Towing gas milage

C424 · 10-14-2017, 03:03 PM

We just completed our first long trip with the new camper and tv. We traveled through Oklahoma, Arkansas and Southern Missouri with the 30ft bumper pull Springdale. I am pulling it with a 2015 GMC 2500 4x4 gas motor and the loaded trailer weight is 6600lbs. The trip up I got 7.5 mpg and the trip back I got 6.5mpg. During the trip there were lots of hills and a pretty good head wind on the way back. Of course I did not buy the truck for milage but I did not think it would be that bad towing. Does anyone have any suggestions on ways to improve milage other than get a diesel? I did not go faster than 65mph towing, typically between 60-63 except in the hills and I filled up with low grade gas. Do things like a bed cover or camper shell help with milage? Any other suggestions would be much appreciated?

sconner · 10-14-2017, 03:24 PM

I have a Keystone Passport 2920 which is 32.8ft long and weighs in at about 6000 miles. With my 2000 Silverado 5.3L gasser I got about 8-9MPG. I got a new 2016 Silverado 2500 with the duramax last year. I got between 13 and 14MPG on a 3000 mile trip up through the north east. On both trucks, keeping it as close to 60 would yield the best mileage. I admit most of my 3000 mile round trip was closer to 65-70. That diesel just tows like crazy.

Empty my new dmax gets between 20-22 on the highway just average driving. I know you aren't interested in a diesel, just thought I'd share my experiences as my TT is close in size and weight to yours.

C424 · 10-14-2017, 03:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sconner

I have a Keystone Passport 2920 which is 32.8ft long and weighs in at about 6000 miles. With my 2000 Silverado 5.3L gasser I got about 8-9MPG. I got a new 2016 Silverado 2500 with the duramax last year. I got between 13 and 14MPG on a 3000 mile trip up through the north east. On both trucks, keeping it as close to 60 would yield the best mileage. I admit most of my 3000 mile round trip was closer to 65-70. That diesel just tows like crazy.

Empty my new dmax gets between 20-22 on the highway just average driving. I know you aren't interested in a diesel, just thought I'd share my experiences as my TT is close in size and weight to yours.

I’d love to have a diesel but couldn’t justify the expense for something that gets driven about 4 times a month. We usually only do short weekend trips within a couple of hours of the house about once a month and then 1 week long trip a year. Unloaded the thing gets about 13 which isn’t great but not a whole lot worse than my 1/2 ton. My next truck will be a diesel though.

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sconner · 10-14-2017, 04:37 PM

I understand! I used my 1/2 ton gasser for over 200,000 miles! I keep my vehicles until they are ready for he recycler. ;-)

SummitPond · 10-14-2017, 04:38 PM

We have a 2012 Ford gas F250 crew cab long bed (about 21' long) and pull a 19FBPR (about 23' long tongue to bumper). The trailer, fully loaded, is about 6500#. Pulling, we average 10 - 12 mpg, and a headwind can really hurt! It can bring us down to 8.5 mpg. We typically travel between 55 - 60 mph, more towards the lower end.

C424 · 10-14-2017, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sconner

I understand! I used my 1/2 ton gasser for over 200,000 miles! I keep my vehicles until they are ready for he recycler. ;-)

I’ve never had a 2500 before but didn’t care for how the 1/2 ton pulled the new trailer.

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C424 · 10-14-2017, 04:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShacterShack

We have a 2012 Ford gas F250 crew cab long bed (about 21' long) and pull a 19FBPR (about 23' long tongue to bumper). The trailer, fully loaded, is about 6500#. Pulling, we average 10 - 12 mpg, and a headwind can really hurt! It can bring us down to 8.5 mpg. We typically travel between 55 - 60 mph, more towards the lower end.

Don’t tell me I need a Ford lol. What size motor is in it?

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SummitPond · 10-14-2017, 04:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by C424

Don’t tell me I need a Ford lol. What size motor is in it?

It's a 6.2 L.

Edit:

I should have mentioned the rear axle gear ratio: 3.73. That also affects mpg. Do you know yours?

C424 · 10-14-2017, 04:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ShacterShack

It's a 6.2 L.

Edit:

I should have mentioned the rear axle gear ratio: 3.73. That also affects mpg. Do you know yours?

That’s a good point, I think they are 4.10, that’s probably part of the problem.

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**sourdough** · 10-14-2017, 04:59 PM

You've got 4.10s but what engine do you have? I have a 6.4 Ram pulling my bumper pull that runs 93-9600 loaded. In terrain similar to yours (much in the same states) I average 8-9 mpg - generally toward the upper end. I a have 3.73 rear end. My previous year model Ram 1500 w/5.7/3.92 got about a mpg less pulling the same trailer (2013). Looks like you may just have to bite the bullet and switch to a Ram or Ford....LOL

C424 · 10-14-2017, 05:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sourdough

You've got 4.10s but what engine do you have? I have a 6.4 Ram pulling my bumper pull that runs 93-9600 loaded. In terrain similar to yours (much in the same states) I average 8-9 mpg - generally toward the upper end. I a have 3.73 rear end. My previous year model Ram 1500 w/5.7/3.92 got about a mpg less pulling the same trailer (2013). Looks like you may just have to bite the bullet and switch to a Ram or Ford....LOL

It’s a 6.0. I used to be anti ford but my f159 work truck has 190,000 miles on it and has been a good truck. Still can’t say I want to own one lol.

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LarrySharon · 10-14-2017, 06:28 PM

With my Tundra I avg. about 9 mpg. I am happy with that. I tow a 2017 Hideout that weighs about 6500 with load. I have a 4.7 with a 3.whatever gear.

