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Ron and Phyllis

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Posts posted by Ron and Phyllis

  1. On 2/26/2022 at 9:09 AM, topgun2 said:

    Kirk - 

    If I were in your shoes, before I spent a bunch of time, trouble and money switching from one solar controller to another (interior) I'd study the differences between these two types of technology.  From what I've read, the differences are very small - in the real world - and would take considerable time to recoup any real difference in performance.

    The reason Oliver switched from using MPPT controllers had more to do with simplicity for the user/owner than it did with anything else.

    Bill

    I am trying to finalize my solar options before a May 15th deadline. I've asked OTT for several pricing options not listed.  They are now planning  to Victron MPPT controllers and to Newpowa panels instead of Zamp but will not tell me when they will switch but it will be this year 2022.

    Ron

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  2. 23 hours ago, DunnYet said:

    Wanted to provide my experiences with our first trip home from the factory with 2022 Subaru Ascent Limited “Blue Moose” and Oliver Elite I Hull #1030 “Reset.” Your mileage and experience may vary from mine. Note: I’m missing some numbers here (intended to stop at a scale and get weights) so those will either be added to the comments or edited directly into this post at a later date.

    The Tow Vehicle

    Blue Moose is a 2022 Model Year Limited trim line in the 8 seat (middle bench seat) version. We went with the Limited for the middle bench seat as we anticipated it being a cargo platform more than a seat. We opted for the factory towing package, which includes pre-wired 4 and 7 pin receivers as well as an under dash pre-wired brake controller plug in. Rated towing capacity is 5,000 lbs on the 2 inch hitch receiver. We opted not to purchase the Subaru hitch and ball, instead opting for an aftermarket hitch and ball.

    Brake Controller

    I installed a Redarc Tow Pro Elite V3 unit behind the dash secured with zip ties and automotive adhesive tape to the beam behind the steering wheel. Unfortunately, I did not take photos but I may go back and get those and add to a separate article. The Redarc unit stock cable matches up perfectly with the Subaru brake controller harness provided with the factory tow package – connect color to color. 

    On this trip I ran the controller in proportional mode at setting 3 – will likely move to 5 on the next run. This likely deserves it’s own writeup and I would appreciate collaboration with other on the forum regarding your setup, testing and experience with the Redarc.

    Towing Setup

    After reading a large number of different opinions on hitch height, I opted for a 2-inch drop / 4-inch rise hitch and installed it in the 4-inch rise position. This was anticipating a 2-inch sink once Reset was connected. However, it turned out that even with all the items in the back of the ascent that would eventually move to the trailer, the 4-inch rise was way too high and we flipped it to the 2-inch drop side during delivery. Pulling out of the bay we were slightly nose down on the trailer, however once we moved the cold food, the trailer furnishings, and the cooking gear the weight shifted and the tow vehicle and trailer rode almost precisely level.

    I think that once we put our normal camping load in we may end up needing to move to an effectively “flat” hitch. I am planning to add the new Weigh-Safe Ball with an integrated scale to get more precise measurements of tongue weight. Another future edit.

    Towing Experience

    We set up our return trip using the 3 hours / 300 miles guidelines, even though we had towed our prior trailer much longer days in the past. Our goal was to be able to work through the launch and landing process carefully, and then have a shorter drive each day to learn the feel of the trailer. The first day (Hohenwald to Memphis) I limited speed to 65 mph max as that was the max on our previous setup. Stability was rock solid, engine RPM’s drifted in the high 1k to low 3k depending on the hills.

    We had no issues on the “back-roads” section between Hohenwald and Lexington, handling both the curves and ups and downs of the hills. We were driving in intermittent rain at slightly above freezing temperatures and had no traction or steering problems. The engine spent no significant time above 2500 RPM at the mid 40’s speeds.

    Once we pulled onto the highway, I brought it up to 65 mph and allowed the Eyesight driven adaptive cruse control to take over. The Ascent has a tendency to gear high in Adaptive cruse, generally adding 300 to 500 RPM onto what a careful human foot can achieve. Engine RPM settled into the 2-3k band with the instant gas milage reading settling around 14 MPG.
    Based on mileage calculation filling up at the fuel pump, the tank average was 12.92, however there was some significant idling time with warming up the car and also having it running while doing pre-launch activity in the morning.

    Second day was Memphis to Little Rock. Temperatures were cold and we spent some time during the day with a crosswind. Again, the Elite I was rock steady. At about the midway point I decided to start edging up the speed, first to 70 then to 75. Making measured steady passes of big trucks while towing was a new experience from our prior unit, which due to being light would get very tail happy above 60.

