Yellow Buddy
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- Joined
- Feb 5, 2022
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- Mid-Atlantic
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- F-150L Pro, Rivian R1T, Model S, Model X
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- #1
"How's she pull?" I got the question from everyone at the campsite, but not until the frunk opened up. Every other time it was just another F-150. Loved it.
TLDR: Turns out, she pulls great! In case you're wondering, better than the Rivian R1T.
With us hitting spring, I decided to take my Hi-Lo out to de-winterize and for one last camp before we list her for sale. (PM me if you're interested!)
It was about 125 miles each way, there were DCFC roughly 30-35 miles away, but I was determined to make it without using them. So I proceeded, roughly 40F with some high winds and cutting it close I gripped tight and prepared to white knuckle it as I pulled uphill to the site....turns out, it wasn't necessary.
I did it previously in the Rivian R1T and she made it with ease. The Ford worried me because it calculated roughly 100 miles of range when I hooked her up. I pulled at roughly 5mph over speed limit the entire way, occasionally gassing it to give some big rigs room. Turns out, I worried for nothing. I averaged an indicated 1.3mi/kWh there and the GoM showed about 40 miles remaining when I pulled up.
Upon check in, I noticed the visitor center had 4 EV L2 charging spots - all free. It was nice to know for next time, but it wasn't needed anyway. I pulled into my full hookup site, unhooked the trailer, and went through my de-winterization before heading to some trails and the nearest Walmart (~35mi) where there was an EA station. After grabbing some supplies I looked at the range and decided I was ok and headed back. I arrived at my campsite with 20 miles on the GoM after making the roughly 70-80 mile round trip after unhooking at 10pm.
Once at the campsite I hooked the trailer to the 30A, and the truck to the 50A on the mobile charger. I kept the propane tanks off on the Hi-Lo and used full electric. Electric space heater, induction stove top, electric microwave, and the refer and hot water heater were both set on electric mode. The travel trailer never pulled more than 22A, and the truck was back to 80% charge by 8am.
All in all, we spent 4 days and 3 nights there and never once used the L2 chargers. It was a great place to camp, the kids loved climbing into boulder field. The nearby towns offered a reprieve when we wanted to go further, we even hit up a nearby drive in movie theatre. With an air mattress in the bed and a blanket, it was incredibly fun to watch a movie under the stars.
The return trip was a breeze, knowing I was headed downhill. The GoM this time only indicated 99 miles of range, that was clearly wrong as it still indicated 94 miles after driving nearly 40 miles. The first 20-25 miles of it was local with 40-55mph speed limits and I saw 2.3mi/kWh in tow. Once I got on the highway where it was 70mph, my average dropped and settled around 1.7mi/kWh by the time I arrived home for a round trip average of 1.5mi/kWh. For comparison, my lifetime average on the truck is 1.9mi/kWh, so it was roughly a 21% range hit with the Hi-Lo in tow, a far cry from the 40% the truck anticipated.
How does that compare to the Rivian R1T? That truck averages 2.14mi/kWh lifetime. With the Hi-Lo in tow for the same trip - although different weather conditions - it averaged a round trip of 1.3mi/kWh, roughly 15% LESS efficient than the F-150 Lighting. Surprising given with nothing in tow, it's roughly 15% MORE efficient. My best guess is the Lightning already punches the hole in the air and has taken the hit where as the Rivian has to now punch that same envelope and completely loses it's size advantage.
What's all this mean? Well first, Hickory Run State Park is an easy EV visit. Second, to quote one of my temporary neighbors. "Well I guess that answers that! With everything I read I didn't think you'd be able to do it, I guess it's like getting used to going from gas to diesel and you just kind of get used to it huh?"
Yup. Definitely used to it. I also pointed out to him that we both paid $35 for the site per night, and I used roughly $40 in electricity (@nearby EA rates) to refill my Lightning last night while we slept and said our goodbye while his jaw remained opened.
What are some things that stood out? Well I need to purchase the cameras so I can use the center screen instead of my iPad and wireless trailer cam. The blindspot adjustment is awesome, and worked flawlessly. It took me a while to trust it, but after confirming it several times I started relying on it.
What doesn't work well is the Pro Trailer backup assist. I had it calibrated and was excited about it, but after a couple of attempts my frustration brought me to just backing it up myself. There wasn't a failure per se, but it was just easier to do it myself and offered better control than to futz with the dial.
