Enclosed Trailers - V-Nose or Flat?

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 7:44 pm

I'm probably going to be upgrading to a somewhat larger enclosed trailer this spring and wanted some opinions. My present trailer is flat in the front and has no side door. The new one will definitely have a side door and I have the option to go with a flat or V-nose front. The claim with the V-nose is that it doesn't provide as much drag on the highway, thus better gas mileage. With 2 bikes in the trailer, the area in the V is mostly wasted space. Is it a good spot to build in some tool storage? Cost is no different since they'll be giving me a good deal on a leftover if I go with the V nose.

Opinions?

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 8:53 pm

I've had both and I really like the V-nose for better fuel economy.

Posted: Thu Mar 02, 2017 9:06 pm

The aerodynamic saving of a V-nose trailer are negligible, at best. If the trailer were going down the road by itself, there would be a benefit, but since it follows right behind your truck, the airflow is completely disrupted by the truck. It's like removing the tailgate from your truck and putting in one of those cloth gates to allow the air to flow through it. The only actual savings there is the removal of the weight of the tailgate, no aerodynamic benefit at all. As the air is disrupted by the front of your truck, it will "roll", and mostly hit the trailer on the top, vice the front. Go with the trailer you like best, but understand that the V-nose will not help with fuel economy.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 2:46 pm

cliffiec wrote:

The aerodynamic saving of a V-nose trailer are negligible, at best. If the trailer were going down the road by itself, there would be a benefit, but since it follows right behind your truck, the airflow is completely disrupted by the truck. It's like removing the tailgate from your truck and putting in one of those cloth gates to allow the air to flow through it. The only actual savings there is the removal of the weight of the tailgate, no aerodynamic benefit at all. As the air is disrupted by the front of your truck, it will "roll", and mostly hit the trailer on the top, vice the front. Go with the trailer you like best, but understand that the V-nose will not help with fuel economy.

I was personally wary of the better mileage claims. If I got 1mpg more I'd be surprised. One nice thing with the V-nose is that you can make a combination closet/toolbox in the V section. The closet area would be nice for hanging riding jackets, rain gear, etc. Down below could be boxed in for tools and spare parts storage.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 3:37 pm

I don't have any direct experience, but improving aerodynamics may get you that 1 MPG. I have a Thule roof box and when it's installed on my SUV, I get 2 MPG less than when it's not.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 4:33 pm

You didn't indicate what length trailer, but the V-nose does not lend itself to placing useful cabinet space or a work bench at the front of your trailer, so it becomes somewhat wasted space. As stated by others, the fuel economy claims are suspect.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 8:50 pm

The question of aerodynamics for least drag contributed by the trailer is totally dependent on the shape, dimensions, airfoil, and turbulence behind the towing vehicle. Same basic deal for removing a tailgate. Probably works much better on some pickups than others depending on the airfoil. It takes a wind tunnel and measurements to really know.

Consider the little vertical winglets they put on all the swept wing airplanes now. Seems odd that they could do what they do, but it takes more than guessing to figure it out.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:32 pm

genesound wrote:

The question of aerodynamics for least drag contributed by the trailer is totally dependent on the shape, dimensions, airfoil, and turbulence behind the towing vehicle. Same basic deal for removing a tailgate. Probably works much better on some pickups than others depending on the airfoil. It takes a wind tunnel and measurements to really know.

Consider the little vertical winglets they put on all the swept wing airplanes now. Seems odd that they could do what they do, but it takes more than guessing to figure it out.

You are correct, wind tunnel testing and analysis of a specific trailer behind a specific towing vehicle are required to produce actual figures. In the absence of the ability to test, a bit of knowledge of aerodynamics can be applied to predict a result.

Winglets work to reduce the drag induced by the motion of the wing through the air, thereby either allowing increased speed, or improved fuel economy, at the discretion of the operator.

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:45 pm

I love winglets! Lots of hot sauce and wash them down with some cold ones! Now we're talkin"!

Posted: Fri Mar 03, 2017 10:47 pm

I have found my V nose very handy space for spare tire, jack, tool box, helmets and gear. It's an awkward space to store awkward stuff. I doubt you could bank the mileage difference!
I would buy one again.

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 5:12 am

Tom,
I think the V nose is the better choice, I doubt the V nose helps MPG but it does not hurt either. Use the space as other suggested as storage or a small work area or both. It will allow you to not use valuable floor space around your bike(s).

https://www.google.com/search?q=v+nose+trailer+storage&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwihh5qsibzSAhVI5WMKHY_SAm0Q_AUICSgC&biw=1366&bih=608#tbm=isch&q=v+nose+trailer+storage&chips=q:v+nose+trailer+storage,g_5:motorcycle+race&*

JT in Texas

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 11:57 am

I think you should buy a Haulmark Edge pro trailer......Just because I have a hardon for one after watching the TV show street Outlaws...

