PDA

View Full Version : Gas Mileage


texhater42
05-25-2015, 05:01 AM
So...I realize while towing you're going to get horrible gas mileage...but even in flat driving i'm getting in the neighborhood of 7-10 MPG....ouch...what's everyone else getting? Considering an interstate trip, but if I'm gonna get less than 200 miles a tank, driving no more than 60 MPH locked in 4th gear (only have 5 speed tranny) is it even worth it?

Javi
05-25-2015, 05:12 AM
That's the norm with a gasser...

440justin
05-25-2015, 05:51 AM
That is the range I get with my EcoBoost pulling my 23rb passport. I don't lock it out of any gear unless it is shifting a lot.

GaryWT
05-25-2015, 05:55 AM
Never pay too much attention to gas mileage. You either what to camp or not and that is the price we pay. I only get about 14 when not towing so I don't expect much when I am towing.

brittsnbirds
05-25-2015, 06:11 AM
Thats not too bad pulling 5,000# with a 268 Cubic Inch motor.

I use to get 10-12 pulling a 6,000# Wildwood with a 5.3 (323 CI) Chevy 1/2 ton and 6 speed tranny.

Now I get 6-10 pulling approximately 8,000# +/- 1k 5th wheel with a 6.0 (366 CI) Chevy 2500 gasser. Never get into 6th gear, usually pull in 5th gear occasionally 4th if there's a head wind or hills.

I really hope you have an Equal-I-Zer hitch system or something similar with that light of tow vehicle. That trailer has the ability to move your tow vehicle around. Best investment I ever made when I had the 1/2 ton and Wildwood.

5th wheel pulls even better!!

Desert185
05-25-2015, 06:36 AM
So...I realize while towing you're going to get horrible gas mileage...but even in flat driving i'm getting in the neighborhood of 7-10 MPG....ouch...what's everyone else getting? Considering an interstate trip, but if I'm gonna get less than 200 miles a tank, driving no more than 60 MPH locked in 4th gear (only have 5 speed tranny) is it even worth it?

My son has a Tundra, but with the bigger engine. My Ram 2500 Cummins while towing gets almost the same mileage as his does around town, empty. Its just the way of things with diesels and gassers.

Murphsmom
05-25-2015, 06:37 AM
We just did a trip from western Idaho to western South Dakota pulling a Cougar 25RLS with a Dodge Ram 1500. Average gas mileage for the entire trip was just a hair over 10 mpg. Was it worth it? You bet!

x96mnn
05-25-2015, 06:56 AM
Just finished a trip with my buddy who has a 1500 ram hemi. He got 7 to 8 towing a 29 foot 6000pd loaded up travel trailer. He got that following me, he led a very short portion of the trip and got 5 to 6mpg, me breaking the wind for him kept his rpm lower. We cruised between 55mph and 65mph.

It did not matter if I was leading or not, I got between 14 and 15mpg.

JRTJH
05-25-2015, 07:40 AM
2005 Ford Ranger V-6 with a small cabover popup camper pulling a 18' bass boat, we got 9-10MPG
2010 F150 5.4L with a 26' fifth wheel pulling the same boat we got 8-11MPG
2013 F250 6.2L gas with a 32' fifth wheel and the same boat, 8-11 MPG

Now we've got a diesel and expect a little better mileage, but even if we get the same, we'll still keep RVing. Paying for the fuel to haul 3+ tons of "square box" down the road isn't cheap. If you're not willing to pay the price, then the alternative is to stop RVing. But consider what you're giving up. Gas is "cheap" compared to family time in a quality campground with all the comforts of home.

texhater42
05-25-2015, 07:52 AM
2005 Ford Ranger V-6 with a small cabover popup camper pulling a 18' bass boat, we got 9-10MPG
2010 F150 5.4L with a 26' fifth wheel pulling the same boat we got 8-11MPG
2013 F250 6.2L gas with a 32' fifth wheel and the same boat, 8-11 MPG

Now we've got a diesel and expect a little better mileage, but even if we get the same, we'll still keep RVing. Paying for the fuel to haul 3+ tons of "square box" down the road isn't cheap. If you're not willing to pay the price, then the alternative is to stop RVing. But consider what you're giving up. Gas is "cheap" compared to family time in a quality campground with all the comforts of home.



