⛽ Stop Burning Cash: The 4 Simple Ways to Maximise Fuel Economy While Towing

One of the biggest concerns for Aussie caravanners is the cost of fuel on long trips. Towing a heavy van significantly increases consumption. But you can fight back to maximise Fuel Economy While Towing.

Here are four simple ways to boost your fuel economy and make your dollar go further—with a critical safety tip from Flatmate-TPMS.

1. Slow Down will maximise Fuel Economy While Towing (The Easiest Fuel Saver)

• Speed is your enemy: Towing drag is proportional to the square of your speed. This means driving at 100 km/h uses far more fuel than cruising at 90 km/h or 95 km/h.

• Be Smooth: Avoid harsh acceleration and sudden braking. Anticipate stops and red lights to carry momentum. Creamy, consistent driving is the secret to lower consumption.

• Ditch the Cruise Control: On hilly roads, cruise control can struggle and force excessive gear shifting, burning more fuel. Better to manage the speed yourself to maximise Fuel Economy While Towing

2. Manage Your Load (The Hidden Weight)

• Pack Smart, Not Heavy: Overpacking adds unnecessary weight and increases fuel resistance. Ask yourself if you truly need that extra generator or annex.

• Dump the Water: Water weighs around $1 \text{ kg}$ per litre. Empty your grey and freshwater tanks before you hit the road if you can refill at your destination.

• Balance is Key: Distribute heavy items low and close to the caravan's axle. Too much weight at the front or back affects stability and increases drag.

3. Optimise Tyre Pressure (The Critical Money Saver)

• Rolling Resistance: Under-inflated tyres flex more, build up more heat, and create more rolling resistance. This forces your engine to work harder and burns more fuel.

• Pump it Up (Carefully): Maintaining the manufacturer's recommended cold pressure is vital. For many towing setups, pumping an extra 5 to 10 PSI beyond the car's normal pressure can significantly reduce resistance and save fuel.

• The Flatmate Safety Check: You cannot afford to guess your pressure. Even a small pressure drop can ruin your fuel range and destroy a tyre.

4. Choose Your Route and Time (Outsmart the Weather)

• Avoid the Wind: Strong headwinds drastically increase drag and fuel use. If possible, wait out extremely windy conditions.

• Go Bitumen Over Gravel: Bitumen roads offer far less surface drag than unsealed roads, even if the bitumen route is slightly longer.

• Drive Cooler: Early morning air is denser and cooler, which is better for engine efficiency and helps your engine perform better without overheating.

Flatmate-TPMS: The Only Tool That Guarantees Your Savings

These four tips rely on one crucial variable: knowing your exact tyre pressure and temperature all the time.

A manual gauge at a servo is only as accurate as when you check it. A slow leak or heat buildup from a bad wheel bearing can start instantly, destroying your tyre and your fuel economy without warning.

This is why a TPMS is essential. It pays for itself the moment you catch a slow leak before it ruins your range and your rubber.

Flatmate-TPMS provides the Vigilant monitoring you need to keep your pressures perfect and your wallet happy.