[Flyin_Freddie]

Terry, I've seen a couple of the low profile trailers at various events around the country. While I like them a lot, I'm not sure I'm ready to put up with the limitations that come with them.

I own a 20' Pace Amercian Shadow model...check it out in the photo gallery. I'm not sure how much more (maybe even less) a low profile model would cost... but be sure and try to figure how much you're going to be actually towing the damn thing. If it's a couple grand more than other models, then you need to figure out how much gasoline that's going to save you....and be honest with yourself on how much towing you're going to actually do. The biggest expense I have on my trailer is storage fees - period. I store it at a local storage facility under a large roof where other folks store big RV's, etc. It's almost completely protected from the weather...NO sun gets to it, and only the very end of the hitch sometimes gets wet from blowing rain. I figure the extra cost of storing it this way is offset somewhat by the amount of maintenance savings I see...

I do not use a wing, but have been told they're good for as much as 3 miles per gallon...but then, too, have you priced a nice aluminum, or stainless steel wing? Try about $450-600! Don't know about you, but that's a lot of gasoline.

Let's do some math to illustrate....I drive a 1999 Lincoln Navigator...5.4l, 32v, 300 bhp. Normally around town, I get 14.6-14.8 miles per gallon. When I tow, if I keep my speed down to between 65-70, I can get about 9.8 mpg. I normally tow for distances no greater than 650 miles....so at my normal towing speeds (65-70), and getting 9.8 mpg, I would use about 132.65 gallons of gas at say, $1.55 a gallon, so I'd spend $205.61, or so.... (1300/ 9.8 = 132.65 x 1.55 = $205.61). I used 1300 miles because I'm figuring 650 out and 650 back.

So, if I bought a wing...at let's just say $500, and I got 2.5 mpg more when I towed, the math would look like this...
(1300 / (9.8+2.5)) = 105.69 x $1.55 = $163.81) So, I'd spend $163.81 for gas, for a savings of ($205.61 - $163.81) = $41.80, right...?

Now, figuring the wing cost me $500, if I amortize that cost using the savings I'd realize on an average 650 mile trip, I'd have to make 12 trips to pay for the wing! ($500.00 / $41.80) = 11.96

Now, when you figure I only make about 3 trips a year with the trailer, I'd have to keep the wing, trailer, and Cobra for at least 4 years before I just break even! And that doesn't even figure in the increase cost of a modified low profile trailer! Besides that, I've found a full height trailer comes in pretty handy when moving, or even storing another car you want to keep out of the weather.

So, check out your math before you pony up that extra money for a "increased height low profile trailer" and an aerodynamic wing for your tow vehicle. You may find out it's cheaper on you to just buy a regular height trailer, don't buy a wing, and start having fun! That's what I did, and so far, it's worked out great!

Hope this helps to put things in perspective for ya...!