Member Since: 09 Aug 2015
Location: Pwllheli North Wales
Posts: 104
Which matters most air resistance or weight?
As per my post in another group I have just done my first trip with this D3 2.7.
On the way there I did 155 miles towing an empty canvas top trailer. Sticks up above the D3 by a good couple of feet and is about same width.
On that leg of the journey I got 20mpg. Ok I was keeping up with the flow but at no time over the legal towing speed limits.
The trailer weighs about 400kg empty.
On the return trip if 130 miles towing the same trailer but loaded to about 2000kg inc trailer I managed to get 19.5mpg. Ok I was driving a lot less hurried but still maintaining legal limits when safe.
Sadly as I have not done many miles with it not towing I dont know the mpg for that on a trip yet. Most solo stuff will be short local trips.
However as well as the driving style I think it's clear that air resistance plays a big if not bigger part than just the weight.
19th Jan 2022 5:29 pm
Trailered Movements
Member Since: 16 Jan 2020
Location: East/West Sussex Coast Borders
Posts: 1200
Correct, weight aids momentum so the need to accelerate reduces to maintain speed.
Dave2011 Discovery 4 Commercial SDV6 (Gone)
2010 RRS TDV8 (Gone)
1980 OBLIC 4.0ltr Range Rover (went a long time ago)
19th Jan 2022 5:51 pm
DSL Keeper of the wheelie bin
Member Since: 11 May 2006
Location: Off again! :-)
Posts: 73134
And air resistance goes up as a square of speed. Plus that works for rectangles as well.
19th Jan 2022 6:02 pm
Justme
Member Since: 09 Aug 2015
Location: Pwllheli North Wales
Posts: 104
That would be ok on a flat straight road.
Hills and bends will mean brakes get used that burn that gain off.
But yes once its up to speed its easer to stay there.
Plus I was watching the road much further ahead & adapting my style to suit the weight on the way back. On the way there I wanted to get there to get my head down.
Most of those miles was on North Wales A & B roads.
Just the length of the M54 & a tad of the M6 on good roads basically.
Pwllheli to Cannock area & back.
19th Jan 2022 6:02 pm
Justme
Member Since: 09 Aug 2015
Location: Pwllheli North Wales
Posts: 104
DSL wrote:
And air resistance goes up as a square of speed. Plus that works for rectangles as well.
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