Coast Resorts Open Roads Forum: So what are folks average MPG when towing

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Topic: So what are folks average MPG when towing

Posted By: Can't Wait Now on 06/19/16 04:54pm

Well I am towing a 2800lb base weight figure 3600 actual with full propane tanks Battery and gear, Towing with a 2011 Nissan pathfinder V6 Pa is hilly so in 4th gear allot is automatic but to limit beating the tranny I run it manual, Well I am getting 8.7 mpg. Not thrilled but oh well having fun anyway. We have a 600 mile trip to Myrtle beach planned so hoping no more than 4 fill ups one way.

Posted By: azdryheat on 06/19/16 04:54pm

9.6 mpg

2013 Chevy 3500HD CC dually
2014 Voltage 3600 toy hauler
2019 RZR 1000XP TRE

Posted By: Hawk7 on 06/19/16 05:14pm

Wv to Colorado towing 33ft tt fully loaded with gear.. 9 to 8 mile per gallon.

2015 Skyline Dart 214BH Traded in for 2016.5 Skyline Javelin 285rb
2011 Ford F150 Lariat Ecoboost Super Crew

Posted By: TNrob on 06/19/16 05:18pm

08 Ram 1500 std cab std bed 4.7 4wd.

5700 lb 19 ft TT.

10-11 mpg in East Tennessee, north GA, western NC. Limited interstate, mostly old state and U.S. highways.

* This post was edited 06/19/16 05:26pm by TNrob *

Posted By: coolmom42 on 06/19/16 05:28pm

Can't Wait Now wrote:

You are wise to run in manual.... and up hill take it down to 3rd probably if it is a 4 speed.

Your mileage sounds reasonable, but if you want to improve it, the best thing you can do is slow down. 55-60 in the right lane of an interstate is a good place to be.

Single empty-nester in Middle TN, sometimes with a friend or grandchild on board

Posted By: W5CI on 06/19/16 05:29pm

It Is what it is, If I was worried about it I would have never bought the 5er, all you can do is Slow down. IMHO

2015 RAM 3500 DRW
2004 Cedar Creek 30RLBS

Posted By: Mmwtdh on 06/19/16 05:29pm

2013 2500HD, 6.0, 4.10 gears pulling 9000# travel trailer 7.5 - 8.5..

Posted By: Chuck_thehammer on 06/19/16 05:53pm

December 2015, my F 250 from N.E. Ohio to Myrtle beach, SC.

going down was 9.6 and returned was 9.1... Gas 6.2L .. Running 60 mph.

truck, motorcycle and travel trailer was 16,800 pounds. Cat Scale at Akron Ohio on the way down.

Posted By: time2roll on 06/19/16 05:56pm

2001 F150 SuperCrew
2006 Keystone Springdale 249FWBHLS
675w Solar pictures back up

Posted By: dodge guy on 06/19/16 05:57pm

7-8 depending on speed and terrain.

Wife Kim
Son Brandon 17yrs
Daughter Marissa 16yrs
Dog Bailey

12 Forest River Georgetown 350TS Hellwig sway bars, BlueOx TrueCenter stabilizer

13 Ford Explorer Roadmaster Stowmaster 5000, VIP Tow>
A bad day camping is
better than a good day at work!

Posted By: Headed West on 06/19/16 06:07pm

Indiana to Maine avg 10 mpg. Maine back to Indiana 7.8 mpg Average for entire trip was 9.5 mpg The hills in New York on hwy 88 killed the mileage on the way back but the view was worth it.

2016 F-250 Crewcab 6.2L 4x4
2018 Keystone Cougar Half Ton 30RLI

Posted By: DutchmenSport on 06/19/16 06:09pm

My rig in my signature below: 11.1 (diesel)

Posted By: Can't Wait Now on 06/19/16 06:09pm

Thanks so not to far off hell I got 11 mpg in the big rig lol. Ya need too slow down Pa is now 70 mph in places and I get sucked right in

Posted By: TomG2 on 06/19/16 06:39pm

8.0 with my 2500HD gas towing 7,000 pounds. 16.0 towing something similar to the OP with friend's 2015 Pathfinder or my F-150 V-6. Speed is everything bad when it comes to towing.

Posted By: jfkmk on 06/19/16 07:10pm

TT of similar weight towing with a GMC Envoy. I tow at 60-65 mph and typically get 12-12.5 verified (not using the DIC).

Posted By: spoon059 on 06/19/16 07:11pm

About 11.5-13 depending upon wind and terrain. Ram 6.7 CTD, crew cab towing a 9500 lbs 33 foot travel trailer.

2015 Ram CTD
2015 Jayco 29QBS

Posted By: midnightsadie on 06/19/16 08:35pm

our 2007 sprinter I 5 diesel only gets 17mpg towing a 12ft box trailer with golf cart and misc dog equipt. my old class A got 8mpg.

Posted By: JoeTampa on 06/19/16 08:44pm

13 with the truck/TT in the signature on I-4 today between Orlando and Tampa.

