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Towing resistance, old and new

Red-Rover
Explorer
Explorer
For the past 10 years I have been towing a 1993 Prowler 30 ft with a height of exactly 12 foot. I am about to pull the trigger on a new 29 foot Silver Back of similar weight and pin weight but a foot taller (13 foot) The dealer says that the improved aerodynamics with a nose cap will make up the difference and I should not notice any difference.
Anybody out there that can tell me of their own experience?
2014 Cougar 313RLI
2017 F250, 6.2L Gas, Crew Cab, Short Bed
19 REPLIES 19

C_Schomer
Explorer
Explorer
Yeh, I wouldn't worry about a little more drag. I went from a 15 yr old medium profile 10k lb 5er to a hi profile 15k 5er that has a tapered down roof at the front. The extra weight sure made a difference in acceleration and topping hills and I lost 2 mpg - 14 down to 12. I also had to slow down 5 mph to get 12 but I'm getting used to 65 mph. I can feel more wind drag so I'm sure the mpg loss was part weight and part wind drag but it wasn't the end of the world! Craig
2012 Dodge 3500 DRW CCLB 4wd, custom hauler bed.
2008 Sunnybrook Titan 30 RKFS Morryde and Disc brakes
WILL ROGERS NEVER MET JOE BIDEN!

Cummins12V98
Explorer III
Explorer III
Who really cares? Hook up and go have a good time!!!!!!!!!
2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Explorer II
Ummmm, what would one expect a sales person to say? :W

travelnutz
Explorer II
Explorer II
Traveling on the same roads at the same speed and wind temperature conditions you should not see basically any difference in mpg's. The extra foot in height should be offset by the better aerodynamics of the new front cap design. I'm assuming both towables have the same tire size and inflation as a softer 65 psi inflated tire will squat more and have a larger footprint on the road's surface which relates to friction than the same width tire carrying the same weight inflated to 80 psi. A small difference but it is a difference and does alter rolling resistance numbers.

Air resistance actually relates to surface friction.

A simple basic factor to keep in mind is that at 55-60 mph towing, the average air (wind) resistance in your RV example is about 2 times (2.1) the rolling resistance. Towing the same RV unit at 65-70 mph the air (wind) resistance increases it to 3 to 1 (3.1).

The rolling resistance of a given wheeled vehicle remains basically a constant regardless of the speed you could pull it at on a road. However, the air resistance squares itself (multiplies) as the speed increases beginning at approx just under 50 mph. As in approx 2 times for 55-60 mph and 3 times for the 65-70 range. 80 mph would be cloe to 5 times.

This is why "wind tunnels labs" are used to measure actual air resistance. Aerodynamics play a huge part in altering the averages but even a very sharp needle going thru the air still has ever increasing air (wind) resistance as the velocity increases. The angular sides of the increasing needle diameter is forcing the air molecules to move away from the needle surface and thus creates friction and resistance.

Now add in the air forced compacted air behind the end of a needle or an RV being sucked back to fill the void (space) where the needle or RV had occupied and a sucking action pulling backward is the result. This resistance is friction and then sucking and at very high speeds it even creates extreme heat.

That's why the space shuttles must have extreme heat tiles on it's forward surface for reentry and even they glow bright red from the extreme heat that results. They want the sucking action created as it helps the shuttle to slow naturally but you don't want that sucking action pulling your RV unit backwards. The faster, the higher the sucking force is.
A superb CC LB 4X4, GM HD Diesel, airbags, Rancho's, lots more
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Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Explorer
newman fulltimer wrote:
I would not worry about it a brick is a brick nomatter if you round the corners.if you enjoyed the prowler you will enjoy the creek

Best answer! Those small differences probably matter to trucking companies that put in millions of miles a year...for us, not so much.

Easiest way to improve mileage is, as always: slow down! Fuel use at different speeds calculator
" Not every mind that wanders is lost. " With apologies to J.R.R. Tolkien

MFL
Nomad II
Nomad II
My current FW is taller, longer, and much heavier than my previous FW. It is however, much more aerodynamic. I am not a mpg worrier, but didn't notice any real change between the two.

I was more concerned about the ease of towing, with the larger trailer. As it turned out, the new one pulled just as easy as the smaller previous FW.

I would have to agree with the sales person,
Jerry

wilber1
Explorer
Explorer
prairie camper wrote:
Red-Rover wrote:
For the past 10 years I have been towing a 1993 Prowler 30 ft with a height of exactly 12 foot. I am about to pull the trigger on a new 29 foot Silver Back of similar weight and pin weight but a foot taller (13 foot) The dealer says that the improved aerodynamics with a nose cap will make up the difference and I should not notice any difference.
Anybody out there that can tell me of their own experience?


Actually the shortest new Silverback is 34 ft. We have the 29 RE and our last fifth wheel was 27 ft. and lower than the Silverback mileage is the same for both, around 10-12 MPG. Ram 2500 CTD. Happy camping:)


I can believe that. A larger ratio between height and length tends to improve aerodynamics and the greater length probably balanced out the difference in height.

We have been mulling over a 29IK as a replacement for our Titanium which is 6" lower. My chief concerns with the taller trailer would be overpasses, gas station canopy's and tree branches, not fuel mileage.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC

2011 RAM 3500 SRW
2015 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

old_guy
Explorer
Explorer
like the lizard man in the last star fighter said " theoretically"

prairie_camper
Explorer
Explorer
Red-Rover wrote:
For the past 10 years I have been towing a 1993 Prowler 30 ft with a height of exactly 12 foot. I am about to pull the trigger on a new 29 foot Silver Back of similar weight and pin weight but a foot taller (13 foot) The dealer says that the improved aerodynamics with a nose cap will make up the difference and I should not notice any difference.
Anybody out there that can tell me of their own experience?


Actually the shortest new Silverback is 34 ft. We have the 29 RE and our last fifth wheel was 27 ft. and lower than the Silverback mileage is the same for both, around 10-12 MPG. Ram 2500 CTD. Happy camping:)

VintageRacer
Explorer
Explorer
A significant amount of drag is actually produced by the rear aspect of the trailer. That's why the Airtab vortex generators work so well. Anything like a rear cap, rounded rear corners and roof cap, works to smooth the airflow off the rear corners of the trailer and reduces drag.

Brian
2005 F250 Supercab, Powerstroke, 5 speed automatic, 3.73 gears.
20 ft race car hauler, Lola T440 Formula Ford, NTM MK4 Sports Racer
1980 MCI MC-5C highway coach conversion
2004 Travelhawk 8' Truck Camper

newman_fulltime
Explorer II
Explorer II
I would not worry about it a brick is a brick nomatter if you round the corners.if you enjoyed the prowler you will enjoy the creek

the_bear_II
Explorer
Explorer
For me just the fact that I'm out in the RV enjoying the outdoors and life far outweighs any costs incurred. 3MPG or 12MPG I would still be out travelling in my RV.

Red-Rover
Explorer
Explorer
Mileage is not the issue for me but with my present Prowler, I will average 9.8 mpg at the end of almost any 2000 mile trip. Considerably less in the western mountains but I once got 22 mpg over a 4 hour period with a 25 mph tailwind. Really sailing.
2014 Cougar 313RLI
2017 F250, 6.2L Gas, Crew Cab, Short Bed

B_O__Plenty
Explorer II
Explorer II
I can't imagine it will make much if any difference. Maybe one mpg. Will that be enough to offset the cost of the upgrade??

B.O.
Former Ram/Cummins owner
2015 Silverado 3500 D/A DRW
Yup I'm a fanboy!
2016 Cedar Creek 36CKTS