Apex Trailer Towing with Ford F 150

[aerostealth]

I hooked up our 23 ft trailer today and towed it down to Griffin Propane to get a gas leak fixed. Turned out I needed a new two way valve as it was leaking. This is the first time I have towed our trailer with our new truck. I was curious how it would do compared to the 4 Runner and the truck did well. It appears to get pretty much the same mpg's (around 12 mpg's) but the truck definitely has more power. Same engine (3.5 L V-6) but the Ford has dual turbochargers. I had to go around a farm tractor and it just up and went around it with alacrity.

I am looking at rigging up some cross bracing and triangulated supports so I can tow with the Aerolid lift gate up. If I can do this it will kick the air up towards the trailer roof and that could be a good thing. We will see, if I can not support the lift gate securely I will not attempt it. Be nice if the open areas could be filled in. We are hoping to sell the the trailer so I don't want to get sidetracked on this projects.

[aerostealth]

Towed this trailer today with the Ford with the Aerolid mounted and I was getting a honest 20 mpg return at 55 mph. The trailer weighs 1100 lbs and only had nine 16 ft composite boards in it for decking. I used to get between 17 mph and 18 mpg towing this trailer with my 4 Runner. More of the trailer seems to be in the the shadow of the truck as the truck is wider and the Aerolid seems to make a big difference.

[BamZipPow]

My thread on my adventure with my aero cap and towing a trailer...
http://ecomodder.com/forum/showthrea...ler-25336.html

[aerostealth]

I would say your problem with a higher trailer was a mpg killer. I am looking at a strut bracing system to hold the lift gate of the Aerolid up so air can land higher on the Apex trailer when I tow it. I will need a side curtain to stop air from bleeding around it.