Hi Everyone. Well, after 15 years the RV-Dreams Community Forum is coming to an end. Since it began in August 2005, we've had 58 Million page views, 124,000 posts, and we've spent about $15,000 to keep this valuable resource for RVers free and open. But since we are now off the road and have settled down for the next chapter of our lives, we are taking the Forum down effective June 30, 2021. It has been a tough decision, but it is now time.
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My wife and I are trying to decide if we want a truck or a small tow-a-long camper. Dos you have any idea which one will give us the best gas mileage? Lets say we compare a truck camper with the weight of 1900 lb. (like an Palomino) and a 20’ Starcraft at 4900 lb. Truck is a full size Dodge with 4.7 V-8. Thank you.
Me tinks if the main concern about how you want to travel is fuel mileage over comfort, you might want to rethink your travels. I do not say this to be mean spirited. Maybe the thought would be to decide how much traveling you plan on doing and think about comfort compared to 2 or 3 MPG difference if even that much. Another thought is, when you get all set up with a camper in the back of your truck and are ready for a good sandwich after traveling the day and getting set up, and you discover that the loaf of bread is on the cabinet at home. Guess what, if you want bread, you might have to break camp to go get some bread. Been there done that, will take the trailer any time. Next decision, check the specifications on your truck, is it capable of the 4900 lb trailer ? Back to your original question, I doubt you will experience much difference in fuel mileage between the two. Good Luck in your decision and your travels.
We had a small truck camper for awhile and then a 20' TT. Fuel mileage was pretty much the same for both. The wind resistance and weight on the truck with the in bed unit used as much fuel as towing the TT. I was towing with a diesel so my experience may be a little different from yours. We now have a fifth wheel and still get close to the same mileage because it tows so easily. I will say that winds will affect any of these units dramatically as far as fuel consumption and handling.
Like others have indicated, and this is just my opinoin no sientific study to back it up, I feel that its the wind drag more so than the weight that effects fuel mileage. Like Dewwood said bigger trailer, same frontal surface area (wind drag) nearly the same fuel mileage. So your fuel mileage should be close to the same with either. Probably, if things are kept within reason you will get in the 10 mpg range maybe a little more maybe a little less (count on less to be prudent). Lots of factors come into play, one of the biggest being speed. Typically a little slower means a little better fuel use. Keep weights in mind but buy what fits your situation the best. People have done fine with both.
Flyone
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Team Cockrum: 2001, F250 Diesel, 2012 33 FT. CrossRoads Cruiser Fifth Wheel
