Bumper pull campers verses MPG difference

I have a generation 3 TRD. Was thinking about getting a small bumper pull camper. Can anyone tell me what their MPG does to when pulling a camper. I know it will be based on the weight and style/airflow of the camper.

 

I have limited experience towing but I’d say 9-13mpg is probably what you’re looking at.

 

The MPG hit will vary widely based on the weight of the camper and terrain. What size travel trailer are you considering? Where will you typically be towing?

There's info in the gen 3 towing thread about MPG. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/gen-3-towing-thread.413026/ (I'd recommend starting around page 60 unless you want to read the entire thread.)

 

That's about right. In my experience 12-15 highway and 8-10 mountains with any trailer over 2500 lbs.

 

When you say "bumper pull" you must mean really light and small. Pulling two quads with a 900 pound open trailer with a loading gate will drop mileage down to 15mpg. My 2300 pound tent trailer drops mpg down to 14 mpg. A small travel trailer like an R-pod will drop it down to maybe 12mpg. All pulled at 62mph on flat land.

 

10-12 mpg tops unless you pull on flat ground forever.

 

I'm getting anywhere between 12-18 mpg when towing a 16' casita. The 18 is come down out of the mountains the 12 was going 70 on the freeway with some wind.

Edit: I just noticed you have a 3" lift and I'm assuming larger tires. The mileage I mentioned is stock. I assume yours would be lower.

 

Highway mostly and I’m wanting a smaller 19’ bumper pull..maybe 3500 pounds. Any ideas on good brands?

 

Check out the towing section of this forum. Also, the tongue of the trailer will be too high unless you get a hitch.

 

Key factors for me:

Camper height
Terrain
Speed - this being the one you have most control over.

I can get 15 mpg if I take my time, but if I drive remotely the same speed as traffic, it's gonna be more like 9.

 

The R-Pod and Coachmen Clipper are good little trailers in the size your looking for. Really depends on what features your looking for in the trailer.

 

My 3000-ish popup gets me 13-14 average mpg at 75 mph flat, 16 mpg at 65 mph.

As far as brands, it all depends on your budget, camping style, frequency, and features that you expect. (Research upon research.)

Big questions to consider, do you want an onboard toilet with black water tank, porta-pottie, shower, or none of the above? Do you want A/C, windows that open, overhead room to stand up in, a big bed separate from the dinette, etc. Put those features in mind, decide what's important, and that alone will narrow your search considerably.

Another biggie is price. Lots of campers are in the 15-16k range new, especially if the parent company starts with Forest River or jayco. Expect to carry a tool kit with those, because things fall apart. A lot. Ask me, my forest river was 12 new. I repair little trim pieces with each trip. (Still worth it though.)

Then there's the ultimate luxo-palace, the Airstream Bambi, which costs more than your truck. But it's also built to last.

In between you have your little known small specialty builders, like Cricket. You get the hand made quality, not quite as many gadgets or features as the big brands, but they also don't require constant repair. Also they arent as bank breaking expensive as Airstream. (Usually. Some out there are stupid expensive.)

Casitas make a great trailer, but beware if you live in a humid environment. The fiberglass shell design can grow mildew or algae, and once it does, it stains. It'll look like an old unkempt boat for the rest of its days when that happens.

Hope that helps.

 

I forgot about needing a shin destroyer since my truck is lifted!

 

Lol! You are so right. For me, I could care less about stereo or having a TV. I want a comfy bed and a twin for my son. Separate shower and toilet. AC unit and heater, duel axial and fiberglass shell with a slide out. Been looking at Winnebago micro mini either 18’ or 21’. I think they are 3400lbs and 3700lbs dry and around 18k-22k new..I probably will look for used ones. Any input on this brand in comparison to Jayco or open range type deal?

 

They're about similar in quality. I've toured a few micro minnies, one of the floor plan layouts I really liked, the other had me wondering what kind of crack they were smoking when they drew it up. (there are a few of them out there where there's some weird murphy half-bed abomination in the nose of the trailer... So much wasted space with a sofa parked in front of that.) The one with the queen up front, bunk in rear, and tiny dinette was nice.

Find a few used RV dealers around. A lot of the sales guys have been camping for years, they are happy to opine on what floor plans they like, which ones they hate, and why.

I came very close to buying a Riverside retro, because I kind of dig the kitchy cool factor, with the checkerboard linoleum and bel-aire bench seats. The guy wanted 16k for a two year old model, which was just too close to the buy-it-new price at the time. They definitely stand out at a campsite.

 

I have been seriously considering a Micro Minnie as well, thus the reason in my interest in your thread. I have Jayco, Winnebago, and Forest River dealers close by, and by far the nicest quality is the Micro Winnie out of the three. BUT, it is also the most expensive......