Alu-Cab Canopy Camper Roll Call

[cug]

The OBD must be using some predetermined value of "rated fuel flow" for it's calculation. I honestly don't know how the computer is doing it, but without a regularly calibrated meter (like the gas station pump has) there is no way it can return an actual fuel consumption, it's just an estimate.

While this might explain a small error margin, there is no reason why the computer could not be more accurate. It uses the exact same odometer value I’m using (which is surprisingly precise from what I found out by comparing with GPS on a 100km straight stretch of I5). Modern cars have incredibly precise injection data available. This is needed anyways to stay within emissions regulations. Even my 2012 Audi was able to give me consumption within 1% error margin. My 911 was the same. My wife’s 2013 Golf TDI was within 2%. There is no reason at all, why the Jeep can’t give a more precise reading than the typical 7% I have seen other than plain lying to the driver.

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[HooliganActual]

While this might explain a small error margin, there is no reason why the computer could not be more accurate. It uses the exact same odometer value I’m using (which is surprisingly precise from what I found out by comparing with GPS on a 100km straight stretch of I5). Modern cars have incredibly precise injection data available. This is needed anyways to stay within emissions regulations. Even my 2012 Audi was able to give me consumption within 1% error margin. My 911 was the same. My wife’s 2013 Golf TDI was within 2%. There is no reason at all, why the Jeep can’t give a more precise reading than the typical 7% I have seen other than plain lying to the driver.

Well then that must be the case

 

[cug]

Well then that must be the case

I get that I sound very definitive here and it is what I strongly believe is happening, although I have no doubt, that sheer incompentence in communication between departments could contribute just as much. I have seen this more than I wanted in the past – precise data, which was available in another part of the system, not being used from either laziness, inexperience, incompetence, or inability to communicate across teams.

So, my assumption of malicious intent may be wrong, it could very well be any of the others, which I personally don't find much better. The main point is, that it definitely should be possible to display much more accurate data.

Btw: our Rubicon with the stock Falken Wildpeak M/T (32.6") also has a very precise speedometer. It reads maybe one or just over one mph faster than GPS speed at steady 60mph, which is closer than any other non-calibrated speedometer I have ever seen. This is interesting to know in states with very tight speed regulations.

 

[HooliganActual]

I get that I sound very definitive here and it is what I strongly believe is happening, although I have no doubt, that sheer incompentence in communication between departments could contribute just as much. I have seen this more than I wanted in the past – precise data, which was available in another part of the system, not being used from either laziness, inexperience, incompetence, or inability to communicate across teams.

So, my assumption of malicious intent may be wrong, it could very well be any of the others, which I personally don't find much better. The main point is, that it definitely should be possible to display much more accurate data.

Btw: our Rubicon with the stock Falken Wildpeak M/T (32.6") also has a very precise speedometer. It reads maybe one or just over one mph faster than GPS speed at steady 60mph, which is closer than any other non-calibrated speedometer I have ever seen. This is interesting to know in states with very tight speed regulations.

As an engineer that has worked in both civilian and government nuclear power plants and even more time in manufacturing with a Fortune 50 company, I am inclined to believe that the incompetence (read beauracracy) scenario is more likely. I struggle to rationalize any real reason why they would go to the effort of programming the vehicle to return a false MPG value, esp. since it is after the fact. The advantageous time for them to lie about the mileage is in the marketing and on the window sticker, pre-sale.

It might even be cost related. I can see a lead engineer saying “We can make it more accurate for another $758” and a Brand Manager saying “No, we need to keep the cost below ‘X’”.

If you subscribe to the belief that they are straight up lying about the MPG, then you have to assume they are lying about the battery voltage, tire pressure and that the radio isn’t actually set to FM 106.4.

I have to believe that the denominator of the MPG calculation has to be some engineered specification such as: Fuel Pump flow rate * time fuel pump is powered -or- as you suggested some engineered spec of flow rate for the injectors. Either way, it is probably not accounting for every variation in your fuel usage at the level of precision that the gas pump is providing.

I’m not trying to be provocative orargumentative, rather I think there are a lot of things that Jeep/Stellantis might be less than honest about, but this might not be at the top of my list.

 

[Steven_B]

Please keep this thread related to the Alu-Cab Canopy Camper and related modifications to the camper and Jeep to handle the camper. Oh, and trip photos. Thanks

 

[Steven_B]

Today's canopy camper "mod", "installed" a compost toilet by Trelino. It will be used mainly in the shower cube, but after testing (just sitting, not using) it can be used inside in a pinch (no pun intended) in emergency situations. ?

