Fuel economy with 1 vs 2 trailers

[avoidcrowds]

I see a few rigs with a fiver and a toy trailer. Just curious if there is a difference in fuel economy when towing the second, vs just towing the fiver. Seems like you would lose some economy, but maybe the toy trailer disrupts the vortex enough to cancel the effect of extra weight and tires.

[memtb]

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!

[SidecarFlip]

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.

[avoidcrowds]

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!

[jalichty]

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.

[JIMNLIN]

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.

[Cummins12V98]

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.

[RCMAN46]

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.

[MFL]

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