FOOLING MY TOWING GUESS-O-METER

[Sdctcher]

While towing my Bean Teardrop trailer for about 4,000 miles these past several months, my Guess-O-Meter has been driving me nuts by continuously under estimating range. My trailer is 15 feet long, 7 feet tall, 7 feet wide, and weighs 3,000 lbs. loaded, but is very aerodynamic. I add my trip meter reading to my range estimate and it was always increasing mile by mile. Obviously, Ford's algorithm does not understand my trailer. The original was under estimating my eventual range by 40%. With a 90% charge it would say 125 miles, whereas my total usually turned out to be nearer 200.

So I entered several more renditions of the trailer, each one smaller and lighter until my latest, at 10 feet long, 6 feet tall, 6 feet wide, and 2,500 lbs. works correctly. Over the past 400 miles, through various climates and elevations, my GOM now says about 200 miles (adding up the continuous range estimate and how far my trip meter says I have gone). The total never waivers, except when climbing mountains, but once back down I am right back to 200.

I do understand that every trailer is different and the algorithm being used cannot take everything into account. Besides being aerodynamic, the space between trailer and truck is short so there is less drag, and I do have a tonneau cover. But it is hard to believe that my Bean is 40% more efficient than Ford's example trailer.

Sponsored

 

[Henry Ford]

The algorithm probably assumes a box, which is worst case scenario and maybe the most likely scenario. If you told me to draw a 15x7x7 trailer it would be a box with wheels.

Your solution is great for someone who tows a lot and wants an accurate GOM. The alternative would be to enter variables like cross-sectional area and coefficient of drag, numbers which most trailer manufacturers probably don't have.

 

[TaxmanHog]

Great that the trailer is so efficient, only problem I see is trying to predict when you will need a DCFC session on a long trip.

 

[TRCarr]

While towing my Bean Teardrop trailer for about 4,000 miles these past several months, my Guess-O-Meter has been driving me nuts by continuously under estimating range. My trailer is 15 feet long, 7 feet tall, 7 feet wide, and weighs 3,000 lbs. loaded, but is very aerodynamic. I add my trip meter reading to my range estimate and it was always increasing mile by mile. Obviously, Ford's algorithm does not understand my trailer. The original was under estimating my eventual range by 40%. With a 90% charge it would say 125 miles, whereas my total usually turned out to be nearer 200.

So I entered several more renditions of the trailer, each one smaller and lighter until my latest, at 10 feet long, 6 feet tall, 6 feet wide, and 2,500 lbs. works correctly. Over the past 400 miles, through various climates and elevations, my GOM now says about 200 miles (adding up the continuous range estimate and how far my trip meter says I have gone). The total never waivers, except when climbing mountains, but once back down I am right back to 200.

I do understand that every trailer is different and the algorithm being used cannot take everything into account. Besides being aerodynamic, the space between trailer and truck is short so there is less drag, and I do have a tonneau cover. But it is hard to believe that my Bean is 40% more efficient than Ford's example trailer.

I’m towing a 3,100 lb e(empty) dump trailer with a ‘68 Jeep in it 950 miles right now N to S CA

And…

 

[TRCarr]

I’m towing a 3,100 lb e(empty) dump trailer with a ‘68 Jeep in it 950 miles right now N to S CA

And…

1.0 m/kWh @45-55mph & strong headwinds and rain. I’ll take it. Tows like a dream so it’s easier to deal with 85 miles between 30 minute charges.

 

[Sdctcher]

1.0 m/kWh @45-55mph & strong headwinds and rain. I’ll take it. Tows like a dream so it’s easier to deal with 85 miles between 30 minute charges.

Sounds about right. I drove that route in December southbound from OR when colder and snowy over Shasta. Got mostly 1.5-1.6 on the level at your speeds. Can't do much to help out the resistance of that brick following you. Yesterday, coming off Continental Divide eastbound in NM on I-10 (slightly downhill with 20 mph wind push) I got 2.0-2.2. Good you got chargers every 50-100 miles, but I found a lot of EA CA stations buggy with no pull throughs. Godspeed, Tom.

Sponsored