shorter vs longer on a long trip

[tomkaren13]

Does a lighter shorter TT make a great difference in milage and/or any other differences?

We currently have a 30' TT that the build weight is 5500 lb. Planning on a trip from here FL to around NY state. Trip will be at least a month long. Thinking of possibly getting a small 22' trailer that has a build weight of 3372 lb, just for this trip. Should be able to sell it for what we can buy it. Out TV is fine with either one.

[goducks10]

Just like they say you can't have too much truck. IMO for being on the road you can't have too much trailer.

[opnspaces]

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.

[tenbear]

Most full timers I know have large 5ers or Class As. That would infer to me that people taking long trips prefer longer units. I personally have traveled from Vermont to the west coast, 3 month trips, in both a 21' TT and my current Class C (31' long overall). The comfort and storage capacity of the larger Class C was preferable to me, even with the higher gas cost.

[profdant139]

I get the same mpg as everyone else, and my trailer is much smaller and much lighter. So mpg is not the reason to go short. But my trailer fits on my short driveway -- no storage fees. And I can take it just about anywhere my truck can go. Decent headroom -- 6'3". The bed is a normal queen size.

But if you are going to RV parks and large campgrounds (instead of boondocking or tight campgrounds, which is where we usually go), why not be as comfortable as you can with a larger unit? Also, a very small trailer is not great when you are stuck inside on a rainy day, so we usually hike in the rain.

[tomkaren13]

So far we are still not sure. But the TT we were looking at will not suit us. Very Very nice but it had the cutoff corner double bed. Can't see us fitting on that as we are both old six foot tall people.

[Mr_Bojangles]

Well TOMKAREN13, did our comments help?????

[dadmomh]

I see no benefit here unless you just especially WANT a smaller trailer. Remember that the chances of selling it when you return may or may not happen in a timely manner. I wouldn't mess with it. Just take your current trailer and you'll be fine.

Also remember that if you do decide to buy a smaller trailer for this trip, you're going to have license, insurance and taxes to pay and you'll not recoup this money. Not to mention the depreciation.

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

While towing last Summer our 7900 lb TT on the way to Alaska before our trip was curtailed by an attack of AFib, we got a constant 7-8 mpg with 6.7 Ram with a crazy head/side wind. TT is a Forest River Classic Ultra lite (right) 831 about 32-34 ft or so. Best it ever got was maybe almost 10. Now have a 2013 Ford F150 CC 4X4 EcoBoost that's about the same towing, but much better empty. JMHO

[myredracer]

We went from towing a 20' TT with a V8 1/2 ton truck. Now have a 3/4 ton truck with a V10 and tow a 29' TT. Gas mileage improved by around 2 mpg on average. The little V6 was running flat out most of the time and we were close to the max. tow figure. We got down to 5.6 mpg in steeper and longer hills like near Grants Pass in Or. and were off on the right shoulder along with the semis and crawling up at around 30-35 mph pedal to the metal.

Sometimes bigger IS better.

Mind you, we now have one of those fancy new aerodynamic front caps. Maybe it's all about the cap.... 😄

[RollandB]

We went from a TT to fifth wheel a few years back about 2000 more in weight and higher with the nose made me think if I got the same mileage I would be happy. I consistently get about 1 mpg better. As noted, it's more about wind resistance. Most important, enjoy your travels!

[colliehauler]

rfryer wrote:
The length isn’t going to make much difference in mileage, as said air resistance is the culprit. The weight comes into play when starting from a dead stop and especially if you’re climbing mountains, then you will notice the difference. I like small because they’re much more maneuverable and the ease of driving scenic roads and finding camp sites. And I don’t like reservations or planning which gas station, parking lot, etc. I can get into. So if I had the option of reselling the shorter TT for the same money I’d choose it. But then I pull a 16’ TT so I'm bias.

I own a 26' TT that is 30' over all length and a 17' TH that is 21' over all length. The weight is about the same of both TT. There is very little difference towing mpg. I agree with what rfryer said on maneuverable.

[WETSNAIL]

I towed our 31' TT to Oregon and back (LA) and found that 55mph got considerable better mileage than 65. I also found that head wind or tail wind was a big decider. Slow down and enjoy your rom.
Cork

[Cobra21]

I had a 17' Wilderness TT years ago. It weighed around 3,000 lbs. I towed
it with a 350 Suburban and only got 9.5 - 10 mpg. So I would say...no,
you won't save any fuel money.

Brian

[Lowsuv]

Shorter is better in an emergency .
I tow a 7200 # GVW trailer with a 9200 # GVW diesel pickup .
A diesel pickup weighs about 400 # more on the front axle than the same 2500 gas pickup .
We have 4wd and that adds more weight on the front axle than a 2wd pickup .
I had 2 longer RV's before settling on a 21T Komfort .
It tows much nicer especially in side winds than the longer / higher TY .
Because the weight behind the trailer axle is uncontrolled it works on the lever principle to move the Tow vehicle around .
That is a reason that commercial trucks have their axles at the ends of the trailers .
In a critical situation such as going too fast into an unexpected curve the shorter trailer always has a better chance of not going off the road .
Too many folks find that out by towing a 9200#gvw trailer with a 7200# gvw tow vehicle .
The longer trailer looks tempting parked at the RV show when we are buying .
If everybody did a towing demo of their prospective trailer purchase then there would be more shorter trailers I believe .