is late for low tide and his truck is rolling, while the trailer is floating. You can find some videos on youtube
Posting Guru
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,537
Likes: 0
From: Dongola, IL
I'm curious, What would you have to do to get 400 RWHP?
These calculations were based off peak torque, which is much easier for me to get to than the V10.
The 6.2 should be able to out run the V10 towing, but will need more gear to do it.
You just confirmed what I have been saying... Less power + more gearing, can outpull more power + less gearing. The gears multiply the torque, thus more power to the ground.
With the new 6 speed auto and 4.30s its putting the same torque and more HP to the ground than the 3V.
You just confirmed what I have been saying... Less power + more gearing, can outpull more power + less gearing. The gears multiply the torque, thus more power to the ground.
With the new 6 speed auto and 4.30s its putting the same torque and more HP to the ground than the 3V.
X2!!!!!!
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Things people will do with their toys. There is a beach campground in So CA that has the only access across a creek entering the Ocean. People drive their toys over salt water just go there. Add the situation when someone is late for low tide and his truck is rolling, while the trailer is floating. You can find some videos on youtube
You talking about this guy? Wonder if he is on FTE?
YouTube - 08 02 10 What are they thinking
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Good find.
Even if he is here, do you expect him to raise his hand?
Not too many Californians knows the penalty for getting their vehicles in salt water.
I took my 1970 Honda Trail bike for vacations in Baja.
3 weeks there did more damages to it, than over 30 years on California trails. And I never got it wet -riding on dunes only.
Even if he is here, do you expect him to raise his hand?Not too many Californians knows the penalty for getting their vehicles in salt water.
I took my 1970 Honda Trail bike for vacations in Baja.
3 weeks there did more damages to it, than over 30 years on California trails. And I never got it wet -riding on dunes only.
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3,524
Likes: 2
From: CA Bay Area
Hotshot
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 13,484
Likes: 42
From: Stevens Point, WI
Good find. Even if he is here, do you expect him to raise his hand?
Not too many Californians knows the penalty for getting their vehicles in salt water.
I took my 1970 Honda Trail bike for vacations in Baja.
3 weeks there did more damages to it, than over 30 years on California trails. And I never got it wet -riding on dunes only.
Even if he is here, do you expect him to raise his hand?Not too many Californians knows the penalty for getting their vehicles in salt water.
I took my 1970 Honda Trail bike for vacations in Baja.
3 weeks there did more damages to it, than over 30 years on California trails. And I never got it wet -riding on dunes only.
Was it you?
Postmaster
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 4,171
Likes: 12
From: SE Texas
I don't get why your TT is so high up. I've seen that a few times while on the road where a TT will be really high off the ground. Is it just because of the slide outs that they have to have the rest of the camper higher over the wheels? Looks like that thing would buck allot of wind and cause bad gas mileage. 
In a headwind-you definitely know it's higher than most. One advantage Joe has with his Excursion is the vehicle profile keeps airflow out of the "pocket" where my truck's 8 ft bed is. That area of disturbed airflow creates more drag. If I had a camper shell/topper or were to pull it with our Excursion it would be better on fuel and less drag than the truck.
JL
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 12,237
Likes: 22
From: Florida
Johnny,
WELCOME back to INSANITY!!! hehe
NICE looking rig!
One advantage the Eagle and all smooth fiberglass sided trailers have is they are actually easier to tow and present slightly less friction in the airflow...so any advantage I have because of the higher/longer vehicle profile is negated by the rough aluminum siding...there was an RV delivery driver/hotshotter on RV.net that always posted the various MPGs based on type of trailer and type of siding...and the aluminum siding like I have is always the worst on MPGs and then the taller trailers are even worse...just a few inches of added height equates to a large overall surface area to catch the wind!
Welcome back my friend...you have much to contribute with your knowledge...THANKS!
Joe.
WELCOME back to INSANITY!!! hehe
NICE looking rig!
One advantage the Eagle and all smooth fiberglass sided trailers have is they are actually easier to tow and present slightly less friction in the airflow...so any advantage I have because of the higher/longer vehicle profile is negated by the rough aluminum siding...there was an RV delivery driver/hotshotter on RV.net that always posted the various MPGs based on type of trailer and type of siding...and the aluminum siding like I have is always the worst on MPGs and then the taller trailers are even worse...just a few inches of added height equates to a large overall surface area to catch the wind!
Welcome back my friend...you have much to contribute with your knowledge...THANKS!
Joe.
Elder User
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 882
Likes: 0
From: Ohio
Pretty close to same setup I was pulling. Nice looking rig. Below is my junk, and the reason for the PSD. Definitely need some air bags. I'm hoping to head out west this summer, but I don't think I can do those 12-14 hr drives you mentioned. "I" can do it, but at 4 and 5 yrs old I don't think my two girls could handle it. They're good for about 8-9 hrs tops and then hell comes to earth.
This past summer we spent mostly east. Ohio, PA, W. Virginia, Virginia, N. & S. Carolina, Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, Kentucky, Indiana, and Illinois. I figure that was a pretty good start. 