We currently have a 2006 Jayco 25' TT weighing in at about 5200 dry. We tow with a Nissan Titan. The truck handles the trailer fine but it is now just the 2 of us and we were looking to downsize. Another reason for us to go to a smaller trailer is I thought it would be easy to tow a trailer that weighs in at around 3,500 lbs. Maybe even be able to just set the cruise on most fairly level payment and go. Does the lesser weight of a 20' trailer make that much of a difference? We are currently looking at a 2011 Aerolite 195QB. Thanks for the help!

If you're just talking about moving the setup/fuel economy etc.:Weight makes a difference at starting/low speeds and on hills, both up and down. Above fifty mph or so, frontal area/wind resistance (drag) is more of a governing factor than a thousand pounds or so of weight.

Francesca Knowles wrote:If you're just talking about moving the setup/fuel economy etc.:Weight makes a difference at starting/low speeds and on hills, both up and down. At highway speeds, frontal area/wind resistance is more of a governing factor than a thousand pounds or so of weight.^^^ agree very much so... Over 50 mph, wind resistance is the largest factor.

SolidAxleDurango wrote:Francesca Knowles wrote:If you're just talking about moving the setup/fuel economy etc.:Weight makes a difference at starting/low speeds and on hills, both up and down. At highway speeds, frontal area/wind resistance is more of a governing factor than a thousand pounds or so of weight.^^^ agree very much so... Over 50 mph, wind resistance is the largest factor.Very true.......BUT that Nissan will have a much easier time getting the lighter/small trailer up to 50 mph and maintaining speed.

That's also a consideration of the newer trailer, It is much more aerodynamic.

I tow a car hauler, so it's around 4300 empty and 8000 full. Other than a slight difference in acceleration and maybe an earlier downshift on a hill I can't tell the difference. Fuel mileage barely changes.Brian

How much does weight matter | Good Sam Community

14 Replies

tedp
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
That's also a consideration of the newer trailer, It is much more aerodynamic.
Old-Biscuit
Explorer III
Aug 04, 2013
SolidAxleDurango wrote:
Francesca Knowles wrote:
If you're just talking about moving the setup/fuel economy etc.:

Weight makes a difference at starting/low speeds and on hills, both up and down. At highway speeds, frontal area/wind resistance is more of a governing factor than a thousand pounds or so of weight.

^^^ agree very much so... Over 50 mph, wind resistance is the largest factor.

Very true.......

BUT that Nissan will have a much easier time getting the lighter/small trailer up to 50 mph and maintaining speed.
SolidAxleDurang
Explorer II
Aug 04, 2013
Francesca Knowles wrote:
If you're just talking about moving the setup/fuel economy etc.:

Weight makes a difference at starting/low speeds and on hills, both up and down. At highway speeds, frontal area/wind resistance is more of a governing factor than a thousand pounds or so of weight.

^^^ agree very much so... Over 50 mph, wind resistance is the largest factor.
Francesca_Knowl
Explorer
Aug 04, 2013
If you're just talking about moving the setup/fuel economy etc.:

Weight makes a difference at starting/low speeds and on hills, both up and down. Above fifty mph or so, frontal area/wind resistance (drag) is more of a governing factor than a thousand pounds or so of weight.

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How much does weight matter

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