nf- weight distribution

[jedimaster]

When towing trailer if you have tbe option of putting say 600 pounds in the back of your truck versus adding that weight to the trailer would either make a difference in term of fuel economy?

[kickingfrog]

I would see it as a negligible difference in fuel consumption but the ride/handling would be different (maybe dangerous) if the tongue weight isn't right.

[Pikeslayer]

Is your trailer rated for an additional 600 lbs?

[lew]

If I have room in the truck, that's where the extra weight always goes as long as it's within the weight limits.

 

I always keep my trailer as light as possible and don't even top up the gas tanks until I'm close to my destination.

[jedimaster]

Trailer and tounge ratings are well within the limits. It will likely end up in the truck.

[bushart]

A lesson I learned some time back while driving thru the Rockies

 

You know that hill that goes down steep forever --sharp corners--and has 4 runaway truck lanes

 

Anyway..I'm driving thru and as I'm going down the mtn---periodically I step on the brake to slow the ever increasing speed and to negotiate the corners

 

Sooooo 3/4 ways down my brake gets real spongy and is gettin worse---so I stand on the pedal and yank it over to a small clearing

 

Get out to the familiar smell of burning brakes---so We stayed there for a while till the wheels cooled---and I shifted her down into a lower gear for the rest of the decline---driving an automatic trans.

 

I stop at a garage and get him to check out my brakes---called it "Brake Fade"---apparently your brake fluid boils at the cylinders and creates a vapour pocket making your pedal spongy

 

So he says in BC---even regular vehicles like automatics should consider gearing down a bit like the truckers to avoid this-----Never dealt with that before

 

So if I've just saved your skin---please post a pic of yourself in a Sens jersey...2 thumbs up---with a sign saying ..."Leafs Suck"

[Sinker]

600lbs is nothing to worry about. I just towed a ford ranger on a trailer behind a 20ft uhaul from here to vancouver. Use your gears on the big hills, not your brakes. Going up is easy, its coming down thats a little more freaky IMO. We burned an average of $40/hr driving and its a 4700km run from pickering to kits beach in Vancover. The Uhaul had a 6.8l ford engine with an engine brake. It worked great.

 

S

[John Bacon]

I don't think it would make a significant difference to the gas mileage.

 

I would consider the weight limits. Many trucks are rated for a 1,000 or 1,500 hundred points total, including passengers. An extra 600 pounds in the truck may put you over the limit. You would have to consider the limits for the trailer as well. Also consider that extra weight in the back of the truck plus the tongue weight of the trailer may cause your rear end to ride pretty low.

 

If loading in the trailer try to put it over the axle to avoid problems with tongue weight. If it is going in the truck I would put it in front of the rear axle if possible; otherwise it might be better off in the trailer.

 

I think that over the trailers axle would be best if it has the capacity.

[aplumma]

I run dot 5 it has a higher boiling point. Your truck suspension is set up for the weight better than a trailer. Adding weight to a trailer in an emergency maneuver gives it more inertia to whip from side to side. Stress on the ball hitch and the locking mechanism is increased and with the cheaper hitches with the wedge that goes up and down can cause them to fail when you need them the most.

 

 

 

Art

[bushart]

What did John Denver sing?....".Rocky Mountain High.....where's the guardrail?"

 

oh yeah..some of those roads down the slippy slide--for some reason are "Sans" guardrails---get close to the edge there and nobody's home

[Old Ironmaker]

I always will load the truck box before loading up a trailer. Unless of course the truck is full. always notice poorer handling of the trailer when leave the big Erie Walleye and Bows.

[BillM]

Extra weight always goes in the truck when we tow. Whatever makes it easier on the trailer suspension/tires the better.

[Fisherman]

When towing trailer if you have tbe option of putting say 600 pounds in the back of your truck versus adding that weight to the trailer would either make a difference in term of fuel economy?

Back to the original question, you have to move the weight, doesn't matter if it's in the truck or the trailer, you're paying with fuel to move it.

[adempsey]

If there was a noticeable difference, it would go against the laws of physics. Of course, I suppose differences between the tires, suspension and the centrifugal forces of the centre of mass from the truck might make some difference.

[AdamS]

If I have room in the truck, that's where the extra weight always goes as long as it's within the weight limits.

 

I always keep my trailer as light as possible and don't even top up the gas tanks until I'm close to my destination.

 

Same.