enclosed trailers

Dave1695 · 03-20-2013, 05:14 PM

I'm thinking about buying my first enclosed trailer and wondering if a V nose or round nose style towes better/easier. Are they worth the extra expense?

jmcarter · 03-20-2013, 06:07 PM

Going to depend on what you're pulling it with to some extent...if tow vehicle has a big "signature" such that air doesn't wrap around it and then hit the trailer then the benefit is lessened. Mounting cabinets in a V nose trailer is a challenge as well. It'll be interesting to see if anybody responds with a direct comparison. I know pulling a 24 Ft Pace with a Dodge dually with camper top usually yielded about 11.5 MPG and pulling a 28 Ft Airstream Travel Trailer usually yielded ~1.5 MPG better.

Ed Wright · 03-20-2013, 07:58 PM

If you can swing it, aluminum makes much more difference than a V nose.

jmcarter · 03-21-2013, 06:03 AM

Think you're right Ed, in many cases you can also lesson the overall tongue weight, which is important if you're pulling with a SUV, 1500 or even 2500. The Airstream forum is awash with dire warnings about overloading your rear axle and overall GVW and even tire ratings. We racers seldom even mention it. Took me 5 trips across the CAT scales to get the weight bars and axle loadings balanced. I like the looks of ATC's new Raven line of aluminum trailers, only a one year warranty but significantly better priced. FYI that the mileage I gave was at equal weight for the car trailer vs. the Airstream.

ALMACK · 03-21-2013, 07:30 AM

I have one of each.
Pros and cons both ways.
Since I cannot quantify the gas savings results versus both types of trailers, I have observed a few things.

The v nose does not allow mounting a generator up front, and the extra space inside from a v nose in minimal.
I understand some v noses can be ordered with an extra 2 foot length in the tongue. That would help.
Without the extra tongue length, the weight distrubution bars are a pain to mount on the frame rails.

If a truck has a topper, I believe it might be more beneficial than a v nose. No data to prove that tho.

My gas crew cab gets 8.5 mpg pulling a loaded enclosed and 9.5 mpg not towing anything. So, not much room there to quantify any results.

Just my observations.

Tom Goldman · 03-21-2013, 09:01 AM

If you're towing with a pickup or Suburban, the aluminum weight savings is worth the extra money in fuel and wear and tear.
Years ago when I towed with a 4mpg Suburban ,I tried all the gimmics to lower drag .,skirts,bubble on the front of the trailer, ect.
Best improvement came from the roof mounted air deflector,once I found the sweet spot.
But when I got rid of over a 1000# with my first aluminum trailer , I suddenly picked up 1 1/2 mpg
Dont overlook the drag caused by unnecessary extra height. ...An extra foot or so of added height can add a LOT of drag .
.

jmcarter · 03-21-2013, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tom Goldman

If you're towing with a pickup or Suburban, the aluminum weight savings is worth the extra money in fuel and wear and tear.
Years ago when I towed with a 4mpg Suburban ,I tried all the gimmics to lower drag .,skirts,bubble on the front of the trailer, ect.
Best improvement came from the roof mounted air deflector,once I found the sweet spot.
But when I got rid of over a 1000# with my first aluminum trailer , I suddenly picked up 1 1/2 mpg
Dont overlook the drag caused by unnecessary extra height. ...An extra foot or so of added height can add a LOT of drag .
.

Agree Tom, and if you're towing with a diesel and tow around the peak torque RPM the extra weight doesn't seem to matter that much.

offroadr · 03-21-2013, 09:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmcarter

I like the looks of ATC's new Raven line of aluminum trailers, only a one year warranty but significantly better priced. FYI that the mileage I gave was at equal weight for the car trailer vs. the Airstream.

I have looked into the Raven as well. It seems 24ft is as long as they go though.

Ed Wright · 03-21-2013, 09:42 AM

I love my 24' ATC. Has it four years now. My old 454" 3/4 ton Suburban can't tell it's harder to tow than my old steel open trailer. Pulled a steel Pace once that made it sweat. LOL

Run to Rund · 03-21-2013, 11:00 AM

There was a big discussion on yellowbullet and the consensus seemed to be that a V-nose hurt rather than helped. Frontal area matters; getting extra height in particular increases drag. My 24' is 8 1/2 ft wide but standard height and still gives noticeably more drag than the old open trailer with car, hurting mpg 1 or 1.5 more, even empty. In fact, putting a car, etc. in the trailer doesn't make much difference at all, the 3800 lb. trailer with its frontal area brings about the decrease in mpg.

