Earl E
Klamath Falls, Oregon
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Joined: 04/16/2007
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Sorry--double post
2008 Keystone Springdale 252
2004 Chevy Silverado, 5.3 L V8
Prodigy brake control and Equal-i-zer
Retired and traveling all we can!
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Earl E
Klamath Falls, Oregon
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Joined: 04/16/2007
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If you want a smaller trailer go for it, but don't do it for mileage. We, too, went the other way. Went from 3500# dry to 5100. Just completing a 5500 mile trip--almost all in the mountains, including three weeks in the Rockies. Difference in mileage? An honest .3 mpg! Our truck's computer keeps track of it so I'm not making it up! You will never make up the difference in gas prices. Just take a minute to figure the $1000's you will spend and see how much gas that will buy.
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havedreamwilltravel
Southern California
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Joined: 08/15/2006
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Only way your going to see any significant change in gas mileage while towing is if you go to a pop up type trailer. All trailers regardless of weight, have the drag as the frontage area is the same whether it's 20' or 30'. To get any difference in gas mileage while towing, you need to get rid of the drag - i.e. - get rid of the frontal area of a standard TT.
If you did a poll on here, my bet is that you will find those tugging a 10,000 lb trailer and those tugging a 7000 lb trailer probably get the same gas mileage.
2007 GMC Yukon Denali - 6.2L 380hp/417ft-lbs,0-60 in 6.2 seconds
2007 Jayco Jayflight 27BH
Equalizer Hitch, Prodigy Brake Control
Our Truck and Trailer
Easy Trailer Mods-NEW pics added 4/10/08
Visited a lot of states, haven't camped in many...yet. 
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smkettner
Southern California
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Joined: 03/21/2005
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IMO the money you lose in trade, new sales taxes, outfitting the new trailer etc will not make up the marginal savings in fuel. Driving 55 instead of 65 would save more IMO. I would rather take one less trip a year rather than cram into a compact trailer. Now if you want to fit into smaller sites etc then just do it. You may as well consider trading that F350 for a F150 with the smaller trailer. 
2001 F150 SuperCrew 5.4 Lariat Offroad 4x4 Tow Package 4.10 Truetrac
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
12K SuperGlide, KGE3000Ti 2.3kw rated 2.6kw max
Frank's voltage booster, Prosine 1800 powered by 4 GC2 batteries
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bike_pilot
Washington
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Joined: 02/08/2005
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Hmmmm difficult math. Sell the 2005 Eagle for 20k and buy the 2006 20bh for 9k. I don't think that's much of a loss.  Why sell the F-350 diesel when it gets better MPG than any f-150?
2002 F-350 Lariat Crew PSD 4x4
2005 Jayco Eagle 298BHS
2006 HusqvarnaTE250 Wa State Plated!
Honda eu3000is Genset w/ keyless remote start
Our Trailer
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Terryallan
NC
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Joined: 06/28/2004
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As you say you will be towing in the mountains. You may see more benefit from a lighter TT than most would on the flats. I also fully understand wanting a smaller TT. When we went to the TT from the pup. We found we can't get into our fav site in the NP CG on the BRP. We can still get in. Just not in theb better sites.
And truly. You are the only one you have to please. So get what you want, and what fits your needs.
Terry & Shay
Pioneer 23T6
04 F150, 5.4, Lariat SuperCab
Lazy Campers
NC
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bwc
Atlantic Canada
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Joined: 04/20/2004
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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.
2003 Dodge Laramie SLT 3500 dually diesel 4x2 auto with 2007 ECO Skamper 718QB. Love this combo. Very fuel efficient, lots of room, easy to park and set up.
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snowolf
buchanan, michigan
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Joined: 11/16/2005
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well im going(this week) from a 26ft TT back to my TC. just the ease of camp spots and factor in only 2 of us anymore. The big truck gets about same mileage no matter what(13mpg). its a no brainer for us. also allows us to take boat or atv's. Sounds like the money saved in the downsize and ease of use for you is the deciding factors. Go for it. sounds like a good move for you. Your trips sound awesome.
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gja1000
Texas
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Joined: 05/05/2008
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There are many reasons to downsize - we just did - from 32 ft. fiver to 18 ft Skamper - sold the 350 diesel too, got a 1/2 ton gasser. The mileage is just about the same, but gas is cheaper than diesel.
What I love the most is the ease and peace of mind handling with the 18 footer as opposed to the fiver. Plus, gasoline is everywhere, whereas diesel is not - or you can't get in and out of a place with diesel with ease. The little TT whips in and out of any gas station, I love not having to worry about "will it fit under the awning?" "will I be able to get out without backing out?" or my favorite "searching, searching, searching, for that DIESEL sign, before committing to the stop".
I do all the driving, set up, break down, everything (I'm a gal) and I am so comfortable with the little TT, whereas I was always a nervous nelly with the fiver.
I know you are not thinking of downsizing for these reasons, but there are lots of plusses and minuses to every make/model/size of TT.
Good luck on your decision.
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Blacstar
Shelton/Ct.,USA
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bike_pilot wrote:Hmmmm difficult math. Sell the 2005 Eagle for 20k and buy the 2006 20bh for 9k. I don't think that's much of a loss. Why sell the F-350 diesel when it gets better MPG than any f-150?
20k is a little ambitious... I bought mine in 2005 for 21k
Either way, do what you want and enjoy, that's what its all about.
Happy Camping
Robert
06 Ram CTD 2500HD Megacab Flame Red
2005 298 BHS Jayco Eagle TT
Hensley Arrow , Prodigy
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