Forum Discussion

zogg's avatar
zogg
Explorer
May 07, 2013

"V" Nose Trailer Make Any Difference???

We just bought a new Forrest River Flafstaff V Nose trailer. We bought it because ofnthe floor plan and the other amenities. It "happened to be" a V nose , but that is not why we bought it.

However, the salesman made a really big deal about how the v nose would cut through the wind providing better gas mileage....I am sure it is probably good for a tenth of a mile per gallon or so, but it will not make it an economy king...hahaa

He also insisted that it would be more stable on the road, as the nose cuts through the wind and forces tne wind down the sides making it less resistant to cross winds....

Is that at all possible?
  • Not having a V nose I can only speculate. I would suspect that your tow vehicle distrupts the wind for any trailer as it is first into the wind. And below around 45 mph wind resistence is not really much of a factor. As to cross winds, I almost see the opposite issue. The V nose is at the angle to be a direct hit from any quartering wind from the side that is coming from a direction in front. The V nose might even be worse in some cross winds. I think that for a 'no wind situation' (almost never in Nevada) the V nose might gain a miniscule amount of fuel mileage gain. I have looked at a few V nose trailers and like the floor plans so you made the right decision by getting what you want regardless of the nose style.
  • Congrats on the new rig purchase, you bought it for the right reasons. I've seen video where a V-nose unit was towed by the same truck compared to a similar sized/weight rig and according to the results, less gas was used towing the V-nose but it wasn't anything significant. Happy camping in your new Flagstaff!!!
  • Aerodynamic trailers do tow better at higher speeds. My Avion tows better than big box trailers of the same size. The curved edges seem to limit the influence of cross winds. Having said that, I have no idea if the "V" shape on the front will limit the effect of cross winds. I would think that you would need some aerodynamic help along the entire side to help with cross winds, but I'm no expert.
  • well they sell those "bubbles" for standard UHaul type of trailers to improve aerodynamics so I don't doubt a V nose would help, whether it is measurable or not is questionable. there is a reason that most boats are designed that way.
    bumpy
  • Less resistant to cross-winds and better gas mileage, huh? There's certainly some advantage to a more aerodynamic shape in some applications (planes, racecars, etc.), but I'm not sure I would put much stock at all in those claims when it comes to towing a multi-ton brick down the road.
  • First of all, congrats on your new trailer, and I second buying it because you like it. I would think it would make a difference. Wind hitting a V has to go around a trailer better than wind hitting a wall.
  • You bought your new rig for all the RIGHT REASONS.."floor plan, amenities, etc."

    In my opinion, the sales pitch of mileage and stability is baloney, or at best, minimal. Disclaimer: But, then again, I don't own one.

    Congrats on the new rig.