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MookieKat's avatar
MookieKat
Explorer
Aug 25, 2013

Happy medium between comfort and good gas mileage to haul?

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!

80 Replies

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  • Mr_Beebo's avatar
    Mr_Beebo
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    All SUVs are not created equal. You would be suprised at the lack of towing capacity of some of them. The mpgs however, are about equal. 10-11mpg and you will be at the top of the class.
  • dahkota's avatar
    dahkota
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    Our first tt was a Jayco 22FB (6K lbs, 27' length). We managed to average 11 mpg. Our new tt is a Sprinter (9K lbs, 32'). Our mileage is the same. As people have stated, over the long haul, weight and length don't matter much.
    From experience, the smaller the trailer the more time you will spend outside.
    Also from experience, having adequate clothes storage for longer trips is the hardest thing. You can always shop on the way for food so need to carry less. And, make sure you get a tow vehicle that has an adequate payload.
  • atreis's avatar
    atreis
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    Pretty much regardless of what you buy, you'll get ABOUT the same gas mileage while towing (it's the aerodynamics of trailers - they're lousy). For instance, I get 11 mpg while towing, which is about the same that a pickup would get towing the same trailer. However - I get much better gas mileage when NOT towing.

    Consider what you need in order to pull the trailer you want (weight, length, wheelbase, tongue weight, etc), and what the gas mileage of the TV is while not towing. Towing, it'll be lousy regardless.
  • naturist's avatar
    naturist
    Nomad II
    Aug 25, 2013
    I agree with the others that a standard TT will kill mileage due to wind resistance, more than weight. I'd like to suggest another option might be a Trail Manor, which is another variation on the Hi-Lo concept, but in current production.

    As a tow vehicle, I'd second the diesel options and suggest you consider also a BMW X5 diesel or the Mercedes M class diesel or a VW Taureg diesel besides the Jeep. All have weight ratings in the 6500-7000 lb range, and should be capable of 13-15 mpg with a standard TT, more with the low profile pop-up ones.

    I tow a 21 foot TT with a diesel Jeep Liberty (no longer available in the US). The trailer fully loaded is right at the 5000 lb rating of the Libby, and I average 14 mpg towing.
  • scbwr's avatar
    scbwr
    Explorer II
    Aug 25, 2013
    We're in our 60's also and are in the process of downsizing from a 30' (total length) Sunline TT to a smaller and much lighter Winnebago Minnie Winnie 2201DS. We picked the 2201DS due to it's size (26'9" total length), great storage space for longer trips, low weight -7620 GVWR and they seem to be a better quality unit than most. We pick it up next week, so I can't say whether the gas mileage will be better than the 8-9 that we get with our Tundra, but I suggest that you will need a TV that can handle around 8,000 lbs. unless you want to buy a really small trailer or move to a hybrid. I'm hoping to be around 6,500 lbs. loaded with the Minnie, versus around 8,000 lbs. or so that we were towing with the Sunline. Check out the Winnebago towables at http://winnebagotowables.com/minnie-floorplans
  • NanciL's avatar
    NanciL
    Explorer II
    Aug 25, 2013
    For the two of you, get a 18 footer. Any smaller and you won't get the ammenities that you would want.
    You'll need a good eight cylinder vehicle and then you will be lucky if you get more then 11 MPG
    If you are buying based strictly on gas mileage, you might want to forget about it. You are not going to get good mileage

    Jack L
  • AlmostAnOldGuy's avatar
    AlmostAnOldGuy
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    As Eldlr said towing a big box through the air is tough on milage. The two generally do not go together. When towing a pop up we did get high teens behind a 1/2!ton with a small V8. If I were looking for the best mpg I would consider a Jeep diesel Grand Cherokee towing a used Hi Lo trailer. The diesel will help on milage and the Hi Lo will ride lower so you are pushing less wind. Ram truck is supposed to be coming out with the same diesel engine in their 1500 pick up soon as well.

    I do not know the cost or quality / reliability of either of these options. In some cases the net savings in fuel can be far exceeded by the cost of the vehicle and trailer compared to a more traditional setup,

    Good luck,
    Stu
  • EldIr's avatar
    EldIr
    Explorer
    Aug 25, 2013
    There is no good gas mileage towing a travel trailer. A pop-up maybe, a trailer, no. Weight has almost nothing to do with it. It's the aerodynamics of pulling a box thru the air that kills gas mileage. Even with a small, light trailer you'll be lucky to be over 11mpg towing.
  • Executive45's avatar
    Executive45
    Explorer III
    Aug 25, 2013
    When looking at trailers, make sure you know the CCC, Cargo Carrying Capacity. A 4200# trailer empty will easily exceed 5,000# loaded for camping. A too heavy trailer being towed by a too light truck will be like a tail wagging a dog....Dennis

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