How tall is your typical trailer?

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Retired?
Still working on that custom trailer?

Why not just buy one and go camping.

Trailers are just 'shoe-boxes' with wheels........or 'tubes' (Airstream) with wheels.
Pick one and enjoy the time camping vs reinventing one.

Old-Biscuit:

Retired? Yes
Still working on the custom trailer? Yes
Why not just buy? Because it's a never ending hobby.

Everyone else: I sincerely thank you for all your inputs. THANK YOU!

ScottG wrote:
One thing I've noticed is that the over height spec for a given trailer doesn't include the radio antenna.

Agree, we have had our radio antenna catch the overhead door several times. The little ball on the end hooks on the bottom door panel and pulls the door down and we try and exit the shop. I need to check and make sure nothing is loose on top as the last time it happened, it pulled pretty hard.

First trailer was about 10' 6" tall (Air conditioner was the high spot), current trailer is 11' 8" according to specs, but seems taller (seems to have less than expected clearance with 12' 6" door...

One thing I've noticed is that the over height spec for a given trailer doesn't include the radio antenna.

What is "typical?" There are trailers intended for easy towing that are kept to 6 1/2 width and height of 8 foot or less, and travel trailers go up to 12 feet in height and 8 width for the "luxury" market where high ceilings are a feature. 7 1/2 or 8 wide combined with height between 10 and 11 is pretty common in the "lightweight" market, although the low height is often gained by running low to the ground, and some owners find themselves flipping the axles or otherwise lifting their low profile TTs to gain groung clearance.

I think most TTs range from 100" high to about 140" high, and from 7' to 8' wide.

If you are looking for small frontal area in a TT, about the best you'll find is a molded fiberglass trailer like Scamp, Casita, Oliver, or Li'l Snoozy. Not only do they stand shorter and narrower, they also radius (round off) the body's edges. I towed a 16' ordinary TT 7'W x 99"H and got about 12 mpg (highway driving). With the same vehicle I have towed a 17' Burro and a Li'l Snoozy, and got better than 14 mpg with each. That shows how much less wind resistance the molded FG trailers have. A Scamp or Casita are only about 94"H x 6'8"W so they will do a bit better still.

Retired?
Still working on that custom trailer?

Why not just buy one and go camping.

Trailers are just 'shoe-boxes' with wheels........or 'tubes' (Airstream) with wheels.
Pick one and enjoy the time camping vs reinventing one.

If you're looking for lower height for reasons other than MPG, look at Lance TTs. They market specifically that they are shorter than the competition.

The trade off is usually there is a step-up into any slide area. And you can run into ground clearance problems more easily with this type of design.

Lots of variables there. The air flow off the back of the tow vehicle would be different comparing a truck, to a SUV to a sedan. Also the shape of the leading edge of the trailer. Rounded ? Flat ? Angle of the leading wall ?

If you are tring to figure the aero drag, you're still going to have to figure the losses due to roof A/C units, and other covers, such as vent covers. We could likely argue even the rolled up awning on the side adds drag.

Doesn't seem to much matter. Most folks get 10 mpg, plus or minus very little. Even the guys over on the Airsteam forum mostly report about 10 mpg.

Campfire Time wrote:
It really depends on the brand, and more so the model. Within Jayco's offerings for example heights can vary by 6-8 inches. And most manufacturer web sites list heights that include the AC, because clearance is more important to most buyers.

If you're calculating for mileage, I think we can save you the trouble. There is generally not much difference in mileage no matter what you tow. Weight is more of a factor than frontal area. Mileage can range from 8-12 depending on trailer weight and vehicle configuration.

X-2 regarding mileage.

Don't over think things just enjoy the trips

All Outbacks are 10 feet 11 inches including the air conditioner.

I average between 11-15 mph towing. I average about 15-18 not towing.

Although I've never done a scientific study, but based upon remarks from different forum members on RV.net, it appears (regardless of what we tow, how big it is or where we tow it), the difference between towing and not towing is about 5-6 miles per gallon. Speed increases fuel consumption MUCH more than the height of the camper. The faster you go, the more fuel you use.