Wind Resistance - Puma , Cougar

[Kraig]

I'm thinking about buying a Puma for my Ford F150. I'm wondering about what kind of wind resistance I should be expecting. I'm currently driving with a Northstar 800 and getting blown all over the road. Also Curious as to what kind of gas mileage decrease I should be expecting. I'll be driving highway long distance trips. Any help or ideas would be appreciated.

 

[chnlisle]

Where to begin. First off it depends greatly on how you drive. When I keep it at 55 mph I get between 18 & 20 with the Cougar. Over 21 without. You will get tons of opinions but it is sure to be better than with the Northstar.

 

[craig333]

I never notice the wind, a CTD will do that. Whats this 55 thing you speak of?

 

[Kraig]

Where to begin. First off it depends greatly on how you drive. When I keep it at 55 mph I get between 18 & 20 with the Cougar. Over 21 without. You will get tons of opinions but it is sure to be better than with the Northstar.

i drive 10 over the limit ussually mostly long hwy trips
i dont want to have to fight to keep the truck on the road
im hopeing i wont even notice the puma
what ya think

 

[chnlisle]

As I'm sure Craig, Bob Gene etc will agree the CTD doesn't even know the campers back there.

 

[Argonaut20]

Wind will be less of a problem than with the Northstar. Mileage should be a little better. You have less frontal area and air resistance increases as the cube of speed so mileage should improve some. Cross winds are not much of a problem unless they are 40+ mph in which case anything you drive will be blown around. In short, your F-150 should be better on the road with the ATC.

 

[chnlisle]

I never notice the wind, a CTD will do that. Whats this 55 thing you speak of?

That works for me for about an hour then all bets are off!

 

[winks]

This morning I drove 100 miles in my unloaded gas powered F-250 to pick up my ATC Puma. The computer said I was averaging 11.1 MPG. On the return 100 mile drive I got 11.2 MPG. Even with the added weight and flooring it on on the uphills it got slightly better mileage. Magic?

 

[ski3pin]

This morning I drove 100 miles in my unloaded gas powered F-250 to pick up my ATC Puma. The computer said I was averaging 11.1 MPG. On the return 100 mile drive I got 11.2 MPG. Even with the added weight and flooring it on on the uphills it got slightly better mileage. Magic?

Magic! Teach my truck to do that.

 

[winks]

There may be less than an inch between the camper and the cab. The camper needs to be raised before doing any off-roading. The tight fit may be doing wonders for wind resistance.