fuel-saving tips, fuel saving information, fuel saving tips, horse trailer fuel, horse trailer fuel savings, horse trailer fuel saving information
driving habits, and lightening your load.
Here’s what I mean.
Inspect wheels and tires. Check the
air pressure on all tires — truck and
trailer. Inflate your tires to the maximum
tire pressure. (On your tow vehicle, find
the “safety compliance” sticker on the
driver’s side doorjamb; on your trailer,
look for the sticker near the hitch’s VIN
plate.) Have a qualified, trained tire
dealer or mechanic balance the wheels
on both vehicles; balanced tires experience
less vibration than unbalanced
ones, which saves fuel and makes for a
less tiring ride.
Change the filters. When the air and
fuel filters are clean, the engine works
less, which translates into a more efficient
use of fuel.
Wash and wax. A clean rig will experience
less air resistance than a dirty one.
Check the belts. Make sure the belts
(fan, air conditioning, and power
steering) are in good shape and aren’t
slipping. Replace belts that show wear
Today’s new trucks boast fuel-saving features. The 2010
Dodge Ram Heavy Duty (middle) and the 2011 Ford Super
Duty (right) trucks both offer 18 percent better fuel economy
over previous models. The 2011 GMC Heavy Duty (left)
offers 11 percent improvement.
Here are a few of today’s fuel-saving features.
Torque converter: All manufacturers are re-engineering
the torque converter to lock up sooner and longer than on
previous models. This makes an automatic transmission
work like a manual transmission, resulting in less parasistic
loss from fluid coupling than normal.
Axle ratios: New trucks also feature higher axle ratios
(3.55 and 3.21 instead of 3.73 and 4.10 that you usually
use for towing). With the higher torque and horsepower of
USRider ® Equestrian Motor Plan
Hitch Up! e-Magazine • Summer 2010
and tear, or ask a qualified, trained
mechanic to do so.
Watch water levels. Make sure the
radiator and battery have enough fluid
to get their jobs done efficiently. Low
antifreeze levels in the radiator can lead
to overheating, which makes the engine
work harder; low water levels in the battery
increases the alternator’s charge,
which makes the engine work harder.
(The alternator generates electricity for
the starter, lights, etc.) The more the
engine works, the more fuel it requires.
Slow down! Fuel consumption increases
dramatically above 60 miles-perhour.
In fact, 55 miles-per-hour is an
ideal speed for improved mileage. The
faster you go, the more energy it takes
for your rig to move through the air. If
your truck has a fuel-economy gauge,
determine the speed at which the
economy maxes out, and don’t go any
faster than that. If that means you’re in
What’s New
the slow lane while everyone’s passing
you, so what? You can save $60 per day
— or more — in fuel expenses by taking
it easy!
Expert tip: Watch the tachometer on
diesel and V-8 gas engines; at highway
speeds stay below 2,000 rotations-perminute,
if possible. This is the fuelefficiency
sweet spot.
Turn off the A/C. Switch your fan to
fresh air on days that aren’t too steamy.
And drive at night when the air is cooler
and the wind dies down. You will save a
bundle!
Lighten your load. Only haul the items
you and your horse truly need. Every
extra pound you haul means lowered
fuel efficiency. Note: Just one gallon of
water weighs eight pounds. USR
H. Kent Sundling (a.k.a. Mr. Truck) is a
well-known automotive journalist, reviewing
trucks, trailers, and accessories
for magazines and websites. TRUCK SAVVY
today’s engines, higher axle ratios improve fuel economy.
Tires: You can opt for special tires that have less rolling
resistance, to improve miles-per-gallon.
Warm-up time: Engines and transmissions warm up
faster for less resistance.
Fuel injection: You’ll see more efficient fuel injection,
which improves fuel efficiency.
Aerodynamic shape: Tailgates have a slight wing on top to
improve air flow, decreasing wind resistance. Even the shape
of the rearview mirrors are made for less wind resistance.
Steering: In sport utility vehicles, manufacturers are
replacing hydraulic steering with more efficient electric
power steering. Also, efficient electric motors are replacing
clutch fans to run radiator fans.
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KEYNOTES MEMBER STORY TRAILER CLINIC ISSUES TRUCK SAVVY ON-THE-GO-GEAR HAULING HINTS USR COMMUNITY USR BENEFITS
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