Frontal Area

[ATHiker]

Originally Posted by Ron in BC

I thought everyone had a Scan Gauge and I was the only one with an Ultragauge

Mine's a couple of years old and I don't think it reads transmission temperature on my Ford Ranger. Did you have to put in any specific codes to make it useable on your Tacoma?

Ron

UltraGauge has recently introduced a new model, MX 1.3, which can display the transmission temp. I did have to input specific codes to make it useable on the Tacoma. UltraGuage has a program to update their EM v1.2 model to the MX 1.3 for $15 plus shipping.

[ATHiker]

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

I've never seen a tongue weight limit (or any trailer-specific limit) on a door placard, but of course I haven't come close to looking at every vehicle.

The 2015 Grand Cherokee owner's manual from the Jeep Owners Site may be useful. About the placard, it says:

This doesn't even have payload, which I find surprising, so perhaps there's more on the label than listed in the manual.

This is all the manual says about tongue weight:


... in other words, over 525 pounds of hitch weight, they require WD. This won't vary due to the different curb weight of different versions of the vehicle (such as diesel versus the other engines).

Thanks for the information on the tongue weight limits. I am curious about the payload for the Jeep GC as the specs for my Tacoma shows 1280 lbs, but the actual payload for my truck is 1050 lbs. This is a limiting factor when I consider full tank of fuel, passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight. The payload numbers for the Jeep GC that I have seen online vary from 1170 to 1290. Just wondering what the real world payload value. I guess I need to visit a dealer.

[escape artist]

Hi: ATHiker... I'd check to make sure that a full tank of fuel isn't already included in the equation. Everyone knows "You can't leave home without it!!!". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Ron in BC]

Originally Posted by ATHiker

UltraGuage has a program to update their EM v1.2 model to the MX 1.3 for $15 plus shipping.

Thanks, it'd be handy to have transmission temperature. Maybe they'll reduce the $15 by the amount of the rebate they never sent me

Ron

[thoer]

Has anybody tried one of these type iPhone or Android apps - like this one? : Engine Link along with something like this: Engine Link OBD

[skiman]

Originally Posted by thoer

Has anybody tried one of these type iPhone or Android apps - like this one? : Engine Link along with something like this: Engine Link OBD

I used Torque with very good success with a $25 Bluetooth dongle from amazon. Sort of a pain if using your active cell phone. Later used an old smart phone dedicated and was much handier. Does not have to be activated, just download through WiFi. Since I replaced my tow with Silverado having trans temp I no longer use. Worked well with old Trailblazer.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by ATHiker

I am curious about the payload for the Jeep GC as the specs for my Tacoma shows 1280 lbs, but the actual payload for my truck is 1050 lbs. This is a limiting factor when I consider full tank of fuel, passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight.

That's a common problem: the best possible payload is based on zero options, and actual vehicles have varying amount of option weight. Some owners of travel trailers like Escapes have found that although they are well under their allowed trailer weight limit, they run out of payload capacity even with a full-sized pickup truck. It's good to check!

Originally Posted by ATHiker

The payload numbers for the Jeep GC that I have seen online vary from 1170 to 1290. Just wondering what the real world payload value. I guess I need to visit a dealer.

I don't know if even the dealer will be able to help, or if the placard at the driver's door will list an actual payload or a worst possible payload (assuming all options - I've seen that done).

Ideal of course, is to get a real curb weight for the vehicle with the specific level of equipment of your choice, but unless an owner has done that it would be a difficult number to find. Personally, I would assume the worst.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by ATHiker

... but the actual payload for my truck is 1050 lbs. This is a limiting factor when I consider full tank of fuel, passengers, cargo, and the tongue weight.

Originally Posted by escape artist

... I'd check to make sure that a full tank of fuel isn't already included in the equation.

Good catch, Alf! Curb weight normally includes a full tank of fuel.

[ATHiker]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: ATHiker... I'd check to make sure that a full tank of fuel isn't already included in the equation. Everyone knows "You can't leave home without it!!!". Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

You're right, its hard to get anywhere without it!

[escape artist]

Originally Posted by ATHiker

You're right, its hard to get anywhere without it!

Hi: ATHiker... Also included is a driver...although "Slim Fast" is optional!!! Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by escape artist

Hi: ATHiker... Also included is a driver...although "Slim Fast" is optional!!!

I don't think curb weight would normally include a driver allowance, because the driver is not part of the vehicle. The driver would normally need to be included in the payload. Rated towing capacity is normally calculated with a fixed driver weight allowance... although I think most of us are heftier than the allowance.

[Greggo]

Originally Posted by J Mac

BUT, lets not get back to that riveting discussion on poutine !!!

Poutine? Somebody mention poutine

[hotfishtacos]

Yesterday Greggo and I were deeply discussing this "Frontal Area" thread and he mentioned that I now have adjustable frontal area with my new tilt-up solar panel system and that there may be advantages or disadvantages to running with the panels up all the time. That would save me some time when I set up camp. I already get crappy mileage pulling the trailer so I'm thinking the additional drag from the panels may give me better stability and improved traction. Why not run with them popped up and see what happens? What do you think?

[Brian B-P]

No Steve, I don't think your panels are ideal; you need one of these real wings... without the car underneath, and without the asymmetry.

By the way, adding drag on top of the trailer pulls it back, and the tongue up, which is not good for the tug's rear axle traction and thus for stability.

[Rossue]

Better traction would come from rear wheel drive; that's why Formula One racecars use it.

[Greggo]

Sails! It works on sailing ships! Ha!

[gbaglo]

I've seen lots of those solar arrays on the NASA site.
If you could launch it into space it would work great.

[Brian B-P]

Originally Posted by Rossue

Better traction would come from rear wheel drive; that's why Formula One racecars use it.

Hmm... not a lot of front-heavy F1 cars, are there? Not many family SUVs which accelerate at over 1 G, either. Perhaps the traction scenarios are not quite comparable. But big wings are definitely the ticket, the sprint and F1 cars prove it!

Okay, Steve: the big wing goes on the Pilot, and then it won't matter whether the panels are left up or not... but you'll want a slightly more powerful Honda V6 (more than double the power), although it's only a 1.6 litre.

[Nindy]

ATHiker - I'm sorry I didn't see your question until now although someone did direct you toward the 2015 Jeep GC Manual. I have the 2014 3.0L Diesel 4x4 and it was listed in my manual as 7200 max. GTW and 720 max. trailer tongue weight.

[J Mac]

Originally Posted by hotfishtacos

Yesterday Greggo and I were deeply discussing this "Frontal Area" thread and he mentioned that I now have adjustable frontal area with my new tilt-up solar panel system and that there may be advantages or disadvantages to running with the panels up all the time. That would save me some time when I set up camp. What do you think?

Save time? Why rush?