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.
We want to thank all of our members for their participation and input over the years, and we want to especially thank those that have acted as Moderators for us during our amazing journey living and traveling in our RV and growing the RV-Dreams Family. We will be forever proud to have been founders of this Forum and to have been supported by such a wonderful community. Thank you all!!
whats the best tt for gas milage using my 2014 dodge ram 1500 with hemi 5.7 its a standard cab with a 6'4" bed, its gvr is 9200 around 24 to 26 footer for retired couple that's new to rving but plan a long needed vacation
-- Edited by roned2b1 on Monday 14th of July 2014 05:50:53 PM
Welcome to the forum. Probably the first place for you to start is to get the information from your truck. What does it actually weigh with full fuel, the two of you, the stuff you normally carry in the truck, etc.? Subtract that from the GVR and you will know the upper limit of the tongue weight. Next, find out the gross combined weight rating of your truck. Subtract the weight of the truck and the hitch weight from that number, and you will have the gross weight of your trailer. When you look at the trailers, don't pay any attention to the weight the sales person mentions other than to verify that it is well under the number you have calculated. Look at the data plate on the trailer for the trailer's gross weight.
My suggestion would be for you to take a look at a used Airstream.
the plate on the truck does state gvrw as 9250 so I'm guessing a trailer in the 4/k range, I guess what my main question is are there any trailers that are aerodynamic that would get me in the high teens for fuel economy, we plan on a lot of miles in the first couple years thanks
There are some lightweight and aerodynamic styled TT's on the market.
Based on what I've read on many RV Forums over the years it is nearly impossible to reach the high teens in gas mileage with a TT that is in a comfortable length (greater than 18 foot). Most RVers report mileage in the 10-15 MPG range.
That being said the way I look at gas mileage is... when I'm out in my RV any associated cost is nothing compared to the enjoyment I receive. Even paying for a $500 refrigerator repair is a drop in the bucket when you are standing at the edge of the Grand Canyon watching the sun rise and enjoying the changing colors mother nature is providing.
Your not using utilities back at your home when you're out in the RV. To enjoy the adventure make sure you get a TT that is comfortable rather than more economic.
On a 3000 mile trip the difference in cost for gas at 18 mpg vs. 15 mpg is about $120 or $4.00 per day. And that's not even taking into consideration the savings on utilities back at home.
My comfort is worth a lot more than $4.00 per day.
__________________
"Small House, Big Yard "
"May the FOREST be with you" Alfa See-Ya 5'er and 2007 Kodiak C4500 Monroe
I average 17-18 mpg towing my low profile Aliner with my 3/4 ton diesel (way too fast, BTW). If I slowed down to 55-60 mph I'd easily get 19-20 mpg on level ground. The key to good aerodynamics is CdA, not just Cd. In other words, your drag coefficient times your frontal area is what's key. So you can tow a trailer that's shaped like a bullet (airstream, fiberglass egg or similar) or pull a pop-up like a Trailmanor, a HiLo or an Aframe. I used to pull my Aliner with a 4 cly car which returned 23-25 mpg (depending on speed and terrain) towing. There are those towing them with VW diesels getting even better MPG (up to 30mpg towing), just to demonstrate how much wind resistance affects MPG.
For a lightweight, easy to set-up camper with lots of room inside, similar to a TT, I'd look at a good used Trailmanor or HiLo. As a side benefit you can actually look over it while towing, using your rear view mirror (in most cases), not just down the sides using your side mirrors. Trailmanor's website says that it only takes 1 extra gallon of gas to pull one of their trailers 100 miles.
Chip
__________________
1999 National Tropical Class A gasser
Toad - 2.4l Chevy Cobalt SS with 400k miles and counting.
wow,you guys are really helpful, I would not give up comfort for a few mpgs hey if I can get 15 with a 24 footer I'd be happy
I'm going to the rv show here in Phoenix this weekend and check some out (fight off the salespeople)
Thanks again for your help and be talking to you
Ron
