Under the RV Showroom section of the May issue of Highways magazine, Trailmanor appears with the title, "Low and Behold, Trailmanor's skimpy profile keeps fuel costs from becoming a drag".
I knew with fuel prices increasing that builders of the Hi-Lo and Trailmanor would start to get some attention. It is a great TT and we have owned two and plan on going back to one the end of this year.
It only seems logical that wind resistence and drag are what keep us from obtaining better mpg.
Let's hope we see some more of this type of trailer so that we can stay on the road while reducing consumption as well as saving money. Remember that at one time Hi-Lo made a fifth wheel with the same lift system. Maybe they will bring them back. JMHO
Personally, I would prefer a more aerodynamic nose on a regular TT as it is a bit difficult to use anything in a fold-down trailer when on the road and most rest stops really frown on "setting up" while there. There are cargo trailers that have a v shaped nose that cuts drag considerably and hopefully soon some TT manufacturer will pick up on that idea and offer it. As proven with Penske experiments with big rigs, a vertical v shape offers less parasitic drag than a vertical slope like what is on most TT's now because the air is cut and divided in two whereas a vertical slope displaces all the air over the trailer. A secondary benefit is that a vertical v offers more directional stability in cross winds although this is a minor increase but still a benefit.
If a vertical slope was better in air, it supposedly would be better in water to an even greater extent but if you ride a v hull as opposed to a scow you will find out it does not work as the scow will not cut through the water but will plane when large HP engines are used, much more HP than is needed for a v hull to ride smoothly. Flip the picture upside down and it will help to understand the principle.
That said, if your TT works for you, HAPPY CAMPING!!!!!!!!
2004 Starcraft Aruba 25RS, 2004 Dodge Dakota SLT. Just the two of us, 2 Jacks and a desire to roam!
I, for one, would not buy an RV because it gets good gas mileage. Since more time is usually spent at rest it is better that the RV fits the camping lifestyle of the owners. Just travel fewer miles to keep the costs down.
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
Dick_B wrote: I, for one, would not buy an RV because it gets good gas mileage. Since more time is usually spent at rest it is better that the RV fits the camping lifestyle of the owners. Just travel fewer miles to keep the costs down.
That is a good philosophy.
2006 Hornet 28BHDS-Bunk House, Dual Slides
2006 Dodge Ram 2500 HD
5.7L Hemi, Factory Towing Package
Reese Brake Controller, WD Hitch and Sway Bar
QCMan wrote: Personally, I would prefer a more aerodynamic nose on a regular TT as it is a bit difficult to use anything in a fold-down trailer when on the road and most rest stops really frown on "setting up" while there. There are cargo trailers that have a v shaped nose that cuts drag considerably and hopefully soon some TT manufacturer will pick up on that idea and offer it.
There is one offered: the VR1 (by Fleetwood, I think). It's very heavy, though, and has mixed reviews so far.
Me ('57)
DH ('55)
3 kids (17, 20, 23)
Chipper (lab, 11) and Duke (boxer, 5)
2007 Dodge 1500 V-8/HEMI; 3.92 axle; WDH with Dual Cam
2007 Keystone Passport Ultralite 285RL
QCMan wrote: Personally, I would prefer a more aerodynamic nose on a regular TT as it is a bit difficult to use anything in a fold-down trailer when on the road and most rest stops really frown on "setting up" while there.
Huh? On mine, I hold a button for 12 seconds, the top raises into position & I have a conventional TT. There's no inside set-up required. So if you can "hold it" for 12 seconds, using it on the road is no big deal. And the rest stop attendant wouldn't have any concern at all.
For what you get for the price, I`ll gladly pay the extra in fuel to stay out of a low quality Trail-Manor. sure they`re great for gas mileage, but the build quality leaves alot to be desired!
Wife kim
Son brandon 7yrs
Daughter marissa 6yrs
Dog shadow
07 Cherokee 32B
02 Excursion 4X4 V-10 4.30 gear
Reese HP dualcam,Prodigy brake controller,
Air lift air bags.
Better to have a bad day of
camping than a good day at work!
Airstream has been making aerodynamic trailers for years.
Krazy Johnny
2000 PSD Crew Cab with Predator Tuner
Air Lift Air bags
07'Airstream 27'FB Safari LS SE
Superwoman for a wife, supercool son, Me...I'm just Krazy
dodge guy wrote: For what you get for the price, I`ll gladly pay the extra in fuel to stay out of a low quality Trail-Manor. sure they`re great for gas mileage, but the build quality leaves alot to be desired!
I keep hearing people complain about build quality. What is it? My Trailmanor is 3 years old, like new, has not had any problems other than one loose screw. I expect to keep it for about 20 years.
To me, a big indicator of build quality is good trailers do not have a formaldehyde problem because they do not contain chipboard, particle board or sawdust board.
Any trailer that needs to be aired out before you can use it is poor build quality. I would not want to use a trailer built like the FEMA trailers.
Maybe what you meant to say is that they cost more than a comparable TT due to the light weight and ability to fold down. That is just an expensive option.
Wayne in San Jose
TV1:2002 Chevy 1500HD 4wd Crew Cab,Valley Odyssey brake ctlr,McKesh mirrors
TV2:2008 GMC 2500HD long bed 4wd Crew Cab,GMC brake ctlr,GMC mirrors
TT:Trailmanor 2720
Honda 2000
Yamaha WR250R,Polaris Sportsman 700 X2,Polaris Scrambler 500
dodge guy wrote: For what you get for the price, I`ll gladly pay the extra in fuel to stay out of a low quality Trail-Manor. sure they`re great for gas mileage, but the build quality leaves alot to be desired!
I keep hearing people complain about build quality. What is it? My Trailmanor is 3 years old, like new, has not had any problems other than one loose screw. I expect to keep it for about 20 years.
You keep hearing that "familiar refrain" from non-owners who looked at one for 15 minutes 7 years ago. That's why I keep referring people to the TM Owner's Forum or the Yahoo! Groups.
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