marininn
Georgia
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Joined: 04/11/2005
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I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.
For diesels, cummins particularly, I am interested to hear mpg numbers from anyone towing these.
I am curious the difference between those horse trailers with flat fronts as opposed to those with curved or pointed fronts, and also ones that sit closer to the bumper than others; and compared to bumper pull trailers of similar size.
(with regular bumper pull camper trailers, which sit farther back and are usually squared and wide, they effectively take all the wind - not tucked closely behind the TV)
A horse trailer 5th wheeler is more narrow and sits much closer to the TV than a camper or camper 5th wheeler, so should gain some efficiency in aerodynamics.
Not interested in knee-jerk opinions, just real info from those that have tried.
Also, the horse trailer is not a huge monstrosity like the camper 5th wheelers. Mpg is very important as I tow a lot, not just a few miles once per year. I have a bumper pull cargo trailer with pointed nose that is only 5 feet wide and the mpg's on it are so much better than my 7 foot wide camper (which is even lower in height).
Also, how does weight affect it? I know air drag is king, but looking at 1,500 lb aluminum trailer empty vs 5-6,000lb steel trailer.
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the bear II
Torrance CA.
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Joined: 02/14/2008
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For over 10 years I have been reading posts on this and other RV forums. Most RV'ers with 5th wheels report between 6-12 MPG while towing and fully loaded for camping.
I have also read many posts from RV'ers who have tried to improve their towing MPG. Aerodynamic add ons, more efficient fuel/air delivery systems, more efficient exhaust systems, different gearing, different tires or air pressure in the tires... The results from these efforts result in at most a 1 to 3 MPG improvement. I've read about folks spending $2500 to $5000 in an attempt to improve MPG only to get 1 to 3 MPG more.
In my opinion... RV'ing is an expense that is worth every penny. There are hidden savings... better mindset, health, exercise and quality family time.
Don't worry about the cost....enjoy the ride.
Buy a factory made 5th wheel travel trailer and start the adventure. Don't waste time and money in trying to put something together unless it's your dream to build something out of a horse trailer.
Just my opinion and I wish you luck in this new adventure.
By the way I have a Chevy 4500 with a Duarmax Diesel. I pull a 7.5 foot wide X 12.5 foot tall X 38 foot long 5th wheel that weighs 15,000lbs. I average 10 MPG while towing.
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George H
Washington
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Joined: 06/27/2006
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I had both a goose neck horse trailer and a 5th wheel camper that I towed behind the same truck, 6mpg with either.
George, Juanita and Mandie (boss Shar-Pei)
01 F350, PSD, DRW
05 Carri-Lite 32RS3
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dmck413
Fluvanna Va
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Joined: 10/15/2009
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14000 lb 5th wheel with 6.7 stock 11-12 depending on terrain.
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C.B.
APPLETON WI USA
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Joined: 12/15/2003
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Just did a trip from Appleton,WI to Grapevine,TX
Tow Vehicle 2004 Ford F-350 4X4 CC SB 6.0 diesel 125,000 miles.
Towing 2013 Cedar Creek 36CKTS 5th wheel.
Round trip miles 2,376
Total fuel 218.3 gallons
MPG===10.884
C.B.
CBVP2004~FORD~F350~CC~LARIAT~SRW~SB~4X4~6.0D~
AUTO~PULLRITE 16K SUPERGLIDE~DEMCO GLIDERIDE~
PRODIGY CONTROLLER~C-BETR MIRRORS~EMS-HW50C~
Butch/Barb=2013-Cedar Creek 36CKTS
Kris/Katy=2006-Cherokee 32B
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Tal/IL
Central Illinois
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Joined: 03/24/2016
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Quote:I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.
Made me laugh... A few years ago there was a big Willie Nelson concert at the WSRC in Sparta, IL on the same weekend as the U.S. Open Trapshooting Championships.(We were there to shoot.) I think every one of the 1,000 campsites on the property was full. A bunch of the concert goers were camping in goose-neck stock trailers. Ever since then, we've referred to stock trailers as "Willie Nelson campers".
35 miles from Normal, IL. As close to normal as I'll ever be.
2006 Country Coach Inspire Genoa 40ft
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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Joined: 08/19/2009
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I'm really surprised, they don't build them a bit taller and sell them as toy haulers. The exterior seems better built (or maybe I making in incorrect assumption).
As far as towing, I wouldn't expect much.
