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Boatycall's avatar
Boatycall
Explorer
May 19, 2015

Heavier trailer, loaded with TC, Better MPG... and pics

Finally got the projects on the new trailer done, as well as a couple truck upgrades, so I went out for a 4-day boondock run. Went to a little place to go play in the sand called Beverly ORV Park, just south of I-90 near Vantage. Ran 3 passes, Tiger Mtn, Snoqualmie Pass, and our notorious "Vantage Hill" (otherwise known as radiator hill).

Truck changes done this last couple weeks-- Banks Quick Turbo kit that involves new exhaust-side housing, compressor side wheel, and new Big Head waste gate.

New trailer - replaced a 20' 7k lb Interstate enclosed trailer with a shiny new 2015 26' 10k Wells Cargo. Put a 19' motorized awning and 550 watts of solar on it, equipped it with three 145aH batteries, beverage fridge and freestanding icemaker.

So - new turbo and cold air intake - clearly, the PCM/ECU had to learn a new airflow/fuel curve. Initially, I thought, man, what a waste of money, less boost, higher egts. But after about 30 minutes it started to come alive. I have more power, and better MPG. Pulling all 3 passes, I gained on average 5mph, and at the end of this trip pulling all these passes I used to average 7.5mpg, fill up/calculator method had me now @ 8.7mpg -- and the trailer is 1,500lbs heavier.
So -
Trailer is 1,500lbs heavier
Gained 5mph pulling hills
Gained 1.2mpg, from 7.5 to 8.7
Cruising flat 60mph - boost came down from 8lbs to 5lbs, pyro from 850 to 750.

Worth noting - my mpg is not that bad when running on the flats, it's the 3 passes that kill it whenever I head east.

The new trailer hauled like a dream... I have the 42" Torklift truss, had to make several sharp turns to get in and out of the fuel stops and campsite, no issues.

Some pics of the place---
It rained for 3 days straight before I got there, hence the muggy, and the big puddle under my truck (and NO, that's not me pullin' the tank handles)










  • Boatycall wrote:
    ...and our notorious "Vantage Hill" (otherwise known as radiator hill).


    Vantage hill is a test of man and machine.... 10 miles up hill.
    I haven't paid attention in recent years, but there used to be a sign at the bottom that said "turn off your A/C"

    Friday when I went up it, I was fighting a headwind!

    Monday when I went down it, I was in a headwind! (the wind doesn't usually blow that direction).

    Nice looking rig.
  • TC outing, heheheh,
    Yah, you betcha.. once i get set up, i'll be good to go.. and don't plan on spending much time in Kent, WA... (Home)..
  • Oh, well the South side is supposed to have some steep ones, dunes/climbs, but never been there.. so not real clear where it is.. RZRforums.net probably has it somewhere

    Fun..
  • fpoole wrote:
    is that Beverley dunes or south on the other side...
    Been to Bev, heard about the steeper south side..

    Its just the ORV park on the north side - I didn't know you could get to the south side, gonna have to check that out next time we go.
  • Not nearly as pretty, my trailer is also getting loaded up for another trip east and over the mountains. This picture shows I'm only halfway done...



    For those of you wondering what is on the floor, my air cooled VW is not house broken and left me a surprise on our last trip.
  • Nice set up.. is that Beverley dunes or south on the other side...
    Been to Bev, heard about the steeper south side..

    fun, it's exactly why I'm getting a TC and, A-hem, smaller trailer... heheh for now anyway...

    Nice rig, fun...
  • That is just an incredible setup... Amazing! You have put so much time, effort and $ into it I'm glad to see you are one of those folks that actually USE your equipment! Kudos and glad it's all working for you!

    Dak