Date: Tue, 16 Aug 2005 20:55:38 -0600
Reply-To: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: jimt <camper@TACTICAL-BUS.INFO>
Subject: Re: How much fuel efficiency gained by shedding 300 lbs?
In-Reply-To: <001901c5a2d4$6e68de20$d31c010a@eucasafasj2xfm>
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For standard pax vehicles the rule will hold up fairly well for older
vehicles. For more modern computer compensating systems it is probably
closer to 200 or 300 lbs. For vehicles with a frontal of .81 like our
vanagons 300 lbs does not have much effect unless you are climbing a lot of
hills. Did testing on my own van when I had the original air cooled engine
and found that a 600 lb load from denver to colorado springs had maybe a 1
mpg effect. The same trip with the subie engine shows no effect. The only
effect I have noted is when climbing hills. With the aircooled engine the
engine was cussing me out. With the subie engine I can tell it is
definitely using more fuel but it evidently averages out over the trip to be
insignificant. My biggest difference in mpg is when I hit 70 to 75 mph. I
loose 1 mpg at that speed. When cruising at 75 to 85 I loose another mpg.
This is whether I am carrying cargo or not. (cant tell at higher speeds
because speedo only goes to 85)
jimt
On 8/16/05 8:36 PM, "Chris Renz" <aircooledchris@EUCASAFARI.VENDIOWEB.COM>
wrote:
> I have two left thumbs, how does that effect my math?
>
>
> aircooled human.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "mark drillock" <drillock@EARTHLINK.NET>
> To: <vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM>
> Sent: Tuesday, August 16, 2005 6:56 PM
> Subject: Re: How much fuel efficiency gained by shedding 300 lbs?
>
>
>> I doubt that rule holds up under much scrutiny. On trips I sometimes
>> pull a 900lb trailer in addition to loading up my 87 Syncro Camper by
>> almost as much inside. Still gets about 17 mpg, even with an extra 1500
>> lbs, not the 2 mpg the rule would indicate. Other factors are much more
>> important, namely speed. When loaded down and towing I drive slower and
>> at a more constant speed, except up hills of course.
>>
>> Mark
>>
>> Jim Felder wrote:
>>
>>> I've heard rule of thumb of one mile per gallon per 100 pounds, for
>>> what rules of thumb are worth.
>>>
>>> Jim
>>>
>>> On Aug 15, 2005, at 9:46 PM, P. Stanhope wrote:
>>>
>>>> Or 500 pounds? I have a westy that my pack-rat brain
>>>> LOVES to stuff full of heavy tools and junk. My westy
>>>> weighs alot already, just wondering what would happen
>>>> if i ditched two 10" woofers inside partical wood
>>>> speaker boxes. The speakerboxes take up space and
>>>> theives love them.
>>>>
>>>> Phil 84' Westy Tiico'ed
>>>>
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