How light is too light?

[GPW]

Maybe just a Good idea not to visit Wyoming in the Winter ... No offense SC , but you’re more than Welcome to spend the winter here down South , where it’s not so “challenging” ...

[canned o minimum]

I tow my 1968 Eriba,Puck ( standie) behind my 1965 VW Beetle and I tow it a LOT ! Did 2,571 miles round trip from SoCal to Washington and back. Tho there weren't much wind, it did VERY WELL ! The VW weighs in round 2,100 lbs.. the Puck weighs in round 800 lbs( loaded).. dry, it weighs 620lbs. Whilst the VW does git a bit squirrely in heavy winds all by itself, I have towed in 30-40 mph winds with little trouble or worries. Since the Puck is approximately 6ft x 10 ft and near 6ft high, it gits REAL interesting in the wind...Best part... I jus pull over and "camp" till the wind gits comfortable to drive thru.

On the other hand... when I had my Little Guy teardrop, 4 wide.. the wind was never an issue unless it was 50 mph or higher. I drove thru Palm Springs in a 50mph wind once returning from Phoenix... what a whit knuckle ride !The TD weighed near 800-820lbs and I'm guessin that the shape of the TD helped a lot !

Rebapuck knows ALL about how a VW reacts in wind... specially them high side VW buses.. lotsa profile !

[eamarquardt]

I am of the considered opinion that wind resistance/cross section area is more critical than weight as far as MPG goes. My experience is mostly on reasonably flat terrain and I'm sure going up mountains will reduce MPG but wind resistance is always present no matter what the terrain.

As wind resistance goes up with the square of your speed there is 1.4 times as much wind resistance at 65 versus 55 and your mileage will reflect that.

Build a bit heavier and dive slower.

Cheers,

Gus

[canned o minimum]

"I" believe this was more about weight vs. wind and stability... but my VW gits round 19 MPG whilst towin and it ain't all level travels..

Semper Fi !

[CaptEditor]

I second the warnings about Wyoming. Gusts of 70-100 mph are relatively common between Laramie and Cheyenne on I80. It's also very dangerous for motorcyclists...

[Z3R0]

This is actually funny I seen this. I had to take my buddies 26 foot race trailer with his mustang in it to the shop and bring back a 18 foot enclosed car trailer (empty). Then drop the car off and bring empty race trailer back. Most of it was flat ground farm land and about 25mph cross wind the whole time. Both trailers are the exact same aside from length. The 26 swayed with or without the car. The 18 foot didn't move. We measured the tongue weight and they have the same weight ratio. Our theory was directly to do with the length. The longer and more flat (profile) you have on the side the more sway you get. I figured the more weight would counter it but itade it worse in the gusts. I pulled it with a sierra denali 1500 and got 14 mpg with both trailers empty and got 11 mpg with the car and welder in it. For long trips we decided the smaller trailer is actually better just because it is easier to tow. We almost loaded the car into the shorter one to see the gas mileage. Just my experience. There's a lot of factors that change this. Axle distance to tongue, tongue weight aerodynamics, downforce the list goes on. But 2 of the exact same trailer aside from length were 2 completely different trailers while towing.

[Wolffarmer]

Interstate 15 along Utah's Wasatch Front. Wind comes down out of the mountains and often blows semi's over. I was once on my motorcycle and the Semi's with vans where hiding in the lees of the over pass ramps. A few in the ditch, on their sides. I was leaning at what felt like 45 degrees. Helmet was twisted so I only had one eye looking out for a long time. I did not dare to stop as I would probably get blown over once I try to put foot down. Those winds seem to happen a few times every year.

Randy

[Miriam C.]

I clearly remember my first visit to WY. Was in a Ford pony and went from Denver to Casper. OMG fortunately I had an experienced driver but he had the steering wheel all the way to the left and we still were not going straight. Yes that wind sock was straight out but after we passed it...

Now Missouri---anyone remember our blown down Oak tree....LOL We do get 100+mph straight line winds and 50mph is not unusual. My TD did not like it and was tall. 5 feet tall but as far off the road as the truck...1700 pounds did not help a lot...Shape!