All valid points...I guess when you account for saving from a hotel or resort or whatever, I'm sure you come out "on top"...not to mention we've all had a blast on the 3 trips we've taken in our PP, whether it was 20 miles away or 140...having our own ****, own food, creature comforts...not exactly 'living' out of a suitcase...a lot cooler than staying in a hotel room where I can't have a fire going (usually)...alright thanks all...just talked myself into not numbers watching so much with the MPG

Andymon
05-25-2015, 08:11 AM
My 99 F250 diesel gets a constant 12 mpg towing or not. I did get 14 mpg on a trip once not towing but that's the best I've ever gotten.

Steve S
05-25-2015, 08:48 AM
My last unit, 2002 Dodge 4x4 with the Hemi towing a 26 ft TT I was getting 8 to 9 mpg which wasn't all that bad considering all the mountain driving in B.C.
I never really worried too much about the fuel I was burning compared to all the scenery I was seeing and the total relaxation of being away from it all:)

filmtex
05-25-2015, 09:53 AM
Towing our Bullet 248RKS around Texas I get just over 10mpg pretty regularly. Normal mileage is in th 17 mpg range. I used to have a 2012 Tundra with the 4.6 L and it got just al bit less towing and 1 mpg more when not. Stepped up to the bigger engine and I'm glad I did. Sure like the Tundras. Enjoy yours.

Ken / Claudia
05-25-2015, 10:19 AM
I realize you are just asking about mpg while towing. The important question to ask is while towing what is the best rpms and gears to use to get the best power at highway speeds. Most trucks have rpm gauges so you can watch that as much or more than the speedo. If you get that information, that will be about the best mpg because your not lugging or over rpming your engine.

sourdough
05-25-2015, 10:58 AM
My 5.7 Ram 1500 hemi averaged right at 8mpg pulling my 321rls @9200lb loaded from TX to FL and back.. My '14 Ram 2500 6.4 averaged 10.2 from TX to FL this year. It gets 19 mpg unloaded the 5.7 got 15...go figure.

As one poster said, if you're going to pull a camper and have fun you can't fret about the money spent on fuel. Just spend it and have fun. You can use the numbers for reference purposes but don't let it ruin your day.....towing, and rv's, are expensive.

Woodsrider
05-25-2015, 01:36 PM
About 16 on the interstate at 65 mph, and 17 to 18 on the county/state routes at just under 12500 pounds GCVW. If it's just me and the dog in the truck, it jumps to 23mpg.

ls1mike
05-25-2015, 03:55 PM
Just got back from 150 mile each way trip. Right at 14600 combined. I averaged right about 9.5 mpg, a few good hills and 60 to 65 on the interstate. I was pretty happy with that. :)

glenalt
05-25-2015, 04:56 PM
I just got 12.5 pulling through the Smokies and some stop and go through small towns with grades. It goes to 14 on the interstate running 65. I'm a happy camper.

RGene7001
05-25-2015, 09:52 PM
10-11 mpg in most trips@ 65 mph +/-3. Seen single digits with headwinds. Nothing to complain about.

brittsnbirds
05-26-2015, 04:16 AM
About 16 on the interstate at 65 mph, and 17 to 18 on the county/state routes at just under 12500 pounds GCVW. If it's just me and the dog in the truck, it jumps to 23mpg.

So what's your secret. My buddy has a 2005 Duramax pulling a 34' 5th wheel and complains he can't get over 12. He is a very conservative driver, doesn't push the speed limit etc. Whats your secret. He also claims his hevery day mileage sucks as well. I told him to get his truck checked out, I think it should do much better.

Quad
05-26-2015, 04:33 AM
My old 2005 duramax generally averaged 11-12 mpg while towing our 5er. We only have one trip in this year so far, (lots of activities going on right now) but our new 2012 duramax with the same 5er through the smokies and back averaged 10-11 mpg. That was while in regen too. I was getting about 12-12.5 mpg before regen started.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

notanlines
05-26-2015, 04:39 AM
From www.fuelly.com, 2003 Silverado four door short bed, diesel: "Based on data from 37 vehicles, 1,021 fuel-ups and 323,994 miles of driving, the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD gets a combined average of 14.79 MPG with a 0.21 MPG margin of error. Uh, by the way, that was towing NOTHING. Hmmmm.....