2006 Keystone Cougar 243RKS (First trailer)
2016 Jayco Jay Flight 32BHDS (Traded in)
2016 Jayco Jay Flight 33RBTS (Current)
2006 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 4WD 6.6L Duramax Diesel (LBZ)
Blue Ox Swaypro 1500 WDH
Prodigy P2 BC
Amateur Call AB2M

Posted By: IDoMyOwnStunts on 06/19/16 08:46pm

2016 Ram 3500 6.4L (gasser) towing 9k toy hauler.
About 8 to 9 on the flats. Mountains and hills will drag it down to 7. So does speed. My 13 F150 Ecoboost usually averaged 9, but the Gorge headwinds knocked it all the way down to 6.

When I towed my friend's 5500 lb trailer home (his Ford 6.0 conked out), got about 10. His trailer also wasn't as tall as mine.

Towing the horse trailer it gets 11 at 5000 lbs. Better aerodynamics.

I'm done. This isn't a place to be helpful. It's a place where curmudgeons with a superiority complex will nit pick everything. If you want help, go elsewhere. Admin, delete my account please.

Posted By: Turtle n Peeps on 06/19/16 09:02pm

06 LBZ, towing a 7000 lb TT. Over 40,000 miles with books keep. 12.0 average MPG towing 70+ most of the time.

~ Too many freaks & not enough circuses ~

"Life is not tried ~ it is merely survived ~ if you're standing
outside the fire"

"The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly."- Abraham Lincoln

Posted By: bob213 on 06/19/16 11:39pm

If you are concerned about miles per gallon you picked the wrong way to enjoy your recreation. You are pulling a box down the road, mileage doesn't matter as there's not a lot you can do about it that makes economic sense. Just go and enjoy! [emoticon]

You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality – Ayn Rand

Posted By: Can't Wait Now on 06/20/16 04:38am

bob213 wrote:

Nope just curious what others are getting to compare

Posted By: 1ofmany on 06/20/16 04:39am

We towed a 6k TT with an 08 Pathfinder V8 seven/eight years ago and got between 7 and 10 mpg initially...once I found that going faster was not really the best way to go, I settled down to around 55 mph and got approx. 10 mpg.

Posted By: Golfcart on 06/20/16 06:34am

Only time i ever go under 10.5 mpg is if im pushing through the mountains or have a nasty headwind

2009 Sun Valley Road Runner 16ft
2010 Chevy Silverado 1500

Posted By: MNGeeks61 on 06/20/16 06:38am

When we towed before settling down - I'd get about 9-10 mpg.

First camper was a Rockwood 2605, second was a Wildwood 29FKSS. So about 2000 lbs difference between the two. Didn't matter much to the truck, as some have stated that's a whole lot of frontal area. TV was a 2003 Dodge 2500 5.7 Hemi.

New TV to just tow the pontoon is 2009 F-150 with a 4.6. One day last week I took my utility trailer to Menards and filled it with some 3/4 green treated plywood plus about 25 landscape timbers with a couple of patio blocks. Weighed probably 2000 lbs and I got 14 mpg towing @ 65. I'm not sure if that is really meaningful since that's not much weight.

Frankly, when gas was over $4 a gallon that was about the only time I was moderately concerned about my mileage when towing.

Posted By: nohurry on 06/20/16 06:53am

'15 F350 diesel, CCLB, W/3:55 gears towing 7,200 lb TT (Loaded weight). I stick to 60-65 MPH and average 12.3 MPG. Just as an observation also, It's a head wind that kills my mileage more than anything, even more so than mountain passes. Very pleased with our truck!

Carl
2007 National RV, Sea Breeze

Posted By: mabynack on 06/20/16 07:08am

W5CI wrote:

It Is what it is, If I was worried about it I would have never bought the 5er, all you can do is Slow down. IMHO

x2.

The biggest factor in fuel economy while towing is wind resistance. The faster you go, the more the wind resistance plays into the equation.

Posted By: Sprink-Fitter on 06/20/16 07:47am

Have never checked the mpg, same thing when we rode the Goldwing pulling a camper, people would ask what kind of mileage I get, told him I didn't have a clue because I don't check the mileage.

2006 Coachman Adrenaline 228FB

2012 Can Am Commander XT 1000

Posted By: SouthpawHD on 06/20/16 08:43am

Overall speed really impacts my MPGs. Towing at 55MPH I was around 10MPG. Towing at 65MPH dropped that to 8MPG.

Palomino SolAire 307QBDSK
2016 Chevrolet 2500, CC, 6.0L, 4.10

Posted By: hawkeye-08 on 06/20/16 08:47am

If I recall, 7.2-7.5 mpg when towing ~63-65mph, 8.2-8.5 when towing ~58-60mph.

Posted By: larry barnhart on 06/20/16 09:01am

Last 2 trip from Washington st to Az we got 11 mpg hand calculated, Pretty much this is what we have gotten on every trip including Branson, Wisconsin and Texas and then towards Az. I guess the trip back north would not be that good because the horse wants to get back to the barn. Not that we have a barn but I drive different maybe. 22,920 lbs combined.

chevman

chevman
2019 rockwood 34 ft fifth wheel sold
2005 3500 2wd duramax CC dually
prodigy

KSH 55 inbed fuel tank

scanguage II
TD-EOC
Induction Overhaul Kit
TST tire monitors
FMCA # F479110

Posted By: korbe on 06/20/16 09:04am

We average between 10 and 12 mpg depending on terrain and wind.

Posted By: restlesswind on 06/20/16 12:14pm

korbe wrote:

We average between 10 and 12 mpg depending on terrain and wind.

