Poll: Gas mileage when towing

[Steamguy]

OK guys, there's enough of us out there with enough experience towing different stuff at different speeds that we should be able to have a pretty good idea of our fuel mileage when towing. I haven't seen a poll like this, so now looks like a good time to start one.

When you respond to the poll, respond with your fuel mileage at, let's say 60 for a base point. Let's use whole numbers just to make it simpler.

Then post what your mileage is for other speeds. I'll attempt to build a chart that shows the dropoff rate of speed versus gas mileage. That ought to give us all a pretty good idea where our peak effeciency is.

If we can keep it to just the basics, then it should be pretty easy for anyone to look through and find something similar to what they're towing, and then compare it to our baselines.




I'll go first:

Towing: 6800# Arctic Fox travel trailer

55: 13 MPG

60: 11 MPG

65: 10 MPG

75: 7 MPG


(Just a note: towing at 75 isn't really the best of ideas, but we were in Wyoming and there were tornado warnings in our area. The clouds had that odd look to them, and we were being passed by guys with semis who were also trying to get away.)

[sasilverbullet]

towing a 7,500 lb, 34 ft. travel trailer

60-65 mph - 9mpg

[FLA-Titan]

3500 Lb boat. Get 9 MPG. Sorry can't go 65 though, always at 75.....

[NDJollyMon]

At 50 MPH, (during breakin) I got various mileage: 10-14 MPG. I don't have another estimate as of yet, but Labor Day is coming and I'll repost.

I pull a trailer 2003 Keystone Outback 25 RSS. (6000#)

[titanjbc]

Pulling a Hornet Lite TT 24RS. About 6000# for the trailer, Leer Cap, 2 adults, 3 kids, 1 dog, firewood, kid's bikes. I just got back from a trip to PA and averaged around 10. I usually travel between 60-65 mph.

[terryu1]

Great poll... Making mild/moderate 2 1/2 hr trip to amish country this Labor Day towing 4800 lb hybrid camper. Will check...Thanks

[O'silent1]

5500# R-Vision TrailCruiser Hybrid
70-75mph = 11mpg
Steep grades of 6% or more knocks it down to 7mpg.

[JWILLS]

60 mph - 11mpg
70 mph - 10mpg

Towing a 5000 lbs boat and trailer.

[SAENole]

8.5 - 9.5 mpg towing boat/motor/trailer that weighs roughly 7000 lbs.

That's on flat roads in NW Florida running the air conditioner full time.

[BlackSnake2001]

Wow...
I drove to the race track with the 20' enclosed trailer and my Armada... weight was ~6500 lbs total... MPG was like 8-9 MPG with no wind on a level road and 7 MPG with a head wind and a little uphill.. With the small uhaul we had no problem with MPG but this is eating it up.... I'm assuming because it is enclosed and larger then the car that it is really killing gas mileage.. the 8-9 was driving 65-70 and the 7mpg was driving around 60-70.. I had a terrible time with a headwind... I guess I need one of those monster wind things ontop of my armada.

[rarjar]

10-10.5 mpg towing 8000+ lbs, 60-70 mph with A/C on and a lot of hills. 4x4 LE with BT package.

[BlackSnake2001]

Here is a question and thought..

Do you guys tow in 4wd (Auto) or 2?

Maybe everyone should also include the size of the trailer and if it is open or enclosed..

[rarjar]

2 wheel drive, 4th gear, tow mode on, 18' open heavy duty trailer carrying 4x4 Kubota tractor, front end loader, shredder and box blade.

[Copper Titan]

11 MPG towing at 50 MPH during breakin. Md to Pa and back, 28 ft TT about 5,500 lbs. Using 3rd gear as necessary to keep trans temp down other wise 4th and 5th. Great thread.

[Mike P]

I got about 9.5 mpg towing a 1800# pop up trailer, me my wife and 7yo son riding for a short getaway. Flat land in florida. MPG is about what I get without the trailer. CC SE 1500 miles on it.
Mike