They do have cabinets in them already!

On topic, I did see something about V nose trailers front edge causing the air to cling closer to the sides which caused more drag on the rear of the trailer through the air.....There was also an analogy to the aerodynamic shape of a water droplet (like a wing) while noting that the tapered V edge is better served for less drag at the rear than pointed forward.

What does that mean as far as the effects of the V nose on MPG? Damn if I know but I wouldn't just assume mileage will be significantly or measurably better....

You probably can better impact towing mileage with a pickup hard tonneau cover or hard raised cap...

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 12:40 pm

V nose or flat buy aluminum. Weight is the enemy. In the North, so is rust😀

New is nice, unless of course we're talking 35 year old motorcycles,

Toddk

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 1:20 pm

mrmike wrote:

You didn't indicate what length trailer, but the V-nose does not lend itself to placing useful cabinet space or a work bench at the front of your trailer, so it becomes somewhat wasted space. As stated by others, the fuel economy claims are suspect.

My current Haulmark trailer is 6' x 10'. I plan to get one slightly larger - 7' x 12' with a single axle, (easier to back up) electric brakes, and side door. I can fit 2 F's in my current trailer, but it's tight getting out after they're strapped down. The extra foot of width and the side door will help with that.

Posted: Sat Mar 04, 2017 5:16 pm

Flat or V? interesting question. I'd be inclined to agree that unless the trailers front face is directly in the airstream (not behind a full size pick-up type tow vehicle) the fuel savings might be negligible. I towed a open space frame Cerka to Pigeon Forge a couple years ago, with a CBR-1000RR/R onboard, behind my 03 Dodge RAM (5.7 in town gas guzzler) and actual seen a mileage improvement on the highway with the bike/trailer combo. Not surprising really with the motor running in it's power band. Anyway to my point of this post. Check the link and be sure to keep this info at the fore front of your thinking, regardless of trailer type, when loading your trailer and settting up "Tongue Weight". Here's the link:

http://www.cb1100f.net/modules.php?name=Forums&file=viewtopic&t=84343&highlight=

Bad things happen when the trailer tongue weight is not correct.

T.

Hawk Joined: Jan 10, 2012 Posts: 439 Location: Chicago

Tom,

My 2 place has a V nose....it's great....When....I get a 4 place...it too will have a V nose front...
The V nose just makes it easier to work around the bikes during tie-down...

E

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 6:09 am

tomk1960 wrote:

mrmike wrote:

You didn't indicate what length trailer, but the V-nose does not lend itself to placing useful cabinet space or a work bench at the front of your trailer, so it becomes somewhat wasted space. As stated by others, the fuel economy claims are suspect.

My current Haulmark trailer is 6' x 10'. I plan to get one slightly larger - 7' x 12' with a single axle, (easier to back up) electric brakes, and side door. I can fit 2 F's in my current trailer, but it's tight getting out after they're strapped down. The extra foot of width and the side door will help with that.

I was under the impression that trailers 12' and longer are always tandem. A couple of years ago I was towing my tandem trailer to FL and got a flat, since there is another wheel next to the flat one, I was able to continue, slower, to find a place to repair the tire. It could have been a bit of a problem with a single axle.

Chico

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 7:39 am

chico wrote:

I was under the impression that trailers 12' and longer are always tandem. A couple of years ago I was towing my tandem trailer to FL and got a flat, since there is another wheel next to the flat one, I was able to continue, slower, to find a place to repair the tire. It could have been a bit of a problem with a single axle.

Chico

I've looked at several 12' single axle trailers, so they're out there. At least a few dual axle owners have told me that single axle trailers are easier to back up, especially when there's a tight spot to back into.

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 9:50 am

chico wrote:

tomk1960 wrote:

mrmike wrote:

You didn't indicate what length trailer, but the V-nose does not lend itself to placing useful cabinet space or a work bench at the front of your trailer, so it becomes somewhat wasted space. As stated by others, the fuel economy claims are suspect.

My current Haulmark trailer is 6' x 10'. I plan to get one slightly larger - 7' x 12' with a single axle, (easier to back up) electric brakes, and side door. I can fit 2 F's in my current trailer, but it's tight getting out after they're strapped down. The extra foot of width and the side door will help with that.

I was under the impression that trailers 12' and longer are always tandem. A couple of years ago I was towing my tandem trailer to FL and got a flat, since there is another wheel next to the flat one, I was able to continue, slower, to find a place to repair the tire. It could have been a bit of a problem with a single axle.

Chico

Tandem axle allows the use of a "trailer aid" to assist with flat tires. The shoulder of a limited-access highway can be a dangerous and scary place, and ten minute start to finish flat tire repairs help get you out of there quick!

Posted: Fri Mar 10, 2017 10:19 pm

That's a good one Steve as long as you don't forget the tire iron, but driving to a tire dealer is much easier.

Chico