Towing MPGs ??

[heytomgraywolf]

I would like to hear more from people with actual mpg measurements they have calculated when pulling different weight trailers and their speed. I have had my 19RR Gray Wolf for about a year now. I towed it for a year with my 2003 Toyota Sequoia that had the old 4.7 liter V8 and it had the tow package. While I don't consider myself a slow driver, even running at 65 mph, I could only get about 7 to 7.5 mpg with such a small V8. The 19RR is only about 4100 dry and even with my 600# bike, I figured I was towing 5500 max.

Jump to last weekend. The end of April I traded in my Sequoia for a 2012 Tundra. I went with the larger 5.7 liter V8 that has 401 ft-lbs of torque, a 6 speed automatic (versus the 4 speed on the Sequoia) and the 4.30 rear end that comes with the 5.7 and the tow package. I first noted that unlike the Sequoia that locked overdrive (4th gear) out completly (even going down hill), the tow/haul mode in the new Tundra allowed the transmission to upshift to 5th on the flats and even 6th going down hill. This with running about 2100 rpms in 5th gear at about 62 mph, I figured I would see a big increase in gas milage. I was disappointed and got 8.5 mpg on the first tankful, using cruise control at about 65 mph (I don't recommend cruise control, because it is constantly downshifting to 4th gear on every incline to maintain the exact speed), to my drive home where I did not use cruise control, allowed some slowing going up inclines and averaged about 62 mph. Even slowing down to 62 and trying to keep it out of 4th gear, I only got 8.9 mpg on the return trip's tank.

While I know Diesels will out perform in pulling and get in the low teens, I have heard of so many with gas V8 engines claiming they get 10 mpg towing much heavier rigs than mine. Maybe they drive 50 mph?

[TURBS]

2005 silverado 4×4 6.0 liter gas 3/4 ton pulling 11k
9.0 to 10.0 mpg

[CHD Dad]

HeyTom - I can never get the mileage others get either while towing. With my 2010 5.7 Tundra I get 18-19mpg average not towing. I am really happy with that. Towing my SP-295 which weighs in at a low 5150# dry and is a nice, low, smooth TT I only manage 8-10 at best. 10 is on totally flat roads at 50-55mph. I tried babying the throttle, lowering speed, using Tow/Haul vs. S mode, etc. Nothing mattered, it is just stuck at that mileage.

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by CHD Dad

HeyTom - I can never get the mileage others get either while towing. With my 2010 5.7 Tundra I get 18-19mpg average not towing. I am really happy with that. Towing my SP-295 which weighs in at a low 5150# dry and is a nice, low, smooth TT I only manage 8-10 at best. 10 is on totally flat roads at 50-55mph. I tried babying the throttle, lowering speed, using Tow/Haul vs. S mode, etc. Nothing mattered, it is just stuck at that mileage.

I'm thinkin you should feel lucky since most that are getting 9 and ten towing are only getting 12 to 13 not.
I rarely see 14 mpg.

[CHD Dad]

Well the 18-19mpg is great and I couldnt be happier. I love the truck overall and is my daily driver. I was hoping for more when towing a light camper. I towed a Salem 26TBUD in the past and my mileage was 8-9 at most. I hoped dropping 900# and having a lower, smoother TT would help more than 1mpg.

[beanoil]

If I didn't have a Ford diesel, I'd have a new EcoBoost. Go drive one. With the tow package you can pull 11k, and it is Fords flagship tow vehicle in the 1/2 ton class. The 5.0 V-8 doesn't compare.

[Rsgtivr6]

You must be babying it when unloaded. Pretty good mileage for the Tundra from what I had researched. Most guys stated around 14 unloaded on 91+ octane and 12-13 avg on 87. Keep it up if you can manage 18

I have too much of a lead foot around town, but get 15-16 hwy (65-70MPH) with the older Ram MDS Hemi on 91+ on CC. It's been 9-10 towing 5800lbs so far, so don't feel too bad for the towing numbers

[cstover]

I have a 2010 Tundra and get 15.5 - 16.5 avg unloaded and 8.5-9 towing.

