new in oklahoma,184bh, pulling with a 4.8l chevy

[bcmp01]

Hello forum, new from Oklahoma, just brought home a new 184 bh today! everything is great, but i do have a question about towing. I am pulling it with a 4.8 liter silverado, the mpg today from the dealer was about 8. I usually get about 18.5, is this normal? It was pretty windy, I am wondering if that made a dent in the mpg. I am new to the travel trailer scene, does anyone have any pointers or thoughts?

The wife and I are very excited about this trailer!

Thanks!

[dg1971]

Hello and welcome to Jayco Owners Forum. Glad you are here. You will find a lot of good info and friendly folks here. To answer your question, yes, the increased drag plus the high winds will definately pull that mpg down considerably. My diesel, for example, gets around 18.5 mpg but 12 to 13 when pulling...unless I am pulling into the winds like you and I get in our parts of the country, then it drops to 9.5 to 10 mpg. Don't know what speed you drive while towing but 5 miles per hour slower makes a difference in mpg while towing...10 makes an even bigger difference. Happy camping.

[Crabman]

Welcome to the forum.

[Beerlifter]

Welcome bcmp01, We live in Norman and tow a 234 SL and with the hills and wind our mileage varies quite abit. We started out towing with a V6 Silverado Ext. Cab also but finally upgraded to the V8 Silverado Crew Cab. With the V6 we were having alot of troubles with the hills and wind, especially when we were headed home from Beavers Bend SP. That was when we made the decision to up grade to the V8. My main concern was the wear and tear on the engine and tranny, the V6 was really struggling to make those hills against a strong head wind.

[Denise]

Welcome to the JOF bcmp01! Congrats on the new tt!

[bcmp01]

thanks for all the replies guys!! We just finished our "maiden voyage" and we averaged 12 mpg. I am definitely feeling better about the mileage. beerlifter, we live in norman as well, and believe it or not, we went to Beavers Bend for our first trip! So it may be even better going to sulphur or wildlife refuge near lawton. It was a great trip, I would never do it in our old tent without some sort of air conditioner to sleep under. It is good to have a TT.

[Beerlifter]

We just returned from the Wichita Mountains Wildlife Refuge about 3 or 4 weeks ago! The photos from our trip are here:
http://www.jaycoowners.com/album.php?albumid=198

Headed to Brushy Creek Labor day weekend, then to Robbers Cave in September, and probably stay at Lexington Wildlife Management Area for the opening of Archery Season in October.

Hope to see you around sometime!!! Maybe out a Lake Thunderbird................NOT!!!!

[LBL 1206]

@Beerlifter...your pixs of the refuge brings back a lot of good memories.
I use to visit friends that lived between Cache and Altus yrs ago. I was also stationed at Sill back in the 60s.

[tlhdoc]

Congratulations on the new trailer. Enjoy your camping.

[2edgesword]

I'm getting about similar mileage (10 ~ 12) pulling a similar size TT with my 4.8L Silverado (3.23 gear ratio).