M.P.G. pulling trailer as opposed to not pulling trailer

[White Wolf]

Can some of you tell me if you have made a comparison in mpg pulling your trailer, as opposed to not having your trailer behind you? Am thinking of getting a trailer, and was just wondering the change in fuel mileage? Also if it is the RT-622, or some other model trailer? THANKS

 

[NancysToy]

I lose 2-3 mpg on the average pulling the RT-622, but it can be as high as 5 mpg loss, or as low as none at all. I lose an average of 5-6 mpg towing my slab-sided tent camper (Aspen Sentry), with as much loss as 10 mpg or more. My open bike trailer is somewhere in between. A lot of it depends on where you are riding. Little loss on flat, straight 55 mph roads, except in the towns, bigger losses at freeway speeds. Pulling through the mountains will eat away at it the most, no matter what you are pulling, and stop-n-go traffic is no bargain, either.

 

[Yfactor]

:agree: Average 3 - 5 mpg less when pulling the 622 fully loaded through mixed roads and speeds. When I pull it locally like when grocery shopping I see little or no loss in mpg unless riding 2 up.

 

[Spyderjockey]

I pull an older Lil' Caboose trailer. It is essentialy a fiberglass car top carrier on wheels and has a lot of cargo capacity. I usually drop about 2-3 mpg. on a trip riding 2 up and travelling around 70-80 mph. I have never really checked mileage on just little short grocery, etc. trips. It sure does make a lot more pleasant trip if you are going to be staying even over 1 night though!!:thumbup:

 

[Gordy]

this is the camper trailer that i built this year.Took it for a 6000km trip and it towed and worked realy well for camping.Didnt notice much difference in gas mileage

 

[Pennyrick]

Can some of you tell me if you have made a comparison in mpg pulling your trailer, as opposed to not having your trailer behind you? Am thinking of getting a trailer, and was just wondering the change in fuel mileage? Also if it is the RT-622, or some other model trailer? THANKS

We pull RT 622's on trips with both of our Spyder RT's and haven't noticed a huge difference in mileage. Neither are heavily loaded as most of the stuff we pack is bulky, not heavy.

Maybe a couple of MPG less but on one trip going south on the Blue Ridge Parkway in June, last year my wife actually got INCREASED mileage with the trailer on back. She hit an all time high of 34 mpg. One engineer I talked with says that the aerodynamics of the RT create quite a vacuum at the back. He opined that the trailer tended to smooth out the air flow because of its design and that would result in better mileage assuming level terrain and minimum weight differential. He likened it to the the fact that truck tractors apparently get worse mileage without the trailer than they do with it attached.

 

[dancogan]

We pulled our 622 trailer out to Glacier and back this summer. Our travels included passes over 11,000'. Over the entire trip it seemed our gas mileage declined by about 2 mpg, with the worst being one tank of 5 mpg loss (down to 25 mpg), but that was in the mountains where the gas mileage would likely have dropped anyway. We were riding 2 up.

 

[BLUEKNIGHT911]

622 TRAILER

HEY DOC , SAVE YOUR MONEY JUST BUY A BRP TRAILER OR TWO OR THREE....how many do you think it would take to break the sound barrier.......:roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack::roflblack:

 

[johnnyg]

I have a 2010 RT SE5 W/O the trailer somthing like 31-32mpg, w/trailer around 27mpg loaded our empty. I didn't by my RT and my wifes RS for gas milage we got them to have a H--- of a lot of fun with. we went from $14 average a fill up to all most $25 to 30 when we got her the RS. It's worth every penny for the memorys were having.

 

[White Wolf]

THANKS !!!

Thanks to everyone who replyed:thumbup:......it does give me an idea of what to expect if indeed I do deciede to get a trailer....and I realize that MPG is no reason, in itself, to purchase a Spyder or to not pull a trailer, but was wondering about what others had expierenced.......Thanks, Happy Spydering !!

 

[Bob Denman]

Sometimes it's just best to approach a hew situation with both eyes open; right? :shocked:

 

[StanProff]

pulling with trailer

Can some of you tell me if you have made a comparison in mpg pulling your trailer, as opposed to not having your trailer behind you? Am thinking of getting a trailer, and was just wondering the change in fuel mileage? Also if it is the RT-622, or some other model trailer? THANKS

I have the RT 622 trailer and it is well worth the money, I wasn't sure at first but after a cross country trip my wife and I wouldn't travel without it. The mileage wasn't really a concern but I would say it was down a couple of mpg maybe more running 80 or 85 mph. The overall mileage on the spyder is not great anyway but like they say, we don't buy them for gas mileage anyway. You'll see 25 to 30 according to speed. that is what I got running good speed and loaded to the gills on the bike and in the trailer. You will not find a trailer that pulls any easier or better that the 622. Also the load capacity is unreal.