Keywestparrothead
05-26-2015, 05:43 AM
I just got back from a 1,500 mile round trip from Charlotte NC, to Indianapolis IN and averaged 14.3 mpg, not towing anything. I only had about 2,800 miles when I started and hope this will improve over time. However, my average speed was in the 70-75 mph range, even thru the mountains and i swear the tranny never dropped out of 6th gear :-) I love all that torque and horsepower "bouncey:

Barbell
05-26-2015, 05:54 AM
14 year old Cummins long bed 2 WD with us, dogs and Montana weighs +/-21,000. Tow at 62-64 mph from Calif to New Hampshire and Florida and back. In last two years, put on around 25,000 miles. Empty, we get 20-23 mpg. Loaded as above 11.5-13. Just put Sailun tires on trailer running 110 lbs and it seems to pull easier. Of course the extra cost of the Cummins would buy a lot of gas but I already had the truck.

glenalt
05-26-2015, 10:49 AM
I posted above about towing mileage and my average without towing is 20 with
22 highway only running 68 mph.

buzzcop63
05-26-2015, 12:49 PM
Checked my 2012 Tundra for the first year and got 21.63 driving at 65MPH with just wife and I and full tank of gas from Portland to Eugene down the I5 corridor, mostly flat road with a few small hills, not to far off from sea level. Weight of truck and trailer 11,780 via scale towing on same road at 55MPH got 11.39. 14MPG to 16.6MPG all driving in town stop and go.

Desert185
05-26-2015, 01:26 PM
Are you guys who are reporting mileage on the computer or are you manually computing miles driven vs fuel? As much as I like to see it, the computer on my Ram is a bit optimistic. Manually computed, I get 20-23 solo and 10-14 towing @ 60-62 MPH.

FWIW...

Javi
05-26-2015, 02:12 PM
Are you guys who are reporting mileage on the computer or are you manually computing miles driven vs fuel? As much as I like to see it, the computer on my Ram is a bit optimistic. Manually computed, I get 20-23 solo and 10-14 towing @ 60-62 MPH.

FWIW...

These are hand calculated mileage by the tank full... this is in town, highway, and towing.. The 9.81 and the 10.89 are both 100% towing my trailer.. 9.81 into a 20+ headwind down hill from 437 feet to sea level..
and the 10.81 back up the hill with a north wind of 15+...

The 16.86 was all highway running empty, when we picked the truck up at the dealers. The truck had 3622 on it at the last fill it now has 3900 and change but it still has a 1/2 tanks so I haven't filled it again...

16.86
15.38
13.64
14.05
17.35
15.72
15.27
9.81
15.32
10.89

Running average all miles all conditions..

16.86
16.10
15.27
14.97
15.29
15.35
15.34
14.50
14.57
14.17

buzzcop63
05-26-2015, 02:37 PM
My MPG are by hand, start with full tank and "0" miles and calcuate when next fill up tank and miles driven.

zuley
05-26-2015, 02:54 PM
Towing our 23RB last weekend I got 21 lires per hundred km which equates to 13.43 MPG Canadian or 11.75 US. 500 km round trip on 2 lane hwy towing with a '13 goat, 5.7 with 3.92 rear end. I'm not too worried about running at the fron tof the pack. I'm quite content to run at 85 k with the cruise set.

ls1mike
05-26-2015, 03:31 PM
Computer calculated? What is that? :) :D

All hand calculated in mine. My only option is A/C.

Shadowcats
05-26-2015, 03:46 PM
Ya know when you hook up to 36 feet of loaded TT your gas mileage just really goes down hill.:( But hay, we have our own home, our stuff, and the ability to camp in some really wonderful places. I usually get between 6-9 towing...with out the TT I can get 16-17 on a regular basis. Hey, I have gotten 26 mpg towing the TT - coming down Ute Pass into Colorado Springs...It sure runs good down hill!"bouncey: Darn retirees with their big SUVs!!! Now I are one. Happy towing.

glenalt
05-26-2015, 05:29 PM
Mine are done manually. If I used the trk computer its up to 25-26 no tow on the highway. When I do it manually it's right at 22.

tomsws6
05-27-2015, 11:59 AM
Dover De to Richmond Va via I95

3hrs there unloaded running 65-75mph = 14.9.

