Hello to everyone. After several months of looking at very small travel trailers my wife and I have found two suitable models that would meet our travel needs. They are shaped quite differently so I have a question about the effect of height and wind drag that might effect our decision on which one to buy. One is a retro type model that is 17' long and according to the manufacturer 97" high. The other one were considering is traditional in design, kind of box like, and thus measures 17' in length but is 117" high. Both trailers have approximately the same dry weight of 2300 pounds. We're going to be towing with a Jeep Cherokee with a 4.0 engine that says it will pull 5,000 lbs. Seems to me that the significantly lower model would make things much easier on my Jeep when all other things are equal. Plus, with less wind drag there might also be less chance of swaying, etc. Would love to hear what some of you experienced folks say about this. Thanks

I hope you are not serious !!!!!!!!!!!!!!Go here PLEASE and read. http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/pulling-rv-98-jeep-cherokee-sport-4-0-a-141612/

CLICKYWelcome to the forum Amazing1. There is a lot of information available, don't hesitate to ask.

Assuming the trailer is 8' wide the 10" extra height figures out to an extra 96 square inches in frontal area. That will make a difference but in practice, you will never notice the difference because it will be so minor.Maybe you should be looking at pop up campers?

In the owners manual, in the towing section there should be a paragraph concerning frontal area. IIRC my liberty manual had such a paragraph. With a small engine, short wheel base vehicle, trailer weight is only one of the factors that need to be accounted for. Where you are towing is also a big consideration. 5000# may be ok on the plains or other level areas, but may totally overwhelm your vehicle on hills

Back in the day when I used to tow a trailer with my GMC Yukon, we had what was called a HiLo trailer. It was a great idea since it was a hard sided trailer that was lower than the Yukon when down for towing and at the push of a button it would raise up to full trailer height when camped. It was 22 feet long and weighed about 6000 pounds and was easily towed by my 5.3L Yukon. Of course the Yukon had an 8000 pound tow rating. There were two companies that made this type of trailer, HiLo and I believe a company called Trailite or something. I don't know if they are still in business. I think they also made smaller lighter units.

Question About Wind Drag | Good Sam Community

15 Replies

scarpi
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
Back in the day when I used to tow a trailer with my GMC Yukon, we had what was called a HiLo trailer. It was a great idea since it was a hard sided trailer that was lower than the Yukon when down for towing and at the push of a button it would raise up to full trailer height when camped. It was 22 feet long and weighed about 6000 pounds and was easily towed by my 5.3L Yukon. Of course the Yukon had an 8000 pound tow rating. There were two companies that made this type of trailer, HiLo and I believe a company called Trailite or something. I don't know if they are still in business. I think they also made smaller lighter units.
pitch
Explorer II
Jul 30, 2013
In the owners manual, in the towing section there should be a paragraph concerning frontal area. IIRC my liberty manual had such a paragraph. With a small engine, short wheel base vehicle, trailer weight is only one of the factors that need to be accounted for.
Where you are towing is also a big consideration. 5000# may be ok on the plains or other level areas, but may totally overwhelm your vehicle on hills
beemerphile1
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
Assuming the trailer is 8' wide the 10" extra height figures out to an extra 96 square inches in frontal area. That will make a difference but in practice, you will never notice the difference because it will be so minor.

Maybe you should be looking at pop up campers?
gbopp
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
CLICKY

Welcome to the forum Amazing1. There is a lot of information available, don't hesitate to ask.
rockportrocket
Explorer
Jul 30, 2013
I hope you are not serious !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Go here PLEASE and read. http://www.cherokeeforum.com/f2/pulling-rv-98-jeep-cherokee-sport-4-0-a-141612/

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Question About Wind Drag

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