Looks nice Tim. Happy you found something.
Trailer Shopping
- Thread starter Tony_G
- Start date
- Staff
- #62
Post Colorado Trailer "Report" - Some of you have asked how my trailer and truck did pulling out to Colorado. Per the other thread about overfilling, my trans kept overheating on the way out and I got really bad MPG's, however, we did have 25 mph crosswinds across Kansas and couple that with all of the long hills, and it at the time, seemed sorta normal. But, after talking to Tony who also has an EcoBoost F150 and trailer similar to mine, it was clear it was not normal. AFTER the fix (replace trans filter and fluid) the truck picked up 3 mpg and the temp remained in the middle.
I knew going in that the taller trailer would result in less MPG, and have accepted that for the few times I used it per year. It is what it is. It pulled well, straight and although quite a bit heavier than the Serpent (2,800 vs 1,800lbs) , wasn't bad. I added E-Track and bought the tire tie down straps from E-Trailer, part # EM58523-09162-4 that worked well.
Some things that have been discussed on here before, but, worth bringing up again:
Moral of the story, don't by the trailer for the fuel mileage, but it for the miles of smiles you'll have at the end of the trip.
Chime in if you have more info.
I knew going in that the taller trailer would result in less MPG, and have accepted that for the few times I used it per year. It is what it is. It pulled well, straight and although quite a bit heavier than the Serpent (2,800 vs 1,800lbs) , wasn't bad. I added E-Track and bought the tire tie down straps from E-Trailer, part # EM58523-09162-4 that worked well.
Some things that have been discussed on here before, but, worth bringing up again:
- Although the height adds more front surface area, the real issues with towing ANY trailer are:
- Speed - Speed kills MPG's. On the way back, I had to fill the 30 gallon tank about every 150 miles doing 70 - 72mph with the AC on. The truck computer calculated that to be around 6.9 - 7mpg. (It wasn't exactly 150 miles, some more, some less than that) When I slowed to 64mph, the mpg increased to 8.2mpg. Which, would gain me about 30 miles a tank. For me, I always want to cover at least a mile per minute, so, at least 60mph.
- I was thinking about this last night, and, if I had to stop 8 times over the course of my trip to fill up, add the time stopped and to fill up....the amount of time spent stopping/filling tank along with the 70mph speed didn't gain me a lot of time over just going slower.
- Wind/aero - Wind, any wind, will kill mpg. Paul has pointed out before that the other issue is aero. If you have a trailer with a squared off back, the aero/wind will actually "pull" the trailer back. I saw several trailers on the way out with a "spoiler" on the back to help with that. Looks like something that could be built easily and added.
- Tire pressure - Doesn't affect it as much as Speed and Aero, but, still a factor. I ran an air pressure of 52psi.
- Speed - Speed kills MPG's. On the way back, I had to fill the 30 gallon tank about every 150 miles doing 70 - 72mph with the AC on. The truck computer calculated that to be around 6.9 - 7mpg. (It wasn't exactly 150 miles, some more, some less than that) When I slowed to 64mph, the mpg increased to 8.2mpg. Which, would gain me about 30 miles a tank. For me, I always want to cover at least a mile per minute, so, at least 60mph.
Moral of the story, don't by the trailer for the fuel mileage, but it for the miles of smiles you'll have at the end of the trip.
Chime in if you have more info.
- Staff
- #64
Rich, possibly. What was your average speed home? Still, overall, I'm fine with the Powerboost
- Staff
- #65
Yes indeed, 6.5 mpg for the Escalade… $1000 in fuel for trip +|-… ran 75mph… cruise control… fill up often (dash displayedPost Colorado Trailer "Report" - Some of you have asked how my trailer and truck did pulling out to Colorado. Per the other thread about overfilling, my trans kept overheating on the way out and I got really bad MPG's, however, we did have 25 mph crosswinds across Kansas and couple that with all of the long hills, and it at the time, seemed sorta normal. But, after talking to Tony who also has an EcoBoost F150 and trailer similar to mine, it was clear it was not normal. AFTER the fix (replace trans filter and fluid) the truck picked up 3 mpg and the temp remained in the middle.
I knew going in that the taller trailer would result in less MPG, and have accepted that for the few times I used it per year. It is what it is. It pulled well, straight and although quite a bit heavier than the Serpent (2,800 vs 1,800lbs) , wasn't bad. I added E-Track and bought the tire tie down straps from E-Trailer, part # EM58523-09162-4 that worked well.
Some things that have been discussed on here before, but, worth bringing up again:
So for you new trailer owners, know that your MPG's will suffer. In my case, without trailer 24mpg to 8mpg. It is what it is. Anyway, something to ponder as you shop for a trailer.
- Although the height adds more front surface area, the real issues with towing ANY trailer are:
- Speed - Speed kills MPG's. On the way back, I had to fill the 30 gallon tank about every 150 miles doing 70 - 72mph with the AC on. The truck computer calculated that to be around 6.9 - 7mpg. (It wasn't exactly 150 miles, some more, some less than that) When I slowed to 64mph, the mpg increased to 8.2mpg. Which, would gain me about 30 miles a tank. For me, I always want to cover at least a mile per minute, so, at least 60mph.
- I was thinking about this last night, and, if I had to stop 8 times over the course of my trip to fill up, add the time stopped and to fill up....the amount of time spent stopping/filling tank along with the 70mph speed didn't gain me a lot of time over just going slower.
- Wind/aero - Wind, any wind, will kill mpg. Paul has pointed out before that the other issue is aero. If you have a trailer with a squared off back, the aero/wind will actually "pull" the trailer back. I saw several trailers on the way out with a "spoiler" on the back to help with that. Looks like something that could be built easily and added.
- Tire pressure - Doesn't affect it as much as Speed and Aero, but, still a factor. I ran an air pressure of 52psi.
Moral of the story, don't by the trailer for the fuel mileage, but it for the miles of smiles you'll have at the end of the trip.
Chime in if you have more info.
“Heavy fuel use”… )…I enjoyed the trip but fill ups every 140+ miles sucks… it was a great well planned trip, great friends and beautiful scenery … lost my side door no biggie, made it exciting…followed Tim’s recommendation to contact Hwy61 Trailer…bingo door was IN STOCK!!! Be repaired as we speak… it’s all good!
Like always, on the way home I drove hard. At or just above the speed limit, 70% of that right into a head wind.
Kansas is the only state in the country where you have a head wind no matter which direction you drive.
- Staff
- #67
My Powerboost averaged 10.6 for the entire trip.
- Staff
- #68
Speed??
- Staff
- #69
70MPH
- Staff
- #70
75-80 mph….6.5 to 7.0 gph - dash indicated ““heavy fuel consumption”… normally around town 15-18gph… pulling trailer w/ car inside certainly makes a difference..
7.5 to Gunnison - 9.5 back home - 85mph most of the time.
- Staff
- #72
That looks sweet, how hard is it to crawl around and strap down all the wheels?
I like the LED tape lighting!
Looks like you did a great job Tim. What did you end up putting down on your floor?
- Staff
- #79
I used a paint suggested by Tony that he used on his. https://www.homedepot.com/pep/Rust-...sed-Interior-Exterior-Paint-7786402/100201855
