General thoughts on Hybrids

JRscooby wrote:

Groover wrote:


You are right about that and I would be much more interested in a Tesla if it could be flat towed. Even more interested if the Tesla could be programmed to use regen to assist the brakes on my motorhome and charge itself. And even more interested if it could regen enough to power itself up hills and on starts. I don't know how that would be so different from ordinary driving. Of course, the same would apply to any hybrid as well.

I would think that the more "self-driving" a car the easier this would be. (Would need to change the following distance. LOL) Do something to the programming so it is more likely to push when the charge is above say 80% so would always have battery capacity for re-gen braking. Even on flats, if the car was pulling it's own weight, but running in the near vacuum behind MH the battery charge would last a long time.
As for the towbar? If you think about the stress on it as you turn or stop, how much more would the car push before the tires spin? I don't think it would be a issue...

Good points. I was really just suggesting that the car pull itself when the motorhome is straining but you do raise a good point about the hitch being able push some as well.

As for integration you could do a lot with a car that can simply accept inputs from the standard trailer connector. For example, my F150 can activate its own brakes but if you want to tow it you have to put in your own very cumbersome and expensive break actuator. You also have to put on tow lights or do a complicated connection to the tiny wires for the LED lights while not screwing up the radar in the rear light assembly. I bought this vehicle with the intention of towing it behind my motorhome but have never used it that way because of the complicated hookup. I would not hesitate to pay $1500 and maybe even more for an OEM plug in connection. With 12v power from the RV you could activate all sorts of useful systems in the truck such as ABS and tire pressure monitoring. With an electric vehicle with a front camera you could activate regen every time the exhaust brake comes on if it also triggers the brake lights. Most vehicles have accelerometers and inclination meters that could be used to make the systems work even better.