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09-16-2011, 10:37 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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We are SO inexperienced...
We're just coming towards the end of our first season with the Airstream and it's been a really steep learning curve. Not that we haven't managed, because we have, but sometimes our inexperience really shows.
Last weekend, we'd just driven from home in the far reaches of South Western Ontario (a lot closer to Detroit than Toronto) up to Niagara Falls. We tow our 28' International Serenity with a 2011 Toyota Sienna (V6, 3.5L, six speed - yes we know, you can't tow that with that) and had been watching the van's gas mileage computer ticking over at a very respectable rate, finishing the trip at 12.9 miles per US gallon, doing around 62 mph on the highway, which was 99% of the trip. Feeling very pleased with ourselves we watched the computer on the way back but were very disappointed with a figure of only 12.0 mpg - not a huge difference but for the same trip just in the other direction, I couldn't work it out. The strange thing was that we had a similar thing happen doing the same route in April.
Then it dawned on me, in one of those Homer Simpson moments, Doh! It's uphill on the way back! There's not a vast height difference to be made up but it obviously has an effect. So, now I know why you have to average your gas mileage over both legs of the trip.
You learn something new (and very obvious) every day.
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09-16-2011, 11:01 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2007 30' Classic
Oswego
, Illinois
Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 13,669
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You also have predominately winds out of the west most of the time. Niagra to home usually will be a head wind.
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09-17-2011, 06:47 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
2007 23' Safari SE
Central
, Connecticut
Join Date: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,652
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Yeah, there are a lot of variables that affect mileage. We don't use cruise control - it drops speed too much on hills - so that makes direct comparsions out-and-back difficult.
Anywho, you know - from reading your blog, I'd say you've had a pretty damn good first year. You have a new beautiful (and kind of big) trailer and the confidence to tow it with an alternative tow vehicle, and you've towed it a lot (Florida and back! with lots of awning-induced thunderstorms!). Not bad at all.
Tom
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09-17-2011, 08:06 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1986 32' Excella
Currently Looking...
Canton
, Georgia
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,342
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Are you concerned about your transmission with that setup?
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09-17-2011, 09:34 AM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
1972 23' Safari
Houston
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,356
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If you haven't do so then find some local Airstream rallys to attend and soak up the knowledge factor from the pros. These are people that have perfected the "art" of Airstreaming and before long you'll loose that newbie feeling and be one of the sage ones.
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09-17-2011, 10:07 AM
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#6
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"Cloudsplitter"
2003 25' Classic
Houstatlantavegas
, Malebolgia
Join Date: Jun 2007
Posts: 20,000
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Congrats....no longer a roookie eah.
Enjoy the Falz?
We see it from this angle a lot....
Bob
__________________
I’m done with ‘adulting’…Let’s go find Bigfoot.
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09-17-2011, 12:41 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MrUKToad
We're just coming towards the end of our first season with the Airstream and it's been a really steep learning curve. Not that we haven't managed, because we have, but sometimes our inexperience really shows.
Last weekend, we'd just driven from home in the far reaches of South Western Ontario (a lot closer to Detroit than Toronto) up to Niagara Falls. We tow our 28' International Serenity with a 2011 Toyota Sienna (V6, 3.5L, six speed - yes we know, you can't tow that with that) and had been watching the van's gas mileage computer ticking over at a very respectable rate, finishing the trip at 12.9 miles per US gallon, doing around 62 mph on the highway, which was 99% of the trip. Feeling very pleased with ourselves we watched the computer on the way back but were very disappointed with a figure of only 12.0 mpg - not a huge difference but for the same trip just in the other direction, I couldn't work it out. The strange thing was that we had a similar thing happen doing the same route in April.
Then it dawned on me, in one of those Homer Simpson moments, Doh! It's uphill on the way back! There's not a vast height difference to be made up but it obviously has an effect. So, now I know why you have to average your gas mileage over both legs of the trip.
You learn something new (and very obvious) every day.
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A proper installed "airspeed indicator" and a "sensitive aircraft altimeter" are great assests when towing.
The airspeed indicator, when properly installed, will tell you if you have a head wind, or tail wind or any other kind of wind, by comparing it's reading to the speedometer in your tow vehicle. As an example, if the airspeed says 70 and the speedo says 60, you have a 10 mph head wind. If so, slow down. If the airspeed says 50 and your speedo says 60, you have a 10 mph tail wind. Now you can go faster, if you wish. If they both say the same, enjoy the trip.
With a sensitive altimeter, it has graduations of 20 feet. That clearly shows you if you are traveling on a level highway, or climbing, or descending.
