Enclosed vs Utility Trailer

[Turkeygetpwnd38]

I just pulled a 6x10 enclosed from Tampa to Flagstaff, 2500 diesel. My MPG went from 18/20mpg to 10-12mpg. The enclosed makes a huge difference compared to utility, especially with wind.

Thought I'd follow up since I just did about the same drive with a 5x10 utility trailer with same weight load.
Ram 2500 diesel- 20mpg
5x10 utility- 16mpg
6x10 enclosed- 10-12mpg
28ft travel trailer (7k+ lbs)- 8mpg

Paints a pretty good picture. For the diesel anyway, wind resistance seems to be the biggest contributor.

 

[gostovp]

Just found this thread, I'm debating the same thing right now. I just bought a 2023 Can Am Defender HD10 XT from a guy that never used it (low miles and hours and like new condition). I hauled it home with my 2016 F150 w/ 2.7 EcoBoost on my buddy's 18' tandem axle steel car trailer. To my surprise my truck pulled it very well (even through some hilly areas in WI). I sold my 6.5 x10 steel utility trailer because my SxS won't fit on it....now I'm debating what I want to get, enclosed vs open air. My trips will mostly be 2-4 hour jaunts here in the midwest, and then one trip out west each year. Looking to get a 16' in either configuration, and if enclosed would like to get a 7.5' wide. I see the pros and cons to each of them. If I decide to get an enclosed, my son said he would go in 1/2 on it to cover the cost as he would likely use it quite a bit too (and he wants to set it up as a camping rig as well). The gas mileage thing is what is really concerning for me on the enclosed....but the fact that it would keep my machine clean and free of road hazards, and it gives a much better place to store gear...it seems like no matter how little we try to take out west, with three of us in one pickup it is jammed packed full of stuff....

 

[GunsAreFun]

OP Update: We ended up borrowing a 7x14 utility trailer this year. We got between 9.5-11.5 mpg on the way to Colorado from Missouri averaging 75-77mph (directionally correct numbers..got a post on here somewhere else from soon after the trip when it was fresher in my memory). I was getting the higher end of that mileage and my friends in the lower end as I don’t use cruise control and go more naturally with the terrain. I was also locking out the higher gears most of the time to keep the turbos off. I did not do manual calcs on the mileage on the way home but the computer was showing about 1mpg higher for the trip. Note we had a Softopper on, which when not towing reduces gas mileage by 2-4 mpg but I’m guessing might actually help when towing or be neutral by breaking the air before the trailer hits it.

The F-150 in tow mode does a really good job of engine breaking on the down slopes to keep at desired speed, at least with only ~3k pounds. Really didn’t use the breaks at all.

I didn’t feel like we were missing much by not having an enclosed trailer. We pack decently light and didn’t need the extra cargo space with three people.