'68Monaco440HP
Corpus Christi, Texas
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Joined: 11/14/2003
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I also spec'd my rig for economy. I bought an aerodynamic, all-aluminum 34' trailer and a 6-speed Dodge CTD 2WD. I see 13+ on the secondary highways, and 15+ on the Interstate at 63 mph. The aerodynamic, lighter weight trailer is a BIG help. Note that my trailer is 6' longer but weighs the same (7,380# loaded for full-timing).
On the other hand, how many miles one tows annually is a better determinant of economy. If it is only a few thousand, then changing TV's before the TV is worn out (12-15 years or 200m miles on a gas motor), is not economical. Depreciation, etc, eats far more money than fuel.
I believe I have another one mpg to improve (probably by dropping to 58-9 mph/1700 rpm), but I would NEVER own a square box to tow.
Plenty of used well-made aerodynamic aluminum trailers out there, and that is where I would start. Literally, one is putting the cart before the horse when towing a box (being concerned for economy).
A 300 mile day for me -- on the Interstate -- is about 19.25 gals, versus a 10-mpg rig at 30- gals; or, at $4/gas and $5/diesel = $25 in fuel, per day ($95 versus $120). (At prices I paid today -- $4.59 diesel and $3.87 regular -- it is a spread of $27).
The savings is not as great as you may think (compared to a gas version of the same truck with a similar trailer another owner showed 12/17 tow/solo), I find that only when gas/diesel is at 50-cents per gallon differential that the cost difference is negligible. Otherwise, the gas motor looks good (it just doesn't tow as well or last as long).
A diesel TV and a lighter weight aerodynamic trailer is the future. Gotta have both to get top numbers IMO.
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Grandad's Dodge Monaco & 1966 28' Streamline
@11,300#; 10 mpg solo & towing
Parents: '76 Cadillac & 1975 28' Silver Streak
12,900#; 8 mpg tow, 12-14 solo
Us: Dodge CTD 6-spd; 1983 34' Silver Streak
15,750#, 13-15 tow, 19-22 solo
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TXiceman
(Near) Houston,TX
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Joined: 11/17/2000
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Better fuel economy...slow down.
Chips and gas engines usually mean premium fuel.
Ken
KE5DFR
Vintage 1979 Silver Streak Supreme Rocket toted by a 2002 F350, crewcab dually, 7.3L,4.10 axle,SCMT. Travel with two miniature Schnauzers and one African Gray parrot. Practicing for retirement!
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Airstreamer67
Pineville, LA USA
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Joined: 11/07/2002
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68Monaco, what you say is true. However, there are things one can do with a conventional trailer to just about equal the economy wrought by the aerodynamics of a bullet trailer.
In my case, when I added an air deflector wing on the top of my campertop and AirTabs to my JayFeather trailer, my mileage pulling the conventional JayFeather equalled my mileage pulling my Airstream. Prior to the wing, the Airstream was more economical to pull.
On a 3275-mile trip a month ago with my JayFeather, I travelled 3275 miles and used 223 gallons of diesel for an overall average of 14.7 mpg. That's as good as I could get with the Airstream, even though the Airstream is shorter and lighter by about a thousand pounds (6000 v 5000).
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cec311311
N. Carolina
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Joined: 05/09/2007
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I have the hemi and a 2500. I get between 7-9 towing my 7500 lb trailer. Your not going to get mileage from a small block toting itself and 7500 lbs. Just gotta suck it up or drop some change for a diesel.
2007 Dutchmen 29QG-S
2003 Dodge 2500 Quad Cab 4x4 5.7 "Hemi"
Equalizer and a Prodigy
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Dmanos
Newcastle, TX
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Joined: 08/09/2006
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I would be disappointed with that mileage. Towing my 7K race trailer with my small block (6.0L) I get about 9-10 mpg running dead-on 65 mph.
One thing you didn't mention is what gears are you running?
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Caddywhompus
Southeast WI
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Joined: 06/27/2001
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Dmanos wrote:I would be disappointed with that mileage. Towing my 7K race trailer with my small block (6.0L) I get about 9-10 mpg running dead-on 65 mph. A race trailerprobably present less frontal area and lower drag than a travel trailer. The Dutchmen the OP is talking about is a lot higher off the ground than most race trailers and probably also taller and wider. It's not hard to see another couple mpg drop off when you think about it that way.
'04 Ford Freestar (Primary tow vehicle)
'05 Subaru Forester (Backup tow vehicle)
'65 Bethany popup (best popups ever made!)
Looking for a tow vehicle
Minivan towing
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deafanimator
WI
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Joined: 05/30/2007
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My Ram has gear ratio 3.92 with automatic 5 speeds... Factory 20 inches rims with Goodyear tires 275/60/20.
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Dmanos
Newcastle, TX
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Joined: 08/09/2006
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Caddywhompus wrote:Dmanos wrote:I would be disappointed with that mileage. Towing my 7K race trailer with my small block (6.0L) I get about 9-10 mpg running dead-on 65 mph. A race trailer probably present less frontal area and lower drag than a travel trailer. The Dutchmen the OP is talking about is a lot higher off the ground than most race trailers and probably also taller and wider. It's not hard to see another couple mpg drop off when you think about it that way. Good point. I was thinking strictly in terms of weight. And I do have a v-nose trailer, although I am skeptical as to how much that actually helps.
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vanman250
Indiana
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Joined: 01/21/2004
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You can increase your gas mileage by 50% towing or not it a simple little secret I found all you have to do is $#@%*758768b 9879*&( #@!4 98y69678675 iUGIYUg 900 08&(*7 998( 898. government edit this is not for public viewing. and that's all you have to do. They just don't want people to know.
vanman250
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M GO BLUE
Southgate, MI
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Joined: 01/29/2001
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deafanimator wrote:Thanks for info.. So I feel little better about your trucks mpg and my truck mpg.
I heard that new Dodge, Ford, and Chevy next year or two they will offer smaller diesel engine for half ton trucks which they will have over 300 hp and over 450lbs torque. They suppose to get 25-30 on highway mileages and I am sure they will get half mpg for towing. Wait and see if all three big trucks companies will have smaller version diesel engines.
Big engine but still a small truck....
ERIC & BEV
2005 Chevy Silverado 3500 dually CC/LB Duramax/Allison
2008 Jayco Designer 35RLTS fith wheel
Built-In Onan 5500W generator
MERRY CHRISTMAS!
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