Using a turbo wing??? - Diesel Forum

eddieo · 05-12-2006, 08:18 PM

Is anyone using a turbo wing or any air deflectors when towing a bumper hitch trailer? I'm getting a 35' travel trailer and was wondering if they are worth the money? I have an F350 short bed and was thinking,would it be too far apart to be affective ? Wing to trailer would be ruffly 9'+-. I can see using it on a 5th as the trailer is so much closer. What are your views on this? Thanks

CaptRon · 05-12-2006, 08:28 PM

Not worth the money or time to put it on. It can reduce the amount of bugs on the front of a 5th wheel if adjusted right.

Capt Ron

CascarFan · 05-13-2006, 10:06 AM

I've got one on mine, I pull a 5th wheel.

The reason I ended up with one, is that I was down at my RV dealer looking for a used tailgate, the one's that are slotted and let air pass through, because everything in the back was being tossed around like match sticks. He said he didn't have one, but he had a used wind deflector cheap that would do the same thing, so I bought it and it did do the job. I can put stuff in the back of the truck now and expect it to remain where I put it. If it helps me get a few mpg more than that's a bonus.

eddieo · 05-13-2006, 07:09 PM

Well we picked up our new trailer today. On the way down we averaged 19.4 mph and with the trailer on the way home,we had 10.5 mpg. I was hoping for a little bit better, but.....The tow package they put on works great!!! Now to find a way to get better fuel mileage.

barrelhorses · 05-13-2006, 09:18 PM

I recently did a 1600 mile towing road trip with my horse trailer (see sig.). I still have not weighed it, but my best guesstimate is that the trailer weighs somewhere around 13K# loaded with two horses and stuff. I usually drove at the prevailing speed of traffic and averaged 11.13 hand-calculated MPG. Your 10.5 is not too bad. I've seen some on here post MPGs down to 7 or so.

CaptRon · 05-13-2006, 10:49 PM

I get about 11mpg towing the 5th wheel in my sig and I run pretty hard. My truck has 34,270 miles on it now.

Capt Ron

OMCUSNR · 05-13-2006, 11:46 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Well we picked up our new trailer today. On the way down we averaged 19.4 mph and with the trailer on the way home,we had 10.5 mpg. I was hoping for a little bit better, but.....The tow package they put on works great!!! Now to find a way to get better fuel mileage.

[/ QUOTE ]

Keep your foot out of it. I know its hard, but at 62 I get 14 w/ my 26' TT. At 70, I get 12. Secret to economy is 2k rpms.

CascarFan · 05-14-2006, 07:56 AM

I'm getting 8.5 pulling my 33' 5th wheel from Ontario to Daytona or Ontario to Bristol. I probably need to ease my foot off the pedal a bit too. I usually travel 60-75 mph. Trailer loaded weighs about 12000#, and truck loaded with generator, etc., about 8000#. Pulling thru the mountains doesn't help I suppose, also I noticed when I switched to Mud & Snow tires on the rear, my mileage went down a bit too. The dual wheels and 410 rear end cuts her back a bit too, I guess. I've been told even my sun visor will help me loose a mpg or two. A friend in a camp site at a local race told me to loose the sun visor and put a front valance on below the front bumper, said I'd pick up a few mpg. I think he's right, it would stop a lot of air from getting in underneath and causing drag.

NCHornet · 05-16-2006, 05:06 PM

Those that have had them on the RV forum didn't notice any mpg difference. Think about it the wing is about 5ft wide and the trailer is 8ft!!!
I only get about 9mpg towing my 8500 bumper pull. must be the 4:10's.