Norman1
Pennsylvania
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Joined: 02/15/2003
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Here is my dilema,
We have a 2004 Ram 1500 Quad Cab 5.7 hemi 3.55 gears automatic.
We started with a 23' Prowler TT weighing about 4000 lbs. Travelling in the eastern US we would get 9-11 mpg depending on mountains. We upgraded to a 29' TT weighing about 7500 lbs. and is significantly taller. We dropped mileage to 7 - 9.5 mpg and the 9.5 was in Ohio with a tailwind. I travel at 60 mph and feel I am pretty good at efficient driving. Unloaded I get 17-19 mpg on a trip with this truck.
We are considering downsizing to either a hybrid or pup and are wondering if anyone has made the same change what have you noticed your mileage doing? Obviously it should get better especially with the PUP but how much better? I have towed trailers with a car on it and have managed about 15-16 on the highway, can that be expected from a PUP?
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Dandy Dan
Findlay, Ohio
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Joined: 03/17/2005
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Norman1- Howdy Howdy. Long time no hear from. We have a Hemi quad cab and are towing a 34' 5er. I am getting between 9-10.5 if I keep it around 59-61. Averaged around 9 going to Branson Mo. After you have had the TT, I really don't think you will be happy withy a pup. Are you going to come to any Ohio Rallys this year?? Would like to see you all again. Stay Safe and Happy Camping.
Dandy Dan
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shum02
Burlington, Ontario Canada
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The HTT will be about the same at the Prowler TT because it's just a TT with tent ends, a barn door into the wind. Most likely your gas mileage would be pretty decent with the popup but are you really willing to give up all the conviences of a hardside for some extra gas mileage?
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weathershak
Delaware
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Joined: 12/11/2006
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From someone who went from a pup, to a HTT to a TT, and using the same vehicle, here is some info. Using our present Trailblazer, we can get 20 mpg while not towing. With the #2101 Starcraft, we averaged 18 mpg.When we towed the Orbit 19' HTT, we averaged 10. With the present 22' TT, We still average about 10 on average. I have achieved as high as 12.8 mpg, towing the TT at an average speed of 50 mph and lightly loaded. If you are looking for good gas mileage, then the PU is the only way. The HTT's still have the wind resistance like the TT's. Good luck on your choice.
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scbwr
Wilson NY
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Joined: 03/09/2004
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If saving fuel is your priority, the only real advantage is to go to a PUP. Whether that is a good choice really depends on what kind of camper will make you happy. If the gas savings were necessary for me to be able to camp and travel, then I could be happy being back in a PUP as long as I have my own toilet, and a shower to use if necessary. I wouldn't be crazy about dealing with wet bunk ends again, but I'd do it before I'd give up camping and traveling via an RV.
With escalating fuel prices.....I know that we will eventually downsize and try to get something more fuel efficient than what we have now. But for the time being, since both the truck and trailer are paid for, I can budget for the extra fuel costs and still save $$ versus buying a new rig.
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Norman1
Pennsylvania
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The points everyone makes are what we are pondering. Do you reduce comfort (to a certain level) and go with the PUP versus fuel mileage? I didn't think there would be much difference in fuel usage between the HTT and TT because of the boxy front, the weight savings is about the only difference there. Finding a PUP with a hard sided bathroom gets a little expensive and the Hi-Lo is way out of the price range for now. It is a tough choice.
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Guest
USA
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Joined: 08/02/2004
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The other nice thing about the popup is that when the truck finally wears out, your next vehicle can be something that gets better mileage when towing and when NOT towing. Our Honda minivan just got 18.4 mpg average on a 4,000 mile trip to the Mountains of Montana and back to Chicagoland. On non-towing trips we get 24/25 and about 19 around the burbs. Many of the crossover SUVs now coming out do nearly as well on gas as our van.
I would have spent another $900 on gas alone had I had a Suburban and TT combo with similar interior room to our popup. You get used to the setup routine (and get efficicent at it).
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Rob_NC
Walnut Cove, NC
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Joined: 04/17/2007
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What about Hi Lo or Trailmanor trailers?
I, for one, could not go back to a PUP not matter what the fuel savings. In fact, I about have DW convinced to graduate to a 5'er. Even though we consistently got 14 mpg towing our PUP with my F150 and now only get 10 mpg towing our 6000 lb. trailer, I can't put a price on convenience and comfort.
(and to think as a teenager I thought RVs were for sissies)
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Yodelpup
Cornelius, OR
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Joined: 07/09/2008
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For a pup, figure on getting about the same mileage as your truck gets in unloaded city driving. I get 14.5 with a 3500# pup in tow/haul mode. (if I keep my foot light on the pedal )
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meriflower1985
Twin Cities, MN
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Joined: 10/28/2005
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Rob_NC wrote:What about Hi Lo or Trailmanor trailers?
I, for one, could not go back to a PUP not matter what the fuel savings. In fact, I about have DW convinced to graduate to a 5'er. Even though we consistently got 14 mpg towing our PUP with my F150 and now only get 10 mpg towing our 6000 lb. trailer, I can't put a price on convenience and comfort.
(and to think as a teenager I thought RVs were for sissies)
I believe Norman1 said Hi-Lo is not in his budget that would also include Trailmanor as they cost about the same if not more.
I went from a TT to a popup and I didn't like it, it is not something that I would recommend. But that is my own preference - someone else will feel the total opposite. You have to decide what is most important to you and your pocketbook.
Perhaps you could look for a used one (Hi-Lo) whereas it wouldn't be as expensive. I have a Hi-Lo and we really like it. We bought it new and I only paid $2k more than I did for my TT. We actually started with a HTT then went to a TT. We then downsized our vehicle and got a popup. We hated dealing with the canvas and the setup but loved the low-profile tow so we got a Hi-Lo and never looked back. We get better mpg plus easy tow with it being low profile AND still have the amenities and convenience of a hard-sided camper. We have a Jeep Commander, when towing get 13/14, not towing, 16/17.
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