As you have read by now, there is pretty much no way to get "good on gas mileage". I think you can expect between 10 & 11 with pretty much what ever hard sided, up right travel trailer you get. Be pleasantly surprised if you get sightly more, but don't be shocked if you a little less.
Weight plays little in the fuel mileage. Weight comes into play mostly at stops. It takes a little more gas to get a heavy weight going than it does a light weight. However, most of your time will be spend towing at highway speeds. At that point, you will be looking at the huge sail area, the relatively flat front of the upright trailer you are pulling. About the only way to affect your gas mileage positively while towing, is by slowing down to 55 to 60 mph.
If you are in need of a new tow vehicle as well as trailer, for your needs, you might want to consider a Class B. They are great for touring. They can pretty much go any where except true off road areas. They will get 15 to 16 mpg.
I've had extensive experience with Class B's. I wanted something newer to go to the West Coast in. Since I already had a pickup, I decided to get a TT. If I had not had the pickup already, I probably would have gotten a newer Class B.
But I will admit, the extra room in my relatively small 24 foot trailer is nice at times.
MookieKat wrote:
Hi everyone! I just joined tonight, because we need your experience and wisdom! What would be your recommendation for the most practical size of TT for a couple in their early 60s who wants to travel around the country visiting national parks? We want something that would be good on gas mileage.
We saw a Fun Finder 18' with slide (around 3,100 lbs) on Craiglslist and it looked good, but then we saw a 21' with slide (around 4,200 lbs.) today and loved the layout and the roominess. However, we do not want something that is hard to maneuver around twisting mountain roads, nor do we want to have to buy a vehicle that is a gas guzzler, so we are torn... What is the happy medium between comfort and maneuverability? What is the sweet spot in comfort and decent gas mileage?
We need a newer vehicle anyway, so we will be buying a used SUV that can tow a trailer and will be great to use as an everyday vehicle, since we do not plan (at this juncture), to go full-time....most likely, we will only be traveling 1-2 months out of the year.
We had considered the Toyota Highlander, which tows 5,000 lbs., but we are not married to that idea. Any advice on a vehicle purchase would be appreciated as well! Thanks in advance for your help!
