DIY built Baja Tire Rack

[HaulingAss]

I wish there was an aerodynamic plastic cover, sort of an eye shape in two halves that attach together (pointing forward, with something to keep it pointed forward). That should reduce drag as well as protecting the spare from sun and weather. Even cooler if it was formed from aluminum rather than plastic. Granted the curved lines aren’t a great match, it should work well enough.

I probably wouldn't mess with an aero cover since he's already getting. 380 Wh/mile at 70 mph, which equates to a total range of 324 miles with 123 kW of electricity consumed! That improves the Tesla provided EPA range of 318 miles, and this is with A/T tires and no Aero covers! It also improves the range results Kyle got in his Texas 70 mph range test without a spare tire carrier by 28%! Kyle only got 254 miles total range. To be clear, I don't trust Kyle's range test any more than the steady-state consumption observed with the tire carrier. There was something funny going on in Kyle's test to get such poor numbers, beyond the slightly cool average temperature of 42-degrees during the test.

If better aero is desired, it would make more sense to put the aero fairing on the back of the tire, to control the low-pressure zone behind the tire.

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[runnerx]

So at 70mph the wh/m ranged from 370 to 390 but usually around 380 overall. After the next stop I picked up the pace and at 75mph the wh/m ranged from 410-430 and usually was around 420. This is with a Cyberbeast in Custom mode with settings as follows:
Acceleration = Sport
Ride & Handling = Focused
Preferred Ride Height = Lower

Does that help?

range impact is minimal. Great work btw! I will bookmark this thread so I can do the same when I get my truck. Thanks a bunch!

 

[TeslaKen]

Happy to help, I will continue to monitor but as far as I can tell my foot makes the biggest difference in range. ?

 

[TeslaKen]

I probably wouldn't mess with an aero cover since he's already getting. 380 Wh/mile at 70 mph, which equates to a total range of 324 miles with 123 kW of electricity consumed! That improves the Tesla provided EPA range of 318 miles, and this is with A/T tires and no Aero covers! It also improves the range results Kyle got in his Texas 70 mph range test without a spare tire carrier by 28%! Kyle only got 254 miles total range. To be clear, I don't trust Kyle's range test any more than the steady-state consumption observed with the tire carrier. There was something funny going on in Kyle's test to get such poor numbers, beyond the slightly cool average temperature of 42-degrees during the test.

If better aero is desired, it would make more sense to put the aero fairing on the back of the tire, to control the low-pressure zone behind the tire.

As a follow up after a 3,594 mile trip across 7 states I will say that another thing that impacts your burn rate is the weight you add to the vehicle. With 4 adult males, plus luggage, plus misc items like a cooler with drinks, souvenirs, etc. I saw burn rates in the high 400's to mid 500's on a regular basis. One time facing a very strong wind we were around 570wh/m at either 75 or 80mph, I don't recall which.

Suffice it to say that I never felt like the tire was massively impacting our range, our speed and everything we were carrying had a much greater impact.

I'm also happy to report that we never once needed the spare the entire trip so now I can unload everything for around town including that heavy bottle jack.

 

[TeslaKen]

I have consolidated the article and photos on our new website here: Article List

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