MPG with and without TT
I just got back from a down and back trip to pick up our new TT, a 2016 Riverside Retro 177SE (2,980# unloaded). My previous experience was pulling a 1,600# popup with a Subaru Forester. In the Forest...
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Smaller tow vehicles sometimes will have a Sail Area limit listed in the owners manual. Wind resistance is such a huge load on the drivetrain they limit the front sail area of the trailer you are rated to tow to prevent damage to the transmission, axles and engine.
In general though towing is not easy on mpg and at speed above 50 or so it requires exponentially more and more fuel. A example that is a little extreme is the Bugatti Veyron. It needs just 270 Horse Power to go 155MPH, but requires a further 750 Horse Power just to gain another 100MPH to get to it's top speed of 255mph. Nearly all of it is because of wind resistance.
In general though towing is not easy on mpg and at speed above 50 or so it requires exponentially more and more fuel. A example that is a little extreme is the Bugatti Veyron. It needs just 270 Horse Power to go 155MPH, but requires a further 750 Horse Power just to gain another 100MPH to get to it's top speed of 255mph. Nearly all of it is because of wind resistance.
