Our first trailer experience was a 23-foot ultralight Rockwood. We knew
nothing about trailers. The first, unfortunate, lesson was that even tho'
a used trailer may look pristine, because it was used for only two weeks a
year for the last 10 years, the tires are not pristine. Tires only last
about six years no matter how good the tread may look. In our second year of using the trailer, one of the tires on the
Rockwood exploded on the highway, tearing apart the wheel well and all the
infrastructure above it, the water, gas, electric and drains. All
of that is inaccessible to repair without removing much of the cabinetry.
Our second trailer was a big, heavy 30-foot Jayco with a slideout. Much more comfortable to live in but the big frontal area and weight made for very bad gas mileage. When towing west to the Rockies, we averaged six to 10 mpg. With the SUV to pull it requiring premium gas, the cost for fuel was killing us.
I was convinced that the biggest cause of low gas mileage was the drag pulling the tall trailer through the air at freeway
speeds. I had seen folding trailers that unfolded into an A-frame but
it seemed the space would be reduced as the top of the trailer tapered
down. As volunteer campground hosts in the summer
for the USFS we get to see many different types of camping trailers. Soft-sided trailers are not allowed in our campground due to grizzly
bear issues, so soft-sided trailers are not an option for us.
Recently, some campers showed up with folding A-frame trailers that have dormers that unfold, making the trailer roughly rectangular. They are made by a company in Pennsylvania called Aliner. They make many different models but the one that looked like it might suit our kind of camping was the Expedition model.
We talked to owners in our campground and found that the Expedition could be pulled successfully with a six-cylinder light SUV. Like a Toyota Venza or Kia Sorento.
We bought a 2019 KIA Sorento with a six-cylinder engine and a towing capacity of 5000 lbs. You need to check carefully because the towing capacity can vary greatly with the different packages. The LX with AWD pulls 5000lbs when other packages have a limit of 3000lbs. Also, you must add the weight of everything you're going to carry.
So this seemed like a perfect way to
lower our gas mileage, pull a more manageable-length trailer and lessen
our carbon footprint. On our maiden voyage, fully loaded, we got a minimum of 16 mpg and a maximum of 22mpg.
I am a terminal tinkerer, especially when I get something new, so let the mods begin!
Nowadays, maybe always, you have to be prepared for making mods and repairs yourself. I have an Aliner Scout Lite and have made several myself. Looks like you're getting your Aliner closer to the way you want it. For most people it won't be that way off the lot. Good luck and, most important, have fun!
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