MPG While Towing

[2nOZ]

We pull our 28.5 RSTS Eagle HT (10,000 lbs) with our 2017 F250 6.2 gasser with the 4.3 gears and 34 gallon tank. We average 8.5 to 9.5 mpg with no wind. The worst we have seen is 7 mpg pulling into a stiff headwind and 6.5 uphill into the wind. We just made a trip this past Friday through the Colorado foothills near Canyon City and still got 8.5 mpg pulling at 6000’ elevation. We try to stop every 180-190 miles for gas.

[Iraqvet05]

We just got back from a 10 day trip to South Dakota. My 6.2 pulling around 7,200 lbs showed (computer calculated) anywhere from 8.5 MPG (no wind at 60 mph) to a dismal 5.8 mpg. Headwinds along 300 miles of I-90 at 65 mph really hit my wallet.

[Sundancer330]

I gave up thinking about MPG years ago when I got into boating. The latest boat gets about .60 mpg, so if I worried about cost I would find a different hobby

[jlechmanik]

Pulling a TT 28bhbe (8,000 lb something) with a 2017 Ram 2500 Cummins. Last trip 1,000 miles. Started at 500 feet, went over a 4000 pass in the middle and ended at 5000 ft. Worse mpg 10.93 (20 to 30 mph headwinds) and best was 12.10 mpg. All calculated based on odometer and gallons put back in the tank. Speed control set at 64 mph except when going up and down grades.

[Aggie79]

Thanks for all of your comments. I did pick up some good pointers. Slow down. Turn off the cruise control. Last week a mechanic told me to shoot for 60, use the gas pedal, and speed up before I go uphill to avoid using the lower gears (3 and 4 aka passing gear). He indicated it could improve my mileage close to 2 MPG. I'll be trying this method when I take the unit back to the dealer for service in a couple of weeks.

[Atlee]

I have a 2014 F150, 3.5 EB, 4x4 Supercab, Max Tow and HDPP which means an 8' bed. I pull a Jay Flight 23RB which has a GVWR of 6500#

This past weekend I pulled it from central Virginia to the VA Mountains. Going out I contended with 25 mph wind gusts. Averaged 8.4 mpg. Coming home on the exact same route, with no wind, averaged 9.1 mpg.

Going both ways, I did use cruise control, drove no faster than 63-64 MPH, used Tow Haul, and locked out 6th gear. Most of the time averaged 2K rpm.

[DonaandDon]

Originally Posted by curver900

1500 RPM towing with a gas might be lugging it a bit.. unless downhill with a breeze to your back... I run around 2500... level on the freeway around 70... at 1500 I would be a hazard on the freeway...

I find it strange you feel towing at 70mph is safe but at a lower speed (1500 rpm) is a hazard? Normally a posted speed limit is under sunny conditions without towing, Slower traffic keeps to the right unless passing. But then again towing at 70mph you would have to pass a lot. How long do your brakes last traveling at 70?

Additionally, I slow for oncoming traffic, it does help with reducing the white knuckles.

[SkyBound]

I think what he's trying to say is that 1500rpms on a gasoline engine does not generate enough torque to maintain an adequate speed, or the speed that 1500rpm produces in an acceptable gear is dangerously slow to the flow of traffic.

In a diesel, 1500rpm is plenty. In a gas engine, even the mighty EcoBoost, it's just not enough RPM to get into the torque curve. From my own experience, the good torque band begins at about 1800rpm on the Eco, and peaks at 2500rpm. I try to turn just under 2000rpm while cruising, and depending on my speed that means 5th or 6th gear as appropriate.

[33 RLDS]

7.5 MPG pulling my almost 10K lbs with my 8.1L, good thing I have a 38 gallon tank !

[Murff]

SWMBO and I traveled to Montana last week and are currently headed home. Heading east through Eastern Washington, we ran about 10.5 mpg with a tailwind. Yesterday heading west on same stretch of I90, we are getting 8.0 mpg with the usual strong wind hitting us. Some stretches, the 5 liter is in 3rd gear to maintain 60 mph.

Those of you that know I-90 from the town of George to Vantage, some yahoo wanted by me real bad going down hill pulling his 36 foot fiver with his Dodge 1-ton. No problem, see ya down the road.

Going west of Vantage, is a long 4% grade. Mr. Dodge looked surprised when the Murff F150 passed him up the grade.

Murff

[geezerbob]

Our rig is listed below. We use tow/haul all the time.
No wind, flat roads, sweet spot is 57 to 63 mph just under 2000 rpm, average about 10.5 mpg approx. on 5,000 to 9,000 mile trips. Very seldom use cruise control and when no traffic we do a little zooming on the hills. Head winds really make a difference but all in all they average out with tail winds.
Bob

[SkyBound]

If it's all supposed to average out in the end with headwinds/tailwinds then I should be towing with nothing but tailwinds for the next 2 years! Every SINGLE TIME we tow, no matter what the direction, we have been fighting headwinds for the last 2 seasons... So annoying! The towing gods must be against me.

