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05-13-2019, 08:20 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2016
Location: Missouri
Posts: 183
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Am i doing something wrong?
Not looking to start a "should get a Ford, Dodge, Toyota......
But--Not sure if it is normal or not, but I pull my V nose TT weighing about 7000 with a 2015 Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.0L gas engine and 4:10 rear end.
I cant seen to get over 7.5 mpg no matter what I try. I have tried all ranges of speed from 55 to 70, tow mode and no tow mode, no cruise and cruise. I still hover on the 7.5 mpg.
I had to upgrade from my 2005 GMC sierra 1/2 ton because its max tow was just 7200 but I got 8 mpg with the 5.3 towing at max capacity.
My camping neighbor this weekend was pulling a 6000 pound Passport with a 2016 GMC 1/2 ton and he gets 10 mpg.
I am seriously thinking about downsizing my truck to a 1/2 ton. I don't intend to get a bigger camper, but I do love the guts this 3/4 ton has on big hills in the Ozarks and knowing I don't get blown around on the road by the big rigs. But I know a 1/2 ton can handle my camper...so thats my dilemma...
Am I missing something?
__________________
Steve & Suzanne and the pup Teddy
2015 Chevy 2500 HD 6.0 L 4:10
2016 Rockwood 2616 VS
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05-13-2019, 08:29 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2012
Posts: 10,907
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My 2016 Silverado 3/4 ton, 6.0L, 6 speed, gets about 9.5 - 10.5 with my Mini Lite 2503S, about 5,000 lbs.
__________________
1988 Coleman Sequoia - popup (1987-2009) - outlasted 3 Dodge Grand Caravans!
2012 Roo19 - hybrid (2012-2015)
2016 Mini Lite 2503S - tt (2015 - ???)
2011 Traverse LT, 3.6L, FWD
2009 Silverado 1500 Ext Cab, 5.3L, 4x4, 3.73
2016 Silverado 2500HD Dbl Cab, 6.0L 4x4, 4.10
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05-13-2019, 08:30 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jul 2013
Location: Mount Uniacke, Nova Scotia
Posts: 218
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pd2436
Not looking to start a "should get a Ford, Dodge, Toyota......
But--Not sure if it is normal or not, but I pull my V nose TT weighing about 7000 with a 2015 Chevy 2500 HD with the 6.0L gas engine and 4:10 rear end.
I cant seen to get over 7.5 mpg no matter what I try. I have tried all ranges of speed from 55 to 70, tow mode and no tow mode, no cruise and cruise. I still hover on the 7.5 mpg.
I had to upgrade from my 2005 GMC sierra 1/2 ton because its max tow was just 7200 but I got 8 mpg with the 5.3 towing at max capacity.
My camping neighbor this weekend was pulling a 6000 pound Passport with a 2016 GMC 1/2 ton and he gets 10 mpg.
I am seriously thinking about downsizing my truck to a 1/2 ton. I don't intend to get a bigger camper, but I do love the guts this 3/4 ton has on big hills in the Ozarks and knowing I don't get blown around on the road by the big rigs. But I know a 1/2 ton can handle my camper...so thats my dilemma...
Am I missing something?
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Try an exercise. How many miles do you tow per year?
2000 Miles?
That will take 200 gallons at 10 MPG and 266 gallons at 7.4 mpg.
So, you'd be looking at 66 gallons per year, or at $2.50 a gallon...
upwards of $166 a year. Your call.
__________________
2014 Cedar Creek 36CKTS Explorer
Xantrex Freedom SW3012 inverter/charger
2019 F350 Platinum CC, PSD, 4X4, long box, SRW
Demco Glide Ride pin box
Demco Hijacker UMS 21K hitch
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05-13-2019, 08:33 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Aug 2013
Posts: 7,916
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Am i doing something wrong?
I have an opinion. You don’t have to answer to anyone, but yourself.
Is your old truck paid for?
You already said you were happy with it.
Does the ~~15k or so difference affect you in any way?
Is the only/main reason fuel mileage your reason to trade?
Unless you tow a bunch...it will take forever to make-up the additional costs to save 20-25%....possibly.
Just a couple thoughts. Some people want warranty and improved reliability. Ymmv
__________________
2017 Puma 297RLSS
2005 Ram 2500 4X4 diesel SMOKER!!
I love puns, irony and tasteless jokes...
born in Texas.... live in Arkansas
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05-13-2019, 08:40 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2017
Location: Kalamazoo
Posts: 2,139
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Your camper could probably be towed with a 1/2 truck all day long. I think you are missing the bigger pictures. Who cares about 2-3 miles a gallon while towing. I miss my 1/2 ton as a daily driver because I was getting 18 mpg now I get 11-12 driving daily and drive a truck that rides like a lumber wagon. That's the price of owning an 11k rv that requires and hd truck. Bottom line is you could never make up the loss of sale and buying a new truck just to save a little gas. Should of never got an HD truck in the first place to tow a 7k camper.
