|
|
02-15-2019, 12:00 PM
|
#1
|
Junior Member
Join Date: Aug 2017
Posts: 14
|
Towing Different Shapes
Afternoon, folks. I know this is not easy to answer, but I was hoping those who've towed a lot could shed some light. Is there any reason to think I would get any better fuel mileage towing an Ascape trailer as opposed to the Taylor Coach pictured below? As you can see, the Ascape is much more of a bullet shape than the Taylor Coach and they both weight about the same. 1500-1800lbs depending on the model.
For reference, my tow vehicle is a 2016 RAM 1500 QC, 4x4, Pentastar V6.
|
|
|
|
Join the #1 RV Forum Today - It's Totally Free!
iRV2.com RV Community - Are you about to start a new improvement on your RV or need some help with some maintenance? Do you need advice on what products to buy? Or maybe you can give others some advice? No matter where you fit in you'll find that iRV2 is a great community to join. Best of all it's totally FREE!
You are currently viewing our boards as a guest so you have limited access to our community. Please take the time to register and you will gain a lot of great new features including; the ability to participate in discussions, network with other RV owners, see fewer ads, upload photographs, create an RV blog, send private messages and so much, much more!
|
02-15-2019, 12:10 PM
|
#2
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 26,810
|
Ascape is more 'stream-lined' and the Taylor is more 'boxy' so you would think the Ascape would get better mileage.
But then again more then likely NOT enough to measure w/o doing full scientific wind tunnel tests.
Buy the one that best suits YOUR camping needs....
__________________
I took my Medication today. HAVE YOU?
Dodge 3500 w/Tractor Motor
US NAVY---USS Decatur DDG-31
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 12:18 PM
|
#3
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,654
|
The Ascape is narrower, lower and more streamlined so yes it should give better mpgs.
I'd sacrifice a couple mpg's for better comfort in the Taylor.
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 12:23 PM
|
#4
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Beaver Dam, Wisconsin
Posts: 5,146
|
My guess, is not much difference. The flat back end of both trailers acts like you are towing a parachute. If one back end is smaller than the other, it would probably provide better gas mileage.
The Ascape has a rounded front top. So does the Taylor. Both have 90 degree corners on the front sides. All those corners generate excessive turbulence.
A Casita or an Air Stream would provide better gas mileage.
__________________
Paul Bristol
Kodiak Cub 176RD
Nissan Pathfinder 2015
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 01:37 PM
|
#5
|
Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Jun 2015
Location: Kennewick, WA
Posts: 982
|
As an "experience" answer, and also with some "apples to oranges" comparison, here goes!!!
Went from a flat front 27' trailer to a 34' shaped front cap trailer and 2000+ lbs more with NO drop in mileage in almost all of our towing. Yes, both had the flat back, which does create some drag. I did expect to see some drop, but was pleasantly surprised with the end results.
Should say I'm comparing "cantaloupes to plums" due to the size differences between our trailer and the ones you're looking at!!!!!!
__________________
2016 Timber Ridge 280RKS
2003 Excursion XLT V10 4:30 Axles
DualCam HP 450W Roof Solar/320W Portable
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 03:33 PM
|
#6
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
|
The T@B is probably the most areodynamic of travel trailers. I think the guys that race bicycles that wear the long back helmet, sure it looks funny, but build a trailer like that helmet you probably will have the absolute best shape.
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 06:00 PM
|
#7
|
Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Oct 2014
Posts: 3,539
|
Yup, a submarine and a tuna have a teardrop shape for a reason. Wind tunnel tests confirm that a Model-A Ford is far more aerodynamic in reverse. And a couple thousand pounds weight difference doesn't have as much effect as you might think either. Wind speed has a much bigger effect on mileage. Mine will go from 9 MPG with no wind to 5 MPG with a 30 MPH headwind.
__________________
2020 F28 RKS Titanium
2017 Creekside 23 RBS Sold
2016 F250 Super Crew XLT Overworked
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 09:40 PM
|
#8
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: Palm Coast Florida
Posts: 12,995
|
Agree with head winds vs tail winds are a huge factor. Towing with a tail wind is much much easier than into a head wind. My old rig would go from 9 mpg into a head wind to 11.2 mpg towing with a tail wind.
Aerodynamics - look at the modern trucks with a slightly wider tailgate lip. Air comes off the cab roof and hits the tailgate lip to make the truck more areodynamic.
|
|
|
02-15-2019, 09:47 PM
|
#9
|
Senior Member
Outdoors RV Owners Club
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Nowhere, now here. Freedom!
Posts: 4,602
|
Buy the RV that you want to be in. The one that has the stuff that you want in an RV. The bed size you want to sleep on. The TV where you think you'd want it to be. The right sized things for what you want to do with it.
I live in my RV full time and travel around with it for work. If I'm not comfortable, I won't give a horse's patoot what the shape is or the fuel econ I get with it.
__________________
ORV 19B Full Timer from '15 to '20, '14 Ram 2500 Diesel and a GSD. Vancouver, WA
de K7NOL 146.52Mhz Safety? (CLICK ME!)
|
|
|
02-16-2019, 01:09 PM
|
#10
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2018
Posts: 1,643
|
Both of those are made for pullong with a car or SUV. I doulbe either will greatly affect the mileage of your truck. Which is like a brick in the wind
__________________
Professional mechanic.
2018 Ram 2500 HD Mega cab.
|
|
|
02-17-2019, 11:40 PM
|
#11
|
Senior Member
Fleetwood Owners Club
Join Date: Nov 2011
Posts: 1,143
|
If money wasn’t an issue and I was going for small, I’d get one of these. I’m always amazed that virtually no RV manufacturers bother to wind tunnel test their trailers or motor homes. https://safaricondo.com/en/caravanes-alto/
__________________
History:'05 Concord, '08 View, '05 Chinook, '01 Jamboree 24D, '78 Apache Popup, 81 Komfort Tlr,
84 Mazda B2000 'w canopy,Tent from wedding in '96
|
|
|
02-18-2019, 01:30 AM
|
#12
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2017
Location: VANCOUVER ISLAND, B.C.
Posts: 172
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by kltk1
Afternoon, folks. I know this is not easy to answer, but I was hoping those who've towed a lot could shed some light. Is there any reason to think I would get any better fuel mileage towing an Ascape trailer as opposed to the Taylor Coach pictured below? As you can see, the Ascape is much more of a bullet shape than the Taylor Coach and they both weight about the same. 1500-1800lbs depending on the model.
For reference, my tow vehicle is a 2016 RAM 1500 QC, 4x4, Pentastar V6.
|
If u are that concerned about mileage towing such a small trailer, you shouldn’t TOW.
Buy a trailer that makes you comfortable. Then buy the proper tow vehicle to move it. When the fuel tank needs filling, fill it.....if you can’t do that without worrying about the cost you will never enjoy RVing.
|
|
|
02-19-2019, 05:34 PM
|
#14
|
Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2018
Posts: 414
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by charliez
|
Too small for me. But, unlike most RVs, the Taylor Coach comes with a 4 year warranty. That's impressive.
|
|
|
|
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
|
|
Thread Tools |
Search this Thread |
|
|
Display Modes |
Linear Mode
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Discussions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|