Trailer Preference for Long Distance Interstate Pulling

SnoPro753 · Jun 8, 2009

I am looking at buying an enclosed trailer to pull 4 long track sleds out West.

We drive about 900 miles one way and we usually drive 85mph most of the way.

The pulling truck will be a Cummins Megacab.

Is there a real difference between deck over trailer and and recessed trailer?

Main concerns are ease of pull and fuel mileage?

slednutz · Jun 8, 2009

we pull our 24ft triton prestige enclosed and it's all aluminum and we drive 85 mph the whole way with a duramax and it pull easy.. you can barely even tell it's there. The fuel mileage is not terrible either since the enclosed is all aluminum.

Blk88GT · Jun 8, 2009

85mph with a 4 place and you're concerned about fuel mileage? Come on now....

ndmtnsledder · Jun 8, 2009

I personally use a 7X27 and have pulled with some friends that a 8.5X21 both steel framed trailers. The inlines seem to stay straighter and pull easier from our experience and get better mileage pulling them. I also think they are easier to pull on some of the narrower windy roads and stay in your lane. When the winds blowing 40+mph and the roads are icy they are all a pain though. I think i'm gonna add sway bars and see if that helps some.

theultrarider · Jun 8, 2009

Blk88GT said:
85mph with a 4 place and you're concerned about fuel mileage? Come on now....

My thoughts exactly... The difference in mpg between 65 and 85 is HUGE!!! Then again, I would love to see anyone try to pull a 4place at 85 on our roads lol.

TNTCOPP · Jun 9, 2009

Yaaaaaaa ...... I am thinking fuel mileage is not even in the top 5 concerns at 85. They're all going to get less than 10 at that speed and towing.

SnoPro753 · Jun 9, 2009

theultrarider said:
My thoughts exactly... The difference in mpg between 65 and 85 is HUGE!!! Then again, I would love to see anyone try to pull a 4place at 85 on our roads lol.

All right guys. I know your fuel mileage comments are entertaining but my concern is the difference in fuel mileage between a 7' wide trailer and 8.5' wide trailer.

At 85mph a 8.5' wide trailer in our group got 8.5mpg, a 7'wide got 12mpg. (This was hand calculate and accurate. Both same year Duramaxs with only straight pipes)

Terrible all around, but over the course of a few trips a year that total 1800 miles a trip it makes a difference.

Beyond Fuel Mileage, what is your preference for high speed all interstate pulling? We drive 744 miles straight on I-80.

This will be my first trailer purchase and I am asking for opinions on the differences between pulling a 8.5' wide vs 7' wide.

(My apologies for not being more clear at first.)

Blk88GT · Jun 9, 2009

If you're going to be clipping along at that kind of speed and don't really need the width, I would go with a 7' for sure and keep the height as low as possible.

I've got this trailer:

I pull with an 02 F250. I do 65mph and get anywhere from 9-14mph depending on the wind and terrain. The trailer weighs 4300 empty and I usually haul around 4000lbs inside.

It's not so much the length of the trailer or weight (within reason) that will hurt the mileage but more the frontal area, speed and wind.

A few important things:

Quality trailer tires (15" minimum, 16s would be better)
A quality weight distributing hitch with swaybar

At 85mph, you better keep on top of bearing maintenance. I might even consider an oil bath system.

springer · Jun 9, 2009

The new trailer that are 8.5 wide with the inner fenders are pretty neat! You get the lower center of gravity that provide more stable towing and still retain most of the room inside.I would spend the extra $$$$ for a high quaility trailer such as Triton or Featherlite.They last forever with little maintance!

SnoPro753 · Jun 10, 2009

If I wanted to pull 3-153" tracks, what is the minimum legnth for a 7'wide trailer?

Rick! · Jun 10, 2009

Wind Harvester said:
If I wanted to pull 3-153" tracks, what is the minimum legnth for a 7'wide trailer?

