Towing resistance, old and new

You will most likely get better mileage. The square corners on older trailers really created drag. I went from a 9,500 pound 96 Terry to a 12k+ 2005 Cardinal and mileage improved. Cardinal has both front and rear caps. Not only do rear caps look much better they effect mileage also. I hate the "we quit working at this point" look of flat/sawed off rear trailers. Guest I am a Cap Snob!

Chris

Red-Rover wrote:
The dealer says that the improved aerodynamics with a nose cap will make up the difference and I should not notice any difference.

Was his lips moving???? :@

Ozlander wrote:

Red-Rover wrote:
The dealer says that the improved aerodynamics with a nose cap will make up the difference and I should not notice any difference.

Was his lips moving???? :@

X2

I would tend to agree with the sales man. The aerodynamics have in fact come a VERY long way in the last 20 years. You are pulling a 20 year old camper with virtually no aerodynamic qualities while the Silverbacks nose is very aerodynamic. This along with the smooth fiberglass exterior walls creates much less wind resistance. Keep in mind that the height is also measured to the top of the tallest point which in many cases is the air conditioner and NOT the actual roof of the coach. If the Silverback is the camper that you want I would not hesitate to get it if I were you.

I don't think the Silverback will be all that much better. Some yes, but not 2-3mpg better. It's not a mid profile. Yes it has rounded corners but it's still pretty high in the front. To get the best mpg you need a mid profile front.

What are you getting for mpg now?

I would tend to agree with your salesman, it will probably be a wash.

I can't imagine it will make much if any difference. Maybe one mpg. Will that be enough to offset the cost of the upgrade??

B.O.

Mileage is not the issue for me but with my present Prowler, I will average 9.8 mpg at the end of almost any 2000 mile trip. Considerably less in the western mountains but I once got 22 mpg over a 4 hour period with a 25 mph tailwind. Really sailing.

For me just the fact that I'm out in the RV enjoying the outdoors and life far outweighs any costs incurred. 3MPG or 12MPG I would still be out travelling in my RV.

I would not worry about it a brick is a brick nomatter if you round the corners.if you enjoyed the prowler you will enjoy the creek

A significant amount of drag is actually produced by the rear aspect of the trailer. That's why the Airtab vortex generators work so well. Anything like a rear cap, rounded rear corners and roof cap, works to smooth the airflow off the rear corners of the trailer and reduces drag.

Brian