average MPG towing with the ecodiesel

[AzRamDiesel]

What is everyone seeing?

I'm seeing a lot people reporting 18ish for light trailers/campers.

Mine is 8000 lbs and I see around 17 on a good day.

 

[DieselDude]

I typically see around 18 MPG with stop and go and pulling a decent size trailer.

 

[ropinhorns]

Pulling a 3 horse bumper aluminum it all depends on the wind. Anywhere from 10-15. If the wind is hitting at an angle its best to pull it down to 6 and let it go. Most of the time 7th gear will work.

 

[BoostN]

Pulling a 3 horse bumper aluminum it all depends on the wind. Anywhere from 10-15. If the wind is hitting at an angle its best to pull it down to 6 and let it go. Most of the time 7th gear will work.

Welcome to the site! Great information.

 

[David Reighn]

I just got back from Biketoberfest in Daytona and got around 18-19 with a 10k pound toyhauler. Would have been better if it was interstate driving.

 

[BoostN]

I just got back from Biketoberfest in Daytona and got around 18-19 with a 10k pound toyhauler. Would have been better if it was interstate driving.

Good numbers, thanks for joining!

 

[AzRamDiesel]

I just got back from Biketoberfest in Daytona and got around 18-19 with a 10k pound toyhauler. Would have been better if it was interstate driving.

Good numbers. Is your 4x4?

 

[F. P. Thompson]

I pulled a 2 horse trailer today and got 16.5 with one horse loaded. I got 17 on the return trip with an empty trailer. Those are good numbers for the terrain we have in my area. Also glad to hear that David pulls a 10K trailer with his. I didn't want to feel alone as my bumper pull camper weighs in at 9K. I plan on hitting the road with it soon.

 

[Stan Laurel]

Don't know why mine is so different. I towed my 6500lb TT about 150 miles and got 11-12 mpg. I didn't smell anything from the trailer's brakes or anything so I don't think they were dragging. My mpg is right as expected when I am not pulling. Welcome to my world.

 

[ZMan079]

Just did my first major road trip before the holidays and averaged 18 mpg to and from destination . Trip was about 600 miles each way. I got 18.4 on way down and 17.6 on way back. Truck/Trailer loaded at about 3500 lbs. with gear/people. Tire pressure was 41 psi and was using Tow/Haul. Guessing the return mileage suffered cause we ate well (LOL) and because we have a decent mountain to climb last part of trip home... Truck pulled flawlessly, and took last mountain to what seemed effortlessly. Most was done in 6th gear and only hit 5th for a little on the last climb holding no more than 1/4 throttle..

ZMan079

 

[bill-e]

I pull a 7k lb, 30' camper and here in hilly New England I've gotten about 14mpg. I have had short runs of 15-16 but I believe 14 is my average. With my 5klb camper I got 17mpg on multiple tows.

 

[jdn112011]

Don't know why mine is so different. I towed my 6500lb TT about 150 miles and got 11-12 mpg. I didn't smell anything from the trailer's brakes or anything so I don't think they were dragging. My mpg is right as expected when I am not pulling. Welcome to my world.

I'm with you I get shit mileage. Maybe it's Minnesota roads. Maybe 10-12 towing a 16' enclosed tandem axle trailer. Loaded or empty. Pickup box trailer with a Topper, ~12MPG

Hell I'm driving completely empty on I-29 right now; cruise at 76 in 8th gear with a 10-14MPH headwind and I can't break 16
And this is with a winter front, +10°F, 3.55's, 4x4, and air suspension.

I'm with Shawn with the Progressive MPG drop. I drive 63MPH (speed to hit Aero mode) pretty religiously on our state highways and I get all of 22MPG. 25 on a good day.

My only option is to drive 55 down wind if I dream to see 28MPG as of late.

But it's pretty consistent I get ~22-23 going 63. Jump on the freeway at 75 and get 17-18

Anyone here to tell me that something just isn't right with my truck lately?

 

[F. P. Thompson]

We must be aware that temperature affects fuels. Volume at 60 degrees F. is the standard used in industry for calulating quanity.
Our nation does not require retail pumps to compensate for temperature differences. If I purchase fuel at a higher than air temp. I am not getting the full volume. If I purchase fuel at a cooler than air temp I am getting a bonus. Be aware that most fuels are stored in heated tanks at the high volume distributors and it would be rare to purchase cooler than air fuels.
My mileage has allready suffered by 1 to 1.5 M.P.G. just in the last week when sub freezing temps. arrived. You can check this out by placing your hand on a truck delivering fuel and feel warm.

 

[F. P. Thompson]

My previous post was a little soap box and off subject but yesterday I got 1MPG less with a smaller trailer than a week ago when air temps were 20F higher.

 

[Mharrison]

When towing the car back from Colorado I averaged 18-19 when towing my 20ft aluminum jet sled around I get about 16....with that said these trucks seem to be extremely touchy to head winds and speeds in order to optimize mileage...for instance my truck with no wind flat ground empty with cruise on 65 gets about 25 bump it up to about 72 seems to be a sweet spot avg's 30+.....3.55s in aero mode.

 

[F. P. Thompson]

I just completed a trip from Butler Pa. to Defuniak Springs Fl. and back. traveling down we stopped by western N.C. and eastern Tn. in the mountains. We spent 2 days sight seeing the area including Grandfather Mountain. On the trip down we had luggage and supplies in the back seat. As shown in the blurry photo we traveled approx. 1275 miles and adveraged 25.9 MPG. We hitched up my brothers trailer at Defuniak Springs and loaded his tractor with front loader and 6 foot mower and other items. we then loaded 3 storage tubs, a pressure washer, an air compressor, and other items in the truck. We estimated the load in and towed by the truck at 9000 lbs. as can be seen in the photo. We made a direct trip to western Pa. that took us thru the mountains of western Va. and W. Va. as seen in the 3rd photo the trip home was approx. 1066 miles and fuel mileage was 14.3 MPG. The loaded mileage beat my old gas truck on its best day empty by 2MPG. Pretty impressive for a pick up.

 

[jdn112011]

Pretty impressive indeed

 

[F. P. Thompson]

More thoughts on my trip and towing. The 8 speed shifted smoothly and always seemed to be in the correct gear. I have the 3:55 gears in my truck and the 8 speed towed really well as my dealer said it would, I had been hoping to find an ecodiesel with 3:92 gears but there weren't any around the area at the time. The haul/tow mode did seem to improve the towing mileage by 2/10 a gallon as I tried both on and off in different type terrain.

 

[F. P. Thompson]

More thoughts on my trip and towing. The 8 speed shifted smoothly and always seemed to be in the correct gear. I have the 3:55 gears in my truck and the 8 speed towed really well as my dealer said it would, I had been hoping to find an ecodiesel with 3:92 gears but there weren't any around the area at the time. The haul/tow mode did seem to improve the towing mileage by 2/10 a gallon as I tried both on and off in different type terrain.

After speaking with people who have the 3:92 gears I am glad mine has the 3:55s as I only tow occasionally.

 

[1shadowsabre]

Just got back from a 275 mile trip with the camper. Terrible weather, pouring down rain, high winds, thunder and lightning!
Averaged about 18 mpg. Trailer is 2200 lbs.