The Horse Forum banner
Status
Not open for further replies.

Gas mileage when pulling different types of trailers?

12K views 11 replies 7 participants last post by  xXEventerXx 
#1 ·
I've been looking around for a 2 horse trailer for several months now, at local dealerships as well as places like Craigslist. My general budget is somewhere under $6k, under $5k would be best but I think I can stretch it to $6k if I need to.

I am okay with straight or slant loads, step up or ramp, with or without tack room, I just DO NOT want mangers. I also don't want a stock trailer and I want something with open/close windows so no "open air" vent trailers.

Anyway, in my search I obviously know I can't get an all aluminum for my price range (not one that isn't super old anyway - I'm trying to stay with 92 and newer). So it's either going to be steel frame/aluminum skin or all steel. My question is...does anyone have an idea of the approximate gas mileage difference your typical truck might get pulling something that is all steel versus steel with aluminum frame?

I'm trying to weigh the gas $$ difference over the course of the year to determine whether we'd be better off just spending a few thousand more to get one that's newer with aluminum skin (well, trying to convince hubby that is..I'm already convinced myself!) ;)

By the way, we pull with our GMC Savannah, big 15-passenger van.
 
See less See more
#2 ·
The heavier the trailer the less mpg you will get.
The less aerodynamic the trailer the less mpg you will get.

however a light trailer can also be an unstable trailer.

You are never going to get exact mpg's as it completely depends on your truck, your trailer, what weight you have in your trailer and the way you drive.
 
#4 ·
I drive a 2000 Ford Excursion and pulling my 2 horse stock trailer I get about 8-9 MPG.

Awful, I know. Regularly I get about 13 MPG. And I have 40 gallon tank, the truck takes unleaded regular gas. So, filling up is my least favorite time because I watch the price just go up and up, lol. Also why I avoid pulling with my truck at all costs. :)
 
#6 ·
Well, there's the obvious, aluminum would be lightest, aluminum over steel second, and steel heaviest. Then there's your truck. If you're maxing out it's towing capacity, it will use more gas (and kill your tranny) than if you use a truck rated for more towing. I don't know about your area, but I'm suddenly seeing lots of aluminum over steel trailers for sale close to your price range, at least hear in the northeast. Do you know what you van is rated to tow?
 
#8 ·
We have a 15 passenger van at the moment, rated for 10,000 lbs...so it's pretty much good to go :) But we're hedging between getting a steel trailer which is cheaper versus a slightly more expensive aluminum skin/steel frame...but there is about a $2k price difference in trailers for the ones we're looking at. So basically I'm wondering if the gas $$ difference over the course of the first year would essentially "pay for itself" if we splurged on the nicer trailer?

I would probably be going at least an hour's drive away almost every weekend in the summer...maybe once a month throughout the winter.
 
#7 ·
I pull a 16ft steel bp and i get around 13mpg When I hook up the 3h SL w/8ft LQ I get 11mpg and it's all aluminum. I average 16 around town I pull with a 06 F250 ext cab 6.0 diesel.
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
You have insufficient privileges to reply here.
Top