fuel-saving tips, fuel saving information, fuel saving tips, horse trailer fuel, horse trailer fuel savings, horse trailer fuel saving information
STORY AND PHOTOS
BY H. KENT SUNDLING
You can save fuel
by investing in a
lightweight,
aerodynamic
trailer, maintaining
your rig, watching
your driving habits,
and lightening
your load.
Road Test
I tested a two-horse bumper-pull aluminum trailer with
a hay rack, plus drop-down doors on both sides. I compared
this model to a three-horse, gooseneck, steel trailer
without vents or a hay rack, and smooth sides. Both trailers
weighed about the same.
My test showed the gooseneck trailer got three milesper-gallon
more than the bumper-pull, because the
bumper-pull’s hay rack, drop-down feed doors, and roof
vents created drag. Gooseneck trailers deflect air over your
truck cab better than a bumper-pull trailer that receives air
at full force off the end of your truck’s tailgate.
Drag affects fuel efficiency less so on large, heavy trailers:
Moving a larger mass will reach only a certain efficiency
level. Also, larger trailer-wheel bearings (ball bearings
designed to reduce friction) and oil bath hubs (trailer hubs
that use oil for lubrication, rather than grease) roll more
easily than smaller ones.
Truck Savvy
You Can Save Fuel!
I’ve reviewed a host of accessories
that purportedly increase fuel mileage,
but none guarantee increased mileage,
as mileage varies based on your
elevation, vehicle configurations, and
driving style.
However, you can save fuel by
investing in a more efficient tow vehicle,
and choosing a lightweight, aerody-
14
namic horse trailer. Look for a trailer
made from lightweight aluminum with
a V-nose front, which cuts down air
resistance.
Fuel-Saving Tips
If you’re happy with your current rig,
you can still save fuel by maintaining
your truck and trailer, watching your
Also consider truck accessories. A truck wing, mounted
on the roof, can help lift the air above a gooseneck trailer’s
nose, which creates less drag. Make sure the wing is a folddown
or removable model to save weight when you’re not
towing your trailer. Mount it within five feet of the trailer
nose for maximum benefit.
Some accessories can increase your fuel mileage by
10 percent. These include a larger exhaust system, pipe,
and muffler; a cold-air intake system (which replaces the
factory air filter, box, and pipe to increase air flow); and a
power programmer (a computer that reads your truck’s
computer and changes the perimeters for more fuel pressure,
injector, and engine timing). But factor in these accessories’
cost vs. fuel savings.
One accessory I do recommend is a second fuel tank,
which will allow you to avoid filling up in states where fuel
costs are high and buy more fuel when you find a deal.
When it comes to
fuel efficiency, the
lighter the better.
Shown is a lightweight
Brenderup
Real Trailer.
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