10mpg pulling empty trailer???

should I expect this? Running about 70mph on the interstate. Tires are 265/75/16 km/2. I normally get 16-18 mpg around town.

 

That trailer? Hell no. Maybe if it were a big camper. The truck shouldn't even notice that thing is back there.

 

Its the gate resistance causing the low mpg.

 

Yes. Three factors: #1 any speed above 60 to 65 is going to drop mpg, #2 towing any weight causes engine rpm to be above 1900 to 2000 at that speed, #2 the gate and sides on that trailer act like a huge parachute.

I eventually switched to an aluminum trailer with low sides and I lay the ramp flat or take it off for long trips. I also watch rpms and try to stay under 2k. It's better, but Tacomas are not tow vehicles for sure.

 

That MPG is kinda low but you were traveling fast.

I got 12 MPG on a loaded U-Haul Trailer streets and 60 MPH hwy w/ hills.

 

Wow, I get 14-15 with my 5x10 tool trailer loaded, and the worst I’ve gotten was 10mpg with a 6x16 steel horse trailer loaded with all kinds of boxes when we moved.

 

Take gate off and try it? I get 10mpg with a loaded 20’ travel trailer.

 

Wow that trailer is producing a lot of parasitic drag... check your tire pressure 38 to 40 psi on truck not sure on the trailer...

 

It's the same RPM at 70 no matter what you are towing. If the TC isn't locked cruising at 70, he's got other issues.

 

How many miles did you pull it to come up with your number? 10 or 20 miles is not enough. You can't begin to know efficiency in a short distance.

 

That expanded metal gate creates more resistance that you would think. The square tube on my ladder rack even drops me by 2 mpg on the interstate.

 

I'd echo what others have said having towed a 2400# a-frame camper. Above ~65MPH, fuel economy will drop more noticeably. I got about 15MPG on a 2300 mile trip, MOSTLY on an interstate doing 70MPH. One tank I hit 17.5MPG, but that was due to a slightly different route coming back home, and I had a good distance traveled below 65MPH.

I'd suspect that gate at the rear of the trailer is creating a ton of drag. The faster you go, the MORE drag is going to affect fuel economy.

Here's what my trailer looks like behind my truck. It's a bit wider than the Taco, and it's just tall enough not to be able to see over it with the middle mirror.

 

My 94 Ford 4x4 F350,460 motor gets better than that pulling a travel trailer

 

It was about a 4 hour drive on the interstate. I guess it’s just the bad combination of speed, wind, and not the best option for towing. Fortunately isn’t not something I do often at all

 

Yep, I'd say drag was the major culprit, not weight. When you get above a certain speed, every 10MPH increased speed DOUBLES wind resistance. It's the major factor affecting fuel economy (all else being equal) at higher speeds.

 

My MPGs were in the absolute dirt when I pulled an empty tiny 5x8 trailer.

When I loaded it up, I gained 2 mpg.

Strange.

 

i guess i was wrong. next time, just tow it with the gate down.

 

I wouldn’t think pulling that small of a trailer and it being empty would be the cause.

 

My 14’ enclosed gets horrible mileage regardless of load. It is the wind resistance that is the issue not the weight. Even loaded it takes off fine and doesn’t get bogged down at all. But on the highway the combination of 4th gear and wind resistance kills mpg.

I borrow my neighbors trailer similar to yours for small loads. I don’t feel it back there and can run 6th but it still kills mpg some due to aerodynamic drag. I don’t ever tow over 65mph so that is my only reference.