RAM EV

Reisender wrote:

Groover wrote:

otrfun wrote:
Interesting, 8 bolt axles/wheels and 2700 lbs. of payload. 14k tow capacity.

Also, the airbag suspension, I assume, probably has a "low-rider" mode which reduces drag to extend range on the freeway.

Pretty impressive. It'll be very interesting to see how far it can tow 14k though.

People seem to be obsessed with the impact of trailer weight on range. My experience has been that a flatbed heavily loaded with firewood or dirt has less impact on fuel economy than an empty box trailer. Hence, it is air drag that kills range. Yes, weight does hurt range some with ICE vehicles but that is mostly due to increased use of mechanical brakes turning momentum into waste heat. An EV designed for towing will turn most of that momentum into electricity and put it back into the battery for re-use.

Range studies need to focus more on air drag and towing speeds, not weight. The auto makers know this and their towing tests are conducting with trailers having large air dams on the trailer giving consistent air drag results. The major testers like TFL need to get trailers of this sort. Auto makers rate their vehicles for max frontal area in addition to weight. Most people on this site seem to be unaware of that rating.

Yah. There are a whack load of electric SUV and electric half ton owners towing A-liners or other pop ups that have good results with towing. As soon as the profile gets higher the range falls off pretty quick. I’m sure some RV manufacturers in the future will pay more attention to this as the market develops.

How many units comprise “a whack load”? Because in all of my travels I’ve only seen one EV towing a trailer. That was a Tesla towing a 23’ wake boat in Boulder CO, and the owner said he tows from town a very short distance to the lake.

I’m not sure why you are so adamant in your defense of EVs as TVs. The simple fact is they aren’t ready for prime time for the vast majority of users, and won’t be for the foreseeable future.