shorter vs longer on a long trip

If you're thinking about fuel economy it's going to be about the same for both trailers. The front of the trailer pushing through the wind is what eats up mileage not the sides.

For grins I did some quick calculations. First I pulled up Google maps and plotted a course from Miami Florida (far south) to Plattsburgh New York (far north) and it was roughly 1,600 miles one way. I then calculated the cost to drive figuring fuel at $4.00 a gallon and various mileage figures. Below is what I found.

• 1,600 @ 8 MPG will cost $800.
• 1,600 @ 9 MPG will cost $711 saving $88.89 over 8 MPG.
• 1,600 @ 10 MPG will cost $640 saving $71.11 over 9 MPG.
• 1,600 @ 11 MPG will cost $581.82 saving $58.18 over 10 MPG.
• 1,600 @ 12 MPG will cost $533.33 saving $48.48 over 11 MPG.

If you increased your mileage from 8 MPG to 12 MPG which is not likely, you will save only $533.32 round trip. A more realistic increase would probably be from 9 to 11 MPG which would be a savings of $258.58 round trip. I find it hard to believe you could purchase a trailer and pay taxes and registration for less than $258.

Personally I would keep and use the trailer you already own rather than downsizing to a smaller more cramped trailer for a month long trip.