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Martinjmpr

Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
phsycle said:
Have you compared this to a square-shaped trailer? How do you know it's not any more efficient?

You've also got a pretty large flat area in the back that still creates good amount of drag. A true tear drop trailer @85_Ranger4x4 was referring to would significantly reduce drag and improve aerodynamics.
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Yes, I've towed all kinds of trailers. The rounded shape doesn't make a bit of difference. The only thing that does is if it's lower than the tow vehicle, then it's much easier to tow.

a 9' trailer is a 9' trailer no matter how it's shaped, you're going to feel that wind. It's like pulling a billboard down the highway no matter what it's shaped like.
 
Martinjmpr

Martinjmpr

Wiffleball Batter
Todd n Natalie said:
Not sure if it would make a difference with MPG but, it looks like your truck is squatting a little in the back. Maybe a weight distributing hitch would help?

Unless it's just the picture angle or something?
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It does squat more than I like. I have a WDH but right now it's still set up for the Suburban. I need to wait for a nice weekend and then I can take the trailer out to a nice flat parking lot and set it up for the F-150. I definitely prefer towing with the WDH as it also incorporates sway control (even though the F-150 supposedly has "built in sway control" it felt pretty squirrely back in October driving back from New Mexico in heavy crosswinds.)

I don't expect the WDH to make any difference in terms of MPG but it should improve handling and reduce swaying.
 
Todd780

Todd780

OverCamper
Martinjmpr said:
It does squat more than I like. I have a WDH but right now it's still set up for the Suburban. I need to wait for a nice weekend and then I can take the trailer out to a nice flat parking lot and set it up for the F-150. I definitely prefer towing with the WDH as it also incorporates sway control (even though the F-150 supposedly has "built in sway control" it felt pretty squirrely back in October driving back from New Mexico in heavy crosswinds.)

I don't expect the WDH to make any difference in terms of MPG but it should improve handling and reduce swaying.
Click to expand...
I'll be curious to find out if it does make a difference for you. The first time I towed my trailer the truck was constantly revving to 3,500 - 4,000 (ish) RPM on flat roads.

The second time after I adjusted it the RPM's stayed at a more constant 1,800 - 2,000.

(For reference the truck has a 5.0L, 3:73's and a 6 speed)

I was so choked the first time towing that trailer that a half ton truck would struggle that much towing a 5K trailer. Turned out it was user error, haha.
 
nickw

nickw

Adventurer
Just to report mileage....

Trip from Bend, OR to Portland, OR...net elevation decrease by ~3000 feet, but a large pass to go over, it's about 180 miles in total, little traffic. Half of it was 45-60 mph on 2 Iane hwy, the other half was keeping up with traffic 60-70 mph on flat hwy / freeway. This is with 235/85 studded winter tires and non-ethanol fuel, two adults, a MTB and a weekend worth of stuff.

I've found the trip meter to over reports by .5 up to 1.5 more than my hand calc, but with the larger tires @ 4-5% larger circumference, we can call it a wash.


1583169837192.png

Don't have a pic but got 22.8mpg on way there.....average of 25.6. This is "normal" driving, not actively trying to take it easy.
 
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