X2
I have gotten as high as 16 a couple of times, How much wind resistance your trailer has, has a lot to do with mpg, so 2 of the same trucks pulling different trailers may well have very different mpg. That right foot action plays a big part also. I usually get better mpg when I drive than when my DW drives.
I used to hand calc mpg with every fill up, gave it up as nothing would change our driving habits, and as long as we can afford the next tank of fuel, that's all we care about.

'04 33.5 CKQG Hitchhiker Discover America
04.5 Dodge 3500 CTD SRW
Pac Brake,Max Brake
Fulltimers since '06

Posted By: allen8106 on 06/20/16 02:21pm

So I see a lot of posts regarding fuel mileage. Many of which are difficult to believe, such as "I get the same mileage towing my 20,000 lb. fifth wheel as I do not towing it". Personally I don't believe this and if you do I have some ocean front property in western Kansas I'd like to sell you. My "real" data is below.

I drive mostly 55+ mph to and from work each day, 62 miles round trip.
Each way = 4 miles at 30 mph on gravel roads, 12 miles at 65 mph, 15 miles at 70 mph.

I drive 65 or under while towing my 5ver.

2013 GMC 2500HD, long bed, regular cab, 4X4, 6.6L Diesel, purchased new.
2010 Jayco 31.5 RLDS, weighed 10,500 at grain truck scale a year ago coming home from the lake.

8,475 miles mostly towing - 11.48 mpg (75% or more towing)
3,376 miles some towing - 14.85 mpg (less than 25% towing)
38,634 miles no towing - 17.0 mpg

These numbers are based on actual numbers from 112 tanks of fuel between 10/19/13 and 5/22/16.

I don't have the exact numbers but in May 2012 my 2009 gas engine GMC averaged about 7-9 mpg towing to California and back, 3000 miles round trip, and averaged about 15-16 mpg when not towing.

2010 Eagle Super Lite 315RLDS
2018 GMC Sierra 3500HD 6.6L Duramax

2010 Nights 45
2011 Nights 70
2012 Nights 144
2013 Nights 46
2014 Nights 49
2015 Nights 57
2016 Nights 73
2017 Nights 40
2018 Nights 56
2019 Nights 76
2020 Nights 68

Posted By: Campfire Time on 06/20/16 02:37pm

Current combo in sig, 9.5-10 mpg.

Previous combo, same trailer in my sig towed by Chevy Trailblazer I6 3:42 gears, 8 mpg

Before that we towed a 3500# hybrid with the Trailblazer and got 11-12 mpg.

coolmom42 wrote:

Your mileage sounds reasonable, but if you want to improve it, the best thing you can do is slow down. 55-60 in the right lane of an interstate is a good place to be.

X2!

Chuck D.
“Adventure is just bad planning.” - Roald Amundsen
2013 Jayco X20E Hybrid
2016 Chevy Silverado Crew Cab Z71 LTZ2
2008 GMC Sierra SLE1 Crew Cab Z71 (traded)

Posted By: Len in PHoenix on 06/20/16 10:36pm

12.5 mpg with the rig below. Truck gets 15 mpg in city traffic empty, 18 on the highway.

2006 Pioneer 180CK, dragged by a 1997 F250 Powersmoke

Posted By: krobbe on 06/21/16 04:46am

My 8.1L big block gasser averaged 9.4 mpg over the entire 5100 miles from Mich to the Pacific Northwest and back towing my 7200# Bullet. A small percentage is non-towing. My towing speed is 60 to 65 mph but exceeding that when passing slower vehicles.

Me'62, DW'67, DS'04, DD'07
'03 Chevy Suburban 2500LT 4WD Vortec8.1L 4L85-E 3.73 CurtClassV
'09 BulletPremier295BHS 33'4" 7200#Loaded 1100#Tongue Equal-i-zerHitch Tires:Kumho857
Pics

Posted By: brulaz on 06/21/16 06:52am

Not a lot of data yet for the new Ram CTD 2500, but after ~1000 miles am getting 11.2 mpgUS with upto 8500# sail/trailer. That's mostly rural hilly roads, max 65 mph. Expect it to improve as the engine loosens up, and we spend more time on the highways.

The old EcoBoost averaged ~10.0 mpgUS towing the same trailer, same speeds, on Reg gas, and ~10.4 mpgUS on Premium, over 24K miles.

2014 ORV Timber Ridge 240RKS,8500#,1250# tongue,44K miles
690W Rooftop + 340W Portable Solar,4 GC2s,215Ah@24V
2016 Ram 2500 4x4 RgCab CTD,2507# payload,10.8 mpgUS tow

Posted By: filrupmark on 06/21/16 08:06am

When we had smaller gas rigs 7-9 mpg. Our current rig gets 9 - 11.8 depending on conditions.

2004 Ford F250 Super Duty 6.0 Diesel, Bilstein 4600 Shocks, 16K B&W Patriot, Michelin M&S
2014 Augusta Flex AF34RS Trailair Tri Glide pinbox,
JT Strong Arms , Bridgestone R250'S, KYB Monotube Gas shocks
Finally a smooth ride !!!

