Gas Mileage Towing the X17Z - 10 MPG

[scottystang]

Hi everyone,

We just got back from our first trip with the X17Z and it was fantastic! We'll be going back up to Maine for Memorial Day.

This was my first time towing anything and as you can imagine I was surprised about the gas mileage I was getting - 10 MPG.

Our tow vehicle is a 2011 Mazda CX-9 Grand Touring AWD. It's properly maintained, good tire pressure, V6 270+ HP, AWD, etc. I was averaging 60 MPH for a 100 mile trip, all relatively straight and flat.

I realize the CX-9 isn't the tow vehicle of choice, but is 10 MPG something I should just get used to? We brought our two small kids and a small dog in the vehicle. The trailer had no water, tanks empty, but included the "normal" stuff you pack for a weekend.

Here's a picture of the rig all setup leaving the campground.


- Scott

[Rick56]

I just traded in our x17z, but we were getting about 10 mpg average towing with our GMC Sierra half ton pick up with a 5.3 liter V8. Average speed slower than 60 mph and towing in the northern Adirondack mountains. The 17z pulled harder than I expected. We started out towing it with a Colorado 3.5 liter 5 cylinder truck, but soon realized that it was not big enough. Jayco advertises that the Z can be pulled by small SUVs. That may be true but it sure is hard on them. Just my experience. Your mileage may vary :-)

[Rick56]

Originally Posted by Rick56

I just traded in our x17z, but we were getting about 10 mpg average towing with our GMC Sierra half ton pick up with a 5.3 liter V8. Average speed slower than 60 mph and towing in the northern Adirondack mountains. The 17z pulled harder than I expected. We started out towing it with a Colorado 3.5 liter 5 cylinder truck, but soon realized that it was not big enough. Jayco advertises that the Z can be pulled by small SUVs. That may be true but it sure is hard on them. Just my experience. Your mileage may vary :-)

BTW, I towed it with the water tank full.

[coondog]

I just towed our newly purchased X23J (5000lbs+) for our first real camping trip. I was ranging anywhere from 9-16mpg depending on the wind direction. That's with the truck described below in my signature area.

[Daytripper]

Seems like everyone gets around 9-10 mpg no matter what camper/truck combo they have lol.

[Rick56]

Originally Posted by Daytripper

Seems like everyone gets around 9-10 mpg no matter what camper/truck combo they have lol.

Wind drag plays a big role also, especially at higher speeds.

[DocBrown]

As said in the other thread, keep in mind that you are towing a box down the road and by doing so you have the aerodynamics of a brick. To get an idea of what strains your vehicle is up against, hold up a 4'x4' sheet of plywood and run into the wind.

Originally Posted by Rick56

Jayco advertises that the Z can be pulled by small SUVs. That may be true but it sure is hard on them. Just my experience. Your mileage may vary :-)

Being hard on them is going to be true anytime you push the towing capacities of any vehicle regardless of size.

We towed our old Kiwi 17a, ancestor to the X17Z, with a '03 Trailblazer that had a 4.2l I6 and 3:42 gears. It towed like a dream, even though mountains out west. When we got the X20E I was pushing the limits of that Trailblazer and yes, I could really tell the difference. Adequate at best and certainly not up to towing it through mountains.

[kvangil]

Originally Posted by Daytripper

Seems like everyone gets around 9-10 mpg no matter what camper/truck combo they have lol.

X2 for the gassers. x23B and 05 Pathfinder, I average from 8-11mpg going 65mph, depending on wind and terrain...

[scottystang]

Thanks, everyone! Would trying 93 octane gas make a difference? Currently we only use 87 octane.

It pulls nicely at 60 MPH so I'm not concerned with the vehicle at all. I guess I was hoping for 12 MPG or so, but it's not that great on gas to begin with so I'll drop that dream haha.

[DocBrown]

I used to get 12 when I towed my old Kiwi 17a with my Trailblazer. But that was on flat land with no wind.

Your computer is programed to work a specific way. If it encounters higher octane it will simply adjust the operating parameters to keep the emissions working properly. So 93 is a waste of money unless your Mazda's owners manual says premium can be used as an option.

[Boss Wagon]

I get 10 mpg towing and 11-14 empty. 10 mpg is almost a universal average with aerodynamics being the limiting factor rather than rolling weight and length.

I have heard of some marginal tow vehicles were their empty/towing mileage drops by 50%. If that is the case, your engine is very stressed and is working too hard.

[202Acadia]

Towed a Cub 160 with a both Honda minivan and Chev 5.3 1/2 ton, between 9-11 MPG regardless of the tow vehicle.

[Threebutchers]

ScottyStang....you never mentioned what your "real-life" MPG is...my friend gets about 20MPG (on a good day) with his Cx-6. That said, you're probably in the average MPG drop for towing near capacity.

I get almost 30MPG hwy....and about 17MPG towing. I use 93 when towing (actually, 93 is recommended at all times with my TV).

[Seann45]

You said you averaged 60 mph.. this means to me that you were driving much faster than 60-65 at times... every 10 over 60 reduces your mileage by about 10%.. Did you know also that ST tires are only rated to 65 mph?

[Fawcett]

Originally Posted by scottystang

Thanks, everyone! Would trying 93 octane gas make a difference? Currently we only use 87

I don't recommend going with 93 or higher if the manufacturer doesn't suggest you use it. Factory tuning is based on factory recommended octane. It may make your mileage worse and even create more emissions. The best advice I've received pertaining to mpg/litres per 100 when towing is don't look at it. You won't like the numbers. If you don't like the numbers trade in your TT for a Prius.

[jsundin]

Just got back from a one day trip locally with 2010 mazda cx9 and jayco x17a. So, essentially the same as what you have. I kept it at 55-60 on highway and less on the windey roads. Average around 10 mpg also.


But we had a lot of fun!


Jeff

[scottystang]

Back from Memorial Day camping trip in Maine. Got 10.6 MPG on the way up, 11 MPG on the way home, never going above 60 MPH. I averaged between 55-60 MPH. The X17Z tracked great and I'm happy with how the Mazda CX-9 performed. I'm already used to the mileage and I just chalk it up to the lifestyle of trailering. The "normal" mileage is only 17 MPG or so on mixed driving, so 10-11 MPG seems reasonable.

[j_shoe99]

I just took out my 17z out this weekend for the first time.

~100mile roundtrip, and averaged 10.3mpg. Drove 55-60mph most of the way.

[Northwoods Dawg]

First trip with our 2008 X17C behind our Jeep Grand Cherokee. 9 to 10 mpg running between 55 and 60 on state roads and the interstate.

[howie]

I have the X19H. I was getting between 10-11 mpg towing it home from the dealer and on the first trip. This past weekend I got about 13. The only difference is I had the canoe on my racks on top of the truck. Not sure if that helped cut the wind or if I just had a tail-wind the whole time.