How bad does your MPG suffer when towing?

[dcheatwood]

From 18-20 to 9-10 with 5.7L tundra towing rockwood 8282ws @8400 lbs.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by davel1971

with my 2014 Chevy 3500 Duramax, I get from 18-21 when not towing. 10-12 towing 12,000lb 5th wheel. The last few gas trucks I had got around 13-14 not towing, and 6-9 towing. So what if fuel cost a little more, you use way less. I did all the math last year, when the price gap between diesel and gas was even more than now, and was still 19 cents per mile cheaper with diesel.

Cost of the truck is keeping my idea of keeping my F150 EB, I can't justify the extended cost for a F250/350 they run $62-$70K


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[davel1971]

Originally Posted by wicked1

Cost of the truck is keeping my idea of keeping my F150 EB, I can't justify the extended cost for a F250/350 they run $62-$70K


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

I don't know why the Fords are so expensive. I paid $47k for my Chevy listed in my sig. Ford 1/2 tons cost more than that.

[justwinginit]

Originally Posted by jbooth94

completely agree!! I just pulled our 27dbud from Columbus, OH to Myrtle Beach. The mountains in West Virginia didn't hurt as bad as I thought, but my overall average was still only about 7.5 mpg. We stayed 7 nights at Ocean Lakes Campground and had about $1000 total in fuel and site fees. I'll pay that to stay in my own camper any day!!

And no bedbugs to worry about. I know about bedbugs. I can recognize them now. They aren't a nice bug to get bitten by. But they are picky. They loved me and left hubby alone. I hate going to hotels always have. Love my own bed and bath *S*

[tedstr]

Originally Posted by wicked1

Cost of the truck is keeping my idea of keeping my F150 EB, I can't justify the extended cost for a F250/350 they run $62-$70K


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

My new truck is a 2015 GMC Denali 2500HD Crew Cab 4WD and cost less than $60K.
PS I do like posters who put their TV and RV in their signature so others can see for reference.

[The_Rhino]

In 2013 I got a 2011 Ram 2500 w/5.7 Hemi & 85K miles for $14K...
For the next 11K miles I got 16-17 mpg on my daily commute & 9-10 mpg towing.

At 96K miles the engine blew (commuting - not towing) but was covered by Ram's 100K mile powertrain warranty even though I was (briefly) the 2nd owner... (They say engines always run their best right before a major failure...)

The new engine only gets 14-15 mpg on my daily commute & 8-9 mpg towing but for that same $14K I now have a 3 year-old rust-free truck that's good for another 100K+ miles. IMO it's not about mpg but about annual cost of ownership. In about another year I won't have a payment on this TV any longer - so just fuel & maintenance factored into my annual cost of ownership...

[5er_tom]

With the new Wildcat I seem to be getting about 10.5 towing. The truck gets 19 solo on the highway.

But, I really don't care. It is what it is. We LOVE the RV lifestyle.


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[Poppy94]

Just got back from natural falls Oklahoma & got 12 mpg w/o wind & 10 mpg w/wind. I'm happy w/that.
2000 F250 7.3L
2014 Crusader

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by wicked1

Went to the Ford dealer and salesman tried to tell me that the F350 PS diesel will get better City and Highway MPG then my F150 EcoBoost. Same confit SCREW 4X4 350 has 6.3/4 bed my F150 has the 5.5?

I am not sure where they are pulling their info but I can't see 6.7PS getting better Highway/City then I get with my 150? I get 18.5-19.5 maybe 350 will do the same on all highway, I get 21.5-24 but that is staying under 65MPH. I told him pulling my Roo I could not justify the nearly $12K price difference for the 350, and cost of diesel is much more in some places but not NJ only 20-30 cents difference.


