MPG small trailer vs roof top tent...

[TxRubiRig]

OK, so I keep going back and forth..either RTT and a small trailer.

So here's the question for that those that have experience with either...

What's the approximate MPG for those towing trailers? How big is your trailer and whats your gear set up

What's the approximate MPG for those w/roof top tents? Maybe even if you just use a rack. Again, whats you load and gear set up.

Just fyi, I have 2dr Rubi...the plan is either a trailer thats approx 1000lbs, use the trailer to pack extra gear and mainly to have a place to be able to stand up in....or I will get a RTT with changing room attached.

Any advice would be helpful.

[CIJeep]

Why not rent one and take a small trip?

[WranglerDan]

I used to have a rooftop pod (Thule) for a Forester wagon. Used it extensively for camping instead of a trailer. But now I have a Jeep, the trailer seems to be a far better solution:
1) Easier to load and unload at ground level.
2) Can unhitch and leave at a base camp while exploring the area.
3) doesn't upset the centre of gravity of the already high Jeep, affecting cornering.
4) doesn't load up the Jeeps's axles, in fact it lightens them of load over a third axle, making it less likely to bog in sand and mud than a heavily loaded vehicle.
5) Would use a comparable amount of extra gas in my estimation: more in stop-start driving due to mass and rolling resistance but less on the open road due to wind resistance.
6) is more versatile for carrying yard stuff and kids bikes etc on non-camping trips.
7) No worries at any drive thrus or parking lots (height clearance).
8) carries an extra spare wheel and tyre if matched to your Jeep's.

On the downside, it's more expensive to purchase initially (although the cost for a Jeep roofrack negates this) and takes up driveway space. Your Rubi is well equipped to tow heavy loads with its ladder chassis and lower gearing. The unlimited even more so with its longer wheelbase.

[whatroads]

I used to have a pop-up. A big pop-up. 4K lbs unloaded. It had a bathroom and shower. I was towing behind an 02 Grand Cherokee w/ V8 and 3.73 gears. I barely lost 1 mpg pulling the pup on the highway. I expect it was more in town. But, I never measured it.
IMHO, A pop-up is easier to setup and is more comfortable than a rooftop. Now days, they even make some versions of pop-ups that can withstand some light off roading

[Hilldweller]

I'm wrestling with the same problem and have been lusting after a Sherpa trailer from Outlander.
But the expense. Egads, the price... And AT's Chaser is worse.

So I have a 17 cubic foot cargo box on the way that plugs into the rear receiver hole. It sits on a telescoping whatsit that will clear the rear door.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-ECC~5800800.htm


I also have a receiver rack up front to haul firewood.

For now, it's the Bugaboo tent on the ground. Hopefully I'll get a RTT eventually.
http://www.racktents.com/Tents.html
http://anacondacampers.com/


Look here:
http://expeditionportal.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=42

[hawgrider1200]

I used to have a pop-up. A big pop-up. 4K lbs unloaded. It had a bathroom and shower. I was towing behind an 02 Grand Cherokee w/ V8 and 3.73 gears. I barely lost 1 mpg pulling the pup on the highway. I expect it was more in town. But, I never measured it.
IMHO, A pop-up is easier to setup and is more comfortable than a rooftop. Now days, they even make some versions of pop-ups that can withstand some light off roading


hell, i wuz trying to be a smart ass about that fellers wife that won't let him touch it. but i can't quote that part. damn the bad luck.

[jckid]

I have a T@B trailer that weighs about 1400 lbs. The shape it pretty aerodynamic compared to standard travel trailers. I lose about 4-5 mpg when towing it.

[Rhino64]

I pull a 1500 lb. pup with a 18 Cu storage pod mounted on top the pup. I recently pulled it from my home to Flagstaff [135mile]. Which is well over 6k ft. My home 3.9K ft. average mileage for the round trip was 16.69 mpg.

2 Dr. Auto 373 gears.

[deconstructionist]

I pull a 1500 lb. pup with a 18 Cu storage pod mounted on top the pup. I recently pulled it from my home to Flagstaff [135mile]. Which is well over 6k ft. My home 3.9K ft. average mileage for the round trip was 16.69 mpg.

2 Dr. Auto 373 gears.

Is that off the dash or by actual calculator?:thinking:

[Rhino64]

Hand calculated.

[deconstructionist]

Hand calculated.


Dang! Thats pretty good! I think I have a lead foot!

[scouter4life]

I just recently installed my rack and have a 12'x6' open box trailer for hauling gear for the scouts and after my first trip with the rack vs. using the trailer, I can say the rack is better. My gas mileage sucked on the trip, but that's due more to the 6000' climb than anything else. I got about 13mpg's going up, and 21 coming down. I had the rack loaded with 4 bikes and a couple bins filled with gear, so not a tom of weight, but certainly a good amount of drag. When I've used the trailer, I get about 12 up and 16 down. The engine certainly works harder to pull the trailer and the brakes get more of a workout, but of course I can haul a lot more in the trailer, but usually it's not full so that's why I went with the rack, it can hold 400lbs and if I need a little more than what will fit, I have a hitch rack as well and will have a small rack on my tire carrier soon.

[Hilldweller]

So I have a 17 cubic foot cargo box on the way that plugs into the rear receiver hole. It sits on a telescoping whatsit that will clear the rear door.
http://www.etrailer.com/pc-ECC~5800800.htm
Well, this didn't work worth a dang on the JK --- the hitch/spare/gate all conspire to bump into each other awkwardly.

It'll work great on all of the pre-JK models as long as you don't have an enormous spare tire.

Anybody wanna buy it before I return it? It really is a pretty cool idea...

[fathomgreencamaro]

Can you make it work with a hitch extender?

[Hilldweller]

Can you make it work with a hitch extender?
I tried an 8" extension and the spare tire still hits the riser. I flipped the riser upside-down and it clears ---- but the drawbar is angled-up, so by flipping it, it's angled down... ...and kills the departure angle. So, I reversed that and tried it flipped upside-down with the extension. But, now, because of the reverse angle and drop, it kills the departure angle and doesn't go back far enough to clear the gate.

I contacted the inventor of the dang thing and told him the whole story. He's come out with different methods of attaching them but doesn't have an alternate available. It needs to have a mount specific for the JK (and other vehicles like it; I suspect that an FJ Cruiser might have the same problem). The mount needs to be 4 inches longer and 3 inches shorter.

Works great on a Tahoe or pickup truck though. Anybody want to buy it before I send it back?

[DavidEllzey]

I have an AT Chaser. I only lose about 1mpg when I drive conservatively, use the cruise on the freeway and don't try to race up the mountain.

The big difference for me is the concept of base camping with the trailer. I always unhitch and head over to a lake, trail head or whatever on my trips. It would suck to break/setup camp everyday just to cruise a few miles over to some daytime recreation.

Dave

[Hilldweller]

Dave, how much does the Chaser weigh?
I'm losing 7 or 8 mpg with my Conqueror on the highway.... :sad2:

[DavidEllzey]

I think read that the Chaser is 700lbs empty, without the nose box or wheels & tires. So I would guess mine is about 880lbs empty. The RTT is about 100lbs then add gear, food, water and fuel. A guess is that its still under 1400lbs on the road fully loaded.

Dave