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Old 08-23-2015, 03:29 AM   #1
Roadster31
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Towing Question

Does anyone have experience bumper towing with and without a cap?
I have a Ram 3500 Cummings and I tow a 14000 + lb Montana 5th wheel. I get 11 mpg with the Montana. I bumper tow my car hauler (3700 lb)and feel lucky to get near 10 mpg! I am considering using a cap on the Ram. I was wondering what your experience has been.

Thanks in advance for your help

Ted
 
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Old 08-23-2015, 03:38 AM   #2
1retired06
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I have never used one. Most folks I have talked to who have (with a fifth wheel) indicated it did not make much of a difference.. Interesting, the mileage with your car. When I pull my 28 foot boat with my truck (don't know the weigh, double axle) I go from 12-13 with the Montana to 15-16 with the boat.
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Old 08-23-2015, 03:44 AM   #3
WaltBennett
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If you're referring to a wind deflector, I bought one for my previous truck that had an oversize cap on the bed. Still use it with the Monty for long trips, but it gets me only about 1/2 - 3/4 mpg more. If yours is a blunt nosed model, one would probably be worthwhile.
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Old 08-23-2015, 03:51 AM   #4
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I had a guy with a flat nosed utility trailer (large one) tell me it gained him about 1MPH. On a % basis that's good. On a how long will it take to pay for it'self chart, might take a while particularly with todays fuel prices.
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Old 08-23-2015, 04:46 AM   #5
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It would take a LONG time to save enough in fuel to pay for a cap!
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Old 08-23-2015, 04:56 AM   #6
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I would think different weather conditions, road conditions, speed. MPG is very elusive.
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Old 08-23-2015, 12:03 PM   #7
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The two things that are the biggest detriments to mileage are speed and a head wind.
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Old 08-23-2015, 02:39 PM   #8
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I think Hooker is right on with the headwind post. I have also had some crosswinds that were extreamly bad for towing, both safety and the ability to even get into OD. That was quite a few years ago with a non-aerodynamic fifthwheel. Our new Montana 3160 is just about the same weight, a bit longer and a lot more aerodynamic than the only Canadian built Vangard. The same truck pulls the Montana way easier than the old unit, especially in windy situations. Smooth roundes corners front and back make a big difference in my opinion, not to mention where the actual kingpin sits in relation to the front of the unit in regards to the cab of the truck. I think wind is the biggest factor against us for MPG and comfortable towing.
I do have a nice adjustable air deflector (still in the garage) that helped out with the old fifth-wheel. I never tried the wind deflector while towing the boat. It seemed to me that when I used it with the fifth-wheel I was able to get into OD easier and a bit better MPG. I still had the cost of buying it to count against my fuel bill.
Towing a 21' welded aluminum jet boat on a tandem axle trailer with a real long tongue with my truck did not get me great mileage as it was not real aerodynamic either, and weighed a lot.


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Old 08-23-2015, 05:12 PM   #9
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When I owned a big block gasser, I tried using a wing mounted on the top of the cab. Good thing it was a try it before you buy it kind of transaction ... it kept the bugs off most of the front of the fiver ... it made no noticeable difference in fuel mileage. Pickup wings are not in the same league with tractor trailer cab cowls. Too much air can go around and under the pickup wings to enable them to work as desired. You be stylin pulling into a campground though.
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Old 08-25-2015, 01:25 AM   #10
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Ted, I agree that it has to be the front wind resistance. I experienced the exact same results this year. Was getting between 12 and 13mpg pulling my Montana all over the country, but when I pulled my loaded 24' car hauler 1300 miles I was lucky to see 12mpg. Pulling the same 1300 miles empty I never reached 14mpg.

A wind deflector on the truck sure couldn't hurt.
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