Quote:
Originally Posted by pfznik
I will be retiring shortly and would like to buy a vintage travel trailer for restoration and to spend two or two or three months a year seeing something of the country. Unfortunately, Pulling a trailer (even a small one) with a pickup or large SUV is in direct conflict with my basic inclination to be as green as possible....My biggest question is to learn how much power would be needed to move the trailer along at 65-70 mph...
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ah yes, the dream of retirement and seeing the great you-ess-of A
I've done a fair amount of trailer towing, a 24ft then later 32ft bumper pull box trailers with a 1 ton Ford dually. What you'll find is the power required (to keep the towing weight neutral) varies quite a bit. Frontal or cross wind or not, uphill grade or downhill, starting from a stop, etc. Constant cruising load varies more than you'd think (when you tow alot, you realize just how non-flat the terrain really is) Just thinking out loud here; A vintage trailer is going to be heavy, you'll need a worthy truck w/brakes to suit and a suitable powerplant, there's no way around that. If you go that route you are saddled with the weight issue. I once saw a 4cylinder Diesel Isuzu delivery truck converted for racecar trailer towing, looked great and got great mpg according to the team.
Another interesting read: Cummins did an areodynamic study on tractor trailers rigs and areo recommendations. It's a powerpoint presentation (slides) that is well worth looking for and reading when you find it.
I bumped into a guy out in Death Valley last fall, who had just retired, and was seeing the country by motorcycle. he wasn't a real motorcycle buff per se, he had dreams and plans, and wasn't about to let fuel prices change that. It turns out he'd been on the road since spring, home is Michigan. He was camping and motel-ing, plus staying with friends and relatives. Sounded like a great retire kick-off trip to me