Posted By: drmopar on 06/21/16 08:58am

Here is my numbers with my 1999 Dodge 4X4 24 valve Cummins. All stock, no chip. First I have a hard Tonneau cover on my 8ft bed, wash/wax truck, tires at full pressure. Normal mileage at 55mph with 410 gears in overdrive, 24mpg. One trip from SF bay area to Meridian Yacht plant in Washington state to pickup a Teak Deck kit for my 580 Meridian. Pulling my Pace enclosed car trailer empty to Washington I averaged 21mpg. Slightly loaded on return trip, (in the rain), 19mpg. Last week towing my 34' Stealth Toy Hauler to Corning Ca for the car show, 16.1 with 25mph headwinds. Towing back from Corning, (Rolling Hills Casino), 17.3 with very little wind. When driving I5 for example, I see guys towing 65-70 in left lane just blowing through their fuel. When I tow, I just relax in the right lane. Very little wear and tear if you drive easy. Don't settle for low fuel mileage. An open pickup bed with tailgate will slow you down a lot. Waxing your truck will help a lot as well. Tire pressures should be at max rated load capacity. The trailer should also be clean and waxed, tire pressures max for the weight. Oh, and the big thing for better mileage, leave the lead foot at home!

Posted By: 4X4Dodger on 06/21/16 09:33am

brulaz wrote:

I too have a 2016 Ram Cummins TD. I am now getting between 13 and 15 towing my 33 foot trailer all loaded. and about 22-25MPG not towing.

Now it wasnt this good until it hit about 5000 miles on the odo. Then it took a noticeable leap up. This is to be expected with a diesel.

Note: I bought my new truck on the road in Oregon while on the way to Alaska. It has been towing from day one. And this is what the Cummins likes to do...work. (and what the owners manual suggests for break-in.

Posted By: wilber1 on 06/21/16 10:06am

11ish, give or take.

"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC

2011 RAM 3500 SRW
2015 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS

Posted By: bikendan on 06/21/16 12:08pm

Can't Wait Now wrote:

Thanks so not to far off hell I got 11 mpg in the big rig lol. Ya need too slow down Pa is now 70 mph in places and I get sucked right in

All gassers will have average towing mpg range of 8-12mpg.
No matter what, unless you're towing a low profile trailer, like a popup or teardrop.

Dan- Firefighter, Retired">, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur">, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP">), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

Posted By: bakerkids on 06/21/16 02:41pm

Towing a T@B with a Jeep Liberty, 14-16 mpg depending on speed and wind.

Me '62, DH '59, DS '89, DD '90, DD '92
1 shih tzu
Our photos

Posted By: RSD559 on 06/22/16 09:34pm

My Tahoe got about 8.5 on mostly flat land. The F150 Ecoboost got 10.5 going up to 6000 feet elevation and back. Can't wait to see how it does on a level tow. The Tahoe was set up for fuel economy, so it struggled while towing.

2020 Torque T314 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer- 38' tip to tip.
2015 F-350 6.7L Diesel, SRW.
2021 Can Am Defender 6 seater. Barely fits in the toy hauler!

Posted By: bcsslc on 06/23/16 12:30am

So I just got back from a road trip from salt lake city to crater lake,jedediah smith, humboldt,lassen volcanic park and back.
I have a 14 3500 cummins towing a 33'tt my total # was 19,500/20k dependingon tanks. On the open road speed was 65/70 with lots of wind. After 2234 miles and 57 hours my mpg was 10.2.
My buddy and family were in a f-150 12,and about 11.5k(tanks mostly dry) he got 10.1mpg. A few times as we filled up we were with in a few tenths of each other.

Posted By: hotpepperkid on 06/24/16 01:33pm

My varies from 8 to 12. The wind seams to be the biggest factor

2019 Ford F-350 long bed SRW 4X4 6.4 PSD Grand Designs Reflection 295RL 5th wheel

Posted By: likestrucks on 06/24/16 02:25pm

TV TT info in sig, about 12500 combined weight. Last two trips as follows;

Calgary 1045m (3428ft) to Banff 1400m (4600Ft) and back. 30*C(86*F) Going about 100kph(62mph) I averaged 27.5L/100km (8.5MPG).

Calgary 1045m (3428ft) to Waterton 1290 (4232ft) and back. 24*C(75*F) Going about 110kph(68) I averaged 29.5L/100km (8MPG)

1998 Chevrolet K1500
2005 Keystone Hornet Lite RSL

Posted By: hone eagle on 06/24/16 02:45pm

Average around 8.5 , seen 9.4 - going up the jellico hill 2.9 gasp !

2005 Volvo 670 singled freedomline 12 speed
Newmar 34rsks 2008
Hensley trailersaver TSLB2H
directlink brake controller

-when overkill is cheaper-

Posted By: SouthpawHD on 06/24/16 06:27pm

bikendan wrote:

Can't Wait Now wrote:

Thanks so not to far off hell I got 11 mpg in the big rig lol. Ya need too slow down Pa is now 70 mph in places and I get sucked right in

All gassers will have average towing mpg range of 8-12mpg.
No matter what, unless you're towing a low profile trailer, like a popup or teardrop.

