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marininn's avatar
marininn
Explorer
Jun 07, 2017

5th wheel mpg's

I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.
For diesels, cummins particularly, I am interested to hear mpg numbers from anyone towing these.
I am curious the difference between those horse trailers with flat fronts as opposed to those with curved or pointed fronts, and also ones that sit closer to the bumper than others; and compared to bumper pull trailers of similar size.
(with regular bumper pull camper trailers, which sit farther back and are usually squared and wide, they effectively take all the wind - not tucked closely behind the TV)
A horse trailer 5th wheeler is more narrow and sits much closer to the TV than a camper or camper 5th wheeler, so should gain some efficiency in aerodynamics.
Not interested in knee-jerk opinions, just real info from those that have tried.
Also, the horse trailer is not a huge monstrosity like the camper 5th wheelers. Mpg is very important as I tow a lot, not just a few miles once per year. I have a bumper pull cargo trailer with pointed nose that is only 5 feet wide and the mpg's on it are so much better than my 7 foot wide camper (which is even lower in height).
Also, how does weight affect it? I know air drag is king, but looking at 1,500 lb aluminum trailer empty vs 5-6,000lb steel trailer.
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  • marininn's avatar
    marininn
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    Tal/IL wrote:
    I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.


    Made me laugh... A few years ago there was a big Willie Nelson concert at the WSRC in Sparta, IL on the same weekend as the U.S. Open Trapshooting Championships.(We were there to shoot.) I think every one of the 1,000 campsites on the property was full. A bunch of the concert goers were camping in goose-neck stock trailers. Ever since then, we've referred to stock trailers as "Willie Nelson campers".


    Funny. They have to be built better as horses tend to kick the walls harder than people would. Seems the GVR is higher also on most horse trailers.
    I really just want the aero exterior shape, narrow, and the wheels at the rear. There are no cargo trailers that I can find made like this.

    I tow a lot for work, a lot of miles and mpg's are way way more important to me than ignoring how much I spend driving an hour for a vacation.

    I do have to tow off-road and without the mods I have done to m current trailer it would be in splinters
  • marininn's avatar
    marininn
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    George H wrote:
    I had both a goose neck horse trailer and a 5th wheel camper that I towed behind the same truck, 6mpg with either.


    Thanks, but what were they?
    (I see the Carry lite in your sig, that is a massive 5er, way, way more frontal area than a horse trailer, but what was your horse trailer? Did it have flat or curved front? How high? How wide? How long?)
    I know the camper 5th wheelers are big and have a massive frontal area, that is not what I want. Horse trailers can be smaller. There are gooseneck horse trailers with curved or pointed aero fronts that do not sit much higher than the TV and are the same width or more narrow. AND there are ones that have a hugh, high flat frontal area that probably get the same bad mpg's as a camper.

    I am more interested in the aero horse trailers as I know anything big and flat will be bad.

    6 sounds like a gasser.
  • valhalla360's avatar
    valhalla360
    Navigator
    Jun 07, 2017
    I'm really surprised, they don't build them a bit taller and sell them as toy haulers. The exterior seems better built (or maybe I making in incorrect assumption).

    As far as towing, I wouldn't expect much.

    We got 13.5 with the signature. We swapped out for a 2001 F250 with V10 and got about 9.5. Don't have numbers on the new trailer we picked up last week yet.
  • Tal_IL's avatar
    Tal_IL
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.


    Made me laugh... A few years ago there was a big Willie Nelson concert at the WSRC in Sparta, IL on the same weekend as the U.S. Open Trapshooting Championships.(We were there to shoot.) I think every one of the 1,000 campsites on the property was full. A bunch of the concert goers were camping in goose-neck stock trailers. Ever since then, we've referred to stock trailers as "Willie Nelson campers".
  • C_B_'s avatar
    C_B_
    Explorer II
    Jun 07, 2017
    Just did a trip from Appleton,WI to Grapevine,TX

    Tow Vehicle 2004 Ford F-350 4X4 CC SB 6.0 diesel 125,000 miles.

    Towing 2013 Cedar Creek 36CKTS 5th wheel.

    Round trip miles 2,376

    Total fuel 218.3 gallons


    MPG===10.884


    C.B.
  • dmck413's avatar
    dmck413
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    14000 lb 5th wheel with 6.7 stock 11-12 depending on terrain.
  • George_H's avatar
    George_H
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    I had both a goose neck horse trailer and a 5th wheel camper that I towed behind the same truck, 6mpg with either.
  • the_bear_II's avatar
    the_bear_II
    Explorer
    Jun 07, 2017
    For over 10 years I have been reading posts on this and other RV forums. Most RV'ers with 5th wheels report between 6-12 MPG while towing and fully loaded for camping.

    I have also read many posts from RV'ers who have tried to improve their towing MPG. Aerodynamic add ons, more efficient fuel/air delivery systems, more efficient exhaust systems, different gearing, different tires or air pressure in the tires... The results from these efforts result in at most a 1 to 3 MPG improvement. I've read about folks spending $2500 to $5000 in an attempt to improve MPG only to get 1 to 3 MPG more.

    In my opinion... RV'ing is an expense that is worth every penny. There are hidden savings... better mindset, health, exercise and quality family time.

    Don't worry about the cost....enjoy the ride.

    Buy a factory made 5th wheel travel trailer and start the adventure. Don't waste time and money in trying to put something together unless it's your dream to build something out of a horse trailer.

    Just my opinion and I wish you luck in this new adventure.

    By the way I have a Chevy 4500 with a Duarmax Diesel. I pull a 7.5 foot wide X 12.5 foot tall X 38 foot long 5th wheel that weighs 15,000lbs. I average 10 MPG while towing.

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