Yes, but maybe not MUCH more often. Once we start towing there doesn't seem to be a huge difference. I towed a much larger trailer and found minimal difference in range. The aerodynamics is the main problem and that can be minimized by slowing down. You also have to drive to Canada and pay 24K U.S. for a base Armadillo trailer that you can't even take a leak in, easy to add another 5K in options. Also, what about warranty work in U.S.? The Riverside is about half the price well equipped, sold all over U.S. and has an actual bathroom with inside shower. If you're towing long distances a 15 mile range difference might be important enough to accept a less convenient RV but for most who don't do extensive or long range trailering, a larger RV (for way less money) might be the answer.
Very cool. Be careful to keep at least 10% of the gross weight of the trailer on the tongue. Back loading to alleviate trailer tongue weight can come at the cost of stability.
Where did you rent the Bambi from? I was looking at those but would love to rent it and a few others like it before we pull the plug on purchasing one
Curious how tryouts are progressing, and what the experience was with the bambi. We’re looking to buy a bambi 16rb
I use one and have been towing a popup camper for a year now. It works as expected and I didn't even know what a brake controller was prior to buying the Y.
I have that brake controller @HyperionMark . It works really well. The only downside is when regenerative braking turns on the brake light, the controller uses the brake light as a signal to activate the trailer brakes. So when I want to be purely regen braking to feed the battery the trailer brakes become activated, wasting energy.
You sure that's how the Curt Echo works? From what I can tell it can tell how hard you are braking and you can adjust how much the trailer "responds" accordingly.
Most modern brake controllers do engage based on the brake light and then use an accelerometer to determine how much braking should be applied (proportional). On my Tekonsha Prodigy P2, proportional braking is adjustable, and I have been known to turn it down on flat roads and with a low SOC in order to recapture the maximum amount of energy. But at speed or in the hills, safety trumps energy efficiency and it should really be kept at the standard value.
There is a big difference in range when towing compared to not towing. In your own words:
I would describe the difference between having to charge after 108 miles while towing compared to the typical Y range of over 300 miles as definitely a “huge” difference.
The context above was NOT towing vs not towing but towing different trailers. It's obvious that any towing greatly compromises the range.
Was this a utility trailer or a cargo trailer? Based on your numbers, I’d have to think utility.
Replying to my own post. Gotta love it. Finally took our Hiker out behind the Y to do some actual camping. Took it up I-25 to Boyd Lake State Park here in Colorado. About 60 miles from home. Set the cruise at 65 and averaged about 60 on the way up. Stopped at the Loveland supercharger just to try out the combo, and got lucky the pull in charger was available. Averaged 409 Wh/mile on the way up.
