realistic MPG expectations
after some searching, I'm wondering what kind of mileage people are getting when towing. I know the frontal area of the trailer is a big factor, as far as wind resistance, even more so than weight. ...
Forum Discussion
dodge guy wrote:
My gas mileage with the wind deflector would disagree with you! I bought one 2 years ago and my towing mileage increased by approx. .8mpg. so my $75 craiglist investment paid for itself on our trip to Myrtle Beach. My Excursion tows very differently with it. no more does it downshift at the slightest headwind or hill. and with my scanner the throttle opening % decreased by about 12%. so yes they do work, but as was stated they need top be back near the TT. On my X the wing is at the very rear and it does what it is supposed to do. I believe on a Pick Up truck with a TT it would not be very helpful due to the distance between the trailer and cab.
Maybe you have more of a perfect setup. I was interested in them years back and did a ton of research. From reading the posts of many who've purchased them before, most say that it's not worth it. The vehicle height differential, angle of the deflector, width of the deflector, and the gap between the deflector and the trailer all have to be setup correctly in order to see any real gains. Often times the airflow falls off the trailing edge of the deflector and gets sucked into the low pressure trailer gap negating gains.
