How to Save Money on Gas When You’re Towing a Trailer (10 Tips to Increase Fuel Efficiency When You’re Hauling)

Fuel costs are one of the biggest ongoing expenses for people who regularly tow trailers. Contractors hauling equipment, landscapers moving mowers and materials, and recreational users transporting ATVs or side-by-sides all feel the impact when gas prices rise. Small inefficiencies in how you load, drive, and maintain your setup can add up to a lot of wasted fuel over time. Several more gallons per month can add up to hundreds of dollars per year!

In this article we’ll tell you how to improve gas mileage when towing. Let’s dive in.

1. Drive Slower (Speed Kills Fuel Economy)

This may not be practical for everyone, but one big factor when moving a trailer is to reduce highway speed. Wind resistance increases dramatically as speed rises, and large trailers create a lot of aerodynamic drag compared to a truck by itself. Many drivers notice a significant drop in fuel economy once they exceed about 65 miles per hour while towing. A truck towing a trailer may lose 20% - 40% more fuel economy above 65 mph.

So if you have time, driving closer to 60–65 mph often improves fuel efficiency without adding much time to a trip, especially for contractors or landscapers making routine runs between job sites.

2. Manage Weight (Don’t Haul More Than You Need)

Weight is one of the biggest factors affecting fuel use when towing. Every extra pound requires energy to move, so it helps to avoid hauling equipment or materials that aren’t needed for the job.

Contractors sometimes leave extra tools, attachments, or supplies on a trailer out of convenience, but removing unnecessary items can reduce overall weight and improve gas mileage. Remove unused equipment, pallets, and use the smallest trailer that will work for the job. Even 500-1000 lbs less weight can noticeably improve fuel economy.

3. Balance the Load Properly

Proper load distribution is just as important as total weight. A poorly balanced trailer forces the tow vehicle to work harder and can create additional rolling resistance.

In most cases, maintaining about ten to fifteen percent of the total trailer weight on the hitch provides good stability and efficiency. Loads should generally be centered over the axles instead of stacked too far toward the rear of the trailer. When a trailer sways or shifts while driving, the tow vehicle constantly compensates, which wastes fuel and creates unnecessary wear on the vehicle. See our trailer loading guide here for more detailed tips and information.

4. Keep Truck and Trailer Tires Properly Inflated

Underinflated tires increase rolling resistance and make the engine work harder to maintain speed. This applies to both the truck and the trailer tires.

Checking pressure regularly and keeping tires inflated to the manufacturer’s recommended levels can improve fuel efficiency and also extend tire life. For people who tow frequently, this simple step can save a surprising amount of money over the course of a season.

5. Reduce Aerodynamic Drag

Aerodynamics play a role in how efficiently a trailer moves through the air. Enclosed cargo trailers, tall landscape trailers with mesh gates, and equipment trailers carrying bulky loads all create wind resistance. If your utility trailer’s deck is empty, fold the gate down if you can.

While some drag is unavoidable, keeping ramps secured upright and avoiding loose materials that catch wind can help reduce it. Certain trailer designs, such as V-nose enclosed trailers or low-profile equipment trailers, are naturally more aerodynamic and may help improve fuel efficiency on longer highway trips.

6. Drive Smoothly and Avoid Aggressive Acceleration

Driving style makes a bigger difference than many people realize. Aggressive acceleration, frequent hard braking, and rapid changes in speed use far more fuel than smooth, steady driving.

Gradual acceleration, anticipating traffic stops, and maintaining consistent speeds whenever possible allow the tow vehicle to operate more efficiently. Cruise control can also help.

7. Use the Right Tow Vehicle for the Job

Oversized trucks burn unnecessary fuel for light loads. Matching truck capacity to trailer weight improves efficiency.

If you have multiple trucks, or if you’re considering getting a new one, go with a lighter truck that will still be heavy enough to get the job done, but not excessive.

8. Plan Routes and Combine Trips

Planning routes and trips can also help reduce fuel consumption. Contractors and landscapers who tow regularly often benefit from combining deliveries or job runs to minimize empty trips.

Avoiding heavily congested routes can reduce stop-and-go driving, which is particularly inefficient when towing. Even small improvements in route planning can lead to noticeable fuel savings over time.

9. Maintain Wheel Bearings and Trailer Brakes

Routine trailer maintenance is another often overlooked factor. Components like wheel bearings, brakes, and axles must operate smoothly for the trailer to roll efficiently. Worn or dry wheel bearings create friction that the tow vehicle has to overcome, and dragging brakes can significantly increase fuel consumption.

Keeping bearings properly greased, ensuring brakes are functioning correctly, and addressing alignment issues can improve both fuel efficiency and safety. (And we can help with your maintenance! JTI’s full trailer service and repair shop in Oakwood Village, Ohio, will help keep your trailer in great working condition.)

10. Choose the Right Trailer for the Job

Using the right trailer for the job can make a difference in long-term fuel costs. Lighter trailers require less energy to pull, and designs that eliminate unnecessary weight or reduce wind resistance can help improve overall efficiency.

For people who tow frequently, choosing a trailer that matches the job requirements instead of simply using the largest available option can result in meaningful fuel savings over time.

Small Improvements Add Up

Fuel efficiency while towing ultimately comes down to a combination of smart driving habits, proper trailer setup, and regular maintenance. Small improvements in these areas can add up quickly, especially for contractors, landscapers, and recreational users who spend a lot of time hauling equipment.

If you’re looking to fix up your trailer and get it in good condition, or you’re looking for a new one, give us a call or text at 440-232-4311. JTI Trailers has been helping people find the right trailer for their job since 1935.