Tesla

rotus8 said:
I'm tempted to get a hitch for my Model3, just as an academic exercise to see what the range really is with a 560 behind. It certainly has the power to pull it, but the energy consumption is the big question. We tow with our Xterra because that is the vehicle we want to use when the 560 is at a campsite. The Tesla actually works quite well for long trips, but towing the 560 might make it unbearable, but I would like to just try it one day, though the low ground clearance makes it inappropriate for the places we camp.
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I'd be curious. I found a video of some one pulling a small airstream. Their miles per charge was low, but a CI weights in at < 1400 lbs...and that is probably on the heavy side, not to mention the aerodynamics of a CI compared to an airstream.

Frankly, a model X would be really interesting since the "X" would keep the CI in the "shadow" behind the vehicle.

I think for some, low range isn't a problem -- The nomads who roam around a couple hundred miles a day...but for me, I've seen every park in Indiana -- and have driven a large percentage of major roads and even state routes. I'm usually leaving the house on a mission not to meander but to get to a destination.

I'd love to be proven wrong though...if a CI can give you 200 to 250 miles, it becomes viable.
 
Another factor is how you charge when you get where you are going. If you camp in a spot with a hookup, the Tesla has adapters to charge from the standard RV plugs, no problem. If you are dry camping you need to plan ahead to get charged up before hitting camp, and still have enough to get back to a charger at the end of the stay; just sitting without being plugged in the Tesla uses a few percent per day, more if you sit (or sleep) in it with the air conditioner or heater running.
 
True. Wonder when camp sites would lock down on that practice. Also, and this is a bigger concern, power is generally dirty at parks….voltages below 105 are common on hot days. This can fry microwaves and acs. Not sure I would want to plug in a $60,000 microwave :)

Battery anxiety on steroids is the electric car killer….at least as far as camping goes.
 
Last May-June we went on a 5700 mile trip with the Model Y and my 550. I'd say range loss was about 40% which is what I expected when I looked into it before buying the car. So in reality that was about 125-140 miles between stops. When you stop for gas on a trip you always fill up, while in an EV you don't. You charge enough to get you to the next charger because 10% - 80% takes about the same amount of time as 80% to 100% to charge. Well depending on battery chemistry you generally rarely charge to 100%. So it's a different mindset.

What was a bit of a pain was Tesla charging stations (especially the older ones) do not have many pull throughs. I'd say about 25% of the time I had to unhitch (got really fast at it though!). And as usual people are inconsiderate. I think it was in Colorado the charging station was at a Lowe's and there were like 24 chargers with 1 pull through. There was one car there and he used the pull through. Many times I could "cheat" and pull up on an end charger and block two so I would not have to unhitch. There was just one time we had to wait, it was a small 4 charger location again I think it was Colorado.

The extra stops actually didn't bother me as it was good to get Phineas out for a walk as the car charged.

This year the is hope to get to CICO and then head to Arizona and hopefully get back home before the snow is flying around Halloween. Attached is Phineas and I charging in South Dakota.
 

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dougbee said:
Last May-June we went on a 5700 mile trip with the Model Y and my 550. I'd say range loss was about 40% which is what I expected when I looked into it before buying the car. So in reality that was about 125-140 miles between stops. When you stop for gas on a trip you always fill up, while in an EV you don't. You charge enough to get you to the next charger because 10% - 80% takes about the same amount of time as 80% to 100% to charge. Well depending on battery chemistry you generally rarely charge to 100%. So it's a different mindset.

What was a bit of a pain was Tesla charging stations (especially the older ones) do not have many pull throughs. I'd say about 25% of the time I had to unhitch (got really fast at it though!). And as usual people are inconsiderate. I think it was in Colorado the charging station was at a Lowe's and there were like 24 chargers with 1 pull through. There was one car there and he used the pull through. Many times I could "cheat" and pull up on an end charger and block two so I would not have to unhitch. There was just one time we had to wait, it was a small 4 charger location again I think it was Colorado.