[Screwby]

We just need a bright red “sticky” at the top of the forums that says “You will get 8-12mpg towing your camper” welcome to the club.

[colby]

Saw this on YouTube yesterday - https://youtu.be/k8CafR1YxqE it's an interesting watch although if both trucks had been outfitted more similarly (like both 4x4, etc.), the difference in MPG may have been different.

[PMC]

I have a 16k pound Pinnacle and a DRW Diesel Ram. My last pull was 1800 miles when we moved from MN to WA. Overall I averaged just over 10 mpg for the trip and I drive 70 on the interstate assuming conditions allow.

I got my worst MPG across South Dakota which is pretty normal as it rolls non stop and it's always windy and rarely blows in the right direction. Best was driving the Columbia River gorge on the way across Oregon which is a little slower and more sheltered from wind.

If you get a diesel, you can use an auxiliary tank giving you more range. I have around 70 gallons with my stock tank and small aux tank meaning I can usually drive all day without stopping.

Good luck in whatever you decide on and have fun!

[GL243]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

If it's all supposed to average out in the end with headwinds/tailwinds then I should be towing with nothing but tailwinds for the next 2 years! Every SINGLE TIME we tow, no matter what the direction, we have been fighting headwinds for the last 2 seasons... So annoying! The towing gods must be against me.

I see your info shows your truck is lifted on 33" tires, does that also hurt towing mpg that you know of, in addition to your headwinds curse?

To otherwise contribute a bit here from my experience, I just got back from a 1100 mile round-trip from N CO front range to southeastern Idaho and back, and ranged from 8.7 to 10.3 mpg while towing, calculated from miles and gallons-at-fillup, towing miles only on each tank, and not having much of anything for headwinds or tailwinds during trip there or back (got lucky). Pulling a ~7000 lb. (loaded) SLX 267BHSW with a 2017 F150 4wd Supercrew 5.5' bed, 3.5 Ecoboost. I routinely am getting about 19-20 mpg while not towing, which I have convinced myself way more than makes up for the lower gas mileage. I'm running 85 octane 10% ethanol gas (normal regular grade stuff here in higher altitude West), and tried my departure tank-full with 91 octane (only alternative at Sam's Club . . .), but that tank-full got the worst calculated mileage of the whole trip at 8.7, so am thinking using 87 or higher octane doesn't help at all in my case.

My old 2002 F150 S-crew 4wd with 5.4L Titan V8 routinely did 8-10 mpg pulling a shorter (25') lighter (no slides) older Terry TT, but then only got 14-16 mpg when not towing, 16 being the best on "the highway". It also did not tow up grades even remotely as well as the 3.5 Ecoboost, consistent with the lower HP and torque ratings for that older engine.

[curver900]

Originally Posted by SkyBound

I think what he's trying to say is that 1500rpms on a gasoline engine does not generate enough torque to maintain an adequate speed, or the speed that 1500rpm produces in an acceptable gear is dangerously slow to the flow of traffic.

In a diesel, 1500rpm is plenty. In a gas engine, even the mighty EcoBoost, it's just not enough RPM to get into the torque curve. From my own experience, the good torque band begins at about 1800rpm on the Eco, and peaks at 2500rpm. I try to turn just under 2000rpm while cruising, and depending on my speed that means 5th or 6th gear as appropriate.

This


and if there is a hill or a headwind in a gas motor you best be north of 2500RPM or you won't get very far...

[Cincinnati Kid]

Does anyone tow at 50-55 mph? I'm sure going to try to keep the speed down, and have shorter segments. Before retiring, I understand needing to get there in a jiffy- you only have so much time off. now I've got time. I really want to get out of the long driving day panic mode. We'll see if I can do it.

[Brad81987]

2011 Expedition 5.4L Triton w/ factory HD tow package towing a Starcraft 17SB hybrid (single axle, ~3,500lbs, similar to the X17Z I believe). Typically average 9-10 MPG. As high as 12 on level ground with no wind and have seen as low as 7 with a good headwind. Use cruise set at 60-65 most of the time, turning it off on grades.

No fancy gauges like the newer models so I use Torque Pro to monitor engine and trans temps, instantaneous and average MPG, and fuel flow (GPH). Don't get too caught up on low RPMs. I've seen quite a few occasions where coming into a grade, I slowly kept getting into the throttle and the fuel flow increased significantly despite losing speed. Once I finally gave it enough to downshift, fuel flow actually dropped despite now maintaining or increasing speed.

[Tiguan Tow r]

2013 VW Tiguan towing a 145 RB TT gets us 13-14 US mpg. Highway towing is using 4th or 5th gear.