Fuel Milage towing 11000 pounds

[Chief-e9]

Hello, new to this forum. The DW and I are considering buying a 2004 Cardinal 29RKLE that has an UVW of 9760 pounds. Figure loaded (no water) I imagine the RV will be close to 11,000 pounds. I will be towing with a 2007 Ford F350 dually diesel that will basically be unloaded except for the DW, me and our dog (approx 350 lbs[all of us]). The most weight I've towed previously was approx 8000 lbs and I'd get 10-13 MPG on average. For those of you towing something similar what do you normally see for MPG when in flat country as well as in mountains? I know I shouldn't be concerned about milage but still am curious. Other RV's with similar layout (such as Crossroads Cruiser) only weigh 7500 lbs empty thus considering those because of the weight. Hope this makes sense and thanks in advance. Roy

[f1100turbo]

I dont believe that 3,000 more lbs. is going to make that much difference . altho it may decrease your mpg's some its not going to that much that it would be a deal breaker imho. i think the biggest thing with any tv is to be smooth and steady and keep the rpms as low as possible ie, 55 mph
I went up 3,000 lbs on my gasser tv and it stayed the same altho I went from a tt to a 5er .

[crocus]

The frontal area of the camper and the aerodynamics of the nose will make a lot more difference in fuel milage. And don't forget that a lighter camper of the same size will not be as robust as a heavier unit. The heavier campers usually have a heavier frame, better floors, and maybe thicker walls.
Many things to consider when buying a new camper!
Good luck.

[kz08h5]

I would expect your mileage would be about the same. As CROCUS stated, the frontal area has more to do with it than the weight.

We have a pontoon boat that trailered probably weighs 3500 to 4000 lbs. I get almost the exact same mileage towing it as I do my 6500- 7000 lb travel trailer. I get 10 to 13 mpg depending upon speed and terrain. As added proof that frontal area is the key mpg killer I have towed an open car hauler that weighed 6100lbs but the top of the car was at or below the height of the pickup bed. I was getting 14 to 16 mpg.

[jimh]

i have a 2002 Ford F350 crew duelly 4:11 rear end 7.3 diesel. i pull a 2002 Cardinal 33TS, 10200 lbs dry figure i'm close to 12000 when towing.
on level ground pulling at 70m/h, i get 8.3mpg very consistently. in the mountains it improves.
when i take the trailer on the Natchez trace, pulling at 50m/h, i get 10.1.
with no trailer on level interstate at 70, i get 17.5.
That large front area creates quiet a wind load.
believe the mpg improvement in the mountains is due to the slower speed.
worse i ever got was abt 7 and i may be being generous. was bucking high wind in S. Dakota. used almost all the 40 gal tank going from Mitchel to Wall.

[ng2951]

Somewhere around 10 or less. How much is hanging in the breeze has a lot to do with MPG.

[EdJunior]

You may be asking a bit much for 13mpg. Though with the 6.0L, you will probably get better. I get between 8.5 - 10mpg pulling my 5er, which is very similar to yours in weight, and I suspect design. As said above, it's that huge wall you're draggin in the wind more than the weight. But if you like the layout, that should be a bigger factor in your buying decision than the weight of the trailer.