Front Contour of TT

I think my Weber grill cooks better because if it's rounded shape,
Oh, sorry, you weren't askiing about BBQ grills. I guess I just read too much into your question.

TheGreatWaz00 wrote:
WOW. Some of you simply do not read a person's question and want to provide answers to what you "think" they are asking! downtheroad, I did not say anywhere in my question about aerodynamics that this is a consideration for my purchase. I simply am curious if people can feel the drag or does the contour really make a difference.

Thanks GrandpaKip. YOUR reply was useful

Ok, you ask two questions...

Yeah, we can feel the drag!

My favorite two examples:

1) An early trip, I wanted to pass a slow semi truck. I am pulling up behind him at a good clip, I pull out to pass and suddenly, I can't pass...Whoops, I was drafting and it's a big deal!

2) I-70 through Maryland- there's a couple thousand feet of topography and some 5 and 6% descents. Without the camper, the TV will hit 90 unless I brake. With the camper attached...I have to keep a little power on thanks to the big square front and big square back.

Sorry, I cannot compare a "streamlined" camper, but I have pulled equally heavy tractors on utility trailers that weighed the same. They weren't "aerodynamic" but had much much less big flat frontal and back side panels to generate drag...the TV works much less hard going down the highway, but very much the same in town.

I towed it for 651 miles into a 23 to 25 MPH headwind/right side crosswind and it was raining, I averaged 9.8 MPG, no sway when passed by a semi
when looking in the mirror you could see the rain following the contour of the front of the TT

X-3 when it comes to sitting in bed and hitting your head on the sloping front.

Quite annoying.

If you can get a hold of someone that tows RV trailers for a living, ie delivering them. THEY WILL tell you that there is some difference in mpg with different trailer designs, along with sidewalls. THe smooth fiberglass walls will net some additional MPGs. A non front slide 5w with smooth walls, the best of std style rv's. Airstreams get the best of the pull behinds.

Now you are into as someone noted. how much improvement for mpgs?!?!?!? yes, some rigs with rounded fronts tow easier generally speaking also.

The thing to look at that a log of semi's are doing, is look at the rear of the trailer. SOme designs are better than others for airflow improvement, which at the end of the day, should allow for an easier tow.

Marty

Andy F wrote:
We had a block-shaped Rockwood Roo and then we moved up to our current TT a Keystone Bullet. Big towing improvement overall but I can't definitively say it's all about the aerodynamic front end. I didn't see much for mpg improvement but I wasn't expecting that either!

The wide stance axles seem to also make a difference. I was surprised at the improvement in towing considering we added approximately 800-900 pounds in weight.

Thanks Andy F . Your feedback is very useful. :)

WOW. Some of you simply do not read a person's question and want to provide answers to what you "think" they are asking! downtheroad, I did not say anywhere in my question about aerodynamics that this is a consideration for my purchase. I simply am curious if people can feel the drag or does the contour really make a difference.

Thanks GrandpaKip. YOUR reply was useful

301TBS wrote:
One thing I dont like with our sloped front is trying to sit up in bed to read or watch tv is difficult.

X2

We had a v-nose 16' converted cargo trailer, 2500 lb., and got 11 mpg. Now, with almost 4000 lb., 7 feet more, one more axle, and a flat, slightly sloped front, 10 mpg. Same truck. Methinks the v-nose is just hype for the most part. For the best aerodynamic shape, just look at any passenger plane. There was an RV made like that once.

Getting a compound-curved front cap will lighten your wallet but they sure look sexy.

Our salesman said that the bugs would simply flow around the cap but there's just as many to clean off... Pffft.

One advantage to the "flat" ones might be that if you ever had to do repairs, it would be straightforward. I can't imagine getting a replacement fiberglass cap from the TT manufacturer years later. The contour of these things can change from MY to MY too.