2 cars 1 being towed - as much petrol used as 2?

[petemurphy]

sooo was bored behind a car being towed yesterday and was wondering:

if you went on a 200 mile journey would it be cheaper petrol wise to go in 2 separate cars or in one car and tow the other? ie would the one towing use twice as much petrol? assuming same speed? if it wouldnt how about towing 2 etc?

bored ok?!

[Sensibleboy]

Towing would save fuel.

[BigBen]

Sensibleboy said:

Towing would save fuel.

Yep, having a car sized trailer behind my car knocked about 15% off fuel economy, I have not towed it loaded yet but would suspect it would be more like 50% so still way ahead.

Ben

[Sensibleboy]

I guess you only have the inefficiency of one engine and depending on how you tow the car you'll be more aerodynamic than two separate cars.

[kambites]

engines get more efficient as load increases (up to a point).