I just clicked play so bear with me if you cover this, but how does it work with the electric brake controllers? Does the R1S have one built in or do you have to add it aftermarket?
@@AllElectricFamily I can appreciate preference, but it just seems like for any significant long distance travel you'd be looking at a minimum 30% increase in total time over a petrol alternative. No?
Tough to improve the aerodynamics of the Airstream. Lowering it would be counterproductive to camping flexibility, I raised our 28’ Flying Cloud 3 in. for a number of benefits. The rooftop is about the only area with opportunity, but removing the aircons isn’t remotely tempting. I’ve placed a pre-order on a Pebble, the design of which appears to optimize aerodynamics
Ok, first things first. That R1S pulling the airstream looks sexy af!after! I'd like to see 65mph efficiency since ABRP has their setting for 65mph and I'd want to use similar numbers
You should do a test at the freeway minimum speed limit 45mph... Or get an orange Chevron and test at slower speed. The point is that I would wager that most of the losses are wind and not due to the towed mass. Below 45mph your added losses should be mostly rolling resistance, but far less wind. I have a hypothesis that the mass you are moving doesn't matter. Yes, more energy is needed to accelerate. But you get more Regen energy back when you slow. And in between the only extra energy needed is all from rolling resistance and wind drag. Otherwise it doesn't actually require any energy to stay in motion. Physics, an object in motion will stay in motion. Everyone making a big fuss about towing losses and the mass of the trailer are mis-attributing high rolling and aero losses to mass. This is why the Tesla Semi can do so well, good aerodynamics, and probably lower rolling resistant tyres... What are the rolling losses of a freight train? Near zero steel on steel wheels on rails. And good aero due to all cars drafting each other...
@@AllElectricFamily oh, I know, absolutely... But that is an exception to the rule that is boxie bricks of trailers that basically behave like parachutes. I think I'm going to try out a 45mph round trip commute I'm my Lightning today, just for kicks.
For better efficiency with the R1S / R1T and the airstream You might test putting a very low to the ground air dam in the front of each to push the air around the vehicles. You can probably do this as a low cost test by making the air dam out of race car plastic. Next test running the tires at max air pressure. Harder tires will roll easier, but may make affect braking on wet pavement. You may also want to try putting an air wedge on top of the tow vehicle to push the air flow up and over the air stream. I used to see these on trucks pulling 5th wheels.
What is the GVWR of the Airstream and are you using a weight distribution hitch such as Anderson? I have R1S on the way and RV w GVWR of 7,000 (Ollie E2) I’m considering buying… should I be concerned? Thoughts? Thx much. Grt channel.
The GVWR is 8,800lbs, dry it's 6,800lbs. We use a Blue Ox weight distribution hitch and it's a solid combination. EVs have so much weight themselves, they remain really solid on the road towing, even if the trailer is close to the max towing capacity.