The extra stops actually didn't bother me as it was good to get Phineas out for a walk as the car charged.

This year the is hope to get to CICO and then head to Arizona and hopefully get back home before the snow is flying around Halloween. Attached is Phineas and I charging in South Dakota.
Click to expand...

I'm still on the pure gasoline is just fine...F150 with the 3.6 ecoboost was about the best platform I've driven...even with a full size bumper pull it had plenty of 'go' -- 9mpg, but that is pretty typical. When not pulling it got over 30 as I recall. Great balance. The hybrid I drive now gets much better mileage, and the long distance between fuel stops, but it does not have the oomph and braking to tow confidently.

I'm not sold on pure EV yet. I have seen battery replacment cost as much as the car itself...or close. Mechanically totaled vehicles because the underbelly got damaged. The second problem is as a working man I still suffer the "got to get there" problem. For a day trip this might not be a problem. But for long trips, it factors in greatly. Driving from indianapolis to lakeland florda, that charge time adds aroudn 5 hours. Thats a full day more 'drive time' rather than 'vacation time'

Granted, if I were not on a time-clock 125 might be a little too 'anxieity' time...but I could live with 150. If I could get that 150 mile range that would be just fine traveling as a person on a drive, not a mission. One of the things I would like is being forced to slow down and visit obscure sites. Something I'd like to do more of. Forced tourism. But that happens only when you are retired, and unelss you struck gold in your career -- are you really going to have an extra $50 grand to buy a car? Maybe, maybe not.
 
dougbee said:
Everyone should get what works for them. I thought the Model Y was cool so I wanted one. Happened to me once before - A Camp-Inn 550 named Haley. :)
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I agree totally -- This is one of the problems I have with gubmint, and edicts they take away that choice. One size fits all solutions only fit one size, everything else is a compromise.
 
Kilometer 31 said:
Good point on cold weather. As current (non 2021 OG thread models) goes, new Subaru (*cough* Toyota) Trailseeker is pretty good contender. Especially for us down South.
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I like the look of those with extra height and gear, skid plates, towing rings etc. Just hook up and drive on! Toyota reliability has a quality all its own, and Subaru has paid attention to customers for decades- loyal following, always gonna be parts in the system, independent mechs when out of warranty.
 
dougbee said:
Last May-June we went on a 5700 mile trip with the Model Y and my 550. I'd say range loss was about 40% which is what I expected when I looked into it before buying the car. So in reality that was about 125-140 miles between stops. When you stop for gas on a trip you always fill up, while in an EV you don't. You charge enough to get you to the next charger because 10% - 80% takes about the same amount of time as 80% to 100% to charge. Well depending on battery chemistry you generally rarely charge to 100%. So it's a different mindset.

What was a bit of a pain was Tesla charging stations (especially the older ones) do not have many pull throughs. I'd say about 25% of the time I had to unhitch (got really fast at it though!). And as usual people are inconsiderate. I think it was in Colorado the charging station was at a Lowe's and there were like 24 chargers with 1 pull through. There was one car there and he used the pull through. Many times I could "cheat" and pull up on an end charger and block two so I would not have to unhitch. There was just one time we had to wait, it was a small 4 charger location again I think it was Colorado.

The extra stops actually didn't bother me as it was good to get Phineas out for a walk as the car charged.

This year the is hope to get to CICO and then head to Arizona and hopefully get back home before the snow is flying around Halloween. Attached is Phineas and I charging in South Dakota.
Click to expand...
Aww, who's a good dog! Nice seat pad and harness for your copilot!
 
I just picked up a Nissan Rogue PHEV (Mitsubishi Outlander rebadge). I have to do a 500 mile break-in before towing. The battery is a 20kw. The car has two 120V 15 amp outlets. Tow capacity is 1500 lbs and 150 lb tongue weight. The battery has a “save” function to preserve the battery until you want to use it. It has a charge function that is supposed to recharge the battery from the onboard engine/generator while parked. I kept my ICE TV, in case.
 
rmbrowder said:
I just picked up a Nissan Rogue PHEV (Mitsubishi Outlander rebadge). I have to do a 500 mile break-in before towing. The battery is a 20kw. The car has two 120V 15 amp outlets. Tow capacity is 1500 lbs and 150 lb tongue weight. The battery has a “save” function to preserve the battery until you want to use it. It has a charge function that is supposed to recharge the battery from the onboard engine/generator while parked. I kept my ICE TV, in case.
Click to expand...

