Z-1 Front Deck Foil

AuntFrahn · 10-13-2016, 05:31 PM

Unfortunately, we found out after taking our unit out for a few trips that the gas mileage is horrendous.

When we had a 28' HiLo which was pretty much the same weight as the ZT225TD toyhauler with front deck.

We spent a lot of time researching toyhaulers and decided upon a front deck.

Anyway, with the HiLo we lost about 5mpg, however the toyhauler drops it down another 5mpg.

Realizing it must be the wind resistance and the distance from the truck, is there something we could rig up like a foil? Would it even be economical.

Worse yet, the longest trips were without the toy! Hate to think what another 800 lbs would do to the gas mileage.

Thanks for your input

morphrider · 10-14-2016, 04:34 PM

Your new trailer has more mass. Taller than hi-lo so more area for wind to hit it as you drive down the road. Really not sure what can be done concerning that though.

**mark5w** · 10-14-2016, 04:45 PM

What was and now is your mpg? I know I get any where from 9.5 to 11 mpg towing. That's the same as my previous lighter 5er.

AuntFrahn · 10-14-2016, 05:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by morphrider

Your new trailer has more mass. Taller than hi-lo so more area for wind to hit it as you drive down the road. Really not sure what can be done concerning that though.

Yes, I should have mentioned that we did expect worse mpg just because the HiLo was low profile, just not this bad.
Thanks

travelin texans · 10-14-2016, 06:04 PM

You didn't say what your mpg is now, but if it's in the ballpark of 8-10 then welcome to the world of rv towing, if you get a bigger truck you'll get a bigger trailer & back to 8-10 mpg, towing or motorhomes.

AuntFrahn · 10-14-2016, 06:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mark5w

What was and now is your mpg? I know I get any where from 9.5 to 11 mpg towing. That's the same as my previous lighter 5er.

With the HiLo, we got average 15 mpg even through Virginia when we traveled Back East.

Now, it's about 10 or 11.
Just checked my spreadsheet for Florence, AZ to Buffalo, WY
Show Low, AZ 12.3 to Gallup, NM through Salt River Canyon
some 11s and 12s then 16.1 from Las Vegas, NM to Walsenburg, CO
Then back down to 10s
Then a big 14 from Cheyenne to Douglas, WY
More 9-11s
Gallup, NM to Snowflake, AZ down to 9.8 which would be through Salt River Canyon where they had construction neat the top coming back out on the way home.

According to the spreadsheet, the average was 12.1855 mpg.
Not quite as bad as I thought, though.