 

[CyncySpyder]

OK, here's my experience with having both the BRP trailer & an after market camper

Back in 2010, we had a black RT-S & the matching BRP RT622 trailer. As others have mentioned, it is a great combination.On a 2400 mile road trip from Cincinnati, Ohio to Florida, the RT handeled the trailer like it wasn't even back there. Found myself frequently checking the mirrors just to make sure I hadn't lost it, it was that smooth. BRP did a fantastic job with the independant suspension on the trailer. My only wish is that they offered a "Camper" option with the trailer. If they did, I wouldn't even consider any other trailer or camper, as you couldn't beat the complete set-up offered from BRP then, of course, IMHO.

Since we traded the 2010 RT-S & Trailer, we now have a Moto-Mate Camper to go with Teds Red Sled. And even tho Im happy with the Moto-Mate, it just can't compare to the RT622 trailer when it comes to handling. In all fairness, the Moto-Mate is roughly the same size as the Spyder & it only has torsion suspension (none) but it serves our needs well.

With the BRP trailer, we averaged about 24-27 MPG'S, down about 2-4 MPGs

With our Moto-Mate, we're averaging about 22-24 MPGs, down about 4-8 MPGs

If you just need extra storage space, the BRP RT-622 is hard to beat, especially with the good deals that are out there to be had.

 

[White Wolf]

THANKS !!!

I have the RT 622 trailer and it is well worth the money, I wasn't sure at first but after a cross country trip my wife and I wouldn't travel without it. The mileage wasn't really a concern but I would say it was down a couple of mpg maybe more running 80 or 85 mph. The overall mileage on the spyder is not great anyway but like they say, we don't buy them for gas mileage anyway. You'll see 25 to 30 according to speed. that is what I got running good speed and loaded to the gills on the bike and in the trailer. You will not find a trailer that pulls any easier or better that the 622. Also the load capacity is unreal.

Thanks, StanProff,
That was some very informative, information. I too am wondering if it is really worth the investment, but I have not heard any negetive words on the RT-622....only praise....Don't know how often I will use it....maybe only a couple times a year, but it is like a drink of water.....when you need it............you need it......Or I guess I should say WANT it !!

Thanks, again......Happy Spydering.....:ani29:

 

[White Wolf]

THANKS !!! CyncySpyder

Back in 2010, we had a black RT-S & the matching BRP RT622 trailer. As others have mentioned, it is a great combination.On a 2400 mile road trip from Cincinnati, Ohio to Florida, the RT handeled the trailer like it wasn't even back there. Found myself frequently checking the mirrors just to make sure I hadn't lost it, it was that smooth. BRP did a fantastic job with the independant suspension on the trailer. My only wish is that they offered a "Camper" option with the trailer. If they did, I wouldn't even consider any other trailer or camper, as you couldn't beat the complete set-up offered from BRP then, of course, IMHO.

Since we traded the 2010 RT-S & Trailer, we now have a Moto-Mate Camper to go with Teds Red Sled. And even tho Im happy with the Moto-Mate, it just can't compare to the RT622 trailer when it comes to handling. In all fairness, the Moto-Mate is roughly the same size as the Spyder & it only has torsion suspension (none) but it serves our needs well.

With the BRP trailer, we averaged about 24-27 MPG'S, down about 2-4 MPGs

With our Moto-Mate, we're averaging about 22-24 MPGs, down about 4-8 MPGs

If you just need extra storage space, the BRP RT-622 is hard to beat, especially with the good deals that are out there to be had.

This is also some great information, CyncySpyder,:thumbup: maybe in the future they will realize the need for a "camper" style trailer, and when they do....I bet it will be the Cats-A_ _ppsf camping trailers......Sorry Teddy to use that four letter word(Cats), but you have to admit it seems they CAN do a great job with designing, and building a trailer....Thanks, again for the your imput.... also, Ruff...Ruff Teddy, Yes, we are dog lovers also........

 

[StanProff]

RT 622 trailer usefulness

Thanks, StanProff,
That was some very informative, information. I too am wondering if it is really worth the investment, but I have not heard any negetive words on the RT-622....only praise....Don't know how often I will use it....maybe only a couple times a year, but it is like a drink of water.....when you need it............you need it......Or I guess I should say WANT it !!

Thanks, again......Happy Spydering.....:ani29:

If you have the BRP trailer you will find yourself using it more than just once or twice a year. It pulls so easy that many times I leave it hooked up for long Day rides just to utilize my cooler for food and drinks etc. not to mention just throwing in extra helments, and clothing just in case the wife and I decide on the spur of the moment to spend the night somewhere.
Another thing is the trailer makes you more visible on the road. It is a real attention getter. I have even run to Lowes supply to pick up stuff for the house instead of taking the car. the trailer is large enough to put a lot of things in like a car trunk (bigger than most). Plus it is a good excuse to hop on the Spyder and ride a little while your doing home improvement projects. "HEY HONEY, GOTTA RUN TO LOWES TO GRAB SOME STUFF"! then you can take to "long way" to the supply store and back. :yes:

Stan