 

[cug]

Today's modification here was to remove the gas strut at the rear door and install an 813 Fabrication bracket to stop the door.

We wanted to be able to just leave it slightly ajar, and with the gas strut forcing it open, this wasn't possible. So, for now, we removed it. Maybe we find a better solution at some point.

The 813 Fabrication bracket is a high quality piece, I just wish it was a bit longer, so that the strap wouldn't rub on the door seal. Other than that, it does what it's supposed to do.

To keep the door open, this is the short term "solution":

The slightly less short term solution will likely be a turn buckle or a threaded rod or something similar and some brackets similar to the one that holds the gas strut in the door added to the c-channels. Manual, but should be easy and solid enough.

 

[cug]

Today's canopy camper "mod", "installed" a compost toilet by Trelino.

If you "really test it", it would be great to hear your impression. We have one too, but the truck just isn't in a state for a trip right now. Would be interesting to know whether it works without a fan venting to the outside. We have a different composting toilet in a camper in Europe, which has an exhaust fan to the outside – and I had the impression, that this really was needed.

 

[Wonkinator]

Let the sun shine in!

 

[Steven_B]

If you "really test it", it would be great to hear your impression. We have one too, but the truck just isn't in a state for a trip right now. Would be interesting to know whether it works without a fan venting to the outside. We have a different composting toilet in a camper in Europe, which has an exhaust fan to the outside – and I had the impression, that this really was needed.

Will do. According to the website, fans (for drying) are optional and not needed. We’ll see.

 

[Steven_B]

Let the sun shine in!

Looks good! I kind of want one now. Be nice to see if “anything” is outside the door before opening it.

 

[Wonkinator]

Exactly…at my age, those middle of the night trips just got safer. ?? ?

Looks good! I kind of want one now. Be nice to see if “anything” is outside the door before opening it.

 

[cug]

Will do. According to the website, fans (for drying) are optional and not needed. We’ll see.

Thanks! We've studied the website, too. We have this one (website in German):

https://www.biotoi.de/BioToi-RL-mit-Ruehrwerk-und-Luefter/B001

in a Land Cruiser with FiftyTen cabin in Europe. Wanted to get one here for the ACCC to, since we know it works, but they don't ship to the US. We could probably arrange private shipping, but thought we'd try the Trelino since it is also half the price. The BioToi is MUCH higher quality and we think the fan is needed for that one, but it really works. There is zero smell inside the camper (although, you don't want to put your nose next to the exhaust fan outlet when it's still fresh ... ;-)).

It's a little weird with the "agitator", but as said, it works. What comes out after a few days of use by two people looks and smells like potting compost, even though it isn't quite there yet. Another benefit is that the BioToi doesn't use plastic bags.

So, I'll report back when we use the Trelino, but if you try before – let us know.

 

[Steven_B]

Thanks! We've studied the website, too. We have this one (website in German):

https://www.biotoi.de/BioToi-RL-mit-Ruehrwerk-und-Luefter/B001

in a Land Cruiser with FiftyTen cabin in Europe. Wanted to get one here for the ACCC to, since we know it works, but they don't ship to the US. We could probably arrange private shipping, but thought we'd try the Trelino since it is also half the price. The BioToi is MUCH higher quality and we think the fan is needed for that one, but it really works. There is zero smell inside the camper (although, you don't want to put your nose next to the exhaust fan outlet when it's still fresh ... ;-)).

It's a little weird with the "agitator", but as said, it works. What comes out after a few days of use by two people looks and smells like potting compost, even though it isn't quite there yet. Another benefit is that the BioToi doesn't use plastic bags.

So, I'll report back when we use the Trelino, but if you try before – let us know.

We have a shower cube and it will be used mainly there. But you never know in emergency situations when you’ll need to use it in the camper. Aka, avoid truck stop sushi ??

 

[cug]

To keep it in vain of the thread re ACCC and since we have a Trelino Classic medium sized as well, we are planning on putting it in the same place as you, but might plan ahead for ventilation to the outside. We do have a privacy tent, but it's just inconvenient to use that way. The Trelino might be different, since it's "bag based", so you could use it outside, when packing up close the bag, put it to the rest of the trash and discard at the next opportunity.

A "real" composting toilet doesn't work that way though.

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