Hypermiling while on your expedition
- Thread starter DewYota
- Start date
- Location
- West Bountiful, UT
I might add - if I were just starting to build, I'd absolutely try and keep the additional weight down and keep in mind the MPG hit of tire size, lift height, etc.
Even if the money doesn't matter, the range ABSOLUTELY does. Like I mentioned above, my Jeep only has a range of 360 miles (without carrying extra in jerry cans), which is actually a LOT further than most Wranglers. But I'm frequently bumping up against that range limit and having to make logistical decisions about whether to carry extra fuel in jerry cans, which I hate, or detouring to pavement and civilization for fuel, mid trip, which I also hate.
More range is absolutely a GOOD thing and I'd definitely make it part of the plan when starting a build. I'd save weight anywhere I could. Spend extra on aluminum to save weight vs. steel anywhere it was appropriate. I'd keep the lift as low as possible for the required tire size, to include fender trimming and/or high clearance replacements. All in the name of MPG. Even 1 MPG, makes a worthwhile difference in range. Getting an extra 2 MPG in my Jeep, would give as much more range on a tank, as carrying an extra 5 gallon jerry can. It adds up.
But, I'd also factor in the need for a larger, or aux. fuel tank and probably the ability to carry extra fuel in jerry cans as well, unless the tank(s) alone get you enough range.
In other words, I'd hit it from both angles. Maximize MPG as much as you reasonably can without sacrificing adequate capability and reliability, but also increase fuel carrying capacity. I think that unless you are going to be doing stuff in other countries where actual expedition type stuff is possible, getting your range to about 500 miles is sufficient for just about anything you'll be doing around here these days.
All of which, is going to cost more money, that you'll never make up in MPG savings - not in a million years. But, my experience, fuel capacity/range is a big factor in how trips need to be planned and in my opinion it really sucks when your range causes logistics requirements that you'd rather not have to deal with. More range is a VERY GOOD THING.
- DAA
Even if the money doesn't matter, the range ABSOLUTELY does. Like I mentioned above, my Jeep only has a range of 360 miles (without carrying extra in jerry cans), which is actually a LOT further than most Wranglers. But I'm frequently bumping up against that range limit and having to make logistical decisions about whether to carry extra fuel in jerry cans, which I hate, or detouring to pavement and civilization for fuel, mid trip, which I also hate.
More range is absolutely a GOOD thing and I'd definitely make it part of the plan when starting a build. I'd save weight anywhere I could. Spend extra on aluminum to save weight vs. steel anywhere it was appropriate. I'd keep the lift as low as possible for the required tire size, to include fender trimming and/or high clearance replacements. All in the name of MPG. Even 1 MPG, makes a worthwhile difference in range. Getting an extra 2 MPG in my Jeep, would give as much more range on a tank, as carrying an extra 5 gallon jerry can. It adds up.
But, I'd also factor in the need for a larger, or aux. fuel tank and probably the ability to carry extra fuel in jerry cans as well, unless the tank(s) alone get you enough range.
In other words, I'd hit it from both angles. Maximize MPG as much as you reasonably can without sacrificing adequate capability and reliability, but also increase fuel carrying capacity. I think that unless you are going to be doing stuff in other countries where actual expedition type stuff is possible, getting your range to about 500 miles is sufficient for just about anything you'll be doing around here these days.
All of which, is going to cost more money, that you'll never make up in MPG savings - not in a million years. But, my experience, fuel capacity/range is a big factor in how trips need to be planned and in my opinion it really sucks when your range causes logistics requirements that you'd rather not have to deal with. More range is a VERY GOOD THING.
- DAA
mombobuggy
Well-Known Member
- Location
- Highland
Does anyone have experience or opinions about Aluminum dutch ovens? It seems like a reasonable way to cut some weight but I do not want to buy them if they suck.
Skylinerider
Wandering the desert
- Location
- Ephraim
- Location
- Sandy, Ut
LOL, I'm not hopping on that war. Where is Cody to tell us how easy aluminum melts in a fire?
solidfrontaxle
Toyota jihad
- Location
- Casper, Wyoming
Can't tell if this is a dumb question, or an intentional and well-crafted very funny RME inside joke. Either way... it's awesome.
I'm probably least qualified to reply, but my Cherokee 4.0 is relatively thirsty in daily city use, and yet when i started trying dirt roads with it, it drank a lot less than i expected. It also had way more power than i needed, again the opposite of city use.
I think that if i needed MPG on dirt roads, i would want a small, low rpm torque engine. Then have as many different gear ratios as possible in your transmission, do a doubler, and gear for highway mileage in your topmost ratio.
The best MPG 4 i ever drove was a 1.9L Escort, the lowest cruise RPM 4 I ever drove was a second gen Eclipse, it was happy cruising at 850 RPM at 30 MPH in fifth, and the torquiest 4 is the Colorado 2.9L.
I think that if i needed MPG on dirt roads, i would want a small, low rpm torque engine. Then have as many different gear ratios as possible in your transmission, do a doubler, and gear for highway mileage in your topmost ratio.
The best MPG 4 i ever drove was a 1.9L Escort, the lowest cruise RPM 4 I ever drove was a second gen Eclipse, it was happy cruising at 850 RPM at 30 MPH in fifth, and the torquiest 4 is the Colorado 2.9L.
Also, i have read a lot of threads on Pirate4x4 about wide tires versus pizza cutters, and likewise at Bonneville ( land speed on the salt flats ) and the concensus is that unless you do a lot of snow or sand dunes, narrow is best. This obviously reduces aero drag, but even on the best dirt roads you probably won't sustain more than 50 mph very much.
255/85R16s are becoming popular, they may not fit your build, but they might be ideal for a hypermiling offroader
255/85R16s are becoming popular, they may not fit your build, but they might be ideal for a hypermiling offroader