sirdrakejr
Las Vegas, Nevada
Moderator
Joined: 11/18/2001
View Profile
 Online
|
Before you decide to trade down, think about the TRUE costs. Take the numbers that you had before or last year. Then compute the costs for this year and subtract last year's numbers. THAT difference is the TRUE cost difference. Is THAT difference enough to cause you to trade down to something you really don't want? I say, "Don't want" because if you really did want the other trailer you would have bought that instead of what you have. Think about it. You could "take a bath" selling what you have and the gain in MPG will be small compared to the actual loss.
Travel safe and return home happy.
Frank
RV.net blog
For those of you looking for expert advice, here ya go!
Frank
|
newk
Gillette, WY
Senior Member
Joined: 08/18/2007
View Profile
 Offline
|
If after mulling this over a bit you still want to trade down, look at it this way: Most camper sales are to experienced campers trading UP. Advertise that you'll consider a smaller 5er in trade and you'll probably have lots of options. I'm wanting to trade for a bigger camper. I'd love to find someone looking for a smaller one. (But not 2000 miles away.)
|
got2go
Middleburgh, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 03/20/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
Ya know... I'm glad I asked tis question... youo guys are making me feel better already....
Thank you for that...
We have considered putting it somewhere that would have a seasonal rate and just driving the wife's car to and from... OR, as I told my boss (wife), I know where there is a spot w/ power, a 2 acre grassy site, private pool, hot showers and will let us have our pup, and I already pay taxes on it....
Thanks again you guys... I'm probably gonna hang with what I have..
Ed
Got2Go
2005 Crossroads Cruiser 29RK 5W
2005 Silverado 2500HD D/A
|
turninghawk
Gatlinburg, TN
Senior Member
Joined: 09/11/2003
View Profile
|
got2go wrote:That's not what I wanted to hear... I know you're all right thou... I just can't picture anybody wanting to spend that much money... With the price of fuel, how can the market for a 9000 pound box be good? Someone else told me this morning that more people are buying trailers/RVs because they can't travel so far...
Thanks... I'll let you all know what we do, if anything..
Ed
I really don't think a lot of people are currently buying trailers & RV's because they can't travel as far. Now, if you said more people are buying 4-cylinder Honda Accords and Toyota Camrys and shopping on expedia.com for great hotel deals ... because they can't travel as far, that would be more believable. Who is going to go out and plop down tens of thousands of dollars for a gas-sucking rig because they can't travel as far? Not too logical.
|
kakampers
Fulltimer
Senior Member
Joined: 04/02/2004
View Profile
|
Beaker wrote:john b got the right idea!
See my rig in signature.
Your fuel costs are probably not much more than mine.
I average 10-12.5 mpg.
Next year probably a DMAX and 27 footer, and I really don't expect fuel costs to be much more than now.
I have to agree...we tow a 38ft, 17,000lb 5er, with a C4500 DMAX, and we're getting close to 10mpg. Trading down most likely won't save much at all in fuel...just ride it out and take fewer or shorter trips. You will loose, your you know what, in trying to trade out now!
|
|
|
Trlrboy
Rockwall, Texas
Senior Member
Joined: 04/05/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
I have to agree with just about everything everyone said here. We have the same trailer and same truck. We're run about 12.5 mpg pulling on a regular basis. How much space are you willing to give up to downsize? So you can get a 1/2 mile more per gallon? Not worth it in my book.
You've got a good truck and trailer. Stay with it, you'll be glad you did.
If you want to save money try this...I bought a $3200 Ford Contour 2000 model on Craigslist that I now drive as a commuter car. It will be paid for with diesel fuel savings in less than 13 months vs driving the truck everyday...and now the truck will last longer too.
Crossroads Cruiser CF29RK
Chevy 2500HD Duramax/Allison
TRLRBOY PHOTOLINK
.
|
jdkd123
Northeast
Senior Member
Joined: 09/15/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
sue.t wrote:We recently sold our 17.5' fiver and purchased a 25' fiver. Surprisingly there was no difference in the amount of diesel the truck uses when towing. If you're wanting to go smaller to save fuel, it's likely you're not going to save enough $$ to make the exchange worthwhile.
I agree here 100%. The cost of trading (down or up) = alot of gas!
JDKD123
2005 Coachmen CONCORD
GO SOX!
|
RRUGG
Newaygo, MI,USA
Senior Member
Joined: 08/08/2003
View Profile
Offline
|
Weight really isn't nearly as much of a factor as the air resistance. With our Summit TT (10 ft shorter and 2500# lighter) we get the same or fewer mpg as with the Holiday Rambler. The Holiday has enclosed propane tanks, a fully enclosed underbelly, and a much more aerodynamic front.
RRUGG
2008 Dodge 2500 QC 4x4 SB Cummins 6 speed auto 3.73
1997 Holiday Rambler 29FK travel trailer
2006 Summit 22RB travel trailer
2003 Dodge Grand Caravan Sport
Bob & Grace professional retirees
Good Sam life members
Camped in 49 states. Missing Hawaii.
|
Gunpilot77
Killeen, Tx
Senior Member
Joined: 10/06/2000
View Profile
Online
|
Just one more post that says if you are thinking of going smaller to save fuel, forget it. In the last 5 years I have transported a lot of RVs, all shapes and sizes. I can tell you from experience that towing a 36ft, 4 slide, Alpenlite will give me the about the same mileage as a 24 ft aluminum sided, no slide toy box. Now if you go to a 12 ft pop-up, then you'll see some fuel savings.
Fifth wheel pulled with a pick-up
|
got2go
Middleburgh, NY
Senior Member
Joined: 03/20/2004
View Profile
Offline
|
After re-reading all of the responses this morning, I have to agree. A friend of mine just parked his Chevy Pickup and bought a Cobalt to drive to work. His monthly payment is 189. I asked him how much fuel he ran per month in the truck, he didn't know exactly, but it was more than the new car payment. I said to him, so the difference between the gas and the new car payment isn't enough to make much of a difference... you're spending more money than if you had just continued driving the truck. I think the same thing applies to my situation... it isn't gonna make much difference, and as someone said... if you're happy w/ what you have .. stick w/ it. My wife and I looked at MANY trailers before we found the exact floorplan we liked, it would be a shame to part w/ it now. And as for as commuting.. I have a company truck and gas card.. the Silverado stays home. (It has 24K miles on it)
Thanks again for the reassurance,
Ed
|
|
|