That is completely not true - I average around 7 [emoticon]

Posted By: atwowheelguy on 06/24/16 09:53pm

16 mpg at 9,200 lbs. GCVW, 12 mpg at 12,900 lbs. GCVW

[image]

2013 F150 XLT SCrew 5.5' 3.5 EB, 3.55, 2WD, 1607# Payload, EAZ Lift WDH
Toy Hauler: 2010 Fun Finder XT-245, 5025# new, 6640-7180# loaded, 900# TW, Voyager wireless rear view camera
Toys: '66 Super Hawk, XR400R, SV650, XR650R, DL650 V-Strom, 525EXC, 500EXC

Posted By: JimVan on 06/25/16 09:16am

I JUST GOT BACK FROM Black Hills and Yellow Stone.4 adults,dog and loaded and got 10 miles per average.

Jim & Vanessia
Winnebago Minnie 2500 rls
2015 Silverado 4x4

Posted By: hvac on 06/26/16 06:56am

4k lb coach 2015 ram eco diesel, wind is a factor but over 8k miles avg is 16.5. Lifetime avg of truck in the 23 range according to evic. Never reset it. incredible vehicle.

Posted By: Passin Thru on 06/26/16 09:49am

There is a set formula for Specific Fuel Consumption used in Aviation and it is accurate. I don't care what anyone says about fuel mileage. It Ga Per Hr. My truck gets 9.8 MPG going from Va to central Co and back. That's at 67 MPH which it seems to like and that's 6.83 GPH for an 06 Chevy diesel with 420 hp and 19,000 lb GVW.Anyone wants to come tow my trailer to Pittsburgh Pa and back and can get better than 9.8 I'll buy the fuel. No One has ever taken me up. Road conditions, starts and stops, direction of travel, wind and atmospheric conditions have play in it. We owned a Class 8 truck and it got 6.5 Westbound from Balt to Sea and 7.5 on the return. Prevailing winds and more down hill ebnd.

Posted By: sky_free on 06/26/16 10:02am

Can't Wait Now wrote:

bob213 wrote:

Nope just curious what others are getting to compare

This is the usual response that comes up regularly on here, but the fact is that you can get pretty reasonable MPG with a different tow vehicle. Filling up 4 times to go 600 miles would be a deal breaker for me. Our previous setup of VW Touareg 3.0 TDI towing a 4,500 lb 8' wide square TT was getting 14.5 mpg average. We are switching to a narrower fiberglass Escape 19 that may bump that up to 16+.

Why do I care about MPG? We are planning some really long trips across the country and up to Alaska. Going 6,000 miles at 8.7 mpg would cost close to $1,600 at today's low-ish gas prices. If / when gas goes back up to $4 a gallon that will be over $2,700, or close to 50-cents per mile! If you use your tow vehicle as a daily driver like we do, it makes great economic sense to choose the one that gets better fuel mileage.

Since you are asking, maybe you are thinking of changing vehicles? The Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon 2.8 Duramax or Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel would be in the same ballpark MPG-wise as the Touareg. This is really the golden age of having great choices for tow vehicles.

2017 Escape 17B, 2012 VW Touareg

Posted By: nomadictxn on 06/26/16 10:22am

From looking at the responses to the post, I am happy with the 6 liter gas Chevy performance vs gas mileage. If I travel in CO with my camper, I get 12 mpg. If I head down to Texas I have gotten as low as 9.5 mpg.

nomadictxn
2013 RAM 1500 QC 5.7, 3.92 4x4 6 sp.
2021 Flagstaff E Pro 19FBS

Posted By: bovellois on 06/26/16 03:04pm

13 mpg when I was towing commercially.

http://www.fuelly.com/car/dodge/ram_2500/1997/bovellois/346193

* This post was edited 06/26/16 04:44pm by bovellois *

Bruno, Carol, Thierry and Julien
Sankei the fox terrier
Starla the Gordon setter
97 Dodge 2500 4x QC diesel
2006 ROO19

Posted By: atreis on 06/26/16 03:50pm

11 mpg towing, 24 mpg not towing.

Depending on the size (heightxwidth, plus a small factor for the aerodynamics of the unit) you'll likely get somewhere between 9 and 11 with most trailers if towing with gas. (Exceptions due to large aerodynamic differences: AirStream, fiberglass eggs, etc... The V-shaped nose trailers are not significantly different.)

2021 Four Winds 26B on Chevy 4500

Posted By: Slowmover on 06/26/16 04:25pm

TT and TV spec make the most difference. It's where I started. Right down to the hitch.

14-16/mpg pulling a 35' TT. Consistent with others in South Central US (climate more important than terrain; after spec), where both vehicles were highly similar.

It's double what my parents and grandparents got with their big block gassers, but same trailer brand.

1990 35' SILVER STREAK Sterling, 9k GVWR
2004 DODGE RAM 2WD 305/555 ISB, QC SRW LB NV-5600, 9k GVWR
Hensley Arrow; 11-cpm solo, 17-cpm towing fuel cost

Posted By: DakotaDad on 06/26/16 04:52pm

Just finished a long family vacation. '16 Ram 3500 Cummins, and a '15 Sabre fifth wheel, 38 feet long, somewhere around 11,900lbs, give or take a hundred.

Rapid City to West Yellowstone, MT - 11.1 mpg
West Yellowstone, MT to West Glacier, MT - 12.2 mpg
West Glacier, MT to Livingston, MT - 11.1mpg
Livingston, MT to Rapid City, SD - 11.2mpg

Day one could easily have been better, if not for a brutal headwind the last 100 miles. But, the last day could easily have been worse if not for a moderate tailwind; different route with lots of rolling hills.

