How much difference in fuel MPG`S have you had with a bumper pull compared to the large wind resistance of a fiver?I have noticed a high fuel consumption in a head wind.Is it streamlining or lack there of that is to blame?Feel like I am pulling a 13 ft high box at times.I see trucks with all sorts of streamlining on the road.JUST CURIOUS-not that I want a travel trailer/bumper pull unit.

With my ram 3500 drw 4x4 I went from getting 11mpg towing a 26ft 5000lb TT, to getting 9mpg pullling a 40ft 14000lb fiver..... not enough difference to make me worry any.

soje wrote:How much difference in fuel MPG`S have you had with a bumper pull compared to the large wind resistance of a fiver?I have noticed a high fuel consumption in a head wind.Is it streamlining or lack there of that is to blame?Feel like I am pulling a 13 ft high box at times.I see trucks with all sorts of streamlining on the road.JUST CURIOUS-not that I want a travel trailer/bumper pull unit.You are pulling a 13' high box. Whatever part of the 5th wheel is above the truck acts like an air brake. Plus the extra weight.

Ana Awful lot depends on what your pulling with. 4.10 rear end Cummins dually pulling 13,500 pounds I can get 11.5 between LaPine and Lakeview. 9.5 between Salem and Bend.

Dont assume just because its taller a 5er has more air resistance than a TT. 5er and TV act like a single large mass cutting through the air while TT and TV act like two separate masses with a lot of dirty air in between.

I've pulled cargo trailers, travel trailers and fifth wheels. Sometimes the mileage is the same, sometimes it might vary by 2 mpg. Big deal.B.O.

Travel trailer "vs" fith wheel --MPG to tow | Good Sam Community

Rangerman40
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
With my ram 3500 drw 4x4 I went from getting 11mpg towing a 26ft 5000lb TT, to getting 9mpg pullling a 40ft 14000lb fiver..... not enough difference to make me worry any.
jims1
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
soje wrote:
How much difference in fuel MPG`S have you had with a bumper pull compared to the large wind resistance of a fiver?
I have noticed a high fuel consumption in a head wind.
Is it streamlining or lack there of that is to blame?
Feel like I am pulling a 13 ft high box at times.
I see trucks with all sorts of streamlining on the road.
JUST CURIOUS-not that I want a travel trailer/bumper pull unit.

You are pulling a 13' high box. Whatever part of the 5th wheel is above the truck acts like an air brake. Plus the extra weight.
donn0128
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2016
Ana
Awful lot depends on what your pulling with. 4.10 rear end Cummins dually pulling 13,500 pounds I can get 11.5 between LaPine and Lakeview. 9.5 between Salem and Bend.
N-Trouble
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
Dont assume just because its taller a 5er has more air resistance than a TT.

5er and TV act like a single large mass cutting through the air while TT and TV act like two separate masses with a lot of dirty air in between.
B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Dec 18, 2016
I've pulled cargo trailers, travel trailers and fifth wheels. Sometimes the mileage is the same, sometimes it might vary by 2 mpg. Big deal.

B.O.
amxpress
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
I actually get better MPG towing my Columbus fiver than I did my 26' Jayco TT.
I'm sure aerodynamics plays the biggest part. Towing the Jayco TT was like pulling a big square box down the road. This is with my 6.7 CTD.
Bumpyroad
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
N-Trouble wrote:
Dont assume just because its taller a 5er has more air resistance than a TT.

5er and TV act like a single large mass cutting through the air while TT and TV act like two separate masses with a lot of dirty air in between.

I would like to see any air flow pattern studies showing this. especially if the TT is roughly the same height as the TV.
bumpy
Padlin
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
On the small end of things...

F150 3.5L Ecoboost, both trailers are/were 10'6"H, FW 2" wider.

20' 3500 lb square TT, 10 mpg
21' 4400 lb rounded FW, 13 mpg
SanMarMor
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
Bumpyroad wrote:
N-Trouble wrote:
Dont assume just because its taller a 5er has more air resistance than a TT.

5er and TV act like a single large mass cutting through the air while TT and TV act like two separate masses with a lot of dirty air in between.

I would like to see any air flow pattern studies showing this. especially if the TT is roughly the same height as the TV.
bumpy

I have felt this. Back when we had our 29' TT, some times I would pull with a cap on the truck, sometimes without. It pulled noticeably harder when the cap was off the truck.

Mark
hone_eagle
Explorer
Dec 18, 2016
N-Trouble wrote:
Dont assume just because its taller a 5er has more air resistance than a TT.

5er and TV act like a single large mass cutting through the air while TT and TV act like two separate masses with a lot of dirty air in between.

This ^ ask any hotshotter at least the few I've run across they always say instantly "5er is better ".

could be because the air flow sees one lump coming and smooths the flow, if they are close enough to each other, the TT presents to distinct 'fronts'. thats their theory.
FWIW