A-liners, anyone?

rexlion wrote:
About frontal area: I got 16-17 mpg towing the Aliner, 14.3 with the Burro (OK to Ouray to Arches to Zion & back), and 11-12 with a boxy conventional KZ travel trailer. All with the HL, around 60 mph. The Burro was a foot wider than a Scamp or Casita, so I'd expect about 15 with one of those. The mpg difference is attributable to the frontal area. From that data I conclude that an 'egg' trailer is not much less aero than a popup box; even though it's taller, it is rounded and slippery.

I got 14 mpg with my highlander towing my Ascend A17RD.
bumpy

Thanks, Rex.

You've touched on some of the reservations I have re the A-liner. I'm starting to think I'll be better off with a small conventional trailer, and put more money into the vehicle. After all the vehicle will be a daily necessity.

I'm handy enough to fix minor issue/tweaks with a trailer, and have a good understanding of the trailer systems. Not so much with a tow vehicle,they are much more complicated!

About frontal area: I got 16-17 mpg towing the Aliner, 14.3 with the Burro (OK to Ouray to Arches to Zion & back), and 11-12 with a boxy conventional KZ travel trailer. All with the HL, around 60 mph. The Burro was a foot wider than a Scamp or Casita, so I'd expect about 15 with one of those. The mpg difference is attributable to the frontal area. From that data I conclude that an 'egg' trailer is not much less aero than a popup box; even though it's taller, it is rounded and slippery.

One of my bigger concerns is frontal area drag, even though I will stay well under the rated towing capacity. That's why I was considering the A-liners.

Also looked at some small "traditional" type trailers, like the Forest River Wolf Cub 16FB. Truthfully that size and headroom is my first choice, but the frontal drag is a concern. It sure is a lot more trailer for the bucks than the A-liner.

I had an Aliner for 1 year. I purchased a used 2010 model in 2014 and sold it in 2015. I am only 5'8" but I got a sore back from doing dishes on those short countertops. Maybe the highwall model is better, not sure. The door alignment was off, one window sometimes didn't want to close, and some other little stuff happened; put it all together and I didn't feel good about the brand.

I looked at one of the Forest River models with cassette toilet/shower, but the drain system was stupid: the sink drained on one side, and the shower on the other side, so I'd have to move a tote around under the trailer for each drain depending on what I was doing. And the shower drain pipe went through a floor hole about 3 times too large... shoddy workmanship.

IMO it's hard to beat the regular travel trailer for the ability to pull over and just hop into the trailer for bathroom or snack or siesta. A lightweight, aero, molded-fiberglass trailer like Scamp, Casita, Parkliner, etc will tow nearly as easily as a popup and is much more sturdy. That's what I'm saving my pennies for. I've towed that type of trailer (a 17' Burro) with a Highlander through the Rocky Mountains and it did well enough. An Explorer Sport (turbo) or Jeep Grand Cherokee ecodiesel (turbo) would do even better, though, because the turbocharged engine doesn't lose horsepower in higher elevations (due to thinner air).

I agree, the set-up is a major CON to a A-liner.

I do like that the Tab S has a standard wet bath.

one of the things about the A Liner is opening and closing and having to stow stuff when it is closed. I have used one a couple of times, as the base I work on has them for rent. They are super easy to pull, a little challenging to back (so short), but do require setting up before use. I really like that I can load my TT over several days without doing anything more than opening the door. In my opinion the A Liner is too much like a popup, just has harder sides.

It really depends on what your plans are. I just talked to a co-worker yesterday, who had rented the A Liners several times, and said he and his wife had decided on a regular TT.. because they didn't have to set up and take down. He has a SUV to tow with and just chose a 15 ft TT that was well within his weight limitations.

Bumpyroad wrote:
I'd prefer a tab s floor plan myself. the slanty ceilings on the a liners make sitting under them a little claustrophobic.
bumpy

That's a concern. I'm 5'10" and need some headroom. But the Tabs don't have a lot of room either. I need to go to a dealer and sit in some of both.

I'd prefer a tab s floor plan myself. the slanty ceilings on the a liners make sitting under them a little claustrophobic.
bumpy