Sled decks & fuel mileage ??

[OLD GOAT]

I have been thinking about going to a sled deck from my enclosed trailer, many for fuel milage. I have a 2007 GMC duramax crew cab 2500 4wd. Empty I get around 18 mpg. towing I get more like 11-12. We drive over 300 miles a weekend to ride. I have had 3 different enclosed trailers over the years, 20ft, 28 ft & now a 16 x 7 and 3 different diesels. It seems it's all about wind drag. Doesn't matter how much weight is in the trailer, or the size of the trailer... just the drag. If I put a couple mountain bikes on my racks mounted over the bed I loose 2-3 mpg. It seems that a couple sleds that high up in the air will do the same thing. no B.S. please, just the facts. thanks.

 

[anchorman]

I drop 3-4 mpg on the '03 cummins with the deck. On an open 2-place trailer I drop about 6 or 7 and on the 4 place enclosed I drop anywhere from 10 to 12 (depending on the wind).

 

[Sled169]

^^^^ What he said, It is not as good as empty, you will loose a few miles per gallon, but it will be better than pulling a trailer. Sled decks area great way to go.

 

[motomikey]

definalely

slightly worse than empty, but WAY better than any trailer

 

[Burnsie]

I also have an 07 max that gets around the 18mpg range, and honestly do not see any change in mileage with a couple sleds up on top. But when I have the sleds on the deck I am travelling longer distances than normal driving as well.
Don't forget how handy they are in early winter and spring time for turning around half way up the mountian.

 

[anchorman]

Yeah Mike, but remember all the advantages of that trailer....

 

[sledskiing]

I wonder if you covered the sleds on a sled deck would it be better?

 

[motomikey]

sorry ryan

trailers are cool too!

 

[OLD GOAT]

What about having all that weight so high in the air and you make a sudden lane change or are in strong side winds? Do the sleds stay fairly clean in bad weather? I haven't see very many sled decks in Colorado to ask the owners these questions.

 

[thump426er]

2 up on the deck I will lose about 3mpg and 4 if its windy. Occasionally I only end up with one sled up there and I will lose a couple mpg's. I watch the mileage like a hawk cause I hate to pay such stupid $$$ for fuel so for my set-up this is pretty accurate. Set-up for truck is 03 cummins, intake, exhaust, Edge chip on setting 3 of 5, 6 speed, 35" tires, 5" lift (lift killed the mileage btw)......

Second Burnsie on the manueverability of a sled deck, especially in the spring time.

 

[rockymking]

What about having all that weight so high in the air and you make a sudden lane change or are in strong side winds? Do the sleds stay fairly clean in bad weather? I haven't see very many sled decks in Colorado to ask the owners these questions.

You won't even notice them up there ... have never had any issues with winds or stability driving. The machines stay really clean up there ... especially if your truck is lifted I don't even bother covering the sleds anymore. The only downfall I see with your sitch is that depending on your deck weight + 2 machines + all your gear and passengers, your 2500 is nearing max payload ... stay away from Canada . They love writing tickets for that infraction. I installed airbags on my F-350 and it really helped stability but that's with an 8" lift on 38's. I'll probably never own another trailer after using the deck for 2 seasons ... love it!

 

[Coldfinger]

16 x 7 mileage

Old Goat - how does the 16 x 7 do compared to the other enclosed? Were they all v-nose?

 

[Ultra]

Makes no difference for me. 10mpg empty, 10mpg deck & 2 sleds, 10mpg enclosed trailer & 2 sleds, 10mpg deck enclosed trlr & 4 sleds. 1T dually 454 crew.

 

[Billygoat]

Old Goat - how does the 16 x 7 do compared to the other enclosed? Were they all v-nose?

all were v-nose, this one sits in between the wheel wells instead of on top so it is a bit lower, but it pulls pretty similar. the biggest difference is it is a bit more stable in a cross wind.

 

[Coldfinger]

all were v-nose, this one sits in between the wheel wells instead of on top so it is a bit lower, but it pulls pretty similar. the biggest difference is it is a bit more stable in a cross wind.

Did you think the narrower enclosed trailer improved the trucks fuel economy compared to a wide body enclosed?

 

[Scott]

What about having all that weight so high in the air and you make a sudden lane change or are in strong side winds? Do the sleds stay fairly clean in bad weather? I haven't see very many sled decks in Colorado to ask the owners these questions.

There are thousands of decks out there in the great northwest...never a problem with them.

 

[Cyle]

I just went on my first trip with my deck picking up my new sled. I did notice a MPG drop on the way back with the deck loaded, but it was a lot more weight then 2 sleds and a deck, about another 400lbs. Even with about 2300lbs in the rear of my lifted dodge I didn't notice any stability issues on the highway. MPG droped enough to notice but not to bad, maybe 1.5 or so.

 

[Nytroman]

I had thought about going from the enclosed back to a deck. But don't notice much diffence between the deck and enclosed enough to warrant not having the clean storage, tool box, security etc. If the speed limit is being pushed then the MPG becomes more noticable. Biggest factor is with the enclosed i can have 3 or even 4 other sledders come along to pay for tanks of fuel. That drops my fuel costs 50 to 70% over the deck for me which is a no brainer, and always seem to have no issue to get 4 or 5 sleds loaded in the trailer each weekend