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05-13-2019, 09:16 PM
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#6
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Member
Join Date: Jun 2016
Location: Arkansas
Posts: 48
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A lot of towing has to do with wind. My Duramax 3/4 ton will get 11.5 to 10.6 towing in a windy day. Very little wind 12.5 to 13.5 . Usually tow at 63 mph. That seems to be the sweet spot. The camper dry weight is 9,000 lbs.
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05-13-2019, 09:25 PM
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#7
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Member
Join Date: May 2016
Location: St. Louis, Missouri
Posts: 68
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I don't think 7.5MPG is totally out of line for that weight of trailer. My father has a very similar truck, a 2016 2500HD 6.0 4.10 rear end, towing a Puma 25RS that weighs 4900 dry, so ~6000 going down the road. He hasn't gotten better than 9MPG, usually 8.5 or so. With your heavier trailer, that actually sounds about right.
I have a 2018 Silverado 1500, with the 5.3 engine and 3.42 rear end, towing a 4100 pound dry Mini Lite, and I get around 10MPG, but have gotten as low as 9MPG before when driving at 70MPH for a couple hours. (Note, that is the one and only time I've ever towed at 70MPH, I didn't enjoy the experience at all!) I think that with a 7000 pound trailer in tow, you're not going to get any better than 8-8.5MPG. To me, that isn't enough of an improvement to warrant purchasing a new truck, but it may be for you.
I will also add that I have convoyed with my father a couple of times, and he is able to pull hills with his heavier trailer better than I can, and, on paper, our engines are very similar. That 4.10 rear end and 6.0 makes a great towing combo. There are several hills where he is able to stay in 5th or 6th gear comfortably, and I'm in 4th gear, or even 3rd, to pull the same hill. I don't think you will be happy with the 1500 towing that much weight long-term, and I think the mileage difference is going to be relatively small.
One final note that if you drive a lot solo, the 1500 will do much better on fuel than the 2500. I get 23-24MPG highway with my truck, and my dad's truck has never broken 16, even at 60MPH.
__________________
Towed: 2017 Rockwood Mini Lite 2304
Tower: 2018 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3L V8 3.42 rear end
2017 Camping Season: 44 Nights, 4,580 Miles
2018 Camping Season: 48 nights, 7,216 Miles
2019 Camping Season: 52 nights, 6,721 Miles
2020 Camping Season: 67 nights, 7,268 Miles
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05-13-2019, 09:25 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
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It's those 4:10 gears. I had them in old Suburban 3/4 ton. Got like 6-7 towing a 3000 lb trailer. Thing towed like no other. 350CI and I could run the rockies like there was nothing attached.
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05-13-2019, 09:29 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 5,712
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark S.
A lot of towing has to do with wind. My Duramax 3/4 ton will get 11.5 to 10.6 towing in a windy day. Very little wind 12.5 to 13.5 . Usually tow at 63 mph. That seems to be the sweet spot. The camper dry weight is 9,000 lbs.
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2014 GMC Duramax 3/4. My top has been 16mpg...conditions were about perfect. Pulling just under 10k loaded. Average is around 13-14.
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05-13-2019, 10:25 PM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: Lake Norman NC area
Posts: 61
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You have several things going against you, 1st the 6.0 motor is not a fuel efficient motor, its a good steady powerhouse to pull, but not really designed for efficiency, 2nd with the 4.10 gears your truck is designed for pulling and loads, that hurts fuel mpg. 3rd - the 2500HD weights over between 1000lbs and 2000lbs more than a 1/2 ton, more weight equals less mpg. I just spent several months shopping for a 3/4 ton gas truck, none of them get good mpg compared to 1/2 ton, but when I'm hooked to my camper I'm sure glad I have the stable feeling of the heavy truck when I'm on the open road.
Good luck with your travels and decisions, I'd stay with the HD if it was my decision
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05-14-2019, 12:44 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Southeastern Massachusetts
Posts: 414
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I own a GMC Sierra 4WD 1500 (1/2 ton) extended cab which has a 5.3 liter engine and 3.42 rear axle ratio. I tow my 7200LB, 30ft TT with my half ton in tow haul mode.
Highway driving I average 10MPG - City Driving I average 8MPG
Must ask if the 7.5MPG you are getting is city driving or highway driving or the combination of both?
