Tow Bubble Efficiency

[Maverick71]

Howdy,

I just towed my 2230 lb. travel trailer from Kingwood, TX to my summer home near Manitowoc, WI. I kept very accurate fuel consumption records and recorded the mpg after every fill up.

Before towing without the tow bubble, I averaged 15mpg with very sparing use of the a/c in the TV on a trip from Manitowoc, to Yellowstone, to Kingwood, TX and back to Manitowoc. I would estimate the overall length of the trip taken the second week in Sept. 2010 to be about 4500 miles through varied terrain. My return trip from Manitowoc to Kingwood, TX produced the same 15mpg average.

The latest trip with the tow bubble installed and with the a/c on full time set for 77F in ambients up to to 97F, I averaged any where from 15 to 17.3 mpg. Fuel mileage was very dependent on the quality of gasoline.

One major chain with the gasoline cracked by a co-pilot or probably blessed by Pontious Pilate rated 87 octane produced only 15mpg. Racetrack, and Phillips 66, rated 87 octane produced the 17 mpg and the 17.3 mpg tanks. I also blame ethanol for the low mileage simply because of the lower heat value.

Now granted, I tried to duplicate the same terrain as the previous trip by traveling from Kingwood, through Dallas, TX, Joplin, Jefferson City, and Hannibal, MO, then Rockford, Ill, Madison, WI and finally Manitowoc. The Ozarks had some challenging grades: but not those of the Yellowstone area. Most of time the wind was at my back or sides and not a vector wind with which the bubble isn't much help as I discovered on a trip to the Texas Hill Country this spring.

So I can honestly say that the tow bubble increased the efficiency by at least two mpg. I estimate that a/c fuel comsumption is about 1.5 to 2mpg
and as high as 2.5 mpg in city traffic. If I would add that to the 2mpg, the total may be as high as 3.5mpg to 4mpg. Based on the average price per gallon of $3.60 the 15mpg would be $0.24 per mile and the 17 mpg would be about $0.21 or a difference of about $0.03 per mile. The cost of the tow bubble was about $150 that would require 5000 miles to amortize.

My only comment is that if you are designing and building a teardrop or any travel trailer, be sure to consider aerodynamics because in three years gasoline will be at $5.00 per gallon.

Here in Wisconsin, 89 octane gasoline is sold at $3.84 per gallon vs. 87 octane that is sold for $3.79 per gallon. I would think that for the nickel more, this would be the way to go. 89 octane is straight gasoline without the ethanol. Actually enthanol costs more to produce than straight gasoline and would not be competitive with out the subsidy of the federal government.

The next step is turbulators around the perimeter of the flat, squared off rear trailer wall.

Take care,
Maury

[bobhenry]

Our last across the state gathering had me stuff a $50.00 in the gas tank.

With the wife still at a 1/2 time job things are ugly for us at the moment and that extra $50.00 would have found a bill to pay if it didn't go in the tank. I need some disposable income to finish working on a couple tiny trailers but there is none, so they set or I use what is at hand and work around the problems.

[Maverick71]

Howdy,

Hey, Slow Cowboy! The reason you don't see too many out of state campers in Wyoming is that with the exception of Yellowstone National Park, the Grand Tetons National Park, and the Arapahoe Indian Reservation, there isn't much to see. I already know the difference between a cow and a bull and the front end from the back end.

During my travels, I like visiting with the Arapahoe and the Navajo Indians : but I stay away from all the Dallashoes! The true Indians have a culture that I respect.

Why don't you cowboys build a monument dedicated to the Arapahoes like the Crazy Horse Monument in S. Dakota is to the Sioux? You could even exhibit your propane truck next to it as a tourist attraction, something like King of the Hill or something like that program on TV. Then you would see a heck of a lot more campers in Wyoming!

The first RV camp ground in Sheridan, WY that I stayed in for one night brought the sarcastic remarks of a Wyoming "highway locomotive camper"! It was like one of those locomotve tour buses where wifey has to run ahead to throw the switch. He just couldn't figure out why being from Texas that my 13'9" long trailer was so small! I told him that I have saved so much money on gasoline towing my little trailer that I could pick up the lien on your motor home and buy and sell your wife to boot! He was real quiet after that.

The people of Wyoming should be a little bit more friendly like the people of Texas, a country within a state.

I AIN'T ever going back to Wyoming unless I have too, not even for burial.

Take care,
Maury

[reo-ron]

OK Maury, I missed something. What's the "tow bubble" ?? I have already learned that a "long roof vehicle" (van, tahoe, pickup w/shell, suv,etc)will be more efficient towing than a passenger car or pick without a bed cover.
Ron

[WhitneyK]

All I got to say is ........................... he had it a comin' (his comment back to slow)

[Maverick71]

Howdy Ms. Whitney,

I am sorry that I didn't clarify what the tow bubble is. Since a picture is worth 10,000 words just go back a few topics under General Discussion and click on Tow Bubble and Tow Bubble Fabrication for pics.

Take care,
Maury

[Maverick71]

Howdy Reo-Ron,

Ooops! I forgot to refer everyone who read my post to just go back in General Discussion to the Topic Tow Bubble and Tow Bubble Fabrication to see the pics which are worth 10,000 words.

Take care,
Maury

[Artificer]

http://tnttt.com/viewtopic.php?p=821874
I think this is it.

Michael

[WhitneyK]

No offense was taken or is it implied, however, just to clarify things, yes my name is Whitney, I'm 6'4", little over 200#'s, and go to the same side of the shower house at the camp grounds as yourself, so the Ms was a miss and should have been a Mr

Don't worry though, I get that all the time.

[Maverick71]

Mr. Whitney,

Sorry, I mistook the name for the wrong gender. I really made a fox pass!

What brought this about is that my son is currently dating a girl named Whitney! Real nice gal too. I hope I didn't make a mistake on spelling her name or else I wll have to apologize to her too.

I really don't mind Slow Cowboy! Just having a little fun. The real truth is that I am very compassionate for the American Indian. I just don't like people knocking them! We took so much and they now have so little with the exception of the Indian casinos. Some people pick on them for what they are; but remember, not only were they here first; but we introduced them to all the evils of the white man!

Despite my conservative ways, industriousness, and frugality, I still see these people and think, "There but for the grace of God, go I!"

Take care,
Maury