Fuel Millage vs 2 different TT's

[Toothpick]

Almost first post and new to TT. Well not really new when I was a lot younger the family used to TT about every other weekend.

I'm using a 2015 RAM 2500 with 6.7 Cummins CC 4x4 1500 miles give or take.

I just traded in my SNL's Jayco 32' BSDH TT for a 25' Vengeance 25V TH .

I towed the Jayco to the dealer and got 11.1 MPG.

On the trip back with a empty/dry 25v my MPG dropped to 10.3????

How is this possible with a shorter lighter RV?
It is 1 ft higher and 6 in wider. Could that make that much difference in MPG?

Thanks,

Mel

[Vern]

Is the dealership downhill from home? (Sorry, couldn't resist)

But seriously, maybe others can help explain if you have some some information to share (speeds and distances traveled, traffic, weights of rigs, wind conditions, etc.). Congrats on your new rig.

[Happy Vibe]

If you were towing with the wind going to the dealer and against coming home could make that difference. I also believe that the increased frontal area will have more effect than the one foot length. Aerodynamics is a tricky thing because you not only dealing with how the trailer goes through the air but how the air goes around the tv and then hits the trailer.

[Toothpick]

Thanks!

I averaged about 65 mph and since its near the coast (Savannah, GA) it's pretty flat.

No wind that I noticed...

After looking at the specs between the two TT I'm thinking the greater ht and width may be the factor...

Mel

[davel1971]

since your taller and wider, you will always be pushing more air for sure. That is as much of a factor as anything.

[PhoneDude 8289]

My previous 5r was a 30' Cougar 10,300# GVW, I would average 10 - 11 mpg towing it all day long. Sold the Cougar and bought a Rockwood ultralite 30' 5r with a GVW of 9,300#. I'm sure we pack about the same when we travel but mpg did not change one bit, still getting 10 - 11 mpg. I can see the 1k difference at the cat scales, I decided it's not the weight so much as is the frontal resistance to the wind. Both 5r's are about the same hight and width.

[elchilero53]

How about the tires? We changed the original tires that came with the trailer for a new set of Carlisles and immediately noticed the difference - a much smoother, easier tow! And the mileage went up, too (from 8-9 mpg to 10-11 mpg in tow/haul mode). Some tires have better rolling resistance than others. Just a thought.

[schrederman]

Air drag goes up with the square of speed. That's why headwinds and tailwinds play a big role in mileage. Towing at 60 doesn't create twice the drag as towing at 30, it's 4 times as much. Towing at 60 with a 20 mph tailwind creates the same air drag as towing at 40... But turn around and go the other way, and it's the same as towing at 80. So, the air drag has quadrupled while towing at the same speed.

Have fun...

[aceinspp]

The extra height and width will make a difference. Slightly more drag so less fuel mileage. Later RJD

[Rockwoodjoe]

All RV's are like pushing a wall against the wind.

[lynn brownlee]

Yes and elevation change from one place to the other/ out side temperature . Heat of day verses cool mornings, traffic, 5 mile an hour head wind makes big difference, we pull as a group, when I lead, it cost me 3 tents on my mpg just saying /

[GL1800Rider]

Originally Posted by aceinspp

The extra height and width will make a difference. Slightly more drag so less fuel mileage. Later RJD

X2

Slow to 60 and enjoy the ride. MPG should increase.

[doc73]

I always used to think it was the weight of the trailer that made the difference as well.. Until I went from a 2306 mini light to the heavier and larger Cherokee and got the same MPG, It shocked me that most of the weight is negated but the frontal area is what would determine the MPG and drag.

[dcheatwood]

Lots of good points here. Wind, even 5 mph head wind makes a difference. It makes 65 mph into 70 mph. The extra height may be giving more wind resistance. Hopefully you'll find your sweet spot speed where your mpgs and speed are satisfactory. Mine is 60-63 mph.

[Crusadernoob]

It's not usually the weight that causes negative MPG's, unless it's drastic. It's got everything to do with the size of the "billboard" you are pulling.

My MPG will vary from a low of 10.8 to a high of 13. Head wind, tail wind, mountain's, etc.

[rmayo38895]

I tow a 39 ft with my 2015 Ram 3500 at about70-75 mph and got an average of 10.5 on a 2900 mi round trip so I would say with a shorter trailer and running 65 you got good fuel mileage.

[High Pockets]

Seven years ago my wife and i bought a Sydney Outback 31 footer and averaged 11 mpg over many trips. We just bought a TT Forest River Wind jammer. We were told the V shaped front end and lighter weight should give us better MPG. After several trips with the new TT we found it get 11 MPG. This doesn't upset us that much, but I thought it would be better than that. As my Dad used to say "It's only money." By the way we pull with a GMC 2500 Duramax with towing package.

[rlocicero]

We have a 829FKSS flagstaff and a 2014 F150 Ecoboost. We average between 9.5 and 11.5 depending on how I am pushing ( not over 65mph). That means that on a 200 mile frip I may spend an extra 5 bucks. Not a huge concern to me. Truck $50000, trailer $30000, fuel cost $2.49/gal ( ny state takes us to the cleaners), doing something we really enjoy, priceless.

[mnoland30]

When I was young, I drove a Carmanghia. It is the streamlined version of the Volkswagon. I put a luggage rack on it so I could take my john boat to the lake. I couldn't pass semi-trucks without a running start because of the wind coming around the semi, and my mpg went from 40 to 30. I left the luggage rack on for a while, and just the rack dropped my mileage 2 mpg. I've often wondered if leaving the back bunk of my Roo open wouldn't give me better mileage, but I don't think I'll try it.

[youroo]

Several years ago F/R Rockwood TT and ROOs were only 7 to 7 1/2 feet wide and Roos came with 13" Tires! Now they are 8' wide sitting up taller as well! This all adds up to Less Mileage.We were just Passed by a Transporter pulling several NEW SOB trailers on a Flatbed trailer,they were single axle 7' wide TT they were Not Retro just short TT, I think they were called Eveos? Youroo!!