4hrs returning with camper grossing 26026 = 8.96

All hand calculated and all stock as of right now..Not even an exhaust

koko
06-01-2015, 07:55 AM
We used to do the calculations but no more. Whether pulling a 3500 lb. or a 7000 lb. camper we're generally the same. We have always gotten between 8 and 13 going 62-65 mph. We mountain drive and wind drive, so we've learned not to expect miracles (and 13 was when it was flat and calm with a tail wind). Can't beat pulling our cabin to beautiful spots, sleeping on our own clean sheets, cooking our own good food - not at any price.

Seabee
06-02-2015, 12:06 PM
2008 GMC Sierra CC 4x4, 6.0 Vortec Max, Max Trailering package and 4:11 gears. When it was bone-stock I would get 9 - 10 mpg when towing according to the computer. After exhaust, an Airaid intake tube and a couple of dyno tuning sessions I'm getting a solid 12 - 12.5 mpg while towing, this is also according to the computer. That couple of extra mpg didn't come without sacrifice. I have to run 92/93 octane. Nature of the beast I reckon.

Desert185
06-02-2015, 01:55 PM
2008 GMC Sierra CC 4x4, 6.0 Vortec Max, Max Trailering package and 4:11 gears. When it was bone-stock I would get 9 - 10 mpg when towing according to the computer. After exhaust, an Airaid intake tube and a couple of dyno tuning sessions I'm getting a solid 12 - 12.5 mpg while towing, this is also according to the computer. That couple of extra mpg didn't come without sacrifice. I have to run 92/93 octane. Nature of the beast I reckon.

Wouldn't the computer cut back on the timing to control detonation while running 87 octane, especially while not towing? Of course, you would be down on power some. Perhaps just run higher octane while towing?

Where are you getting 92 or 93 at the pump? Only 91 is available in my area.

Seabee
06-02-2015, 02:56 PM
Wouldn't the computer cut back on the timing to control detonation while running 87 octane, especially while not towing? Of course, you would be down on power some. Perhaps just run higher octane while towing?

Where are you getting 92 or 93 at the pump? Only 91 is available in my area.

The truck was custom tuned specifically for high octane. If I wanted to run 87 octane, I would have to get my Tuner to go back into the programming and retard the timing significantly. I could probably run 91 when towing if that is all that is available since I'm not doing any WOT with the trailer connected.

I'm in Virginia getting 92 at the local Wawa and I get 93 on base.

Husky1987
06-03-2015, 09:29 AM
My last couple of trips I've been getting 10-11 mpg in my Ram 1500 Hemi towing a Springdale 260SRT (5000 plus some added weight). 200 miles R/T through a few smaller hills between Tacoma WA and the coast.

michael_h
06-04-2015, 09:56 PM
I've been trying to figure out why when I travel east to west the mileage is normally lower than when traveling west to east. Our last trip we chose to travel NC route 158 from Roanoke Rapids instead of Virginia route 58 from I95@ Emporia to Virginia Beach, Va. Rt158 is much more scenic than rt58, and only 2 lanes. What we got was basically the same results, 8 to 9.5 headed to the west on 58, and 10 to 12 headed back east. In the past we thought it's because (as dumb as it sounds) we're traveling down hill to the sea, but NC 158 is not as straight or "flat" as Virginia 58. This last trip I was getting 12/12.3 traveling east on 158 till I turned north on rt17B, I finished at 11.3 pulling up to the house. Now I'm beginning to believe that because the wind seldom blows east to west and mostly from the south west, west, or north west the reason mostly for the mileage difference is wind direction verses road conditions.

Jlwright
06-05-2015, 03:51 AM
I would guess prevailing headwinds from the west dropping your gas mileage a little.

bsmith0404
06-09-2015, 05:08 PM
From www.fuelly.com, 2003 Silverado four door short bed, diesel: "Based on data from 37 vehicles, 1,021 fuel-ups and 323,994 miles of driving, the 2003 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD gets a combined average of 14.79 MPG with a 0.21 MPG margin of error. Uh, by the way, that was towing NOTHING. Hmmmm.....

Those numbers have to include city driving. I have many, many friends and family members who drive Dmax's, I'm on my second one. All of them from 2000-2015 seem to get 18-22 on the highway, 10-13 towing, and 14-16 around town. Numbers are pretty consistent regardless of who I talk to and what year they have. I've heard of people with tuners getting 23 and 14 (empty/towing). There isn't anyway anyone could convince me that the numbers on www.fuelly.com are strictly highway numbers, in fact, I'd have trouble believing they are anything other than city.

