Haloo

I have a '16 5.0 4x4 Screw with 3.31 diff and the tow package. I'm trying to decide between two travel trailers to purchase. They have virtually the same shape, profile and length. However, one has dual axles, is 8 ft wide, and would likely have an actual tow weight of 5,000 lbs. The other has a single axle, is 7 ft wide, and a likely tow weight of 3,500 pounds.

Would there likely be a big difference in my TV's fuel mileage between the two?

PerryB

Get the tandem axle.

Haloo

Thanks! I thought it was going to be so much tougher to decide than that!

PerryB

Since its a travel trailer my advice is get as much trailer as you can safely handle, and I think the tandem you describe is certainly doable with your truck. I've been doing the RV thing for 20 years now and I'm on my fourth trailer, all 5th wheels in my case. I'm now at 36ft w/4 slides. Obviously I don't pull it with a 150! My point is small trailers get old really quick. Its nice to have as much room as possible.

Steve Osborne

As said...i have single and dual axles...i like the duals...trailer carries more weight less tongue weight for same size trailer floor..i find easier for backing up..

Ricktwuhk

If you exceed 500 pound tongue weight you need a wdh.

Haloo

So what do you guys think about the fuel mileage? Would it be a wash?

PerryB

Simple physics dictates the wider/heavier trailer is going to require more effort to pull at a given speed or up a given grade. Its hard to say how much but in the scheme of owning a new truck and trailer, the incremental difference in fuel consumption would be insignificant.

smokeywren

Frontal area is a big determinant of MPG at highway speeds. So the 7' wide trailer should require less gas to tow it than the 8' wide trailer. How much more, I don't know, but I would guess at least one MPG at highway speeds.


The narrower RV is going to feel really cramped after a very short time. I would go for the wider trailer if your tow vehicle can tow it without being overloaded over the GVWR of the tow vehicle. I suspect you'll be glad to spend a bit more in gas in order to have the extra elbow room.


My TT is 8' wide without a slide, and even that gets cramped when someone needs to get by to go to the rear restroom while someone else is in the mid kitchen. So we have a rule - only one person at a time can move around in the TT. Frustrating. But my F-150 is overloaded with that 19' no-slide TT, so a heavier TT is out of the question without upgrading the tow vehicle to a heavier-duty truck.