Enclosed trailer, Does nose shape really affect fuel mileage?

[MHWASH]

I'm looking to get a 7x14 enclosed trailer. The square nose seem to be more prevalent and a bit cheaper. Does V vs square make much difference in fuel mileage? I've borrowed a couple square noses before and average about 10-11mpg with my Duramax.

 

[NJDiverDan]

I would not think so as you have your truck bucking the wind first, but I have no real world experience. My 16 footer has a slight V which I like as it gives a bit more storage space and the box is actually 16. A lot of Vs are total length so a 14 V might only have a 12.5 box.

 

[Patterbuilt]

Mine has a v and a sloped top on the front as well. Unless your gonna pull that sucker 10,000 miles a year, buy the cheap one lol. 10ish mph with a 21 duramax. My 12 Cummins gets 3 better, but several restrictive pieces fell out from under its exhaust…. Absolutely stupid my new rig gets worse mpg than my old rig which has been demoted to work truck…

 

[Jakeb]

It would take quite a few miles to make your money back through mpg over just getting a cheaper square front trailer. Unless you are pulling some serious miles often. I haven’t actually pulled a pointed front trailer to compare to my square front, but my 21 duramax seems to get around the same mpg as soon as I hook anything to the trailer hitch. I cant imagine you would get much more then a mpg or so?

I bet you would come out better pulling a square front at 73-75 mph over a pointed front at 77-80 mph if it comes down to it.

 

[S-3 ranch]

It would take quite a few miles to make your money back through mpg over just getting a cheaper square front trailer. Unless you are pulling some serious miles often. I haven’t actually pulled a pointed front trailer to compare to my square front, but my 21 duramax seems to get around the same mpg as soon as I hook anything to the trailer hitch. I cant imagine you would get much more then a mpg or so?

I bet you would come out better pulling a square front at 73-75 mph over a pointed front at 77-80 mph if it comes down to it.

Yep , but some people have problems with wind , summer here in Texas means a 25-30 mph SE-SW wind

 

[Jakeb]

Yep , but some people have problems with wind , summer here in Texas means a 25-30 mph SE-SW wind

That doesn’t seem like a fun time dealing with that. Does a pointed front make that big of a difference in those conditions?

 

[MHWASH]

All valid points. Sounds like I shouldn’t limit myself to the V-nose.

 

[j33]

I researched this a few years ago when I bought my flat front. Essentially most that drag is at the top of the trailer (surface area above the truck roof), look for one that is sloped at the top.

 

[isItFallYet]

It does 100%. I have a v-nose 7x14 now and get 14 mpg with it in a Duramax. Previously had a flat nose and got 9. It’s not the weight that causes the loss of mpg, it’s the wind resistance for my truck. The flat nose and a camper that I haul feels like I’m pulling a parachute.

 

[SWOHTR]

Mine has a v and a sloped top on the front as well. Unless your gonna pull that sucker 10,000 miles a year, buy the cheap one lol. 10ish mph with a 21 duramax. My 12 Cummins gets 3 better, but several restrictive pieces fell out from under its exhaust…. Absolutely stupid my new rig gets worse mpg than my old rig which has been demoted to work truck…

If you modified it…I think you provided your own reason. A bit like saying “this new hunting spot sucks my last one was so much better. I spilled 50 lbs of corn near it.”

 

[Centralcoastca]

If you’re planning on hauling it for decent distances I would imagine you’d see a difference and would pay for the extra space eventually in fuel. Mostly local, I doubt it’d be too noticeable. There’s a reason semi trucks have all the goofy looking aero things all over them now. Depends on the cost difference and use if it’d be worth it to you, the extra space in the triangle could be useful storage.

 

[Billy Goat]

I pulled a flat nose that was a tall or extra tall. Think it was 14' long but was at least 8' tall inside.

I could have pulled 8-10k more weight for the same fuel mileage. Of course, it was mostly at 80mph.

If you aren't going to be pulling it at highway speeds it won't be a big deal, but if you are using it for trips I think a v-nose is definitely worth it. A camper shell over a truck bed would help offset it some too tho. I can notice a difference in flat-nose versus v-nose gooseneck stock trailers. A lot of fuel mileage pertains to drag, it ain't all weight.

 

[MHWASH]

This trailer will get used 1-2 times a month going to riding spots 60-120 miles away. Every other year or so I’ll use it to go to other states hunting, say 2000 miles round trip. It’ll also be used as a kitchen when I take the wall tent hunting.

 

[roadrunner]

Eddy currents at the back of the trailer is what causes fuel mileage to go down. As the displaced air flows over the top and bottom of the trailer, the air "separates" for a short period and then "rejoins" at the back of the trailer. The way the air rejoins behind the trailer on the downward draft will depend on what forces "pull back" on the trailer. The further from the back of the trailer the air rejoins, the less drag you have. The closer to the back, the more drag you have. This is why when you are driving behind a tractor-trailer unit, if you a safely close enough behind them, you will experience an increase in fuel mileage as the truck "pulls" you along.

It's really more minimal than you'd think, but makes for great marketing...

 

[S-3 ranch]

Both square and pointed have different advantages, depending on what your doing, me I make campEr trailer from them for hunting out of state
or ranch camp

 

[Patterbuilt]

This trailer will get used 1-2 times a month going to riding spots 60-120 miles away. Every other year or so I’ll use it to go to other states hunting, say 2000 miles round trip. It’ll also be used as a kitchen when I take the wall tent hunting.

We do the same thing for wall tent camping. Plus, we shower inside the trailer. It’s pretty easy to heat up water over a fish cooker and then put it in a pump up sprayer. I use the bottom of a 265 gallon round up container for a shower pan. Heating up the water warms up the trailer nicely

 

[OdinIII]

I know that the V front can create a good spot for some shelving and storage for miscellaneous items.