Otherwise, I just wish I had more payload capacity so I could fit a 5th wheel on, which is what I really want for my next trailer. Maybe a F-250 Lightning is in the works...but that may just be wishful thinking.
TLDR: Turns out, she pulls great! In case you're wondering, better than the Rivian R1T.
With us hitting spring, I decided to take my Hi-Lo out to de-winterize and for one last camp before we list her for sale. (PM me if you're interested!)
It was about 125 miles each way, there were DCFC roughly 30-35 miles away, but I was determined to make it without using them. So I proceeded, roughly 40F with some high winds and cutting it close I gripped tight and prepared to white knuckle it as I pulled uphill to the site....turns out, it wasn't necessary.
I did it previously in the Rivian R1T and she made it with ease. The Ford worried me because it calculated roughly 100 miles of range when I hooked her up. I pulled at roughly 5mph over speed limit the entire way, occasionally gassing it to give some big rigs room. Turns out, I worried for nothing. I averaged an indicated 1.3mi/kWh there and the GoM showed about 40 miles remaining when I pulled up.
Upon check in, I noticed the visitor center had 4 EV L2 charging spots - all free. It was nice to know for next time, but it wasn't needed anyway. I pulled into my full hookup site, unhooked the trailer, and went through my de-winterization before heading to some trails and the nearest Walmart (~35mi) where there was an EA station. After grabbing some supplies I looked at the range and decided I was ok and headed back. I arrived at my campsite with 20 miles on the GoM after making the roughly 70-80 mile round trip after unhooking at 10pm.
Once at the campsite I hooked the trailer to the 30A, and the truck to the 50A on the mobile charger. I kept the propane tanks off on the Hi-Lo and used full electric. Electric space heater, induction stove top, electric microwave, and the refer and hot water heater were both set on electric mode. The travel trailer never pulled more than 22A, and the truck was back to 80% charge by 8am.
All in all, we spent 4 days and 3 nights there and never once used the L2 chargers. It was a great place to camp, the kids loved climbing into boulder field. The nearby towns offered a reprieve when we wanted to go further, we even hit up a nearby drive in movie theatre. With an air mattress in the bed and a blanket, it was incredibly fun to watch a movie under the stars.
The return trip was a breeze, knowing I was headed downhill. The GoM this time only indicated 99 miles of range, that was clearly wrong as it still indicated 94 miles after driving nearly 40 miles. The first 20-25 miles of it was local with 40-55mph speed limits and I saw 2.3mi/kWh in tow. Once I got on the highway where it was 70mph, my average dropped and settled around 1.7mi/kWh by the time I arrived home for a round trip average of 1.5mi/kWh. For comparison, my lifetime average on the truck is 1.9mi/kWh, so it was roughly a 21% range hit with the Hi-Lo in tow, a far cry from the 40% the truck anticipated.
How does that compare to the Rivian R1T? That truck averages 2.14mi/kWh lifetime. With the Hi-Lo in tow for the same trip - although different weather conditions - it averaged a round trip of 1.3mi/kWh, roughly 15% LESS efficient than the F-150 Lighting. Surprising given with nothing in tow, it's roughly 15% MORE efficient. My best guess is the Lightning already punches the hole in the air and has taken the hit where as the Rivian has to now punch that same envelope and completely loses it's size advantage.
What's all this mean? Well first, Hickory Run State Park is an easy EV visit. Second, to quote one of my temporary neighbors. "Well I guess that answers that! With everything I read I didn't think you'd be able to do it, I guess it's like getting used to going from gas to diesel and you just kind of get used to it huh?"
Yup. Definitely used to it. I also pointed out to him that we both paid $35 for the site per night, and I used roughly $40 in electricity (@nearby EA rates) to refill my Lightning last night while we slept and said our goodbye while his jaw remained opened.
What are some things that stood out? Well I need to purchase the cameras so I can use the center screen instead of my iPad and wireless trailer cam. The blindspot adjustment is awesome, and worked flawlessly. It took me a while to trust it, but after confirming it several times I started relying on it.
What doesn't work well is the Pro Trailer backup assist. I had it calibrated and was excited about it, but after a couple of attempts my frustration brought me to just backing it up myself. There wasn't a failure per se, but it was just easier to do it myself and offered better control than to futz with the dial.
Otherwise, I just wish I had more payload capacity so I could fit a 5th wheel on, which is what I really want for my next trailer. Maybe a F-250 Lightning is in the works...but that may just be wishful thinking.
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