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Open Roads Forum  >  Travel Trailers  >  General Q&A

 > Who is thinking they made right decision to go ultralight?

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pacificnw

Great Northwest

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Posted: 05/17/08 10:42am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

After reading lots of posts about who thinks the quality of an ultralight is good or bad (or maybe some who are indifferent), I am wondering who thinks their purchase was the right way to go now?

So back in the day... when fuel prices were in the "2 dollars and something" a gallon range people may have had a certain feeling about ultralights, the lack of large tanks, opinions about quality, use of lighter weigh materials, etc.

So we have experiencecd a year of "3 dollars and something" fuel prices. Some folks may have thought those ultralights wern't so bad afterall.

Now, as we are likley entering an era of "4 dollars and something" fuel prices I am wondering if the views about ultralights are changing even a little more. For instance... maybe we can put up with the inconvenience of a little less tank capacity. Maybe its not so bad that I have to fix those trim pieces on occasion.

After all, an improvement of a couple of miles per gallon these days might ease the pocket book pain and shine a new light on the way we look at ultralights.

And I have to put a plug in here for Jayco... they make a NICE bunch of ultralights.

rhillx4

Huntington Beach ,CA

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Posted: 05/17/08 11:11am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We have a ultra light and love it! When we upsize we are going for another ultra light.


2002 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad-Cab
2008 Jayco JayFlight 26BH


Dixonmatco

Santa Rosa, California

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Posted: 05/17/08 11:14am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

When it comes to fuel economy when towing, profile and wind resistance are more of a factor than weight. (after all, it might take more to get it up hills, but boy, does it go down them nicely )

Because of the tank size and general sturdiness of most "ultralights" I chose a shorter trailer that was more solidly built that weighed the same as the longer (light) one.

No regrets at all.

BTW I am not a fan of Jayco Ultralights.. (I guess the free shirt will NOT be coming to me in the mail. )


2000 Chevy Silverado 1500
2005 Komfort Trailblazer T23S
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profdant139

Southern California

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Posted: 05/17/08 11:58am Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

I have an ultralight Fun Finder, and we like it a lot. But towing mileage is not great -- mileage is mostly about wind resistance, not weight. A little ultralight has as much resistance as a bigger unit, unless you get a Trailmanor or a Hi Lo.

BUT since I do not need a big truck to pull my little trailer up and down the mountains, I bought a mid size SUV (which has a beefy-enough transmission and brakes to handle hills). So my everyday mileage is pretty good -- often in the low 20s at highway speeds.

So the ultralight helps my overall mileage a lot, as long as I am not towing it!

downtheroad

Tumbling Waters, Washington

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Posted: 05/17/08 12:29pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We made the right decision to have an "ultra-light" when we towed it with an Expedition.


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LoudRam

New Jersey

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Posted: 05/17/08 12:46pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

So far I'm happy with mine. And if I get a new truck I still have the option of getting another 1500 (HEMI this time) or a 2500 CTD.


Todd
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Aloha Utah

Southwest Corner of Utah

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Posted: 05/17/08 01:25pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We went from a tent to a FunFinder, so I guess we went UP to an ultra lite rather than down. In any event, it works juts fine for our needs.


Me,DW & Max the Maltese
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Sportsman2505qss

Winter Springs, Fl USA

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Posted: 05/17/08 02:11pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We still have our Ultra-lite and it's held up great.


2002 KZ Sportsmen 2505qss bought in 2001 1999F-150

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pacificnw

Great Northwest

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Posted: 05/17/08 02:59pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

Using the daily driver 1/2 ton pickup for the TV is a big advantage for the larger ultralights.

I say "larger" because no one is probably worried about their pickup's capacity with a 19 or 21 foot TT. But once you start getting longer than 24 feet you strat to wonder whether your pickup has enough umph. Some of those 24 footers will be too much for the normal 1/2 ton.

I just think this is another good reason to consider the ultralights when you don't want to buy a bigger TV and you don't want to settle for a smaller box. That is, us average Joe's (and Jill's) who have a hard enough time scrapping together the $ for a TT to begin with and the idea of getting a bigger TV to tow your TT is not even in the realm of possibility.

Its quite a deal actually... you get the room of the larger TT's but don't have to get a 3/4 ton the larger TT's typically require. So, the fuel economy figures in here too... not just "frontal area" of the TT.

I mention Jayco only because I am a happy Jayco owner... but that does not mean there are not other makes out there that accomplish the same objective.

subourbon

Huntsville, AL

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Posted: 05/17/08 03:11pm Link  |  Quote  |  Print  |  Notify Moderator

We pull a 08 Jayco Feather LGT 31E and enjoy camping with this trailer. Get between 9-10 sometimes 11 mpg with the TV.
Happy Camping


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