Buy a trailer (instead of a pickup truck)

[redpoint5]

Originally Posted by Prii

I am currently brainstorming ideas for an aerodynamically clean cargo trailer to pull behind my Prius for a cross-country move. I have a basic 4'x8' flatbed utility trailer (which knocks 10-15 mpg off the Prius even when unloaded), a longer converted boat trailer and a narrower jet ski trailer. My thought is to try to keep the trailer's frontal area well within the frontal area of the Prius. I need to protect the contents from weather so am toying with building a very lightweight "poor man's fiberglass" shell. I also am thinking the bottom should be sheathed to cut down friction from the road surface. Anyone have any ideas/experience along these lines?

I've mentioned it before, perhaps in this thread, but my Prius gets better fuel economy pulling a 4x8 trailer when it is loaded vs unloaded. This is assuming the 2' sidewalls are up. When that box is empty, it acts as a parachute. Full, it's hardly noticeable at steady cruising.

With the sides removed (flat trailer), I can't tell the trailer is attached at all.

If you're running walls, the best thing you can do is find something to cover the cavity. Start there and see if additional work is worth the cost/time.

[freebeard]

[waiting for a 2nd post to start offering suggestions]

[Prii]

Thanks for the response, Redpoint5. That’s an interesting point about covering our filling out the area within the side planks. I tow a converted boat trailer with a 4x8 flat bed around town with varying loads on a regular basis (I refer to it as my stealth pickup truck) and it always costs me at least 10 mpg (which is still almost twice the mileage my old 6.5 Suburban, of course). I have to move a loveseat, two porch gliders and assorted chairs about 850 miles and am looking for the most efficient way to go.

[freebeard]

I have to move a loveseat, two porch gliders and assorted chairs about 850 miles and am looking for the most efficient way to go.

So, something less than 85 gallons of fuel?

What is the replacement cost of the seats and chairs? Sentimental value?

Use the flatbed trailer you have, arrange the load as compactly as possible, then tarp it and use a spider net.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1wWLDUYd-L.jpg

[Prii]

Valid considerations, Slowmover. I did not check Penske, specifically, but a Uhaul truck big enough to haul the Prius and the furniture is just under $500 one way and another $300-350 in fuel whereas the Prius can do it for about $60 worth of fuel. My standard approach to most challenges of this sort is to determine if there is a solution which can be accomplished for equal or less money which will result in new assets for future use (I.e. tools, equipment, etc, etc). Since I am retired, I generally have way more time than money so I don't factor my labor/effort into the equation. As far as the furniture goes, some of it has sentimental value.

[MetroMPG]

Ontario driver ticketed for towing 53-foot semi-trailer with Chevy Silverado

Photos posted by the Ontario Provincial Police on their Facebook page show the 53-foot trailer was attached by a crude pin system



The vehicle also had a rudimentary air braking system installed, but it appears to only be hooked up to run the lights, not the brakes themselves. This means the truck’s brakes may have been stopping the entire weight of the trailer — yikes!

https://driving.ca/chevrolet/silvera...hevy-silverado

[Xist]

Who thought this was a good idea?!


What was the actual citation? (Not specified in that article, either) Someone on imgur seemed to believe that it was perfectly legal.

[Fat Charlie]

Probably just some generic "hazardous operation" or whatnot. None of that's been approved by the DOT, UL or anyone else. To defend it, you need to show that the random scrap metal you slapped together is actually safe. Because out on public roads, "I think it ought to hold" isn't the standard everyone else has the right to expect.

[freebeard]

It's an interesting piece, some sort of linch pin. It could very well be forged steel and very stout, with a red safety clasp.

The trailer will be free to pitch up and down OTOH.

[Fat Charlie]

The trailer is free to pitch the truck off into a ditch, actually.