Cruisers Forum
Main Forum => General Discussion => Topic started by: hutch42 on November 05, 2020, 03:30:56 pm
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Was wondering if any of the new TRX owners are forum members. Would love to hear about the new model and your experiences.
Hutch
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I don’t have any first hand knowledge on the TRX itself but I do have a Ford sedan with the eco boost. If it’s the eco boost engine your looking at and you don’t already own a veh with eco boost maybe rent a car with it for a week or so first. When I first tried out the car with eco I thought it was awesome power for a small engine. I’ve learned to dislike it a lot! I’m not sure if this is the best way to describe it but to say the power delivery isn’t linear. As an example at cruise set at 70 and start going up a grade the engine is just too weak without the boost to hold any moderate grade. When it calls for boost the transmission slams down as the boost kicks in, there is nothing smooth about it. I’ve rented pickups with the eco boost and found them to be the same. Even driving around the city if I need to pick up speed at anything other than a very gradual increase the boost kicks in and it’s never smooth IMO. I like Fords ....a lot, never had a bad one per-say but I’ll never own another car of any brand with this type of boost. One of the reasons I was so pleased to read the new Godzilla engine is naturally aspirated.
Also I will say the eco boost in our car gets superb gas mileage for a full sized sedan on the open road. I get 34-35 cruising at 75. That’s as long as it’s flat and no wind cause once that boost kicks in the mileage tanks.
Just my 2 cents
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Interesting observation Joseph.
It seems worth a trip to your local U-Haul and rent (or test drive) a box truck rental with the Transit cut-away chassis for a live evaluation.
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Ron, I also have to wonder how the longevity is going to be with an underpowered engine that’s boosted to obtain the needed power? I don’t know if it’s working harder makes much difference or not.
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Thanks for the info. Good point.
I belong to 2 different forums that utilize the Transit eco boast. Have not heard of any issues but you never know.
Was wondering if maybe a different drive train or rear end gear ratio in Vans or cutaways.
Hutch
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Hutch42. That’s very possible, I’m only relating what I find in the sedan. The cutaway could be a completely diff beast.
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Ron, I also have to wonder how the longevity is going to be with an underpowered engine that’s boosted to obtain the needed power? I don’t know if it’s working harder makes much difference or not.
I was never a fan of tiny engines with turbos that require high RPMs to get the power. I'll take the V10 or the latest beastly engine, the new 7.3L any day.
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Ron/Joseph
I do know that MPG is not that great in the ecoboost in a 9500 lb (out of the factory) Class C RV. About 11-13 MPG. The slew of HD 350 Transit B class is getting 13-15 MPG.
Hutch
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Ron/Joseph
I do know that MPG is not that great in the ecoboost in a 9500 lb (out of the factory) Class C RV. About 11-13 MPG. The slew of HD 350 Transit B class is getting 13-15 MPG.
Hutch
And our 2007 E350-V10 PC 2350 gets 10.5mpg (a ~5000 mile trip average) when driving it like a TRX or Sprinter (highway speed limited to 62mph) and not towing. My opinion is that 11-13 mpg is not a big enough of a difference, giving up one of the most reliable power trains with lots of power throughout the power band, just to gain a little in fuel economy. If you can assure 13-15 mpg, then..... maybe....but I feel you have to drive a lot to justify it.
I believe Phoenix installs a propane generator in their diesel-driven chassis. I feel that is another "ding". We use our generator. I wouldn't want to deplete critical propane for that purpose. I need as much propane on hand for the fridge, cooking, hot water, and the furnace. If you rarely boondock, then this is a non-issue.
Another point about an E-series with a gasoline generator is that if you live in tornado alley or hurricane country and loose power for days or weeks, you have a 41 gallon gasoline supported mobile power plant that can power your critical at-home operations consistently for roughly 80 hours between fill-ups. Even longer with extra gas stored in your garage.
There are other reasons people want a TRX or Sprinter, but that is another topic.
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Ron...
Thanks ;) for reminding me of several of the many reasons that I don't really want to even think about downsizing from our beloved 2551 just for a few more miles per gallons. And four feet shorter is not going to really get me into anymore parking spots. Oh ya, and the lack of ground clearance and payload...
:)(: tymote 2o2
Dougn
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Ron, another thought on mileage. There is absolutely nothing about owning a Motorhome that’s a sound financially decision. You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6. A motorhome is a luxury item and when you throw in insurance, up keep as well as depreciation the difference in fuel mileage between 8-14 is not the most important concern in my travel guide. I get 8- 8 1/2 mpg pulling the jeep. Maybe more some times and I’ll bet less sometimes in the hills and mountains. I only check once or twice on a multi month trip just to know nothing major is happening. What I do know is there’s always room in the tank at my next stop. (WH)
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Ron, another thought on mileage. There is absolutely nothing about owning a Motorhome that’s a sound financially decision. You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6. A motorhome is a luxury item and when you throw in insurance, up keep as well as depreciation the difference in fuel mileage between 8-14 is not the most important concern in my travel guide. I get 8- 8 1/2 mpg pulling the jeep. Maybe more some times and I’ll bet less sometimes in the hills and mountains. I only check once or twice on a multi month trip just to know nothing major is happening. What I do know is there’s always room in the tank at my next stop. (WH)
Well said!
