I have an 2007 Mercury Grand Marquis with an 4.6 liter engine (224 H.p.), a 4 four speed automatic transmission,2.73/1 rear end,6000# weight distributing hitch,5000# transmission oil cooler, and a Prodigy brake controller. I'm want to purchase a camper but need some some valued information from the experts, If I buy a folding camper 4500# category or a small travel trailer 3900# category, which would be the hardest for my Mercury to tow, a low profile folding camper or a 9' tall travel trailer that would weigh less than the folding camper as far as wind vs. weight? As much as I would like to get another tow vehicle right now that's just not an option for me but maybe farther down the road it will be
Always the high walled trailer will be harder to pull. More wind resistance equals more drag equals lower fuel economy. Get yourself a tent trailer and have fun camping.
Remember, even with a tent trailer terms like "dry" or 'shipping" weights are totally useless. You will never see a "dry" trailer. It will always have things like propane tank(s), battery, water in the tank, clothes, food etc.
Donn,Lorri,Max (The Rescued Lab)
Resident Know It All
Downtheroad,the transmission oil cooler that I have is rated for 5000# towing without damaging the transmission from too much heat. If you install a 2500# rated transmission oil cooler and tow a 5000# trailer, you are asking for problems. From my research, it depends on how the transmission oil cooler is manufactured and on the size of the cooler, I hopes that this helps.
Without a bed not much chance you could use a camper at all but a pop up trailer would be very nice with your tow vehicle. Takes more power to overcome wind resistance of a full height RV than the weight.
Good luck / Skip
2011 F-150 HD Ecoboost 3.5 V6. 2550 payload, 17,100 GCVWR - 2004 F-150 HD (Traded after 80,000 towing miles) 2007 Rockwood 8314SS 34' travel trailer
US Govt survey shows three out of four people make up 75% of the total population
If a shower was not needed, an Aliner hardsided folding Trailer might be good. We camped a week in Alaska in a rented one this summer, never worried about bears, even after we saw a couple.
Chalet also makes one like the Aliner. A better made one perhaps. An Aliner owner told me so.
However, I believe some of the hard sided folding trailers have showers.
Scamp comes in 13' & 16', they have R15 rated insulation. Taller. Maybe lighter. 13" tires/wheels only. Specs
Casita have 13, 16, 17, no insulation, not as tall inside. Wider beds, more varied layouts for beds. 13 & 16 lower ceilings, small frigs. 14" or 15" tires/wheels. Specs
However, to answer your question, I'd guess the lower profile would be better on the car.
DesertHawk - Las Cruces, NM USA
2005 16' Scamp Molded Fiberglass Travel Trailer
Side Dinette, Front Shower & Head
2009 White Ford F-150 Reg. Cab
Long Bed with A.R.E. Molded Fiberglass Topper Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart. -Confucius
If it were me I'd want to check the axle weight ratings for your Merc and the load range for the existing tires. Then weigh it to see how much payload capacity you've got and compare that to the tongue weight of the units you're considering.
The hardside trailer will probably pull harder due to wind resistance even though it is lighter. I have a 4,500 cargo trailer and a 4,500 pound boat. The cargo trailer pulls like it's about twice the load.
skipnchar wrote: Without a bed not much chance you could use a camper at all but a pop up trailer would be very nice with your tow vehicle.
Good luck / Skip
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