03-20-2013, 05:14 PM	#1
Dave1695 Member Join Date: May 2009 Posts: 160 Likes: 0 Liked 15 Times in 11 Posts	enclosed trailers I'm thinking about buying my first enclosed trailer and wondering if a V nose or round nose style towes better/easier. Are they worth the extra expense?

03-20-2013, 06:07 PM	#2
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,122 Likes: 1,978 Liked 2,707 Times in 853 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers Going to depend on what you're pulling it with to some extent...if tow vehicle has a big "signature" such that air doesn't wrap around it and then hit the trailer then the benefit is lessened. Mounting cabinets in a V nose trailer is a challenge as well. It'll be interesting to see if anybody responds with a direct comparison. I know pulling a 24 Ft Pace with a Dodge dually with camper top usually yielded about 11.5 MPG and pulling a 28 Ft Airstream Travel Trailer usually yielded ~1.5 MPG better. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock

03-20-2013, 07:58 PM	#3
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 168 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers If you can swing it, aluminum makes much more difference than a V nose. __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

03-21-2013, 06:03 AM	#4
jmcarter VIP Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Richmond Hill GA (and Port Ludlow WA) Posts: 4,122 Likes: 1,978 Liked 2,707 Times in 853 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers Think you're right Ed, in many cases you can also lesson the overall tongue weight, which is important if you're pulling with a SUV, 1500 or even 2500. The Airstream forum is awash with dire warnings about overloading your rear axle and overall GVW and even tire ratings. We racers seldom even mention it. Took me 5 trips across the CAT scales to get the weight bars and axle loadings balanced. I like the looks of ATC's new Raven line of aluminum trailers, only a one year warranty but significantly better priced. FYI that the mileage I gave was at equal weight for the car trailer vs. the Airstream. __________________ Jim Carter 2340 Super Stock 2340 SST/2340 Stock

03-21-2013, 07:30 AM	#5
ALMACK VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Bardstown, KY Posts: 1,928 Likes: 98 Liked 324 Times in 116 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers I have one of each. Pros and cons both ways. Since I cannot quantify the gas savings results versus both types of trailers, I have observed a few things. The v nose does not allow mounting a generator up front, and the extra space inside from a v nose in minimal. I understand some v noses can be ordered with an extra 2 foot length in the tongue. That would help. Without the extra tongue length, the weight distrubution bars are a pain to mount on the frame rails. If a truck has a topper, I believe it might be more beneficial than a v nose. No data to prove that tho. My gas crew cab gets 8.5 mpg pulling a loaded enclosed and 9.5 mpg not towing anything. So, not much room there to quantify any results. Just my observations. __________________ Alan Mackin Stock 3777/ SS 3377 P/SA & SS/PA Fox Thunderbird I/PS '95 Mustang GT

03-21-2013, 09:01 AM	#6
Tom Goldman VIP Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Allentown,PA Posts: 2,436 Likes: 776 Liked 700 Times in 204 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers If you're towing with a pickup or Suburban, the aluminum weight savings is worth the extra money in fuel and wear and tear. Years ago when I towed with a 4mpg Suburban ,I tried all the gimmics to lower drag .,skirts,bubble on the front of the trailer, ect. Best improvement came from the roof mounted air deflector,once I found the sweet spot. But when I got rid of over a 1000# with my first aluminum trailer , I suddenly picked up 1 1/2 mpg Dont overlook the drag caused by unnecessary extra height. ...An extra foot or so of added height can add a LOT of drag . . __________________ Tom Goldman 1500 SG , 1506 STK

03-21-2013, 09:42 AM	#9
Ed Wright Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Sand Springs, OK Posts: 8,132 Likes: 896 Liked 389 Times in 168 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers I love my 24' ATC. Has it four years now. My old 454" 3/4 ton Suburban can't tell it's harder to tow than my old steel open trailer. Pulled a steel Pace once that made it sweat. LOL __________________ Ed Wright 4156 SS/JA

03-21-2013, 11:00 AM	#10
Run to Rund Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 574 Likes: 6 Liked 44 Times in 22 Posts	Re: enclosed trailers There was a big discussion on yellowbullet and the consensus seemed to be that a V-nose hurt rather than helped. Frontal area matters; getting extra height in particular increases drag. My 24' is 8 1/2 ft wide but standard height and still gives noticeably more drag than the old open trailer with car, hurting mpg 1 or 1.5 more, even empty. In fact, putting a car, etc. in the trailer doesn't make much difference at all, the 3800 lb. trailer with its frontal area brings about the decrease in mpg.