Re: Hybrid trailers

["MR23 \(Christopher M. Meier, Mpls, MN\)" <mr23@mn.rr.com>]

I didn't mean to imply that a smaller sized (capacity) truck
would be tried, just a smaller than 6-7 liter motor.  The
truck still has to be rated for load capacity and braking
capability needed for the trailer, but a smaller ICE could
make it potentially more fuel efficient if a lot of time is
spent cruising (and not mountain climbing).

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Dennis Hawkins" <n4mwd@amsat.org>
To: <ev@listproc.sjsu.edu>
Sent: Saturday, March 31, 2001 6:10 AM
Subject: Re: Hybrid trailers


> 
> I'm not sure if I understood your post or not, but I think you were 
> talking about using a standard ICE truck to pull a large trailer that 
> had been equipped with an electric motor to provide power assist so 
> that a small truck could pull it.  If that is so, then read on.
> 
> I toyed with the idea of replacing a camper trailer axle with a RWD 
> differential and adding an electric motor.  The idea was to have an 
> electrically assisted camping trailer so that my little Honda CRX 
> could pull it.  I never got past the design stage because even though 
> an electric motor on the camper wheels would provide for excellent 
> accelleration, the horrible aerodynamics of the camper itself would 
> make it virtually impossible for the CRX to maintain it at cruising 
> speeds.
> 
> Thus, the project died before it got off the drawing board.  This 
> isn't to say it won't work for you, but it's not going to work for a 
> 40 HP CRX.
> 
> Dennis.
> 
> 
> On 31 Mar 2001, at 0:00, MR23 (Christopher M. Meier, Mpls, MN) wrote:
> 
> > A coworker has one of those large RV trailers, 
> 
> > Today I suggested he think
> > about making a hybrid unit, where the RV trailer is
> > converted to be a pusher-electric
> 
> Dennis Hawkins (n4mwd@amsat.org)
>