[slowmover]

Fuel cost consideration. Yes, along with handling safety. Question would be why anyone would choose an inefficient truck and trailer to start with when with not a great deal of reading one could have come up with a more efficient combination. And with lower depreciation. Better road performance. Don't answer, it isn't meant to be personal; it is, however, the general dilemma. Finance costs are the reason generally given for choices made. Brand new junk is more affordable, it is said, than a used quality trailer due to monthly loan note.

The "cost" of the RV is nights aboard over time owned. For most Americans it will be around thirty nights per year over six years. Fuel falls short of being as significant as lost market value. Add in the higher operating cost of, say, a pickup over a Camry or Accord to the above. This is seen as normal. As to vacation fuel, the advice is, "live with it".

There is not an "affordable" quality aero trailer as things are seen. Not of a reasonable size for a family. Age forty eight with one child or more. A twenty five foot Bigfoot or Airstream -- even used -- is not considered. Yet a ten year old example of either is competitive in price. And is less than halfway through a two dozen year lifespan.

But RVers aren't inclined to keep annual fuel cost records. To find where the family budget can be cut to finance vacation travel. Neither by keeping an old car longer, or in modifying solo duty driving. (Yes, one can find examples, I know of several with older Airstream trailers and older turbodiesel trucks. But they and I have tolerance for maintenance and repairs). Apparently vacations are to be free of any sort of work the rest of the year. Some minor upkeep at worst. And then trade vehicles after Mother Nature takes her toll.

At maybe 5000-miles/year, saving on fuel is seen as $450 in the difference between 10 and 15 mpg at $2.50 per gallon. It is not seen as worth trying to save $3000 in six years. The kids'll be grown and gone, or we'll move up to a motorhome, or what have you.

Floor plans and glitz. Carry my Harley in the back. Drive around the rest of the year in an empty DRW 4WD 9000-lb pickemup.

Hell, I can't even get others to find interest in cents-per-mile calculations on fuel by itself, much less the total costs. If there is a simpler way of understanding improvements, I'd like to know it. Takes away concern over the absolute number and focuses it on the percentage improvements.

Modifications to the existing trailer are seen as, first, unsightly, and, second, as an unnecessary waste of time to save so little.

The link to John Bridges modified trailer pics is case in point. A very good thread on Woodalls a half dozen years ago. But no follow up by others. I'd say that thread and Orbywans modified Class C on this forum the two best "how to" threads of the past decade. Anyone with a square box could use info from each.

Bridge begins his mods on a post in his forums off topic Mud Room entitled "The Great North American Tour of '07". Post #53. The links to the specifics of the mods are dead. Maybe one could contact him. A five month trip where a $7000 fuel cost was expected. He was happy with changes made. (He now pulls a 40' 5er with a turbodiesel truck).

See also the Woodalls 2010 thread: "Nose Cone Installation on TT" and "Wind Deflector on TT".

2009 thread: "Revised Wind Deflector"