Towing capacity seems a little low -- I'd like to have some buffer there. The weight on my 560 is probalby right at that number empty. When I thorw in my cast iron, and all toys, food, and other assorted liquids I'm certainly over 1500...

My RAV4 is 1750 - and honestly pulling isn't the problem, it feels like its struggles on stopping.

The bigger struggle in general on all of these things is the $43000 price tags. That just hurts. Especially considering not long ago $28000 bought a really nice car. I think thats what we paid for on Subi...
 
rmbrowder said:
Will $28000 buy a 560?
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Good point, but unfair apples and oranges -
CampInns old school marine and aviation inspired Far higher quality manufacturing and exceptional customer service than the odd battree only powered dildos and toasters on wheels,..;)
Sorry to be snarky and while I respect those choices by EV folk...

I want more peace of mind not range anxiety esp boonies-docking. But then I'm an edge case user, shoulder season odd duck, TBF.

I took the Alltrack bombing around the local mountains scouting out rugged roads to haul the CI as far back as possible managed to crease rear bumper bust out a rear reflector on a hidden rick and pop the front lower grill plastic trim off the engine skid plate...diving over whoop-de-whoops into mud holes... low spoed crawling and finding "the corners of the envelope" on that ...next story will be how I had to pull my CI out of the mud bog where it was tilted on its side...using tow straps and come-alongs...;)

Hybrid is the way to go, IF I can find one bulletproof with actual 4x4 w/hi-low, not AWD. A couple -three years after first rollout so the bugs are worked out by recalls and TSRs

Maybe coming off lease driven by a PTA Soccer Mom with no actual 4x4 dirt road time on it... smashed toddlers cereal in the carpet and aged McDonalds fries in between seat and cosole washes right out...ask me how I know...;) there is no way I am paying $70k new anything lol
www.caranddriver.com

2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs

The venerated 4Runner returns for 2025 packing a hybrid powertrain and a new Trailhunter trim that is ready to bash the boonies straight off the showroom floor.
www.caranddriver.com www.caranddriver.com

Looking forward to hearing more @rmbrowder as I like SUV/CUV form factor as my stuff is safer than rattling around in back of a pickup, or a soft top jeep, and safer in a rollover too.
www.caranddriver.com

A Hybrid That Doesn’t Try Too Hard: 2027 Rogue Hybrid Review

The Rogue Hybrid is a new plug-in hybrid version of Nissan's compact SUV that's a twin of the Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid, only with different badges.
www.caranddriver.com www.caranddriver.com

I dont need the elite Lexus when the Toyota engineering is the same, and Mitsubishi makes some rugged vehicles, at an even better price point iirc. Plenty of horsepower, and while I'm not a fan of CVT seems like 50% of Campinns are towed by 4, 5, 6th gen Subies that work fine on same, inc comparable HP and TQ, amiright?

And some on the reddit forum claim the Mitsubishi AWD system is superior to Subaru's thats superior to Audi Torson thats superior to VW Haldex...so for trailering on gravel and dirt USFS roads etc you are all set.

I get ya @Sweeney on the CI weight to TV ratio...I just put the heavy stuff in TV and am at that beginning of CampInn zen stage where you are letting go of stuff you havent used in last year...(do I really need this...that..?)

So the CI is getting lighter as I go...
I'll upgrade the TV when Campinn releases the hot tub option rumored to be in beta...
 
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TheSongDogHouse said:
Good point, but unfair apples and oranges -
CampInns old school marine and aviation inspired Far higher quality manufacturing and exceptional customer service than the odd battree only powered dildos and toasters on wheels,..;)
Sorry to be snarky and while I respect those choices by EV folk...