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

I have a 2015 F350 PS with about 2500 miles on the clock and it gets around 16 to 17 city and 12 to 13 towing a 11,500 5th wheel and it will get 20 to 22 highway not towing at 70 MPH. I've been told that will improve with mileage. I needed the 3744 cargo that I get with the F350 with my pin weight is close to 2800 lbs. I also like the 440 hp and the 860 foot pounds of torque and the best feature is the exhaust brake.

[CWSWine]

Originally Posted by wicked1

Cost of the truck is keeping my idea of keeping my F150 EB, I can't justify the extended cost for a F250/350 they run $62-$70K


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

I got my F350 PS Lariat for 51k with sticker price of 59k. I got the tow package - steps - Quick Heater Options (blow warm air before I can back out the garage) 20 inch tires - upgraded paint.

[jevanb]

dont really look at my mileage empty because I am always on it. but I towed 1100 miles this past week and the truck said I was getting 13.7 and hand calc 12.9 almost all hills, and back roads thru ohio,

[Titanium-X]

I know the OP's question has more than been addressed here. What I'm not sure of is why he's being picked on by some of you about fuel consumption. He's new to RVing and looking for some feedback. I don't remember reading where he was complaining about fuel cost/consumption--it just got his attention the first time he towed. The first time I towed a travel trailer I got the same shock when the fuel gauge plummeted before my eyes.

To the OP: I had a Dutchmen 28BHS and now have a Flagstaff 27BHSS which are similar in size and weight--both in the neighborhood of 5500lbs dry. Towing with a 2004 F-150 with a 5.4L (3V) and 3.73 rearend, I averaged around 8 MPG on the interstate doing 65. I sold it and bought a F-250 with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel and my overall fuel economy is much better. I average 11-12 MPG on the highway when towing the Flagstaff and this truck is bone stock. It also has a 3.73 rearend.

Part of my problem with the F-150 was that it did not have a tow/haul mode and I left the overdrive locked out in order to keep the RPMs up. Of coarse it didn't have an economy mode like your Dodge does, but towing in 3rd really worked the motor hard. These units were both around 80% of its towing capacity.

The MPGs you are experiencing sound normal for your setup. Others have stated that wind dynamics and tire pressure are factors. Tire pressure for all your tires--coach, truck, and the spare for each is very critical for your safety as well. Check every one before a trip.

[wicked1]

Got 14 MPG towing from Middle of NJ to Southern Nj flat straight trip 98 Miles but stayed safe and 60 MPH all the way down


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[The_Rhino]

The new engine only gets 14-15 mpg on my daily commute & 8-9 mpg towing...

UPDATE: Only got 7.2 mpg on 3 hour tow (paper & pencil) but I brought my own water (state park) & lots of firewood....

[HONDAMAN174]

Originally Posted by dcheatwood

From 18-20 to 9-10 with 5.7L tundra towing rockwood 8282ws @8400 lbs.

That's pretty good!

My Evo 2850 weighs in @ 7500 and I get 7-8 normally.

2 weekends ago, I went up to our summer mountain spot. It's about 9000 ft and the road is a pretty good grade I think 10%. So being that this was the first time going up with this setup, I hauled ass and pushed really hard. Went thru 3/4 tank of gas in about 60 miles!

This weekend, just laid back and did 60 on the interstate instead of 65 and climbed the hill at 45 vs. 55 and only used 3/8 tank!

So I guess I will just continue to just take it easy and save my money!

[CHD Dad]

TT - Surveyor Sport 295

'10 Tundra - 18mpg driving, 9mpg towing

new '15 Nissan NVP 3500 HD - 15mpg driving, 8.5mpg on my recent 1000 mile trip through the mountains of NC and TN.

[wicked1]

Originally Posted by Titanium-X

I know the OP's question has more than been addressed here. What I'm not sure of is why he's being picked on by some of you about fuel consumption. He's new to RVing and looking for some feedback. I don't remember reading where he was complaining about fuel cost/consumption--it just got his attention the first time he towed. The first time I towed a travel trailer I got the same shock when the fuel gauge plummeted before my eyes.

