Any Tips for increasing Trailer towing mpg?

[lrs]

We all know that gas is more than a buck a gallon higher than last winter. Unlike years past, a significant part of our expense is getting the sleds to or up the mountain. Most use trucks (gas or diesel). Many use trailers (open or enclosed). My experience with an 07 Tundra and a 4 place enclosed trailer is about 9 - 10 mpg. This is about the same as my friends with other brand trucks, trailers etc. (give or take a 1 or 2 mpg).

I have found the Snowest Forums are filled with people who, unlike myself, have a wealth of knowledge and ability. I am wondering if any of you have any ideas on how to increase the mileage of a towed rig. A single mpg results in about a ten percent savings in fuel. It can add up quickly.

I don't want to forget the trailer in this equation. For example, are there items that make it pull through the wind better ( for example, spoilers on the trailer or truck?) Are there better bearings for the wheels that allow it to roll easier? How about tires?

As for the truck, would changing the gearing help (and be cost effective)? Are there other little things that could, if done together, add up to an mpg or two?

I'm sorry I don't have much to offer. But I am hoping that in the spirit of the sport, some of you have ideas.

Mike

 

[xsummitx]

slow down....hypermiling(search it).....if i keep the speed way down and i hypermile i almost dont lose any mpg i have increased my towing mpg from 11-12 to 14-15 and my empty from 15-16 to 18-19....with just changing my driving habits and slowing down.i drive 2500HD CHEVY 4X4 EXT CAB ....i saw a artical on hypermiling and so tried it,and read i on how wind speed is the biggest robber of mpg and anything over 50 mph wind speed the resistance increases so much for every 5 mph increase...so hyper mile and keep speed down

 

[Anti-Hero]

I think both me and the folks I ride with have broken fuel level sensors so it really does not matter!

As said before slow down.

 

[redlineguy]

Try the Fitch Fuel catalist people say it really works. 1 to 2 mpg.













.

 

[coyoteman]

put a topper on the truck. sounds gay, but it will keep the air over the truck and trailer, if it is enclosed, rather than boiling around between them. seems to help if we haul a sled in the bed of the truck without a topper also.

 

[Bubba700]

SLOW DOWN! even 5 miles an hour, dosn't make that big of diff on the time it takes to get there but it will show at the pump, dropping 5 mph towing our boat took it from 9 to 13.

 

[opus]

Keep your windows closed and stay 65 or less. Modern AC units dont decay the mileage issue as much as older ones used to.

 

[go high fast]

[/IMG]

[/IMG]





if you are only going to ride one sled then dont pull the 4 place fully loaded 30 ft enclosed trailer. I find the good old 2 place open tilt trailer with salt shield and a good cover to work just fine and saves a ton of gas.

 

[Mafesto]

Go down hill & with the wind.

 

[WC820]

We all know that gas is more than a buck a gallon higher than last winter. Unlike years past, a significant part of our expense is getting the sleds to or up the mountain. Most use trucks (gas or diesel). Many use trailers (open or enclosed). My experience with an 07 Tundra and a 4 place enclosed trailer is about 9 - 10 mpg. This is about the same as my friends with other brand trucks, trailers etc. (give or take a 1 or 2 mpg).

I have found the Snowest Forums are filled with people who, unlike myself, have a wealth of knowledge and ability. I am wondering if any of you have any ideas on how to increase the mileage of a towed rig. A single mpg results in about a ten percent savings in fuel. It can add up quickly.

I don't want to forget the trailer in this equation. For example, are there items that make it pull through the wind better ( for example, spoilers on the trailer or truck?) Are there better bearings for the wheels that allow it to roll easier? How about tires?

As for the truck, would changing the gearing help (and be cost effective)? Are there other little things that could, if done together, add up to an mpg or two?

I'm sorry I don't have much to offer. But I am hoping that in the spirit of the sport, some of you have ideas.

Mike

Ditch the Toyota! they get crap no milage no mater how ya slice it! ("Ford Salesman can ya tell??) But seriously Dump all the fluids in the truck and go full syenhetic in the engine, trans and the axles!! you should see gains there then start thinking about freeing up the exhaust and the air intake. I dont know who makes what for a toyota but a programer can help too. definately a cold air intake but make sure its a dry filter style they flow the best. power gains = not leaning in to the throttle as far = MPG

also the topper, or flat trailer, or any of the others they mentioned will help too

I have seen first hand that at 63 mph the superduty 6.4 ford will get as much as 6mpg better than running 72!!! yes 6 no BS I did it myself!

or you could get an older superduty with a 7.3 Diesel I get 23 running used ATF filtered down to one Micron and dumped right in the tank! thats with the programer set on the 140hp setting!

 

[hilinerider]

slower = less rpms = less fuel,

4 place open over an enclosed, tarpin sucks but the pull soo much nicer especially around here were the wind blows pertnear everyday

 

[Dogmeat]

for all practical purposes, you are never gonna get good, or "better" miledge with a gasoline motor if you're pulling a trailer.

even pulling a single axle open 4-wheeler trailer with a 350 pound quad I get 2 mpg less than unloaded ...

 

[Duddin]

I dont know about the toyotas but if they dont have an electric fan put one on and get rid of the crank driven one.

 

[HUNDO]

Keep your windows closed and stay 65 or less. Modern AC units dont decay the mileage issue as much as older ones used to.

BS on closing the windows...Consumer Reports just did a test on the effects of open windows and A/C. While you are correct that modern A/C has much less effect on mileage (up to 1 mpg) than older vehicles, driving with the windows open didn't change the mileage

As said by everyone else, slow down...wish I could follow that advice

 

[Supplicate]

for all practical purposes, you are never gonna get good, or "better" miledge with a gasoline motor if you're pulling a trailer.

even pulling a single axle open 4-wheeler trailer with a 350 pound quad I get 2 mpg less than unloaded ...

Didn't you get the 8.1 to try and avoid that?

 

[Ex-Member]

if you're just pullin one sled, buy a ramp ($300 for a good Oxlite) and load it right in the bed of the truck.

No trailer hassles, no trailer weight. Just grab the brake before you hit the back window.

 

[Scott]

No doubt the 7.3 Strokers do better than the 6.0 or 6.4.

 

[HUNDO]

if you're just pullin one sled, buy a ramp ($300 for a good Oxlite) and load it right in the bed of the truck.

No trailer hassles, no trailer weight. Just grab the brake before you hit the back window.

From experience?

 

[Dogmeat]

Didn't you get the 8.1 to try and avoid that?

yeah ... but it doesn't work that will till you're towing 4,000 lb and up apparently ... at least, I get identical miledge pulling mine or my dad's enclosed sled trailers and his is a lot bigger and heavier ...

I have no idea why this dinky little 4-wheeler trailer even makes a dent in it, but it does ...

maybe I need to grease the wheel bearings on it or something ...

 

[ericbigbore]

Get a sled deck.