Ultra-light (and ultra low cost) travel trailer project

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:17 pm

I agree when you add the major hit in mileage you are bound to experience no matter how light you build and the cost of construction and your time frame you would be better off staying in better quality motels and enjoy the trip.

I don't know about you but a trailer on the back of my vehicle is just something else I have to worry about. I'm never able to really relax and enjoy the trip. I'm constantly checking the mirrors for a wheel bearing smoke, sway from the load shifting, and funny noises that come from towing something extra along.

Then you have the hook up fees and nightmares(something is always too big, to little or too far away) along with dump stations and refill stations. Then think about the constant battle with sand, dirt and critters that always seems to make their way into the trailer no matter how careful you are.

Spend the time getting the old Van in shape, load it carefully and enjoy the trip staying in a nice motels, with hot showers, nice facilities (no dump stations) and someone else to clean the sand and dirt out that you tracked in.

terrydowning · Post by **terrydowning** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:22 pm

Ford Escape hybrid, Toyota Highlander Hybrid. There are some others I believe. Converting to plug-in hybrid can yield even better mileage (or so I have heard/read).

Farmer, stick to your guns and do it your way, thankfully this is still enough of America that you can do that. Enjoy your trailer and your trip. I look forward to seeing the build.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:36 pm

robinson46176 wrote:.

12 MPG??? Are you kidding? I did better than that making a trip to south of Davenport Iowa and back in my quite old 3/4 ton 4x4 with a 4 barrel carb on a 400 cid V-8 towing a tandam axle trailer that I originally bought to haul a 10,000# backhoe I owned. On that Iowa trip I hauled back 2 tons of machinery. Trip average was 14 - 15 MPG. There was only a very little difference between loaded and empty mileage. 12 MPG was more like what I got dragging a self-propelled combine to 9 corn plots across 3 states on a tandam dually low-boy behind a F-350 with a 460 cid V-8.

I would say if you are getting 14-15 MPG with the setup and load you had you should sell your secrets to Detroit and with the money you should be able to make the trip in a private jet staying only in 5 star luxury motels and having your food imported from France.

dusty · Post by **dusty** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 12:57 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:I would say if you are getting 14-15 MPG with the setup and load you had you should sell your secrets to Detroit and with the money you should be able to make the trip in a private jet staying only in 5 star luxury motels and having your food imported from France.

I have a 1993 Ford F-250 Diesel that has been getting 15MPG since the day we bought it. I have pulled boats, trailers and a 30' Airstream Travel Trailer without witnessing a significant change in mileage.

Fifteen miles per gallon is really poor when you compare that with today's hybrid claims but I don't know of any high mileage vehicles that will haul the load that I do.

The 2001 F450 is not a diesel but it gets almost as good a gas mileage and it is integral to the camper (29' BT Cruiser).

fredsheldon · Post by **fredsheldon** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:06 pm

My 22 foot Airstream Interstate RV based on a MB Sprinter gets 25 mpg at 70 mph on the highway. It averages 22 all around. It can tow 5,000 lbs as well. It has a 5 cyl turbo diesel and can climb the highest mountain without even downshifting. Best part is it has a bathroom

You can find a good used one with low miles for around $45,000. I use mine as a daily driver around town, you can park it in a regular car spot. And it has 9 feet of headroom. I use it to pull my 25 foot sailboat around as well.

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:17 pm

Ed in Tampa wrote:I would say if you are getting 14-15 MPG with the setup and load you had you should sell your secrets to Detroit and with the money you should be able to make the trip in a private jet staying only in 5 star luxury motels and having your food imported from France.

Only a very few simple rules...

Drive like there is a raw egg between your foot and the accelerator pedal.

Remember that you pay very dearly for low 0 to 60 times.

NEVER accelerate toward a stop sign or a red light. I have seen lots of guys hold the pedal down (or keep accelerating) until the last minute then stand on the brakes.

I can always beat the cruise control on mileage.
I can also beat my son by about 20%.

Keep that left foot away from the brake pedal. I follow guys frequently going down the open highway with their brake lights on. We once farmed a farm for a guy that went through brakes and transmissions like an elephant goes through peanuts. He was also buying brake fluid by the case. That left foot is for the clutch if you have one or otherwise pretty much limited to using it for scratching an itch on the back of your right leg... Yeah, that guy always swore that he never pushed on the pedal too but I rode with him a lot and you could feel him applying the brake almost every time he met a car...

Just because the sign says that you can drive 70 or 75 does not mean it is required.

NEVER let the guy behind you drive your vehicle, make your own decisions.

Stay out of the turbulence zones behind other vehicles.

Dropping 5 MPH in strong winds including cross winds will improve your mileage considerably.

Patience is one of the best mileage improvements out there.

.

dforeman · Post by **dforeman** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:38 pm

Farmer. It sounds like you already have a plan. But, have you considered one of these http://www.carmate-trailers.com/new_veh ... 6&show=all or possibly one of these http://www.carmate-trailers.com/new_veh ... 1&show=all. A lot of folks that head out to Sturgis seem to have a lot of luck with using cargo trailers for their trip. They are light, multi use, and can be set up just about anyway you like with ease. And, they really hold their value too as long as they aren't all beat up and damaged. It might save you a little time and trouble in having to build something from scratch just for one trip.

Ed in Tampa · Post by **Ed in Tampa** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 1:52 pm

Mileage claims!

I think I should just keep my mouth shut and my boots on!:D

robinson46176 · Post by **robinson46176** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 5:15 pm

There are a half zillion options... We discussed a lot of them. One was to maybe replace my old 4 cylinder bike with a dressed road bike and go that way but that would mean that I would always have to drive and I don't want to.

I also considered a small plane with a pilot friend of mine but we really want the trip more than the destination.
Then there are still trains and buses but with much of the same loss of the trip. Also when I once checked into a bus ride to Pensacola the $$$ scared me so bad I didn't come out from under the house for 3 days.

This ultra-light has been planned for some time in one form or the other so I am just going to start on it now instead of later. It will likely replace the bigger travel trailer and the slide-in both completely. The gypsy wagon will still have a home as a small tractor hauler, hay and misc. hauler and as the gypsy wagon at the living history museum event each fall.
This ultra-light will take a lot longer to build than the gypsy wagon. It was about a one week build. It is still evolving a little and will get a little work before the next museum event.
It also is not very light.
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judaspre1982 · Post by **judaspre1982** » Tue Apr 24, 2012 8:11 pm

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