Fleetwood debuts concept hybrid RV

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Dec 3, 2008.

  • by Danny, Dec 3, 2008 at 12:27 PM
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    Pretty interesting use of a hybrid platform mixed with a diesel engine to provide a 42% increase in fuel economy.

    Fleetwood debuts concept hybrid RV at national show | Business | PE.com | Southern California News | News for Inland Southern California

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Comments

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by Danny, Dec 3, 2008.

  1. ServoScanMan
    Doesn't sound like ANY gain to me. We had a 1997 Discovery diesel pusher with a Banks kit installed on it in California. I average 12mph highway with it. We even drove from El Paso, TX to Las Vegas, NV non-stop. I think it was 900 miles with fuel to spare. On that trip, we got over 13mpg!
  2. nerfer
    It's unfortunate that their hybrid spokesperson doesn't understand hybrids.
    Does it operate like a Prius or does it operate like they described it here? That could be important depending on where you vacation.

    But was it the Class A (the largest) RV? They don't give the length and weight of the test vehicle, unfortunately.
  3. ScubaGypsy
    I have a 1994 Airstream Classic 360TD Class A motorhome which has a Cummins 230 on a Sparton chassis. It's 36', weighs 22,000 lbs and is the last of the aluminum sided Airstream motorhomes (they still make aluminum sided trailers). I bought it in September 2002 with 44,000 miles and was initially averaging 9 mpg. I added a Banks Power Pack system in October 2002 which reportedly provided an additional 94-hp and +241 lb-ft at the rear wheels with a 12% gain in mpg. I never dyno'd the rear wheels but have been averaging 11.5 mpg since the addition as I now have over 165,000 miles. For the past 20,000 miles or so I have been primarily using B-20 biodiesel though this depends on availability as I travel.

    I lived in this motorhome from September 2002 through October 2007. The vast majority of the time I was boondocking (drycamping) on private property as I mounted 4 120-W solar panels on the roof and rigged a portable AIR-X marine wind generator to provide for my electricity needs. I use propane for refridgeration, hot water and heat including 2 catalytic heaters that use no electricity. I found this system successful even through the New England winters.

    I certainly welcome finding new ways to improve the efficiencies and lower carbon foot prints for future RVs as the independence is truly liberating. I still have the motorhome but now am only using it for several longer trips per year when the family is travelling along instead of the regular travel that I had been using it for with business and pleasure.
  4. ServoScanMan
    It was a 37 foot Class A with the big slide. 325hp 5.9L Cummins diesel with 6 speed Allison. It was all OLD technology.

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