How big a trailer can I easily tow
Hello all. I am looking at retiring summer of 2015 and I am looking at spending a month or two traveling the Western US. I am currently evaluating different TT options and would appreciate advise. ...
Forum Discussion
It's unusual here to find folks suggesting you stay smaller as most often it seems like bigger is better. But this is sound advice. We tow a Rockwood TT with a dry (fictional) weight of 5585 and a GVWR of 6629. Our '03 F150 CC has factory tow and is rated for 8000#. We have wiggle room and feel well within our limits. Allow yourself about 20% or 1000# to spare.
When we unloaded our HTT to move into the TT it was amazing how much stuff had migrated in. DH had way more tools than he would have needed to build a new trailer. I had this and that and more this and that....where did all this stuff come from?? Rocky is on a lifetime diet. When "stuff" goes in, something needs to come out and Yes, we have had him on the scales and we're good.
You don't mention how many people, pets, etc but you might take a look at the Rockwood Mini Lites. They have several nice floorplans. We're on our second Rockwood and no complaints. Something in the 4500# range sounds like you'd be good. Suggest you do double check all your numbers before you start shopping and if any doubt take your VIN# to the dealer and have them pull up the build info. It will be what's truly correct. You'll also have a sticker on the door/door frame of your vehicle which should also be correct.
Re MPG....you might save a drip here and there with a slightly lighter trailer, but the frontal area is where your gas mileage gets eaten. Smaller frontal = somewhat better mileage. Most here are happy with an average 10 mpg, so don't expect much more. On a trip this June to CO from West TN, once we hit OKC we started a slow, almost unnoticeable climb and our mileage went to 8mpg, UGH. Didn't make any difference when we got into the last pull into Durango. Coming home we got a nice 12 mpg, averaged out to about 10. When I plan our trips, I just base the gas bill on 10 mpg and we usually come out a smidge ahead.
BTW, suggestion for your trip...Durango, CO and take the Silverton Train. Awesome trip! Go ahead and spring for the slightly higher $ car as you'll not have to deal with the cinders and you still have a great view. Lightner Creek Campground is exceptional and there is also one in the downtown area that's quite nice and the train actually goes right through the middle of the CG. Can't recall the name of that one, but either is good.
Good luck and happy shopping.
When we unloaded our HTT to move into the TT it was amazing how much stuff had migrated in. DH had way more tools than he would have needed to build a new trailer. I had this and that and more this and that....where did all this stuff come from?? Rocky is on a lifetime diet. When "stuff" goes in, something needs to come out and Yes, we have had him on the scales and we're good.
You don't mention how many people, pets, etc but you might take a look at the Rockwood Mini Lites. They have several nice floorplans. We're on our second Rockwood and no complaints. Something in the 4500# range sounds like you'd be good. Suggest you do double check all your numbers before you start shopping and if any doubt take your VIN# to the dealer and have them pull up the build info. It will be what's truly correct. You'll also have a sticker on the door/door frame of your vehicle which should also be correct.
Re MPG....you might save a drip here and there with a slightly lighter trailer, but the frontal area is where your gas mileage gets eaten. Smaller frontal = somewhat better mileage. Most here are happy with an average 10 mpg, so don't expect much more. On a trip this June to CO from West TN, once we hit OKC we started a slow, almost unnoticeable climb and our mileage went to 8mpg, UGH. Didn't make any difference when we got into the last pull into Durango. Coming home we got a nice 12 mpg, averaged out to about 10. When I plan our trips, I just base the gas bill on 10 mpg and we usually come out a smidge ahead.
BTW, suggestion for your trip...Durango, CO and take the Silverton Train. Awesome trip! Go ahead and spring for the slightly higher $ car as you'll not have to deal with the cinders and you still have a great view. Lightner Creek Campground is exceptional and there is also one in the downtown area that's quite nice and the train actually goes right through the middle of the CG. Can't recall the name of that one, but either is good.
Good luck and happy shopping.
