Anyone have any input on the expected drop in mileage while towing a TT. We're planning a 3000 mile trip this summer and I would like to have a bit of a clue how much money we will need to budget for fuel. TV is a Chevy Express 3500. Nikki clocked out 16.5MPG driving to Connecticut this past weekend. TT is a 25' hybrid with a max weight of 5800#.
Thanks
Steve
[quote author=MatthewinGA link=topic=764.msg5597#msg5597 date=1303259383]
Is there any way to add a spoiler or some conversion to increase mileage? With gas prices rising, a group a big as us, this could be a big focus.
unless you drive thousands of miles, like the big truckers do, a spoiler will not recoup the costs of buying and installing one.
I realize I am sorta comparing apples to oranges here, but here's an example of the effects of speed on mileage. I bought a very lightweight (550#) 1987 Combi-Camp tent camper last weekend and pulled it back from Tampa FL to NC behind a Toyota Corolla. If I kept my speed no higher than 60 mph, my miles per gallon stayed in the high 20's range. But if I tried to run 65-70 mph, the mileage dropped to the low 20's. The car normally gets in the mid 30's on the road without a trailer behind it.
With the high profile of the van will the resistance of the trailer still add/subtract as much? Or is it a weight thing and height isn't really a factor?
This is sladue's DW and I'm always trying to be optomistict 🙂 Although my #1 job is to keep the brood calm and quiet so the gas prices are the only major stress ;D
Nikki,
I think you'll find that doesn't matter much. Pickup with caps would have a similar profile as your van and I haven't heard much difference if any from them. If you look at some of the long haul truckers, you will see spoilers that go out on each side of the cab and the roof to direct air around the trailer. I don't know how much difference that makes, but I've never seen the side spoilers for a Pickup or a van.
You won't know the mileage till you start traveling with it.
One thing, traveling in windy conditions will lower you mileage even further unless it's a tailwind.....
I've towed our 25' Hybrid just enough at this point to see most types of terrain I'd be likely to ever see, and I agree with everyone else about the 9-11mpg ballpark. If I'm towing on relatively flat terrain at 55mph, I've seen as high as 13mpg. On mountainous terrain at 65mph, it's more like 8-9mpg.
I considered getting a truck cap for the Tundra, but based on the reading I've done, most people report getting slightly worse gas mileage for the truck by itself. The running consensus seemed to be that the added weight of the cap was one cause, and the other likely culprit was the large squarish back end profile of the truck with the cap causing vortex/vacuum/drag as it passed through through the air. A pickup with a tonneau cover would be the best choice for standalone driving.
I couldn't find any consensus on the cap while driving, although there was some anecdotal evidence that you'd get a slight improvement, possibly 1-2mpg, but it would take a long time to recoup any expenses on buying the cap, plus you get the drop in standalone driving.
We will have great data to answer this question later this summer. After 3000 miles for the Florida trip we will have all the data we need, and paid a premium for it in gas!!!!!! >:(
Lou,
Nikki was thinking we may see a benefit because the new van is HUGE. It stands 7.5 feet tall so we are pushing some air up front. I don't think it will make to big of a difference though.
[quote author=KUDZU link=topic=764.msg5602#msg5602 date=1303273618]
I realize I am sorta comparing apples to oranges here, but here's an example of the effects of speed on mileage. I bought a very lightweight (550#) 1987 Combi-Camp tent camper last weekend and pulled it back from Tampa FL to NC behind a Toyota Corolla. If I kept my speed no higher than 60 mph, my miles per gallon stayed in the high 20's range. But if I tried to run 65-70 mph, the mileage dropped to the low 20's. The car normally gets in the mid 30's on the road without a trailer behind it.
As long as we're talking apples and oranges... I tow a 2010 Livin' Lite Quicksilver 6.0 with a 2010 VW Golf TDI (diesel). Empty weight of the camper is 650 pounds, and it is 5 feet wide, 6.5 feet long and 31 inches tall. So, there's not that much frontal area or weight.
While towing, if I set the cruise control at 70 I can get 35 MPG, but if I set the cruise control at 75 to 78, I get 28 to 30 MPG. I'm not complaining, but this is what I've quantified for speed vs. fuel consumption.
Since the original question was about towing MPG vs non-towing MPG, I get between 43 and 49 MPG without the camper. BTW, all of these figures are with the A/C on. I've tried running without A/C and tilting up the sunroof for ventilation, but I get better fuel economy with the A/C on. (I haven't figured that one out yet.)
I hope this helps.
[quote author=S_Sanders link=topic=764.msg6466#msg6466 date=1306980867]
...I've tried running without A/C and tilting up the sunroof for ventilation, but I get better fuel economy with the A/C on. (I haven't figured that one out yet.)
Its because of the increase in air drag (resistance) with the windows open. Believe it or not, it is actually better for the MPG to run the AC.
S. Sanders,
Please remember that most ST trailer tires are only rated for a max 65 mph.
Some ST tires now have a max 60 mph.
There are too many instances of defective tires causing blowouts recently and there is no need to endanger your family and others around you by exceeding those maximum limits imposed by the construction of the trailer tires.
[quote author=S_Sanders link=topic=764.msg6466#msg6466 date=1306980867]
I tow a 2010 Livin' Lite Quicksilver 6.0 with a 2010 VW Golf TDI (diesel). Glad to see we have another Quicksilver owner. As for me, I barely notice any change in MPG when I pull my PUP. The Livin Lite Quicksilver 8.1 has a dry weight of 865 lbs. so it's quite light. I averaged about 25 mpg pulling it up to Canada (500 miles each way) last August with the A/C on. Then a few months later we drove up without the PUP and we averaged just under 26 mpg with minimal A/C use.
You may find this site http://www.costtodrive.com/ worth checking out. Once you open it, fill in the appropriate information in the first line. In the second, go to the far right where it says, "Can't Find Your Car". From there fill in your tank size and your MPG. This will show you the cost of your trip and average fuel prices based on consumption along your route.
Hope this helps.
[quote author=mtn_bikers link=topic=764.msg6470#msg6470 date=1307012713]
Its because of the increase in air drag (resistance) with the windows open. Believe it or not, it is actually better for the MPG to run the AC.
I didn't have the windows open. I only raised the back of the sunroof about half way to increase the draft through the vent system.
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