Affect of trailer weight on mileage
First off, I know some people get irked about mileage questions. But some of us just want to know these things. I put on a lot of miles towing, and a significant decrease in mileage adds up. Fuel ...
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Wisconsin doesn't have a lot of mountains.
Grades are where weight impacts fuel mileage significantly.
The frontal area is the major fuel mileage cost.
Normal near flat land towing - you might see a 5-10% decrease in mileage (0.6-1.2 mpg) - which you can get back by changing your driving habits.
First - the trailer takes more to get rolling and up to speed. If you drive with the higher weight like you did with the lower weight - you will be pushing the pedal down more and using more fuel. Run by RPM, not speed. Yes, it will appear that you are not accelerating enough. Stay with the RPM while accelerating.
Second - what is your cruise speed. Moving from 65 to 60 as listed above can increase fuel usage by that same 5-10%.
I went from a 30 ft ball to spare tire trailer weighing 5,200 lbs loaded to a 35 ft ball to spare trailer weighing 8,400 lbs loaded - and lost only 0.2 mpg total by watching my driving habits carefully.
Grades are where weight impacts fuel mileage significantly.
The frontal area is the major fuel mileage cost.
Normal near flat land towing - you might see a 5-10% decrease in mileage (0.6-1.2 mpg) - which you can get back by changing your driving habits.
First - the trailer takes more to get rolling and up to speed. If you drive with the higher weight like you did with the lower weight - you will be pushing the pedal down more and using more fuel. Run by RPM, not speed. Yes, it will appear that you are not accelerating enough. Stay with the RPM while accelerating.
Second - what is your cruise speed. Moving from 65 to 60 as listed above can increase fuel usage by that same 5-10%.
I went from a 30 ft ball to spare tire trailer weighing 5,200 lbs loaded to a 35 ft ball to spare trailer weighing 8,400 lbs loaded - and lost only 0.2 mpg total by watching my driving habits carefully.
