RE: BIG TiMe downsize!
Bikepilot: I agree with you on this one. We went smaller from a 26' to 18', and have reaped the mpg increase. However we did not go smaller just for the mpg. We did it for personal reasons. We did not need 26', just a queen bed and a dry place to camp. The 18' has all of the same appliances as the 26' plus I can park the truck and trailer together in my garage out of the weather when not in use. I can tell the difference between 5600 lbs and 4000 lbs. RV sites are also easier to find due to shorter OAL. I also find that driving at 55 mph is as much a factor in improving mileage vs driving faster.
RE: Tor vehicles for small TT's, and MPG's
We have a 2003 Dodge dually 4x2 automatic diesel with Leer cap. We are towing a 2007 ECO by Skamper 18' trailer. I recently put on 700 km (420 miles) to bring it home and after filling brim to brim and hand calculating got 22.5 Imperial mpg ( 18.75 US mpg). Road speed was 96 kmh ( 60 mph) on cruise ( 1600 rpm). Truck never shifted out of OD. I also am not using a sway device or WD set up. Not needed. No sway etc. I still have to let out some more air in the rear tires of the truck as it still skates over road bumps. This is a very pleaureable tow combination. I can pass at will if I want and still expect excellent fuel mileage.
RE: Overkill
It may have been my picture of our new Eco by Skamper that you saw (since I've posted a pix here and I live in Texas :)
You may have read how much I LOVE our new Eco. It is perfect for us. We just downsized from a 32 ft. fiver and one ton diesel to the 18ft. Skamper and 1/2 ton Tundra. Best move we ever made!
My husband has very serious heart problems and I do all the driving, set up and break down. All he has to do is guide me backing up (talk about role reversal).
We looked at many many small TT and like you, after spending half a day in the Eco, decided it was the rig for us. We also wanted to get small enough to be able to pull it with our Toyota FJ Cruiser and the Skamper fits the bill!
Enjoy!
Gayle: Yes, it was your picture and write up that got us interested. I sent you a pm but I guess you never received it. I was asking how you liked the ECO, any issues etc. As for others that have responded, thanks to all. We are getting everything set up which doesn't happen overnight. My only item is to install a 3" drop vs 2" drop. Trailer sits a tad high, not much but I can tell. 3" drops are hard to come by I am finding out. No biggy.
Brian
Overkill
My wife and I have been looking at truck campers and trailers for the past several years. We are seasoned campers but have been away from this lifestyle for the last while. We tossed around the truck camper combo vs trailer many times. With all due respect to fellow truck campers, our style of camping doesn't require us to go off the beaten path. I also did not want a fifth wheel. We prefer a topper on the truck where we can carry a lot of stuff and have it relatively secure and dry. While browsing "Small TT's" the other day, we saw a picture of a ECO Skamper 718QB owned by a couple from Texas. We liked what we saw and read so phoned up several dealers in our area. We drove to see it one week end and spent half a day in it, around it, and under it to see if it was suitable. The kicker was the front Queen bed and the dealership. No pressure and no one looking over our shoulder. We made an offer, gave a deposit and as of last evening have it in our yard. We have had larger trailers but wanted something smaller as we do not require anything more. I drove 700 km return to pick it up. This trailer does not require a sway control or WD whatsoever on our TV. In fact I did not even know by times it was back there. Weight from factory with options is 3006 lbs. I drove at 96 kmh (60 mph) up and back. Mpg calculated by hand and by filling up brim to brim returned an impressive 22.7 mpg (18.9 US). We could not be more satisfied. I have tried to post a picture but must be doing something wrong. We are now into stocking our things into our new addition. Thanks.
Brian
RE: 20.7 MPG on my Dodge dually
My 2003 3500 dually 4x2 regularly returns 19-20 Imperial mpg and on road trips at 1700 rpm gets 26.5 imperial mpg. This truck weighs 7500 lbs. This is better than our Jeep Cherokee. We are vey impressed with the 5.9 Cummins/auto combination. We towed a car on a tandem flat deck U haul last summer a distance of 1200 miles. Grossed scale weight was 14,300 lbs ( 6500 kg). Truck returned 20.5 imperial ( 17 USMPG). Set cruise at 1700-1750 rpm and it never budged. By driving no faster than 98 kmh ( 61.25 mph) or perhaps even slower by times I had a relaxing trip, was not holding anyone up and the truck returned the favour of excellent fuel economy. Your driving habits will tell the story at the pumps.
