If I were you, I'd wait this season out and see what happens first. I don't think you will be happy in a 20BH with 5 people. There may be a happy medium you can still tow with a good 1/2 ton truck that will allow you more flexibility in camgrounds. Something like the Spree comes to mind, but not for 10k. I don't think you will improve your situation much by getting rid of your Eagle and it may end up costing you. Good luck with your decision.
The world isn't flat any more than we live in a vacuum.
Even Nebraska isn't flat. We've crossed Nebraska several times and thought it was until we crossed it in an RV. A gentle slope of just 1% requires about 40$ more power to climb at 60 MPH than is needed on level ground. Since all of us drive up and down at least minor grades, as well as stop and start, the weight of the RV can be every bit as important as the aerodynamics.
When we were considering our alternatives in the last downsizing exercise, one of the more attractive alternatives was an older TT because they were lower than the current TTs. Our 1994 Holiday Rambler was about 15" lower than a 2004-on HR. A 14,000# 10.5' tall rig needs about 100 HP to cruise at 60 MPH on level ground. Lowering the height of the TT drops the HP needed to 90 HP, about the same as dropping the weight to 8000# total. On level ground.
But in the hills? On a gentle 1% grade, the 8000# rig needs 105 HP to maintain 60 MPH, but the 14,000# rig needs 116 HP even if it's 15" shorter. In other words, the power requirements of weight quickly catch up with the aerodynamics as soon as you hit a hill.
If I was considering going from a 29' TT to a 20' TT to economize, I'd look seriously at older and lower TTs like the mid-90s Holiday Ramblers OR at older Airstreams in the 25-28' range. I think you'd match the economy of a newer & smaller lightweight TT and have much better livability.
Steve & C. J.
"Gracie" the Rough Collie & "Bo'sun" the Bichon Frise
RVcrazy wrote: If I were you, I'd wait this season out and see what happens first. I don't think you will be happy in a 20BH with 5 people. There may be a happy medium you can still tow with a good 1/2 ton truck that will allow you more flexibility in campgrounds. Something like the Spree comes to mind, but not for 10k. I don't think you will improve your situation much by getting rid of your Eagle and it may end up costing you. Good luck with your decision.
DW & I had a Jayco Flight 20BH for just over 2 years. It was much better than the small PUP We traded in but still cramped for the 2 of us and our 2 small dogs. When the kids came over it would get claustrophobic in a hurry. Also, we used top bunk to put our bags with clothes. One cabinet in bunk area for linens, towels, wash cloths and cloths not enough.
We recently traded up to Jay Flight G2 29RLS and had DD, SIL, DGD and new DGS plus we two and two pups in there today and all of us talked about how roomy it was now and all of us could sit in same room and talk with being in each other lap. DGD was playing in bedroom and watching DVD's on TV there while we were watching TV in living/dining room area.
It's your choice, but I think you'll get really unhappy in a hurry with 5 folks in there on a rainy and/or cold day.
DW, me and the two pups - Sassy & Andy
2008 Jayco Flight G2 29RLS TT-"Serenity"
2004 Dodge Dakota Quad Cab.
SSG-USAR Retired-Field Artillery
It's said ignorance and apathy cause most of the world's problems, but I don't know and I don't care.
Aerodynamics is a key to fuel economy. Weight is second.
I have a 34' travel trailer, weighs 7,400-lbs.
I used a turbodiesel truck to tow.
On the Interstate, at 62 mph (non-mountain) I can average 15-mpg, and winds are not a problem in comparison to fifth wheels, motorhomes and most "square-box" trailers.
On the backroads, with stops in every town, varying speed limits and the rest, it is about 13 mpg. That includes hilly country with downshifts to maintain better than 50 mph on the steepest (again, not mountains).
With the torque of this motor, mountains are not the problem they are for a gas motor, and being turbocharged, the fuel economy of climibing long grades works out better.
I'd highly recommend a low center-of-gravity, all-aluminum, aerodynamic trailer as the economy of operation is so much lower, and the trailer a FAR better unit on the road. Plenty of good used ones available that may only need an appliance or two, some new flooring and good to go.
Thanks for all the replys. I looked at several older Alumiscapa/HR trailers and I just don't like the floorplans. They are still heavier than smaller Jay Flights even with all the aluminum goodies.
I to feel the Jayco 20BH would be a tight fit but willing to go that route. Found a 2006 locally for $9900 thats only been used once! Another plan we like is the 2006 Jayco 23FB. Looks like a good amount of space and storage in a 26' package and UVW is only 390lbs higher than the 20bh.
I do need to pay off some bills so going lighter,smaller and cheaper would be an advantage all the way around. No hidden costs as we already own all necessary towing items and internal stuff. Agree with 20k being high and will most likely let it go for $18 or $18,500. It is time. If anyone is looking for a pristine Eagle on the west coast let me know!