I want more peace of mind not range anxiety esp boonies-docking. But then I'm an edge case user, shoulder season odd duck, TBF.

I took the Alltrack bombing around the local mountains scouting out rugged roads to haul the CI as far back as possible managed to crease rear bumper bust out a rear reflector on a hidden rick and pop the front lower grill plastic trim off the engine skid plate...diving over whoop-de-whoops into mud holes... low spoed crawling and finding "the corners of the envelope" on that ...next story will be how I had to pull my CI out of the mud bog where it was tilted on its side...using tow straps and come-alongs...;)

Hybrid is the way to go, IF I can find one bulletproof with actual 4x4 w/hi-low, not AWD. A couple -three years after first rollout so the bugs are worked out by recalls and TSRs

Maybe coming off lease driven by a PTA Soccer Mom with no actual 4x4 dirt road time on it... smashed toddlers cereal in the carpet and aged McDonalds fries in between seat and cosole washes right out...ask me how I know...;) there is no way I am paying $70k new anything lol
www.caranddriver.com

2025 Toyota 4Runner Hybrid Review, Pricing, and Specs

The venerated 4Runner returns for 2025 packing a hybrid powertrain and a new Trailhunter trim that is ready to bash the boonies straight off the showroom floor.
www.caranddriver.com www.caranddriver.com

Looking forward to hearing more @rmbrowder as I like SUV/CUV form factor as my stuff is safer than rattling around in back of a pickup, or a soft top jeep, and safer in a rollover too.
www.caranddriver.com

A Hybrid That Doesn’t Try Too Hard: 2027 Rogue Hybrid Review

The Rogue Hybrid is a new plug-in hybrid version of Nissan's compact SUV that's a twin of the Mitsubishi Outlander Hybrid, only with different badges.
www.caranddriver.com www.caranddriver.com

I dont need the elite Lexus when the Toyota engineering is the same, and Mitsubishi makes some rugged vehicles, at an even better price point iirc. Plenty of horsepower, and while I'm not a fan of CVT seems like 50% of Campinns are towed by 4, 5, 6th gen Subies that work fine on same, inc comparable HP and TQ, amiright?

And some on the reddit forum claim the Mitsubishi AWD system is superior to Subaru's thats superior to Audi Torson thats superior to VW Haldex...so for trailering on gravel and dirt USFS roads etc you are all set.

I get ya @Sweeney on the CI weight to TV ratio...I just put the heavy stuff in TV and am at that beginning of CampInn zen stage where you are letting go of stuff you havent used in last year...(do I really need this...that..?)

So the CI is getting lighter as I go...
I'll upgrade the TV when Campinn releases the hot tub option rumored to be in beta...
Click to expand...

I've got my '98 Jeep with the straight 6 - I plan on keeping it around for a while....but i need to get it aligned, put a batreee in it, and use it. its sat too long.

Honstly, I could be convinced to go EV. BUT the cost is still too high, used is not an option, and the battery has got to be more affordable to replace. For my get-around town and pulling my camper to a local park (I've got 3 or 4 that are within that 150 mile bubble) might be possible.

I'd also want that umbilical cord to the factory cut off. I do not like the privacy aspects that are prevelant with all new cars. I know my RAV has cellular capability - and I am sure that it calls home perioidcally...can't prove it, but I don't trust companies any more. My aluminum fedora is over ther ein the closet, would you grab it for me please?

Just for kicks, i went out and looked at EV's that woul possibly fit my use case. I need to pull a trailer that is bigger than the CI....work trailer. The EV9 is probably the only reasonable choice. My house payment when i had it was $900 a month on a house we bought in 2017.....very little down. The car payment is just about the same unless you want to go into a "How am I going to pay this after I retire?" term.

<EDITED OUT TiRADE ABOUT GOVERNMENT DISTRUCTION OF THE VALUE OF THE DOLLAR -- ITS TIME FOR A GOOD TAR AND FEATHERING>
 
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