Jason, Angie, and our boys, Sean (13) and Liam (8)
Now with Radar and Daisy, both Boston Terriers. Missing Artemus the Labrador, gone on ahead.
2016 Ram 3500 CC Big Horn - 6.7 Cummins - B&W RVK3600 hitch
2015 Palomino Sabre 33RETS Platinum fifth wheel

Posted By: Groover on 06/26/16 08:19pm

Well, I don't have a camper anymore since I bought a class A but I get 9.8mpg towing a 17' horse trailer with the class A. I just completed an 1800 mile trip and am showing 11.7mpg for the class A without a trailer. That is for a DP 35' long, 8.5'wide and weighing 22,500lbs (best guess as loaded for this trip) and the cruise set on 69mph. With my pickup (a 1991 F250 with 460cid) I only got 9mpg towing the horse trailer at 62mph and about 12.5 empty at 69mph. I am amazed at what that class A delivers. I am anxious to see what it does towing my new pickup but it should be about the same as pulling the horse trailer.

Posted By: Vintage465 on 06/26/16 09:13pm

Using a stock 2013 Duramax with 3.73' pulling a 6000 pound rig I normally get 11-12mpg. On real bad days in nothing but curvy up hills I drop to 9mpg. In a head wind 9mpg. On straight flat with a tail wind 13mpg Nearly all my towing is done @ 65-70 mpg.

V-465
2013 GMC 2500HD Duramax Denali. 2015 CreekSide 20fq w/450 watts solar and 465 amp/hour of batteries. Retired and living the dream!

Posted By: NinerBikes on 06/27/16 10:28am

2013 VW Touareg Sport TDI with the small 18" rims, about #4100 of Palomino Gazelle in a 21 foot TT behind me, set up with an Equalizer hitch.

You can see what I get running empty, and when I am trailering here, for MPG's.
16.5 to 19.5 MPG's depending on which way the wind is blowing, head wind or tail wind. That's real world, not guess-o-meter in the dash.

A good example would be to look at the fuel logs in Sept of 2015 here, for trailering MPG's.
Fuelly.com for the 2013 VW Touareg TDI.

* This post was edited 06/27/16 10:35am by NinerBikes *

Posted By: coolbreeze01 on 06/29/16 12:45pm

Last 258 mi leg from Fernly to Redding, 9.17 mpg towing 10K. Speed 70 and less.

2008 Ram 3500 With a Really Strong Tractor Motor...........
LB, SRW, 4X4, 6-Speed Auto, 3.73, Prodigy P3, Blue Ox Sway Pro........
2014 Sandsport 26FBSL

Posted By: Silverback98042 on 07/01/16 08:59pm

Regardless if I'm towing or not, or if I'm in one of the cars, I always track fuel mileage, at least enough to know what "normal" is for that vehicle. If the fuel mileage drops considerably without a understandable explanation, I know something has changed that needs attention.
That said, we get 11-12 mpg towing, depending on how well traffic is flowing.

2013 Ford Superduty F250 Powerstroke CC 4X4 Platinum
2013 Outdoors RV Timber Ridge 280 RKS

Posted By: NWnative on 07/12/16 05:57am

Two Trips so far with my setup. Getting a solid 11-11.5 on average. Mix of highway and moderate hills.

2019 Ford F250 Lariat CrewCab Short Bed 4x4 - 6.2 Gas w/4.30 Axle
2016 Airstream Flying Cloud 30RB / Blue Ox Sway Pro / Rock Tamers
2021 Mazda CX-9 Signature AWD

Posted By: IdaD on 07/12/16 07:20am

I tend to get between 10 and 12, with an overall average of 11-11.5. I try to keep it to 65 but lots of climbing and descending is a fact of life where I live and that doesn't help things. I have a 2000 mile trip coming up in a couple of weeks and I'm interested in seeing what sort of mileage I'll get.

2015 Cummins Ram 4wd CC/SB

Posted By: manualman on 07/13/16 04:09pm

I love when this topic comes up. 19mpg

Odyssey minivan and Fleetwood Sun Valley popup (12' box, low wall, no slide).

Posted By: icanon on 07/13/16 04:13pm

See signature for what I drive and pull o/w I'm getting 10-11.5 mpg and I never drive over 60mph even on hi ways that allow 70+.

Loving wife and 2 beautiful daughters.
Chocolate Lab, Lily
2014 Dodge Ram Laramie Hemi 5.7 with 3.92
2014 Dutchmen Kodiak 290BHSL
ProPride 3P Hitch
Progressive Industries EMS-PT30C
Love my Weber Q1200
Me a Happy man on retirement!!!

Posted By: IdaD on 07/13/16 04:16pm

manualman wrote:

I love when this topic comes up. 19mpg

Odyssey minivan and Fleetwood Sun Valley popup (12' box, low wall, no slide).

I used to get 17 with our Fleetwood Bayside pop up behind our 4wd Pilot, but it was probably a bit heavier than your Sun Valley.

However, overall I'm much happier getting poorer mileage with my current setup. Tows easier, a lot more comfortable, longer camping season, far easier setup/teardown on travel days, more versatile, etc. We went with a pop up initially because we lacked a proper tow vehicle and a space to park a hard sided trailer. Once those issues were addressed, there was no looking back.