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05-14-2019, 12:50 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: White Rock BC
Posts: 415
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As stated, so much depends on travel conditions, traffic, wind , terrain etc. We have done two big trips (10000 miles or longer) which is when you get a sense of what your real mpg is. Almost unbelievable, but we did a big trip to the north coast of Alaska in 2015 and a North America “ circle” trip in 2018 and averaged 11.3mpg on both trips! So that’s now my stated mpg. Towing 9000lbs with a F150 6.2L gas, 6 spd transmission. Rarely ever tow above 63 mph or so.
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05-14-2019, 01:01 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: N. Illinois
Posts: 2,371
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You're getting what they get for mileage 7.5-8 mpg. Notice, my rig is just about the same as yours, I have a full cap on the TV. I run about 62 mph in tow/haul, no cruise usually
__________________
2016 Flagstaff 27VRL Emerald
14K Equalizer
2020 Silverado 2500HD CC 4X4 6.6L gas 3.73
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05-14-2019, 01:03 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 316
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I don't think anything with 4:10s gets good mileage. Maybe a gear swap?
__________________
John
2003 1500 Avalanche 444,000 miles
2011 Rockwood ROO 23SS
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05-14-2019, 01:21 PM
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#15
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by TheWolfPaq82
It's those 4:10 gears. I had them in old Suburban 3/4 ton. Got like 6-7 towing a 3000 lb trailer. Thing towed like no other. 350CI and I could run the rockies like there was nothing attached.
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X2 I agree that is part of it. When I had my 2002 Chev. 1500HD w/6.0 gas, 3:73 gears I only got between 7.5 & 9 max. towing a 34' 9500 lb TT. Back then, pre-6, 8 & 10 speed trannys , I had to lock out OD (4th) and just let it use 3 speeds plus locking torque converter. If I let it use OD, it would upshift, the torque converter would lock & immediately unlock & downshift to 3rd anyway.Made for a real herky jerky ride! And forget cruise control! I found it drove smoother if I had control of the throttle. I could anticipate the little hills & give her a little gas sooner & she wouldn't downshift so often.
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
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05-14-2019, 01:30 PM
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#16
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Multi-Slacker
Join Date: Aug 2017
Location: SoCal
Posts: 2,279
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Our 2018 6.0 6 speed with 4:10s gets got between 8- 9 mpg pulling the hills in SoCal and AZ. We have gotten 15 on the freeway. Our trailer is 8818 GVWR + 50 lbs for hitch + 200 bed load + 600 for in truck passengers, gear and tools
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Safe Travels
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05-14-2019, 01:32 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2019
Posts: 316
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And forget cruise control! I found it drove smoother if I had control of the throttle. I could anticipate the little hills & give her a little gas sooner & she wouldn't downshift so often. [/QUOTE]
What you didn't like that jump to 5500 RPM? Never realized how much throttle cruise gave it until I tried to duplicate it. Pretty much WOT.
__________________
John
2003 1500 Avalanche 444,000 miles
2011 Rockwood ROO 23SS
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05-14-2019, 01:42 PM
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#18
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Senior Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Part Timing It Now
Posts: 3,449
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Quote:
Originally Posted by JPin AZ
And forget cruise control! I found it drove smoother if I had control of the throttle. I could anticipate the little hills & give her a little gas sooner & she wouldn't downshift so often.
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What you didn't like that jump to 5500 RPM? Never realized how much throttle cruise gave it until I tried to duplicate it. Pretty much WOT.[/QUOTE]
DW didn't like her head being snapped out of snooze mode! Had to make happy wife so I could have happy drive.....
__________________
"PT Crew Members Since 9/2010"
2011 RAM 2500 HD 6.7L CTD Crew
2014 Prime Time Sanibel 3250
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05-14-2019, 01:45 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: Denver, NC
Posts: 2,597
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From my observations on the forum reported MPG's are like fish stories most of which are embellished at best take them as a baseline.
Personally I can get between 9MPG and 13 MPG on average based on terrain, traffic, weather...etc.. with my setup a 2015 RAM 2500 diesel that weighs close to my TT at 8K and that's hand calculating it not using the trucks trip computer that always tells me I am getting more.
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2015 Ram 2500 CTD,CC,SB,4x4
2016 Rockwood 2703 Emerald Edition
Husky CenterLine TS Hitch
TST 507 TPMS
Progressive Industries EMS-PT30X
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05-14-2019, 02:01 PM
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#20
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Senior Member
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: Carlyss, Louisiana
Posts: 520
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I agree with TheWolfPaq82, that 4:10 gear ratio reduces your speed, drives up the engine rpm and gives you one pulling machine. Most of the comments getting mileage in the 12 to 14 mpg are probably runing a 3:73 ratio and have diesel engines. I tow a 5th wheel with a dry weight of 8084 lbs. and loaded 9600 lbs. with a Chevrolet 2500HD diesel with 3:73 gear ratio, at 63 mph with cruise on, I average around 13 mpg.
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