Towing MPG

[olddog]

Originally Posted by MOTORHEAD

Looking for input re; towing your Cobra in a covered trailer.
My tow vehicle is a '99 F 250 Super Duty crew cab, 2wheel drive automatic w o/d, with 7.3 turbo diesel.
Hiway mpg (no load) 20-22 @ 70mph.
I have towed many types and sizes of trailers, and the worse mpg was 14mpg,
that is until I got a 2006 20' 2 axle enclosed car hauler some years ago with a bent axle. Had both axles replaced @ factory 3-4 yrs ago (torsion type)
My hiway mpg @ 70 has been 10-12 mpg, and the trailer seems to tow "hard", as based on my gas pedal needing to go further to the floor than it used to, to the point that the angle of my foot is uncomfortable for any great distance.
I've had the wheel alignment checked, and while off a bit ,the trailer shop that checked it said it was better than most he sees, and shouldn't be a problem.
Anyone have any thoughts on the subject ??

Ted

I used a friends F350 V10 and enclosed trailer to haul my Cobra from Louisiana to Ohio. Pulled the trail empty to Louisiana. It got ~ 10 MPG both ways. I would expect a diesel to get about 20-25% better.

Unless you have brake drag or low tire pressure, I doubt there is a problem. I think it is wind drag. Enclosed trailers drag a bunch of air. Slow down 10 mph and see how much the MPG improves. Dragging air uses a lot of power and the faster you go the more power it takes.

I have seen some air foils to help split the air in front and close the air back up on the back. I see them all the time on Semi trailers. I expect they save money on fuel.