    Engine RPM drifted higher as I moved up to 75, settling in at 3,500 for the majority of the day and breaking the 4k line on the occasional hill pass. Even at 75 in the light crosswind Reset followed true, not giving any indication of wanting to move side to side. Display MPG dropped to the mid 13 mid, and tank fill calculation was 13.13 for the day.

    Final day we decided to make the Little Rock to Dallas leg a single run. The day was a repeat of the prior day – most of the day spent between 70 and 75 where permitted and display MPG in the low 13s given the longer stretches above 70. Tank fill MPG was 13.18 for the day.

    Observations

    The Ascent + Elite I combination has me impressed. If you need a “daily driver” that is a car frame and want something with a quiet comfortable ride, the Ascent made for an excellent long distance vehicle. It steers like a much smaller vehicle, and offers a solid feel both with and without a towing load. I will update this with better weight, hitch height information, and future impressions as we go forward, but my hope is this this info will help others considering this equipment combination.

    Safe travels all!
     

     

    20220224_143014929_iOS.jpg 2.81 MB · 16 downloads

    This is perfect. The info on the hitch setup and the Weigh Safe Ball with integratred scale is particularly helpful. My Ascent is the Premium Trim level but all the other Ascent details are the same as you describe.  I am now much more confident in it's use.  Thanks!

    Ron

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  3. 6 hours ago, DunnYet said:

    Ron - I am planning to write up a full note on our towing experience back from the factory - overall it was very good with MGP in the 12-14 range. Should get that done this week.

    What brake controller are you going with? I did the Redarc and while I was in too much of a hurry to get good photos of the install (waited till the minute after the last minute to install) I would be glad to give you the tips I learned doing the install. I do really like the way that it fits into the dash - looks very OEM.

    We moved to the Ascent from an Outback also - Outback took our Happier Camper HC-1 to California and back by way of Colorado. 

    Kevin

    I would love to see how you mounted the controller.  I am using a Tekonsha Primus IQ that I used on the Outback.  I removed it when my daughter got it and mounted it to the door of the fuse box because it was so easy.  It works well with the Aliner and is out of the way for me and not very noticeable but I would consider another, OEM looking,  location.  Looking forward to seeing your pictures.  I can definitely live with that towing MPG.  I'll be interested to know sometime your, "loaded for camping" tongue weight.  That was always an issue I had with the Outback due to it's light tongue weight limit.   I had to be conscious of my loading, not that I ever noticed anything unusual, but it was always something I had to really watch for my own piece of mind.  I plan to weigh everything on a CAT scale after we get the Oliver home.  Thanks

    Ron

    • Like 1
  4. 3 hours ago, Mike and Carol said:

    Welcome Ron and Phyllis!  East Tennessee is a beautiful place to live.  We’ll be anxious to hear about your towing experience with the Subaru.  My daughter and her husband have an Ascent and like it a lot, they are local so we see it frequently.  August is right around corner!  Mike

    Thank you Mike.  I've enjoyed your and Carol's comments.  I just got a Clam like the one you all showed.  I had considered it for a long time but her recommendation sold me.  I appreciate your effort. Yes, August is right around the corner and will give me enough time to finish the addition on my metal building for the new Ollie's bedroom.

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  5. Congradulations DunnYet from the mountains of East Tennessee!

    I am thrilled to see your post, in fact, it's caused me to make my first.  We are new to the Forum and live in Greeneville TN. Our Elite I will, hopefully, arrive 11 August having ordered it in Sept. I also planned to tow with a Subaru Ascent, a 2021.  Our hills up here in East TN, SW VA, and Western NC where we camp most,  are quite a bit steeper than those Tennessee hills you towed your Ollie over, but I feel so much better reading about your experience.  To be honest most posts are from Elite II owners as they appear to be in the majority.  You are the first, I have found towing an Elite I with an Ascent.  The only Forum comments I have been able to find seemed to be second hand info from no one who actually used the Ascent but, referenced someone towing a boat trailer, I think.  I have to admit, they were negative on the Ascent.  I was worried I might have to give up the Subie, I just bought in September, having reluctantly passed down an Outback to my daughter.  We have towed an Aliner A-frame pop up with the Outback for 4 years and I just didn't want a large tow vehicle if possible.  My calculations and what I could find online all looked like the Elite I was well within the Ascents capabilities and properly loaded that it would safely tow the Elite I and with descent gas mileage. Still,  I was preparing myself for possible disappointment.  Thank you again for the post and I look forward to more!

     Ron

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