Posted By: Strabo on 07/13/16 04:42pm

dodge guy wrote:

7-8 depending on speed and terrain.

04' F350 PSD TB SC FX4 XLT, TH-04' 32' Sandpiper Sport Fifthwheel WB Dual Axle
07' Rhino 686 SS106-ITP-AFE-BRP-T4-CDI-KIBBLEBWHITE-CVT-TSTICH-Ridgid LED LightBar-HID Conversion Kit-LIVEWIRE
04' Honda 250 Sportstrac quad
05' Honda 400 Ranchers quad

Posted By: p220sigman on 07/13/16 05:06pm

16 (hand calculated average for a number of trips) Toyota Sienna with a Viking Popup. Pup is right at 3400lbs (weighed ready to camp). Towed the same Pup with a 1500 Dodge Megacab (Hemi) and got 12 MPG. Of course I only got 13 when not towing.

Posted By: sam22 on 08/02/16 12:29am

Over the course of my recent 11000km trip (almost 7000 miles) across the states I averaged about 11.5 mpg in my Grand Cherokee pulling a 4600lb Evergreen Ascend TT.. I had no idea if this was good or bad so it's nice to see I'm not far off what everyone seems to be getting!

Camper:
2015 Evergreen Ascend 232BHS
Towed with:
2017 Jeep Grand Cherokee
2019 Ram 1500 Big Horn

Posted By: Rustycamperpants on 08/02/16 01:36am

8.2 from Pigeon Forge Tennessee to Chicago area. Running 60-66 MPH

2009 Ford Expedition EB, 3.73, Equal-i-zer
2015 KZ Sportsman Showstopper 301BH

Posted By: 4x4ord on 08/02/16 06:34am

9.7 miles per US gallon towing about a 15000 lb fifth wheel with a 2016 Ford diesel. I'm not impressed.

2023 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5

Posted By: JAC1982 on 08/02/16 09:41am

Around 11 going up and down through the mountains on I70 in Colorado. 8000ishlb bumper pull toy hauler, 2015 F350 DRW. Haven't really taken it anywhere else since we got the new truck.

2020 Keystone Montana High Country 294RL
2017 Ford F350 DRW King Ranch
2021 Ford F350 SRW Lariat Tremor

Posted By: gmckenzie on 08/02/16 10:18am

First big trip towing with the 2015 1/2 ton. Went ~2,750 km's on vacation this year. Towing I saw from just under 10 (US MPG) to 12. Worst was from Kamloops to Jasper at ~ 9.9. Did the speed limit most of the way and am very happy with the mileage. Best non-towing was ~23, but kinda ignored the speed limit a bit.

2015 GMC Sierra 4x4 CC SB Max Trailer
2010 Cougar 30RKS

Posted By: Cummins12V98 on 08/02/16 01:03pm

4x4ord wrote:

9.7 miles per US gallon towing about a 15000 lb fifth wheel with a 2016 Ford diesel. I'm not impressed.

I think you are just being HONEST!

Perfect conditions NW WA to SoCal and back no wind at 60mph combined 33K i am at or just below 9 average tank filled to top each fill hand calc.

2015 RAM LongHorn 3500 Dually CrewCab 4X4 CUMMINS/AISIN RearAir 385HP/865TQ 4:10's
37,800# GCVWR "Towing Beast"

"HeavyWeight" B&W RVK3600

2016 MobileSuites 39TKSB3 highly "Elited" In the stable

2007.5 Mobile Suites 36 SB3 29,000# Combined SOLD

Posted By: allen8106 on 08/02/16 02:05pm

Updated data after 5,200 miles to Oregon and back in June & July.

2013 GMC 2500HD, long bed, regular cab, 4X4, 6.6L Diesel, purchased new.
2010 Jayco 31.5 RLDS, weighed 10,500 at grain truck scale a year ago coming home from the lake.

13,279 miles mostly towing - 11.56 mpg (75% or more towing)
5,241 miles some towing - 15.08 mpg (less than 25% towing)
40,428 miles no towing - 17.0 mpg

These numbers are based on actual numbers from 132 tanks of fuel between 10/19/13 and 7/23/16.

Mileage has not changed much in recent months.

Posted By: ppine on 08/03/16 07:06am

I tow with a Ford 7.3 liter diesel with a few mods. Currently I am pulling a hybrid trailer that only weighs 2,800 pounds. It gets in the neighborhood of 14-15 mpg, sometimes more if the country is flat. Empty the truck has gotten as high as 23.8 mpg.

Posted By: jasoncw on 08/03/16 11:46am

My license plate says it, but I think it's a bit optimistic... [emoticon]

2016 Jayco Eagle 324BHTS
2005 Ford Excursion 6.8L 4.56's, V/C Springs, PP 3P, P3

Past:
2011 Keystone Bullet Premier 31BHPR
2009 Forest River Flagstaff 830RBSS

Posted By: jspence1 on 08/03/16 12:50pm

2001 Ford Excursion 7.3L diesel, 7500lb travel trailer

I get around 10 mpg towing at 68 mph. I've gotten as high as 11.5 and as low as 8.5 but long term it stays around 10

Posted By: 2oldman on 08/03/16 12:55pm

About 8.