Used together, those 2 instruments, when interpreted properly, will maximize your fuel mileage.
They also ease the mind, as to what's happening.
Andy
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09-17-2011, 02:36 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Inland RV Center, In
A proper installed "airspeed indicator" and a "sensitive aircraft altimeter" are great assests when towing.
Andy
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Hmmmm, I was thinking about an altimeter, just because I'm curious, but never thought about it being a boon to towing. Certainly the air speed indicator would be handy. Are these things available for cars?
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09-17-2011, 02:41 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Skatiero
Are you concerned about your transmission with that setup?
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Nope. We have a big cooler on it and no reports of transmission problems from other Sienna users with similar set ups. I'm also pretty gentle on things when I drive, keeping the speed down and trying not to let it change gear too often; of course time will tell but I'm quite confident.
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09-17-2011, 02:43 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS
Congrats....no longer a roookie eah.
Enjoy the Falz?
We see it from this angle a lot....
Bob
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Maintaining a safe distance I hope!
Yup, the falls were good and the weather was very kind for most of the weekend.
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09-17-2011, 02:46 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by dznf0g
You also have predominately winds out of the west most of the time. Niagra to home usually will be a head wind.
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You're right, and we did pick up a slight headwind on the return leg. Apart from in the spring, the wind has been noticeably absent from our trips this year, for which we are very grateful. Coming back from the Finger Lakes in May were were in the teeth of a gale and the gas mileage suffered as a result.
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09-17-2011, 02:47 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
2011 28' International
Chatham
, Ontario
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 1,401
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Quote:
Originally Posted by RichHog
If you haven't do so then find some local Airstream rallys to attend and soak up the knowledge factor from the pros. These are people that have perfected the "art" of Airstreaming and before long you'll loose that newbie feeling and be one of the sage ones.
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We will, but will choose our events carefully. Anyway, I just SO want to show off our set up to other Airstreamers!
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09-17-2011, 03:46 PM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,767
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Look for old airplane parts
Quote:
Originally Posted by MrUKToad
Hmmmm, I was thinking about an altimeter, just because I'm curious, but never thought about it being a boon to towing. Certainly the air speed indicator would be handy. Are these things available for cars?
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Don't know of any for cars, but there were a gazillion aircraft instruments manufactured during WWII and some of these are available on the used market. Snoop around eBay Motors and see what you can find. You'll also need a Pitot tube, but these can be pretty simple. It's basically a piece of tubing rigged so it points toward the forward end of the vehicle (in undisturbed air if possible). Make sure you get one that works, as repair or overhaul will be done at inflated "aircraft" prices.
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09-17-2011, 07:48 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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Quote:
Originally Posted by mimiandrews
Don't know of any for cars, but there were a gazillion aircraft instruments manufactured during WWII and some of these are available on the used market. Snoop around eBay Motors and see what you can find. You'll also need a Pitot tube, but these can be pretty simple. It's basically a piece of tubing rigged so it points toward the forward end of the vehicle (in undisturbed air if possible). Make sure you get one that works, as repair or overhaul will be done at inflated "aircraft" prices.
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What you may think as "inflated prices", needs an explanation.
Those rebuilt aircraft instruments, are rebuilt to certified FAA specifications, not back yard overhauls.
As a pilot, that has great meaning to me.
Andy
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09-18-2011, 12:42 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1966 22' Safari
Hilltop Lakes
, Texas
Join Date: Jun 2008
Posts: 1,767
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Right, Andy. I'm a pilot also, and appreciate the standards that need to be met for aircraft work. Just didn't think one should pay those prices for an airspeed to be used in a car.
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09-18-2011, 07:34 AM
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#16
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Retired.
Currently Looking...
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, At Large
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 21,276
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I haven't yet had my truck crash because my airspeed dropped too low, so I don't think we really need to worry about FAA certification on them...
Here's a link to an automotive altimeter: Swift 478 Altimeter from Red Oaks Trading
Here's a used airspeed indicator set from a Cessna: PAIR OF AIRSPEED INDICATORS REMOVED FROM A CESSNA 421C | eBay
__________________
Meddle not in the affairs of dragons, for you are crunchy, and taste good with ketchup.
Terry
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09-18-2011, 09:09 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
Airstream Dealer
Corona
, California
Join Date: Feb 2002
Posts: 16,497
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There is a huge difference between 20 foot and 200 foot incriments on an altimeter.
I would think it would take too long to interpret the 200 foot incriment altimeter, causing your eyes to be off the road way too long, simply because it's movement is so very slow.
Andy
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