Brian
RE: Stop worrying about getting a ticket for being over-weight.
One thing perhaps everyone is overlooking is your registration. You certainly can get a ticket for being overloaded and it doesn't matter if you are driving a pick up or a tractor trailer. In BC when I worked there, the vehicle registration showed a gross vehicle weight. That weight cost the registered owner x amount of dollars. For example when I drove a 1983 F-250 6.9 regular cab I paid for 5490 kg. 5500 kg and up was for commercial vehicles only. Motor vehicle branch couldn't care less if the truck only had 8800 lbs (4,000 kg) factory GVW sticker or not. I was hauling a heavy camper at the time so I bought the 5490 kg (12,078 lb). If I had been stopped in the many commercial vehicle inspections and weighed (portable scales, etc) with my truck and camper and was over GVW of 4,000 kg I could be issued an overweight ticket. Been there, done that. I know where I live now, my vehicle registration barely covered the net weight let alone GVW. I had to bring it to their attention to at least show my truck's factory GVW on my registration. This was on my 91 F-250. Now with my 3500 Dodge dually, MVB recognizes this as a one ton and I can buy GVW to however high I want. Factory rating does not come into play. I would be asking your licencing dept at MVB about this. I know in BC lots of private trucks are stopped when loaded with top soil, building supples etc and are routinely ticketed. Trailer brakes are also another issue in BC. Lots of RV's are stopped every year to make sure brakes, breakaway switches, are working. So it is not only commeercial vehicles but all motor vehicles that get weighed in BC. I do not see that level of enforcement elsewhere.
RE: Which would you choose, slide or no slide???
We vote for "No Slide". The reasons already expressed in favor of "No Slide" goes for us as well. Camping in our opinion is to not sit in the RV all the time. We enjoy the outdoors and as such try to keep things simple and easy. IMHO slides just add to the list of things to look after, check, and clean ( leaves etc). We are no flaming "slides" just stating our preference.
Brian.
RE: TC-less and winter driving
Hi Joe: Seeing that you have very similiar weather that we get here in Prince Edward Island, Canada I know how you feel. For us and this is our opinion only, fill your truck full of diesel fuel, connect to a battery tender and say "good night Irene". We don't drive our truck over the winter. You are not going to "dry" up any seals etc. With all the road salt etc we park and use the winter vehicle. If you can drive another vehicle then that is my recommendation. We have been doing this for over 20 years with no problems. The next time you are our way please drop in.
Brian
RE: Would you buy a diesel again.
I have had several gas and diesel trucks over the years. I was swayed over to the diesel side years ago just on the fuel economy alone. I had two trucks, exact same axle ratios etc right down to the colors and the diesel was a much better truck (1990 7.3 vs 1990 5.8 liter). I currently have a 1991 7.3 and a 2003 Dodge 5.9. Both great trucks but worlds apart. This new to us '03 is all a person needs. I would hesitate though in buying any of the new '07 and up trucks as the diesel option is close to $10,000 Cdn and there is simply too much pollution******attached. I specifically wanted a 5.9 Cummins in a '03 or '04 and I found a mint low mileage unit. Each to their own but when you can idle up most grades with travel trailer in tow and still get close to 18 imperial mpg what is there to complain about? My other gassers, Ford big block 7.5 liter and a GMC 7.4 liter pulling the same trailer only returned 9 and 9.5 respectively and you were always aware of the hills. For us diesel makes the road trips a much easier relaxing way for towing.
RE: Jayco 25 RKS
Thanks to everyone so far who have voiced their opinions/first hand knowledge. We really like the layout etc. Hopefully our '03 Cummins dually is up to the task!
Brian
Jayco 25 RKS
My wife and I spent some time yesterday at a Jayco dealership and after going through some trailers, the 25 RKS had the floor plan we liked. The question we have is in regards to the rear kitchen. Friends of ours have said not to buy a rear kitchen layout as dishes, etc tend to get bounced around. Other than this we like the trailer. All of our previous trailers had the mid kitchen layout. Any comments/opinions? Thanks.
