I have a 4×8 utility trailer , no ramps, probably weighs 400lbs empty, when I hooked it up to my Crown Vic the mpg went from 26 avg mpg hwy to 17 avg mpg hwy, did not matter if it was empty or completely loaded with 2000lbs of gear, the same car averaged 17mpg hauling a double axle enclosed 6×12 Uhaul with 4000lbs of household goods from L.A. to Houston.
Aero dynamically the uhaul is actually cleaner, but you would think the larger box and weight would be much more drag and cause a bigger drop in mpg,,
My current tow vehicle is a bit more serious, F150 HD (8200 gvw) 5.4, 4.10 gear , and it goes from 16 avg mpg hwy to 10 avg mpg hwy hauling a flat bed car hauler with car, wether the car weighs 2500 lbs or 5000lbs , have not hauled it empty yet though I expect it will be 12, am expecting 12 mpg hauling the 19 bh, but wont know till it happens,,, get the trailer late this week or early next
also amazes me that an 18 wheeler hauling a 20,000 lbs (empty) trailer can get 10mpg or better, to put that in perspective, a large 5th wheel camper weighs about that much but will reduce a pickup trucks mpg into single digits,,,, 18 wheeler in question is a Freightliner columbia with a "broken in" detroit (200,000+ miles) would average 15mpg bobtailing (no Trailer) ,,, really makes me wonder why my f150 only manages 16??? of course fully loaded at 80,000lbs big trucks avg about 6mpg
so the point is , the drag is mostly about the aerodynamics and extra tires on the ground and less about weight (on flat roads) , and a vehicle designed to tow will lose less mpg % wise than one that is not , but will get less mpg the rest of the time
wow, I'm a rambling man