As for me, my 6.0 gasser with 4:11 gears got 16 highway, 13 city, 8-9 towing. My dmax 19-21 highway, 15 city, 10-12.5 towing. BTW, hand calculations and the computer on mine match. I can even look at the number of gallons of fuel used and it will math within 1 gallon when I fuel up. That's a max of 1 gallon variation over 80-85 gallons. I'd say that's pretty good. The computers are getting better.

BirchyBoy
06-19-2015, 07:26 PM
Today was the first long highway pull with our '13 Grand Cherokee Hemi and 238ML. The first tank of fuel from Denver to Silverthorne, over the passes, was 10.2 MPG. The second leg into Green River, UT was only 8.2. I had hoped for 10 again. I'm thinking it as the winds and temps up to 105. Yeah, it's hot over here. Tomorrow is onto Hurricane, UT.

The Hemi pulled like a champ the whole way.

JRTJH
06-20-2015, 05:11 AM
When we towed with our F150 and our F250 gas trucks, we always seemed to average between 8 and 11, usually closer to about 9.5 MPG. Any increase above 60MPH or any crosswind/headwind would dramatically affect mileage. It didn't seem to matter what length trailer was behind us. It was more a matter of the "frontal area square footage" and the speed rather than weight or length that affected mileage the most.

I'd say your 10.2 was a "good tank" and your 8.2 was probably close to your "bad tank" figures. Enjoy the trip, buying the gas is just a part of the price of having your "house with you"......

BirchyBoy
06-20-2015, 05:31 AM
When we towed with our F150 and our F250 gas trucks, we always seemed to average between 8 and 11, usually closer to about 9.5 MPG. Any increase above 60MPH or any crosswind/headwind would dramatically affect mileage. It didn't seem to matter what length trailer was behind us. It was more a matter of the "frontal area square footage" and the speed rather than weight or length that affected mileage the most.

I'd say your 10.2 was a "good tank" and your 8.2 was probably close to your "bad tank" figures. Enjoy the trip, buying the gas is just a part of the price of having your "house with you"......

Yeah, I get that. My 99 Yukon averaged 9.6 on our 5,600 mile trip last year. Was hopeful that this would get better overall. I'll know that once we've gotten home in 10 days and another 1,800 miles :)

roadglide
06-20-2015, 02:51 PM
My MPG are by hand, start with full tank and "0" miles and calcuate when next fill up tank and miles driven. I think adding by miles and gallons is more accurate then the computer usage. I'm at 21,500 cat weight with 2013 Duramax . This last 1700 mile trip in Texas hills I got 9,5 with the monitor . I think some fuel is better then other fuel look for the name brand station that change the filters out more often.

ls1mike
06-21-2015, 04:42 PM
Just got back from Grayland state Park 112 miles each way. I was heavy going out. Got right at 8.4 mpg. A bit lighter on the way back(lots of firewood gone :) ) I got 9.2. A few more down hill runs on the way back.

sourdough
06-21-2015, 07:20 PM
Just to touch on Roadglide's remark about fuel quality;

We just returned from a 2 1/2 month trip to FL. Took I10 going in and stopped at the exit for Defuniak Springs for a fill up. About 5-10 miles after leaving my 6.4 was feeling like it was hopping or stumbling. I looked at the onboard fuel mileage and it was 1.5mpg less than it was before I filled up. Went on into our destination, filled up, put in STP gas treatment and the hopping, stuttering went away. It was OK for 2 1/2 months. Left for TX and stopped for gas at one of the exits close to the Defuniak Springs but not the same one. Same thing; in a few miles I was hopping and stuttering. I had taken a bottle of STP with me and put it in the tank.....problem solved, so yes, there is a definite issue with fuel quality that can kill your mileage.

B-O-B'03
06-29-2015, 04:02 PM
On our recent trip to the Collegiate peaks campground, outside of Buena Vista CO, we averaged 11.7 for the whole trip (almost 2K miles round trip) according to the truck's computer (which I have previously tested with hand calculations).

We had the Wife's parents with us for the return, they had flown up to visit her brother in Monument and met us in Pueblo for the ride home.

That mileage pretty much lines up with the almost 2K maiden voyage we took to the Big Bend region of TX, in April.

I am quite happy with the results and as others have said... I have all my own stuff with me and can camp anywhere the ground is mostly level.

-Brian