I have to agree with other posters who say this isn't necessarily a good move. I understand your motivation - we're all getting pinched at the pump - but my hunch is in the long run you're not going to be happy.
We are going into our 8th season in our present unit - a 28' bunkhouse with no slides (we didn't want them). We've done everything from weekend jaunts to month-long tours of the Lower 48. Our trailer is roomy enough but there are times when, even though it's only 4 of us, I'm doggone glad it isn't any smaller. As one salesmen explained to us a trailer that SLEEPS eight (such as ours claims to) doesn't necessarily LIVE eight. If you are forced to stay in for an extended period of time due to inclement weather, this fact become readily apparent.
If you're really concerned about weight, take a good, hard look at how much "stuff" you take along and maybe it's time for a "diet." If we are headed out for an extended trip I go through the entire TT and take out stuff that is nice to have but is not essential. I easily leave 200 lbs. of stuff behind and we don't miss it.
Like others have said, biggest MPG factors are speed and wind resistance. Slow down, enjoy the trip. And besides your kids are only young once. Their memories should be something other than traveling like so many sardines in a TT. JMHO on that last line. Safe travels.
Drbolasky wrote: Like others have said, biggest MPG factors are speed and wind resistance. Slow down, enjoy the trip.
You need to re-read my posts on the type of terrain we deal with. To summit Mt Hood pass is a 6k elevation change with several other small passes. Ever driven out of Warm Springs Indian Reservation? Mt St. Helens is up to 4500. I'm already pulling at 35mph on winding roads so I can't go much slower! Maybe most of you live where it's flat but drive a mile in my shoes! If you don't think weight is a factor your wrong.
Drbolasky wrote: If you're really concerned about weight, take a good, hard look at how much "stuff" you take along and maybe it's time for a "diet."
If going on a diet as you say will effect mpg then what do you think losing 2tons will do? Lots of contradictions in several replys.
If your main purpose is to get better mpg - I don't think that you will get a whole lot different with a new trailer. However, you mentioned several posts into this thread that you can get a used one for cheaper whereas in the beginning we all thought that you were going to trade it in on a new one (thus the "no don't do it posts ) so initially you can't blame us for our responses as we didn't have all the pertinent info at that time
Now however, your saying you have bills to pay off, you can sell your bigger TT for more than what your paying for a used one and can use the extra to pay off some debt. Heck, i'm for being debt free and we choose to live as such and pay cash for everything so of course that's important to us. However, the 20bh is awfully small for 5 people and I think your idea of a 23FB is a better idea. You'd hate for reality to bite you hard if you find it doesn't work and once the money is gone it's hard to get it back - so trading back up would be really hard.
I suggest you take the family of 5 and a game and deck of cards and "camp" in the trailer before making a decision. Pretend to pack it up to see where everything would go. Pretend one is cooking, kids are whining, one is playing cards, dog at your feet, bathroom is being used etc. and see how it would be in inclement weather if you were all stuck inside. We did this and ruled out a lot of TT's because of lack of storage space and lack of places to go. What we ended up with works well for us even without a slide in inclement weather as everyone has one or two places to go and we're not under each other's feet constantly.
I wish you luck. It's difficult downsizing sometimes - but downsizing doesn't mean going so small that it's not fun anymore. Find a middle ground somewhere that works for your family and you'll all be happy - right size trailer, easier towing and overall, less debt.
BTW: yes, we tow hills - big time. Last summer (and this summer) we do a 10% grade for 9 miles! In addition we hit the Eastern High Sierra's a lot over here so lots and lots of elevation and grade changes constantly - so I know what your talking about.
I agree with what you're doing, and I think pocketing 10 grand is reason enough--although I think you'll be lucky to retain 5k once your whale is sold. The market for bigguns is VERY soft.
FWIW, don't brush aside the good advice you're getting here. My new (2me) TT barely stretches 17'11", but with a full frontal area I still get only 10-12 mpg on the highway. And let me explain what the difference is: At 60 I get 10 mpg, at 55 I get 12. Slow down and you will save more gas than you will by trading trailers.
As for climbing "Mt. Hood Pass", I've skied Mt. Hood most summers since they started glacier skiing in 1978. And I've never driven the incline up to Govy (3500 ft, not 6k) without having to slalom my Jeep GC between lumbering wooly mammoths inching up at 35 mph.
Well, this year with my TT I'll be lucky to do 35, but I'll bet I won't be the slowest. So why sweat it? If gas stays this high, folks will soon be towing TT's with their bicycles, biker.
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) so initially you can't blame us for our responses as we didn't have all the pertinent info at that time 