7 x 27 is a good all around length. I plugged in 3 - 155's and a 144 this winter and still had room for the barby, a spare tire and 4 - 6 gallon gas cans.

The 7 x 31 aluminum is what I'll be getting next. I've pulled "HeavyMark's" and opens and goosenecks and I really like the inlines. they are a tad low in the rear so maneuvering around bumpy terrain tends to bang up the very rear of the trailer.

NM · Jun 10, 2009

I have had a 28 ft Featherlight gooseneck for the past 3 seasons, and they are noticeably different for ride and fuel economy. Because they are lower than any vnose tow trailer, they cut much less wind, and the pin weight is directly over your rear axle, so no secondary buck like a traditional tow type. I will never go back. The extra room in the nose is really nice too.:beer;

the fix-it guy · Jun 10, 2009

2nd the fifth wheel trailer for nice pulling. Get one with shallow wheel wells lower tow height and won't bother for loading.

SnoPro753 · Jun 11, 2009

NM said:
I have had a 28 ft Featherlight gooseneck for the past 3 seasons, and they are noticeably different for ride and fuel economy. Because they are lower than any vnose tow trailer, they cut much less wind, and the pin weight is directly over your rear axle, so no secondary buck like a traditional tow type. I will never go back. The extra room in the nose is really nice too.:beer;

Do you have any pictures of your trailer? Model #?

I am not to far from where they manufacture Featherlites.

highmark18 · Jun 11, 2009

I have a 36' Gooseneck triple axle. You would not believe how nice a triple axle pulls versus a twin axle. And the gooseneck cannot be beat. Pulls great, would never go back to a bumper hitch. And we travel from MN to ID 3 times a year.

NM · Jun 11, 2009

Wind Harvester said:
Do you have any pictures of your trailer? Model #?

I am not to far from where they manufacture Featherlites.

I don't think I have pics. It is a 28 ft deck with 8 ft nose. They also make the same trailer in 24 ft, but I wanted to fit 5 sleds so went 28. I line-X'd the floor and put the furnace up in the nose along with the battery tray's. It has aluminum cabinets down one side and drying rack and shelving down the other. All of our gear (and beer) fit nicely up in the nose.

ndmtnsledder · Jun 11, 2009

I just looked mine up its a United UATV 725 the width is just under 7ft inside the trailer, 19'10" box plus a 4'3" V. We've had 3 153s and a 141 in it or 2 153s a 166, and a 136. Its a tight fit but they work with oil rack on the wall and room to stick bags and such between afterwards.

donbrown · Jun 11, 2009

ndmtnsledder said:
I personally use a 7X27 and have pulled with some friends that a 8.5X21 both steel framed trailers. The inlines seem to stay straighter and pull easier from our experience and get better mileage pulling them. I also think they are easier to pull on some of the narrower windy roads and stay in your lane. When the winds blowing 40+mph and the roads are icy they are all a pain though. I think i'm gonna add sway bars and see if that helps some.

Sway bars will jack knife the trailer on icy roads.

Are you talking about a weight distribution hitch?

donbrown · Jun 11, 2009

ndmtnsledder said:
I personally use a 7X27 and have pulled with some friends that a 8.5X21 both steel framed trailers. The inlines seem to stay straighter and pull easier from our experience and get better mileage pulling them. I also think they are easier to pull on some of the narrower windy roads and stay in your lane. When the winds blowing 40+mph and the roads are icy they are all a pain though. I think i'm gonna add sway bars and see if that helps some.

Sway bars might jack knife the trailer on icy roads.

Are you talking about a weight distribution hitch?

ndmtnsledder · Jun 12, 2009

donbrown said:
Sway bars might jack knife the trailer on icy roads.

Are you talking about a weight distribution hitch?

Oops yeah thats what I meant. I shouldnt have much trouble now that I have a big enough pickup also but figured might be a good idea if it helps.

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