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05-09-2011, 08:28 AM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Upstate NY
Posts: 33
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Is it the Weight or the Drag that matters more?
I am towing a X18D Hybrid with a Toyota Tundra 5.7. I figured my MPG would not get hit too hard since I am pulling a trailer that is far lighter my max weight. Max Trailer weight on X18D is 4400, my vehicle can tow a theoretical max of 10,100.
I was surprised last weekend when I took my longest haul yet (about 135 miles) and averaged just 8MPG! I was getting around 10 on some other trips this spring. (FYI my unloaded average is about 17-18 on the highway)
The only thing I can come up with is that the drag is the biggest factor here, would you folks agree?
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2008 Tundra CrewMax 5.7
2011 Jayco X18D Hybrid Travel Trailer
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05-09-2011, 09:31 AM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Germantown, TN
Posts: 4,923
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That is my experience with my truck. I can pull my 26BH or a 10 foot single axle box trailer and my mileage is not that much different.
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05-09-2011, 01:14 PM
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#3
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Moderator Emeritus
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Michigan
Posts: 9,424
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A number of things can play into gas mileage when towing, such as a head wind, TV gearing, tire air pressure, transmission hunting to much, speed, and of course weight to name a few.
I found that with my TV/TT combination that 60mph-65mph is my sweet spot for the best MPG in ideal traveling conditions.
Bottom line, that big box we tow behind our TV's just isn't that aerodynamic
Bob
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2016 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4.10
2018 Jay Flight 24RBS
2002 GM 2500HD 6.0L/4:10 (retired)
2005 Jayco Eagle 278FBS (retired)
1999 Jayco Eagle 246FB (retired)
Reese HP Dual Cam (Strait-Line)
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05-09-2011, 01:27 PM
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#4
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Site Team
Join Date: Nov 2010
Location: Virginia`s Eastern Shore
Posts: 17,092
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That seems to be the consensus. High profile trailers take a bunch of fuel to pull, even if not very heavy.
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2017 Coachmen Catalina 283RKS
2018 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.2l CCSB
2010 Jayflight 28BHS (sold)
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05-09-2011, 08:32 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Forest
Posts: 634
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I'd vote for the drag as the main factor. I think the weight hurts the most getting up to speed, so if you have alot of starting and stopping the weight hurts worse.
Cutting back 5 mph will normally make a big difference, at least with a gas engine.
When I pulled a Geo Tracker (2200-2300lbs and no drag) with my motorhome there was virtually no difference in mileage on the road, with or without it! It seemed to make a little more difference when there was a lot of stopping and starting.
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05-09-2011, 11:35 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: North Idaho/Arizona
Posts: 5,446
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When I had a 32 ft 5th wheel and I towed a small flat trailer behind it with two 4x4 quads on it. It didn't make any difference with my truck. Always right around 10mpg. My wife would sometimes tow the quads with her GMC Canyon. On the hiway it usually gets 23-24 mpg. With the quads she got 15 mpg. I really don't think the weight affects as much as drag.
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2011 Eagle 330RLTS with just about every option.
2017 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 with tow package. (no, we don't tow the Jayco with it.)
2018 Surveyor 265RLDS well equipped.
Life in the slow lane is still life.
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05-10-2011, 06:18 AM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: Saskatoon Sask Canada
Posts: 10,726
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Drag is way more important than weight.. unless you are just towing around town. to see the best mpg increase keep it to 60 or less..
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Seann
2004 Chev Silverado Duramax optioned past the max. 2009 Jayco Eagle 308 RLS 900watts of solar, Lithium batteries (400amp hour), 2000 watt (4000 surge) whole house inverter.
145days /2023 2022/151 2021[/COLOR]
93/2020,157/2019219/2018 206/2017,215/2016, 211/2015, 196/14, 247/13, 193/12
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05-10-2011, 07:02 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 208
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Drag is worse. No Doubt.
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Traded IN 19BH......;-( Miss It!
:cool: 2013 F150 STX Super Cab With Factory Tow Package, Inegrated Trailer Brake Control, 5.0 Liter with 3.55 Gears and Posi Traction :cool:
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05-11-2011, 08:53 AM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: West Texas
Posts: 2,114
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Agree....the drag is a drag but a good direct tailwind sure helps. Seann45 is right...60 MPH or less makes a big difference in fuel consumption. I usually drive 60...until I am getting close to the campsite, then for some reason, I am pushing 75 in anticipation.
