x17z Towing.....UGH!

[JE78]

What are you guys towing with? I have a 2015 Ford F-150 with the 2.7 6cyl motor. The truck is rated to tow 7500lbs but i'm struggling with the 3000 lbs the z17z weighs. We just got back from our week long vacation, everything was great minus the towing. The trip each way was 180 miles. On the way up I filled the water tank before we left adding the extra 250lbs to the camper, we don't put alot in the camper when towing, sleeping bags, cloths bags, food in the fridge and another tote bag full of food. Other than that, pots and pans, I can't imagine adding much more than 100lbs to the camper. In my truck I had some wood, 2 bikes, stocked cooler, EZ up, few more odds and ends. On the way up, I was driving between 65-70 and my truck rarely got out of 5th gear, setting around 2200 RPM's, on the way back the tank was dry but still had the same issue with a hard tow. On the way up I averaged 9 mpg and on the way back 10 mpg. Just wanted to check to see if this is normal for this truck. Last year we had a popup and was getting 16-17 mpg no problem and barely knew it was behind me. This thing feels like i'm driving with an anchor behind the truck. I know it sits higher and creates drag, but I know people tow this camper with a SUV so I figure my truck should have no issue.

[ALJO]

Well you answered your struggle, why not keep it at 65 mph, your tires of the x17z might be rated for that speed. Blowouts can create a lot of damage. And fuel mileage always will be less than half from normal operating. How higher the speed how more the fuel consumption. I run around 62 mph.

[Scott91370]

Even with the trailer sitting at 4000lbs you should not have any problems; especially with a 2.7 Ecoboost.
Were your travels on flat ground? Up/down hills? Did you use tow/haul mode?
Your towing mileage sounds about right.

[Jagiven]

When I tow a popup, I really don't even know it is back there. But when towing my 23B, I know it's there. First the fuel mileage drops dramatically. Before I changed tires on my tv, I got 12 mpg, changed brands and now I get 9.5 mpg. Once with terrible head wind, I got 4.2 mpg ick! 2200 RPM is not bad. I usually have a hard time keeping my rpms under 2500. It is not uncommon to hit 4000+ rpm.

Also the 23B feels like I'm towing a parachute. I have towed other big trailers, such as my parent's using their full size truck, and it is always the same feel.

As for speed, slow down. First for safety, second, oem tires are only speed rated to 65 mph. Third, your gas mileage will greatly increase at slower speeds.

If you have a tow mode button, click it. It shifts the rpm range, and keeps you out of over drive. If you do not have the button, lock it out of over drive. Each brand vehicle seams to have a different method to do that.

[John from Central Florida]

JE,

Jumping from a popup to a z17z is going to feel a whole lot different under tow. Your reduced mileage sounds about right. IMO only, I never tow above sixty as I feel like I’m losing some control; I also had a tire explode once and I have no desire to recreate that experience. And as Jagiven has said, if you have a tow mode button use it.

All best

PS: Stay with us here on the forum and let us know how you are getting along.

[JE78]

Thanks everyone for the replies. After reading on here, a Ford forum and a Hybrid facebook page, turns out 10mpg is pretty good for what i'm towing. Turns out the biggest issues is the aero drag which is why it feels like i'm dragging an anchor behind the trailer. I have been using tow mode in my tuck but thank for the heads up on that. My next tow will be alot slower, 65mph max. Thanks everyone for the suggestions and replies!

[Siamese]

Agree on using tow mode. Your truck shouldn't have a problem towing your trailer.

Also agree on slowing down. I cruise at 62mph. 2017 Ford F-150 with 3.5 ecoboost and a 2017 Jayco 26 BH at about 5000lbs. dry.

I would suggest you do some searches on this site and elsewhere to see what speeds folks are towing at. And, what the tires are rated for. My search led to the 62mph figure. Of course, there's always the guy that says he's been towing at 75mph and averaging 30,000 miles a year for the last 30 years with no problems.

[JE78]

Originally Posted by Siamese

Agree on using tow mode. Your truck shouldn't have a problem towing your trailer.

Also agree on slowing down. I cruise at 62mph. 2017 Ford F-150 with 3.5 ecoboost and a 2017 Jayco 26 BH at about 5000lbs. dry.

I would suggest you do some searches on this site and elsewhere to see what speeds folks are towing at. And, what the tires are rated for. My search led to the 62mph figure. Of course, there's always the guy that says he's been towing at 75mph and averaging 30,000 miles a year for the last 30 years with no problems.

When I was towing the popup I was around 70-72 mph and it was comfortable. I don't feel the x17z at all, it tows like a dream, I don't feel it moving, just feels like a big anchor behind the truck.