To the OP: I had a Dutchmen 28BHS and now have a Flagstaff 27BHSS which are similar in size and weight--both in the neighborhood of 5500lbs dry. Towing with a 2004 F-150 with a 5.4L (3V) and 3.73 rearend, I averaged around 8 MPG on the interstate doing 65. I sold it and bought a F-250 with the 7.3L Powerstroke diesel and my overall fuel economy is much better. I average 11-12 MPG on the highway when towing the Flagstaff and this truck is bone stock. It also has a 3.73 rearend.

Part of my problem with the F-150 was that it did not have a tow/haul mode and I left the overdrive locked out in order to keep the RPMs up. Of coarse it didn't have an economy mode like your Dodge does, but towing in 3rd really worked the motor hard. These units were both around 80% of its towing capacity.

The MPGs you are experiencing sound normal for your setup. Others have stated that wind dynamics and tire pressure are factors. Tire pressure for all your tires--coach, truck, and the spare for each is very critical for your safety as well. Check every one before a trip.

Thanks Titanium, second year towing with my F150 SCREW SB EB and on my second trailer so yes not new to towing but new to towing and RV, towed boats since I was 17 but RV's are all new to me. That being said I am just curious how everyone is doing with their rigs weather gas or D and 1/2, 3/4 or 1 ton trucks.


2014 F150 FX4 Crew 4X4 EB
2015 Roo 23IKSS

Sent from my iPhone using Forest River Forums

[Ford Idaho]

So far things are better this year than last.

Started at 12.1 and it now sits at 11.4 as per the dash read out, I will pencil it out later.

[Ke5rbd]

Originally Posted by donhillphoto

Yesterday evening, I towed my new 29' RV trailer for the first time since buying it last week. Brought it home to load up and prep for tonight's sojourn an hour south to Galveston Island to get my RV feet wet.

The storage is about 29 miles away. I noticed I typically get about 21-23mpg on the highway. With this being my first tow, I think I was getting about 8 mpg.

Can I assume this is par for the course for such tows with my setup? My signature line describes what I have. Or, should I be doing something differently?

Furthermore, my RAM still goes into ECO mode knocking down to 4 cylinders. It's a 5.7-Liter V8 HEMI MDS VVT Engine. My dad thinks it's probably not good when towing putting more stress on the engine but I noticed it went to ECO mode often while towing. Thoughts on this?

Appreciate the feedback.

I am sure you have all the answers you need by now. I have a 12 Dodge 2500 and tow a 37 foot Puma toy hauler fifthwheel. Little advice is to never tow when not in tow haul mode. My engine has the ECO mode also. I am not sure but think you have the 6 speed and 5 and 6 are both over drive. I pulled to Yellowstone from Louisiana last year and used straight tow haul going up and got from 7 to 8 mpg with weight of around 12500 trailer. Had 2 900 pound harley's in it. Flat ground fine didn't like the hills. On way home locked it in 4 th gear which is 1 to 1 and the mileage actually picked up to between 8 and 9. It was much happier in the hills also and at 70 Mph was not running that high on rpms. Less than 3000. Pulled to Virginia this year and used Son in Laws new 15 Ford 250 Diesel and got from 10 to 11 at 70 Mph. Slowed down to 60 for while and got 13 MPG, so speed makes lots of difference. Also the style and aerodynamics of the camper makes difference. Had a fiber glass side and went to corrugated side lighter weight and lost 1 mpg. The Fiber glass weighed about 1000 pounds more also. Been pulling for many years and the difference in speed is the biggest factor on Diesel mpg for me. Difference between 60 and 65 around 1 mpg and 65 and 70 another mpg. Strong head wind and you better get extra tank as it will kill mpg. What I am saying is lots of variables. On gas just be happy at 7 to 10 with a 30 footer and over 8000. You can drive 50 MPH and get much better mileage, but the bad words and finger waves will weigh you down, so not worth it.