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Dan
2016 Chevy LTZ - Duramax/Allison
2008 Eagle 30.5BHS
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06-01-2011, 08:57 AM
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#10
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Junior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 7
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Considering that ST tires on most trailers are only rated for 65mph, I would definitely not go over 65mph. I have had a tire fail on me because I did a 2400 mile trip at 65-75mph. It survived the trip, but after sitting for the winter, it had gone flat. When I inflated it, I noticed that the sidewall resembled a washboard. The excessive speed had obviously damaged the sidewall belts.
Regards,
Rick
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06-01-2011, 09:09 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2011
Location: Central Ohio
Posts: 108
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Seems that low rpms in a high gear, and high rpms in a low gear suck the gas pretty bad when you are towing.
If you are able to make the low rpm/high gear choice because of tail wind, level or slight down hill grade, or drafting, that helps fuel efficiency a lot. But you have little power on demand.
High rpm low gear probably isn't the best choice for mileage, but under stress (and towing is a stress) it's the best way to go, IMO, in regards to safety and ride comfort. Plus, the transmission never has to hunt for the right gear.
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2011 Swift 154BH
2012 Nissan Frontier
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06-01-2011, 09:44 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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Quote:
Originally Posted by 12_AMS
Considering that ST tires on most trailers are only rated for 65mph, I would definitely not go over 65mph. I have had a tire fail on me because I did a 2400 mile trip at 65-75mph. It survived the trip, but after sitting for the winter, it had gone flat. When I inflated it, I noticed that the sidewall resembled a washboard. The excessive speed had obviously damaged the sidewall belts.
Regards,
Rick
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(Welcome to the Jayco Owners Forum Rick! Come on over to the New Members Forum and introduce yourself when you get a chance)
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Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
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06-01-2011, 08:21 PM
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#13
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
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Looks llike the concensus is drag so far (which I agree). With that being said has anybody ever slipped in behind an 18 wheeler and gained MPG from the drafting? Just curious...
Mark
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2012 Chev 2500 DMax 4x4
2009 Octane 24ZX
2008 Artic Cat 500 TRV
2008 Artic Cat 650 TRV
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06-01-2011, 09:35 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: Kentucky
Posts: 134
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I think it is drag, I believe weight down low would be much easier to pull.
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2010 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 31.5 FBHS
08 Chevy 2500HD LTZ Duramax /CC/SB/4x4
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06-01-2011, 09:39 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: Mostly the US
Posts: 10,002
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I wouldn't even tail gate an 18 wheeler with a m/c! (actually saw one hit the back of the truck once when the truck had to brake suddenly). Pulling from my science classes as a kid, but I'm guessing the only way you're going to benefit from drafting, is to be riding the driver's rear bumper. I'd rather eat the mileage rather than a trailer's bumper when I don't have the time to react and stop suddenly if needed.... jes' saying....
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Denise, DH, grandkids, and two rescue pups
-2016 Jay Flight 29QBS Elite
-2016 Ford F-250 XLT 4x2, 6.2L EFI V8, 4.30 Elec Lock, Heavy duty Alt
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06-01-2011, 11:16 PM
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#16
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
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Actually you would be suprised on the benefits of following a (slow moving semi) down a highway. For the people that have transversed the highways going across the plains states you know all too well that a you could get a headwind up to 50MPH. I can tell you that getting a large truck in front with a headwind your way you will save on gas :hihi:
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2012 Chev 2500 DMax 4x4
2009 Octane 24ZX
2008 Artic Cat 500 TRV
2008 Artic Cat 650 TRV
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06-02-2011, 07:20 AM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: Merrimack NH
Posts: 917
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Leroy2u I have drafted, for a mile or so so there wasn't any benifit durived, but when I backed of I could really feel the turbulance when I got out of his (or her) draft, it was dramatic.
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Larry & Rachel Demers 2013 F150 Eco Boost Super Cab 6.5 bed 6 sp. 3.31 4x4 White Hawk 28DSBH
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06-02-2011, 06:48 PM
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#18
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Member
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Spring Texas
Posts: 59
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Thanks Larry...
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2012 Chev 2500 DMax 4x4
2009 Octane 24ZX
2008 Artic Cat 500 TRV
2008 Artic Cat 650 TRV
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06-02-2011, 08:18 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Arizona City
Posts: 10,161
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Had 2 different travel trailers, both within 400 lbs fully loaded, same truck pulling, same length, the only thing different is the height of the Jayco compared to the other trailer. The height on the jayco is about 12-14 inches lower, have gone to the same campgrounds and the mileage is about 1 to 1 1/2 more miles per gallon. Did not drive any different with either one. Hope this helps Ernie
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2018 Jayco Jayfeather 27 RL, 2002 Ford excursion, v-10, 3:73 gears 4x4 mine. 2020 Buick Encore Hers, Retired Air Force, now Retired.
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