Posted By: pasusan on 08/03/16 01:00pm

8.4 up, down, and all around. (But, don't even want to talk about not towing.) [emoticon]

"I'm out here to enjoy nature -- don't talk to me about the environment!" ~Denny Crane

Susan & Ben
2004 Roadtrek 170

Trip Pics

Posted By: STANG23L on 08/03/16 02:47pm

With my Ecodiesel and a 25' Coachman TT I've ranged from 14-15 mpg.
Worst was 14 mpg running from WI to ID. Average 15 running around WI.

2014 Ram 1500 Eco Diesel

Posted By: hotpepperkid on 08/04/16 07:18am

8-12 depending on the wind. Wind is a big killer or mileage

Posted By: hotpepperkid on 08/04/16 07:28am

8-12 depending on the wind. Wind is a big killer or mileage

Posted By: sky_free on 08/04/16 10:02am

Just saw this on the escapeforum:

"I have a 2016 Touareg TDI+ 17B and the last long trip from Vancouver Island via the Escape rally to Alberta return my average over >3000 km, nearly all towing was 11.1 liters/100 km. 21.2 mpg US, 25.4 mpg imperial. There's lots of climbing on that trip including 2 crossings of the Rockies. I thought that was pretty decent."

Winning!

Posted By: Dr_Holiday on 08/04/16 10:27am

2012 RAM 2500 6.7l
roughly 13,000lbs of 5th wheel

If i'm lucky and dont have to get off the highway and can cruse along between 64-68 we will average between 12-13mpg. In day of towing the trip computer will post a 12.3 usualy

Docs Holiday

2012 Ram 2500 SLT 4 Door 6.5' Bed
2014 Keystone Cougar 333MKS

Posted By: ppine on 08/06/16 07:22am

It is interesting to me that all of these "economy" smaler trucks get 10 mpg or less when towing. There is no doubt that towing is hard on them. Most gas engines that tow a lot are worn out by 150-200,000 miles or less.

My Dad says "your truck is overkill." I don't think so. A large diesel truck is loafing along pulling less 4,000 pounds. I expect to get 400,000 miles out of this engine before it needs some new injectors and a few other things. I will take 15 mpg towing and 20 mpg empty all day long.

Posted By: LVJJJ on 08/07/16 08:22am

Paid $1000 for my tow vehicle in 1970, 1965 Chevy Van. Gets 10 with 292-Th350 combo, uphill-downhill-level.

1994 GMC Suburban K1500
2005 Trail Cruiser TC26QBC
1965 CHEVY VAN, 292 "Big Block 6" (will still tow)
2008 HHR
L(Larry)V(Vicki)J(Jennifer)J(Jesse)J(Jason)

Posted By: DinTulsa on 08/10/16 02:29pm

2012 Ford F250, FX4, PSD towing a Open Range Roamer 310BHS 10,450 loaded at 65mph I get 10.2-11 depending on the wind.

Posted By: PapaKilroy on 08/11/16 03:02pm

restlesswind wrote:

korbe wrote:

We average between 10 and 12 mpg depending on terrain and wind.

I used to hand calc mpg with every fill up, gave it up as nothing would change our driving habits, and as long as we can afford the next tank of fuel, that's all we care about.

Same here. Will probably check for awhile on new truck because people are always asking. But feel same way, doesn't make much difference.

04.5 Dodge 3500,4x4, LWB, SW, auto, cummins
98 Alaskan 10' cab over
04 Tundra DC 2wd

Posted By: Grit dog on 08/11/16 10:38pm

Anywhere from 7-18mpg pending which truck and whether I'm towing a wood splitter or 14klbs.

2016 Ram 2500, MotorOps.ca EFIlive tuned, 5” turbo back, 6" lift on 37s
2017 Heartland Torque T29 - Sold.
Couple of Arctic Fox TCs - Sold

Posted By: Dave H M on 08/12/16 07:08am

8.7

Posted By: Can't Wait Now on 08/14/16 07:54am

Well when I slowed down and averaged 60 mph I went up to 13 mpg Need to stop being in such a hurry

Posted By: 4x4ord on 08/14/16 08:24am

I've been checking my lie-o-meter at every fill up for the last while. It has been out by a minimum of 4% and a maximum of 6% each time. Always reading poorer fuel economy than what the actual has been.

Posted By: trail-explorer on 08/14/16 09:45am

W5CI wrote:

It Is what it is, If I was worried about it I would have never bought the 5er, all you can do is Slow down. IMHO

Ditto.

If I was worried about getting good mileage, I wouldn't being towing.
I look at it like this: It's a cost of having fun.

Bob

Posted By: 4x4ord on 08/14/16 10:09am

trail-explorer wrote:

W5CI wrote:

It Is what it is, If I was worried about it I would have never bought the 5er, all you can do is Slow down. IMHO

Ditto.

If I was worried about getting good mileage, I wouldn't being towing.
I look at it like this: It's a cost of having fun.

I want to know how my Ford compares to the other brands. When I purchase my next truck if I know that the Ram will use 10% less fuel than my Ford it means that over a 5 year period of ownership it would save me about $3000 on fuel. So if the Ford purchase price is $5k more I will have to question whether I would be willing to pay that plus another $3k on fuel. I don't really care what the name on my tailgate is.

Posted By: Mike E. on 08/14/16 10:19am

Just returned from a trip through Washington and Oregon (Crater Lake) with my brother in-law's 38' 9500lb travel trailer.

10.5-12.75MPG

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