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GaryKD · 09-22-2009, 03:51 PM

This is interesting.
University of Alabama News » Engineering Professors Develop Electric Hybrid Vehicle Concept for RV Travelers

hondo122 · 09-22-2009, 04:29 PM

The first question I have is what type of hitch would handle push-pull. I'd think the pushing part t work to well with a 4000lb toad pushing a 30000lb coach up a hill. It would seem more likely the recharge would work well if only applied when the coach brakes are active.

TXiceman · 09-23-2009, 06:02 AM

Sounds like a typical professor....pipe dreams. 4000# of dinghy pushing 25000# plus of motorhome. That is going to take some battery power to do much good.

I can guarantee you that I will not be in line to look at one of these set ups and sure would not buy one.

Ken

Bob (WA0MQE) · 09-23-2009, 06:23 AM

Well he did say it supplemented the motorhome, it's not pushing the full GVW of the motorhome. If anything the weight of the toad would become nil while going up hill, and that in itself would decrease the weight on the motorhome.

I know I've read that some motorhomer's say they can't even tell their pulling their toads behind their motorhomes, but personally that's bull, it may seem like they can't tell but the motorhome engine sure can. Weight is weight, and if your pulling 4000 lbs it's going to put a 2-ton load on the moho and slow it down. So maybe this guy has something here.

empty pockets · 09-23-2009, 06:26 AM

I wouldnt be so quick to dismiss this idea. they laughed at the Wright bros. also, look where we have come to.

GaryKD · 09-23-2009, 06:39 AM

I guess my choice of thread title could have been a little less headline grabbing. Bob is correct. The idea is to make the toad weight a net zero to the coach. I like the idea. The devil is in the details.

TandW · 09-23-2009, 06:47 AM

Let's not forget that 99% of motorhomes are rear wheel drive/ push configuration. Indeed, many are described as "pushers". And all have a "useless for all other purposes" powerplant that is responsible for up to 25% of the gross weight!! Good luck!!

wa8yxm · 09-23-2009, 10:01 AM

What type of hitch would handle push pull?
answser: All of them.. all hitches are designed to stop a towed up to 2,000 pounds or so I am told. Over that the engineers insist on aux-brakes, (even if some states let you go as high as 4,000 pounds)

NOTE: this is stopping force.. WAY WAY higher than the force with which that towed will push.

mrschwarz · 09-25-2009, 05:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by empty pocket

I wouldnt be so quick to dismiss this idea. they laughed at the Wright bros. also, look where we have come to.

Bad food, delays all the time, fees for baggage, extortion excessive parking fees at the airport . . .

Route 66 · 09-25-2009, 06:49 AM

Quote:

I know I've read that some motorhomer's say they can't even tell their pulling their toads behind their motorhomes, but personally that's bull

Not bull at all.

Those of us with high horsepower, high torque diesel pushers don't know the toad is back there. The only exception is the steep grades in the mountains, Then I know it's back there.

NeilV · 09-26-2009, 04:34 AM

Don't know if it would really be cost effective but the concept of storing the breaking energy of a hybrid toad and using the only the electric portion of the drive to offset the cost of pulling it up hills could zero out the overall MPG loss encountered when pulling a toad. Will it be enough to justify the extra wear and tear on the toads electric drive system? I don't know.

skigramp · 09-26-2009, 06:08 AM

I like the way they are *thinking outside the box* ... and I can see how this concept would be beneficial on some roads that I travel, for example, I-80 across Iowa, which has lots of 1 or 2 mile long rolling hills ... but would seem to have minimal impact on others, for example, I-80 across Nebraska (west of York) where it is essentially one very gentle 350 mile long hill ...

empty pockets · 09-26-2009, 06:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mrschwarz

Bad food, delays all the time, fees for baggage, extortion excessive parking fees at the airport . . .

you are correct about flying

its been a long time since i was on an airplane wasn't thinking,

but i do like the idea they are thinking out side the box. Greg

wa8yxm · 09-26-2009, 10:33 AM

RT-66... I have a gasser and frankly feel like you (It takes a very steep hill before I notice the towed)

What's more. thanks to the "Spoiling' effect of the towed (all 4,000 pounds of it) on the air flow in back of my coach,, Even the gas guage does not notice the towed.