[jimovernon]

I tow a 2013 x17z with a 2016 Jeep Grand Cherokee 3.6. From Connecticut to Green Mountains of Vermont I averaged 12 mpg the last 3 trips this year. Highway 65 mph is no problem. Two adults full propane but fill water upon arrival and empty the tanks when leaving.

I would recommend you check the trailer brakes and wheel bearings.

[DavidJay]

A full-height hybrid is punching a much taller hole it the air as you tow it down the road - about 3 times the cross section of a pop-up.

Weight is not the dominant component, in this class, cross section is. Adding a thousand pounds will make a smaller difference than adding even a couple of feet to the height of the trailer.

(but is it sure worth it for a full height bath and kitchen!)

[Tree Catcher]

I tow my x17z with a jeep liberty CRD. its rated for 5000 lbs with a tongue wt of 750 lbs. I feel it back there and so does my wallet, usually I can go at 68 mph and get 29 mpg without the trailer, with it, im down to 14 mpg at 60 mph.. Love the trailer, hate the mileage.. Yep its a big parachute back there, its not the weight its the aerodynamics.. they suck the fuel right out of the tank.

[Vaquero]

My wife's little Lexus runs over 2000 rpm at 75 mph.
No hitch. Just a little sedan.
Don't sweat the rpms below 4000.

[rockaw]

Watch your tires, most trailer tires are only rated to 65mph. Running under or over inflated can have an affect on the tires too, also trailer tires are usually only good for about 5 years (some a little less, some more) check manufacturer's recommendations. tread wear doesn't really matter, it's how the tire rubber breaks down and is able to support the loads and stresses.

[JE78]

Originally Posted by DavidJay

A full-height hybrid is punching a much taller hole it the air as you tow it down the road - about 3 times the cross section of a pop-up.

Weight is not the dominant component, in this class, cross section is. Adding a thousand pounds will make a smaller difference than adding even a couple of feet to the height of the trailer.

(but is it sure worth it for a full height bath and kitchen!)

That is for sure. It might be small but I love the space in the x17z compared to a popup.

[SteveMM]

To back up what others have said, it sounds like this really has nothing whatsoever to do with your truck's ability to tow the X17Z. It has more to do with you getting used to a new towing experience. I tow my X17Z with a 2015 Pathfinder, which has a much lower tow rating than your truck. I have no trouble, but then again I never towed a popup. I would imagine they're much easier to pull. They're lower than your tow vehicle, which means the pairing of the two is somewhat aerodynamic. With a full height hybrid, the air is moving over your tow vehicle and then running into a solid wall when it gets to the trailer. Also, as others have said, PLEASE keep your speed at or below 65 mph. I wouldn't want to be next to you if your tires blow out because you were running them too fast.

[Rlcamping]

Im having the same problem 2010 23b trailer dry is about 4700 add 300lbs of weight towing with a 2016 5.7 hemi ram i was getting 20.2l per 100km but i towed my father in laws 2013 kodiak 24 footer 5000lbs dry about 5400lbs loaded im getting 17.8l per 100km same terrain same shap of trailer same height. I bought the trailer used so im thinking mabye a bad bearing or brake stuck am i wrong to assume this

[oldmanAZ]

Originally Posted by Rlcamping

Im having the same problem 2010 23b trailer dry is about 4700 add 300lbs of weight towing with a 2016 5.7 hemi ram i was getting 20.2l per 100km but i towed my father in laws 2013 kodiak 24 footer 5000lbs dry about 5400lbs loaded im getting 17.8l per 100km same terrain same shap of trailer same height. I bought the trailer used so im thinking mabye a bad bearing or brake stuck am i wrong to assume this

Welcome to the forum.

You could jack one wheel at a time off the ground and spin it by hand. That would be a quick way to see if you have a bearing or brake issue.

[penguin149]

Towed my X17C with a Nissan Frontier 4.0L V6 and got about 11 MPGs. Now have a 5.6L Titan and get less than 10 MPG. Never above 65 MPH. I guess both trucks lost about 7 MPGs from solo highway driving. Still a bit bothersome that the Frontier got better towing MPGs and I was working that engine harder. Most engines are fine revving up the PRMs.

[eodcoduto]

I feel a lot better about the 12.8mpg I get pulling our x23b with a 2014 4runner!

[czaugg1]

I have a Jayco 26BH that I tow with a 2004 Dodge Ram 3500 with the Cummins 5.9L diesel. I recently made a 4,500 mile trip and averaged 9.84 mpg at 65 mph.