Fuel economy with 1 vs 2 trailers

We tow a utility trailer with a Polaris side by side, full cab. As you mentioned, we get additional drag ( probably due to the square front of the side by side).....especially noticeable into a head wind!

Can’t get you a fuel mileage estimate, as all of our trips with the Ranger behind, have been short trips. But, I can testify, that into a wind ....considerably more throttleis required!

Cummins12V98 wrote:
I tow a combined 33k with just the 5er and get 9mpg AVERAGE hand calc. When I add the Kendon MC trailer and two full size bikes I get 8.5 at a combined 35k. It does effect pulling grades a small amount.

Geeze, your 5er is bigger than my house is.

MFL, I don't intend to tow a second trailer, I was just curious if it had much of an effect on those that do tow doubles. If I was going to tow a double, I would get a bigger truck, and make it a diesel.

Thanks for the replies!

I have towed double, with a boat behind the FW, for 25 years and notice almost no difference in mileage with our without the boat in tow. Didn't really notice mileage when using a gasser, but with my diesels here in Wyoming, no noticeable difference.

Double towed with a 5.7 engine 3/4 ton chevy....26' 7600 lb 5th wheel trailer....3500 lb bass boat/150 ob/trailer for several years.
The 3500 lb bass boat would drop mpg around one to 1 1/2 from just the 5th wheel trailer alone.
JMO the new gen 3/4 ton diesel pulling this same double tow combination may see no mpg change.
I doubt the second toy trailer has any aero advantage....or disadvantage unless a strong sidewind.

I tow a combined 33k with just the 5er and get 9mpg AVERAGE hand calc. When I add the Kendon MC trailer and two full size bikes I get 8.5 at a combined 35k. It does effect pulling grades a small amount.

I tow a single axle 2200 lb enclosed utility trailer behind my 5th wheel.

The difference in fuel economy is negligible. I find head and tail winds have a much more dramatic effect with or without the utility trailer.

In fact if it were not for my camera on the back of the 5th wheel I would never know if the utility trailer was there.

I can notice a little difference when towing a second trailer. I tow an open utility trailer behind my FW sometimes, with 2-3 motorcycles on it. It amounts to 12-15 hundred lbs total. I normally will only drop 1 mpg, towing on level and rolling hills. I drop from 65, to 60 mph, when towing double though, which I am sure helps some too.

I see an Ecoboost on your profile page. If towing a second trailer requires more turbo operation, you may see a higher drop in mpg.

Jerry