We got 13.5 with the signature. We swapped out for a 2001 F250 with V10 and got about 9.5. Don't have numbers on the new trailer we picked up last week yet.
Tammy & Mike
Ford F250 V10
2021 Gray Wolf
Gemini Catamaran 34'
Full Time spliting time between boat and RV
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marininn
Georgia
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George H wrote:I had both a goose neck horse trailer and a 5th wheel camper that I towed behind the same truck, 6mpg with either.
Thanks, but what were they?
(I see the Carry lite in your sig, that is a massive 5er, way, way more frontal area than a horse trailer, but what was your horse trailer? Did it have flat or curved front? How high? How wide? How long?)
I know the camper 5th wheelers are big and have a massive frontal area, that is not what I want. Horse trailers can be smaller. There are gooseneck horse trailers with curved or pointed aero fronts that do not sit much higher than the TV and are the same width or more narrow. AND there are ones that have a hugh, high flat frontal area that probably get the same bad mpg's as a camper.
I am more interested in the aero horse trailers as I know anything big and flat will be bad.
6 sounds like a gasser.
* This post was
edited 06/07/17 03:50pm by marininn *
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marininn
Georgia
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Tal/IL wrote:Quote:I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.
Made me laugh... A few years ago there was a big Willie Nelson concert at the WSRC in Sparta, IL on the same weekend as the U.S. Open Trapshooting Championships.(We were there to shoot.) I think every one of the 1,000 campsites on the property was full. A bunch of the concert goers were camping in goose-neck stock trailers. Ever since then, we've referred to stock trailers as "Willie Nelson campers".
Funny. They have to be built better as horses tend to kick the walls harder than people would. Seems the GVR is higher also on most horse trailers.
I really just want the aero exterior shape, narrow, and the wheels at the rear. There are no cargo trailers that I can find made like this.
I tow a lot for work, a lot of miles and mpg's are way way more important to me than ignoring how much I spend driving an hour for a vacation.
I do have to tow off-road and without the mods I have done to m current trailer it would be in splinters
* This post was
edited 06/07/17 03:56pm by marininn *
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Slowmover
Fort Worth, TX
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Joined: 11/14/2003
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marininn wrote:I'm looking at converting a 5th wheel horse trailer to meet my needs.
For diesels, cummins particularly, I am interested to hear mpg numbers from anyone towing these.
I am curious the difference between those horse trailers with flat fronts as opposed to those with curved or pointed fronts, and also ones that sit closer to the bumper than others; and compared to bumper pull trailers of similar size.
(with regular bumper pull camper trailers, which sit farther back and are usually squared and wide, they effectively take all the wind - not tucked closely behind the TV)
A horse trailer 5th wheeler is more narrow and sits much closer to the TV than a camper or camper 5th wheeler, so should gain some efficiency in aerodynamics.
Not interested in knee-jerk opinions, just real info from those that have tried.
Also, the horse trailer is not a huge monstrosity like the camper 5th wheelers. Mpg is very important as I tow a lot, not just a few miles once per year. I have a bumper pull cargo trailer with pointed nose that is only 5 feet wide and the mpg's on it are so much better than my 7 foot wide camper (which is even lower in height).
Also, how does weight affect it? I know air drag is king, but looking at 1,500 lb aluminum trailer empty vs 5-6,000lb steel trailer.
The aero mpg penalty is in the wake. A rounded bullet nose is best. And the sidewalks need a curved radius above and below. (Crosswinds more important than headwinds).
Height is worse than width
Weight is a factor for accel/excel, and for grades. Not so much for steady state.
An RV needs to be livable. It will spend more time every day stationary than moving. RV capacities thus mean more. X number of people over Y number of nights. This is the equation to solve, as mistakes here are costliest.
I get it that ground rent and fuel burn figure largely in people's minds.
So, do you HAVE to have a pickup? It's a lousy tow vehicle just as it's a lousy vehicle to drive. Unstable, too heavy, etc.
An SUV or car mated to a nice used Airstream will beat all the capacities questions, and also beat any pickup truck combo on every score of road performance. Significant risk reduction.
I'm suggesting, widen your idea of what's good.
Don't re invent the wheel.
Practicality got defined when Eisenhower was President. It hasn't changed.
1990 35' SILVER STREAK Sterling, 9k GVWR
2004 DODGE RAM 2WD 305/555 ISB, QC SRW LB NV-5600, 9k GVWR
Hensley Arrow; 11-cpm solo, 17-cpm towing fuel cost
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