On Apr 9, 8:19*pm, Adam wrote:
More trailer-talk....

I have a Minden-Fab / Scheder-style trailer and tow with a 200hp V6
station wagon. The front "barndoor" of the trailer is about 1.5 to 2
feet higher than the roofline of the car. The whole setup feels draggy
on the road. 65 mph is about the limit before I feel like I am abusing
things. I get about 17 mpg with the trailer, 26mpg without. I plan on
a 3000 mile round trip this summer and with gas where it is, a few
more mpg would be nice.

I was wondering if it would be worth fitting a deflector to my luggage
rails near the back of the wagon to reduce the drag and increase my
mpg a few points (and my L/D would also go up too!).

I will can fabricate something from stainless sheetmetal that would
mount to my Thule rack. Any tips or guidelines on the form of such a
deflector are appreciated. Or is this a bad idea?


Speaking as someone who lives in the UK, it strikes me that a change
of tow vehicle could produce major fuel savings all the time. I mean
- 26mpg at best! My car is perfectly capable of towing my glider in
it's trailer at UK legal speeds, without the trailer it does almost
50mpg, with it it drops to low 40s. Surely similar vehicles are
available in the US?

BTW not sure if you are leaving the roofrack on all the time. Taking
it off when you don't need it will improve your mpg.