2Lucky...your words also well said Dougn!
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Yes I agree as well. With very rare exception, a motor home is not a money-saving investment. Know what you are getting into. For example, routine maintenance on a diesel pusher is a lot more than on an E450. Some people just pay it because they can afford it. Others avoid a DP due to lack of affordability. It is a matter of "how much" you have to work with. Save some here, spend some there, each to his own with what works for him. So for some people, they are more mindful of fuel economy than others. I get that. Just be sure you understand the trade-offs.
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There is absolutely nothing about owning a Motorhome that’s a sound financially decision. You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6. A motorhome is a luxury item and when you throw in insurance, up keep as well as depreciation the difference in fuel mileage between 8-14 is not the most important concern in my travel guide. I get 8- 8 1/2 mpg pulling the jeep. Maybe more some times and I’ll bet less sometimes in the hills and mountains. I only check once or twice on a multi month trip just to know nothing major is happening. What I do know is there’s always room in the tank at my next stop. (WH)
AMEN. And it gives Mrs V a bathroom and bed, of known history, and cleaning, wherever we go. And a kitchen. Why its a mobile home... :)(:
You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6. 2o2 roflol AWSOME. That is my new signature.
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You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6. roflol
Ecobust >:( >:(
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This year we've done a few short trips (3 to 8 driving hours) to Amish country shopping for a bedroom set. We've taken our sedan and overnight bags which have worked out fine for a couple of nights in motels. It's been different for us to travel this way and it served it's purpose, but traveling the country this way, I would much rather just stay home.
We have been missing our excursions in our PC. We can't wait for normalcy.
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You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6.
Hey! That's how we used to travel. And we did save money... and spent it on our Phoenix. No more lugging bags through airports, shuttles and into hotels only to find we forgot something at home. No more leaving something behind in the hotel room. We fixed that extra cost thing for maintenance and such - we ditched the sticks and bricks. Only one home to maintain and it's a whole lot smaller. Also, we take the house to the repairman instead of the other way around. We do miss our Priuses but the trade off is good.
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Ron yes there are always trade offs and justifications. There’s a Rv dealer just a few miles from me that has a few Newmar super c sitting out front along side a packed facility of DP and 5th wheels. We couldn’t resist taking a look. It was 38 foot long with a 350 hp diesel engine. The salesman assured me I could get better mileage with it than my PC and all for a measly $395,000. The dreams of saving money with better mileage and lollipops dance in my head
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Well guess we dont have any TRX owners on the forum.
My guess is that there are 3-4 TRX's on the road at this point. Just have to wait for one to come onboard.
Hutch
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You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6.
Hey! That's how we used to travel. And we did save money... and spent it on our Phoenix. No more lugging bags through airports, shuttles and into hotels only to find we forgot something at home. No more leaving something behind in the hotel room. We fixed that extra cost thing for maintenance and such - we ditched the sticks and bricks. Only one home to maintain and it's a whole lot smaller. Also, we take the house to the repairman instead of the other way around. We do miss our Priuses but the trade off is good.
Maybe there is an electric car that can be towed (4-down) and charged while towing...I'd take one. Offset the RV fuel use with an EV...The RV/EV combo! Get an average 25-30 MPG. That's what I'd call Eco Boost! roflol
Dougn
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You want to save money on travel, drive a Prius and stay at motel 6.
Hey! That's how we used to travel. And we did save money... and spent it on our Phoenix. No more lugging bags through airports, shuttles and into hotels only to find we forgot something at home. No more leaving something behind in the hotel room. We fixed that extra cost thing for maintenance and such - we ditched the sticks and bricks. Only one home to maintain and it's a whole lot smaller. Also, we take the house to the repairman instead of the other way around. We do miss our Priuses but the trade off is good.
Maybe there is an electric car that can be towed (4-down) and charged while towing...I'd take one. Offset the RV fuel use with an EV...The RV/EV combo! Get an average 25-30 MPG. That's what I'd call Eco Boost! roflol
Dougn
That's what I was thinking.....Have the EV push the RV. Add a second brake controller attached to the throttle of both vehicles. roflol
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I sure HOPE Y'all are joking..
But for those who are seriously pursuing this, why all you have to do is convert the RV to Electric, and put fans all over the roof attached to generators. The wind rushing by will generate electricity, and give you ultimate range! You can use the excess power gained by driving into the wind to charge the electric toad behind you. (exactly)
Or just fit the motorhome with Newman's Energy Machine drive motors, and use the extra power for the AC. 2o2
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Or buy one of those brand new electric GM Hummers and swap out all of the mechanics. That thing launches faster than any Corvette sold. Just throttle-up your Hummer-powered PC and have your interior piled up against the back wall.
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I get REALLY great MPG when I stay home... or ride my solar-charged ebike....or >:(