First trip for Mark's Weekender-XL build

[Gold5one]

Day 68 of my build,
I did a 30 mile road test of my Weekender-XL today, with a visit to the scales. The inside is unfinished, so I still have the foam board and 1/16" paneling to install, a single bed, counter and some storage, plus the sundry lights and 12v-115 vac power.
My HHR pulled it just fine. The mpg readout was showing 15mpg to 25mpg. It's very sensitive to a little bit of grade, due to my 2.2L engine. I think 17-18mpg is going to be the best I can hope for. My 2014 Dodge minvan with the 3.8L engine and 6 speed would be a better tow vehicle. I think it would average 22mpg- about 5mpg less than normal.
I'll entertain some guesses now as to my empty weight--
Its a HF 1195lb chassis, 3/8" plywood skin, 1/2" plywood floor. I stretched the frame 6" in front of the axle= 102" long trailer, w/ a 60/40 distribution. measurements= outside is 127" long, outside width is 68" and the inside ceiling height is 61.5"
It pulled easily with no surprises. I expect it to do OK with another 200lbs added to complete the camper- as long as I monitor the tongue weight. It came out to almost exactly a 15% hitch weight. I feel that I met the weight goals for my extra large Weekender inspired design.

leaving the scales-

back home,

[Gold5one]

How much can I expect the trailer springs to go down when I am finished and ready to travel? I need to go down about 1" lower on the springs to have a level ride. I guess I could stack 5 or 6 concrete blocks over the axle and see what happens-- except I only have 2 blocks!

[Gold5one]

I just remembered the trailer was level when it was just a frame, so I might look into getting a set of air bladders for the rear coil springs- I think that would work good.

[wincrasher]

I hope you get the mileage you are expecting, but don't be too surprised if you don't.

My Escape (4cyl turbo) gets 28 hwy without my T@G and 18 towing it. And this is a lower profile trailer with an aerodynamic shape.

Aerodynamics plays a bigger role in economy that the weight. And believe it or not, the shape of the back of the trailer plays a bigger role than the front. A large flat rear end is the worst for economy.

I've also found that I get better fuel economy when towing if I don't use the cruise control. Cruise is more or less a reactive system, so after you bog down on hills, it guns the throttle to maintain speed. On the downside, it will downshift to hold speed, thus sacrificing your momentum gains. You can be more proactive in manual mode, gaining momentum down hills to carry you over the next.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

[Socal Tom]

I hope you get the mileage you are expecting, but don't be too surprised if you don't.

My Escape (4cyl turbo) gets 28 hwy without my T@G and 18 towing it. And this is a lower profile trailer with an aerodynamic shape.

Aerodynamics plays a bigger role in economy that the weight. And believe it or not, the shape of the back of the trailer plays a bigger role than the front. A large flat rear end is the worst for economy.

I've also found that I get better fuel economy when towing if I don't use the cruise control. Cruise is more or less a reactive system, so after you bog down on hills, it guns the throttle to maintain speed. On the downside, it will downshift to hold speed, thus sacrificing your momentum gains. You can be more proactive in manual mode, gaining momentum down hills to carry you over the next.

Good luck and let us know how it goes.

I use the cruise on flat ground, but in hills I agree, momentum is good.
Tom

[Gold5one]

I am hoping the angled bottom in the rear helps- if you looked at my build journal you will notice the front is pulled in about 3" to help eliminate some corner turbulence.
17 mpg a good goal, but I must watch the final weight!

[Gold5one]

Here is a picture to show how I angled the front corners in. I have an idea that small angle will direct the airflow around the front better. Rather than a tongue box, I faired in an extension.

[mrwall1]

I might of missed it... but what was the weight so far?

[Gold5one]

760

[Junkboy999]

That is a nice little Rig.

I could allmost stand up in it

[mustangcats]

Regarding the trailer not towing level...have you done the calculations to make sure you have the correct rise/drop ball hitch? From the pictures it looks like the trailer tongue needs to be a little higher at the hitch.

[Gold5one]

When the camper is done and loaded, that is when I have to make final hitch adjustments. It was level ( by accident) when I started with a bare frame.
I am 68" tall and I only have to tilt my head down inside- no back stooping or knee bending.
the width worked out with my mirrors. I can see past the side walls- and I can see an impatient driver through the back window trying to pass me.

[mrwall1]

Thank you! nice build!

[Gold5one]

My project has to sit for awhile-
I am working an overtime E-tech job for a Toyota manufacturing company in Arkansas for a couple weeks. The extra money will come in handy- and maybe I can look into getting a small 1000 watt generator with some extra $$ - the quiet ones, so I can have my 5000 btu A/C at night in a rest stop- and microwave my food, too.
This a good time to research how I will finish the inside.
One of the reasons I went with a bigger build is the smaller teardrops are too small for a 5000 BTU A/C- I have about 70% more cu ft inside than a 5x8 teardrop. In my research of past builds, hardly anyone complained about a taller camper. I can really see me using it as a hobby retreat in my yard when I'm not on the road.- My MMC = mobile man cave.

[mrwall1]

I bought the little harbor freight 1000 watt generator...for $100 like you was only going to use if for a quick heat or battery charge... and also for a small winter generator to make sure our pellet stove kept working during power outages up here... in the Northwest.... It worked good at first... a little loud cause it is 2 cycle... but not as bad as I thought... but like most of the reviews say... I have had nothing but trouble with it the 2nd year.... O'rielys auto store has a similar one I think it was around $200.... But since I cant afford a Honda EU 2000 right now... Costco has one for $599 with the Yamaha engine on it... and they have a pretty good warrenty... but I would check with others.... I think the 1000 would not be able to run an A/C and it would have to be a low wattage microwave....
good luck!
mike