08quadram · 10-14-2017, 06:52 PM

I got about 8 1/2mpg pulling my Passport 2920bh with my 08 Ram 1500. 5.7 nemo and 3.92 rear axle. Traded for a new model, upped the tow limit and hopefully slightly better mileage, but pulling campers isn't a done for mileage.

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C424 · 10-14-2017, 07:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08quadram

I got about 8 1/2mpg pulling my Passport 2920bh with my 08 Ram 1500. 5.7 nemo and 3.92 rear axle. Traded for a new model, upped the tow limit and hopefully slightly better mileage, but pulling campers isn't a done for mileage.

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True, it is not.

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Sherwolfe · 10-14-2017, 08:30 PM

My Ford F-150 3.5 EcoBoost with 3.55 gears pulling a Cougar 28RLSWE at a tow weight of 6890 lbs, gets 9-10 mpg when I average 60 mph. Worst I've gotten is 8.3, the best, was 10.2. It seems pretty consistent with 9.7 mpg.

Plenty of power in the mountains here in Oregon. Empty gets between 19-21 mpg. Did take a trip where mostly flat roads and got 22.9 mpg.

Ken / Claudia · 10-14-2017, 09:46 PM

You asked about a bed cover, removal of tailgate, have a canopy or not to increase mpg. My own tests none will help enough to make much difference. Gas or diesel 4x4 or 4x2. Same trip, same roads, same speeds as much as possible. By doing the math by hand or the vehicle computer. Some might say .2ths better is better, OK so you spend a thousand for a canopy when is the payoff even. Get a canopy for bed cover not to save your gas budget.

notanlines · 10-15-2017, 01:59 AM

I just love these discussions.....
With just a little help from Mr. Computer I did manage to find this article on Tundraheadquarters.com.
Basically they said the following:

"1) The largest reduction in aerodynamic drag (7.8%) was observed at 85mph. If the truck averages 18 mpg at this speed, then reducing engine workload 6% would improve fuel economy 1.08 mpg. SO, at 85 mph, expect to see about a 1 mpg improvement with a tonneau cover.

2) At a more realistic highway speed of 65 mph, drag is reduced about 5.5%. Using the same math as above but assuming that only half of the engine’s power is being used to overcome drag at this lower speed, fuel economy is improved by 0.5 mpg.

3) At 55mph or below, the fuel economy benefit basically disappears. Aerodynamic drag isn’t significant until you reach speeds of about 55-60 mph. Technically there would be a fuel savings, but it would be small. Less than a tenth of a mpg.

Driving your tonneau cover equipped truck at 65mph for 20 minutes per day would save you 0.04 gallons of gas, or about $0.14 per day. Under these circumstances, we figure it will take about 30 years of workday commuting to save enough to earn back the cost of a $1000 tonneau cover."

Thanks to the fine folks at http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/bl...-economy-myth/

C424 · 10-15-2017, 02:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by notanlines

I just love these discussions.....

With just a little help from Mr. Computer I did manage to find this article on Tundraheadquarters.com.

Basically they said the following:

"1) The largest reduction in aerodynamic drag (7.8%) was observed at 85mph. If the truck averages 18 mpg at this speed, then reducing engine workload 6% would improve fuel economy 1.08 mpg. SO, at 85 mph, expect to see about a 1 mpg improvement with a tonneau cover.

2) At a more realistic highway speed of 65 mph, drag is reduced about 5.5%. Using the same math as above but assuming that only half of the engine’s power is being used to overcome drag at this lower speed, fuel economy is improved by 0.5 mpg.

3) At 55mph or below, the fuel economy benefit basically disappears. Aerodynamic drag isn’t significant until you reach speeds of about 55-60 mph. Technically there would be a fuel savings, but it would be small. Less than a tenth of a mpg.

Driving your tonneau cover equipped truck at 65mph for 20 minutes per day would save you 0.04 gallons of gas, or about $0.14 per day. Under these circumstances, we figure it will take about 30 years of workday commuting to save enough to earn back the cost of a $1000 tonneau cover."

Thanks to the fine folks at http://www.tundraheadquarters.com/bl...-economy-myth/

Doesn’t seem like much of a benefit. Sounds like something I’m going to have to live with. I figured it up and only spent about $350 on gas, not as bad as I thought.

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yolo2rv · 10-15-2017, 04:45 AM

Replacing your factory cold air intake with an aftermarket intake, ie: K&N or Airaide, will help your fuel mileage a little. Disengage the cruise when you're into pulling the hills and mountains. A 4 wheel drive will also use a bit more fuel. I have a 2014 Chev Silverado 6.0 L vortec, 2 wheel drive, 4:10 rears, and replaced the air intake. Pulling a 38ft 5th wheel at 60-65mph, I'm averaging 7-9 mpg.

Have fun, Cheers.

C424 · 10-15-2017, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by yolo2rv

Replacing your factory cold air intake with an aftermarket intake, ie: K&N or Airaide, will help your fuel mileage a little. Disengage the cruise when you're into pulling the hills and mountains. A 4 wheel drive will also use a bit more fuel. I have a 2014 Chev Silverado 6.0 L vortec, 2 wheel drive, 4:10 rears, and replaced the air intake. Pulling a 38ft 5th wheel at 60-65mph, I'm averaging 7-9 mpg.

Have fun, Cheers.

I may do that. I had cold air intakes on my older trucks but haven’t done it in recent years. It’s worth a shot.

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