[heytomgraywolf]

Thanks for the feedback guys. I have not had mine on the highway for any extended trips without a trailer. I got 13.9 on a highway trip pulling a 5x8 Utility trailer, but even with that ramp being wire-mesh, it creates a lot of wind drag and at 65 to 70 mph wind drag means a lot.

The funny thing that concerned me about the mpg was my father-in-law was camping with us this memorial day weekend. He too has about a 20' trailer (not quite as tall as my 19RR) but is 1200# lighter and a single axle camper (KZ Sportsman) and he pulls his with his old 2002 Chrysler Town and Country Minivan and it only has the 3.0 V6 with the tow package, not the 3.8 and a 4 speed automatic. He was running right with me at 65 mph, and though the old V6 was working much harder than my new Tundra (rpm wise), he was getting the same 9 mpg at the pumps! I was thinking with 401 ftlbs of torque I should be getting better than him, but not an apples to apples comparison... lighter trailer, slightly shorter so less wind block and how long could that Town and Country keep that up? Though the gas milage was not as much of an improvement over my 03 Sequoia as I expected, I have to say, the new 5.7 Tundra pulled the trailer with little effort and starting out from a dead stop, you don't have to push the engine nearly as much as the old 4.7 liter in the Sequoia. Plenty of power and pep.

[WEMig]

I have a 2012 F250 Lariat with the new 6.2L gas engine. I'm getting 9 mpg pulling a 12000 lb 5th wheel and 13-14 unloaded on the highway.

[donn]

Heck my old 2002 Tahoe got 10 pulling my 7000 pound Arctic Fox. But from my reasding the big Toys never got decent mileage.

[MtnGuy]

There are so many variables when figuring mileage. Head winds (or tail winds) hills, speed, traffic, stop lights, how fast you accelerate, etc.

I am taking it easy on a 2 lane highway just cruising along at 55 mph, and my Scan Gauge is showing a nice mpg. Then a couple of stop lights get me. They can suck down the gas mileage in a heart beat.

Cruising along at 65 on the interstate, the Scan Gauge is happy again, and then there is road construction or an accident where there is stop and go traffic at the bottleneck.

Hills....and we got plenty of those around here. I can watch my mileage go way south of 10 mpg going uphill, but then on the downhill side it tries to catch up again, but it seems never what it was to begin with.

And if you are counting overall mpg, you gotta figure in hooking up and unhooking the trailer.

I don't know exactly how many of those obstacles figured in to the OP post, but you have to consider those variables.

Also, I very seldom use cruise control while towing. With the rolling hills around here, I have to leave the tranny in 3rd (4 speed auto) if I use cruise control. In 4th, cruise control will make the transmission shift way too much. In 4th, with my right foot in command, I can loose a couple of mph on the uphills, and gain them back on the downhills without the transmission shifting. I seem to get much better fuel mileage that way.

[prof_fate]

Around town I get just under 12mpg (according to the onboard display).
If I baby the heck out of it I can get 12.5

Towing with the family aboard I get 9.7 give or take a few tenths. TT goes what, 6300lbs ish. And that's keeping wtih traffic but trying to stay in the slow lane, so 60-65mph.

[LGreeves]

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

2005 silverado 4×4 6.0 liter gas 3/4 ton pulling 11k
9.0 to 10.0 mpg

I agree, my '99 2500 Silverado 6.0 would get this pulling my old Salem. I'll have to check the Sabre soon...

And 14mpg unloaded is rare.

[bill and theresa]

I get 18 to 20 not towing and 10 towing my 7000 lb trailer. I tow with the tow button depressed and 60 mph. I am happy with that.

[jjm901]

2011 5.0l v8 f150 super crew towing surveyor sp295, 6500lbs loaded. 19-20 mpg not towing and 10-11.5mpg towing.

[Dovetail]

With an 07 tundra, 5.7 w/tow pkg i get 17-18 on hwy (with a bed cover)
14 around town and 10 with the trailer. i hold between 55 and 60 w/ the trailer.

BTW, I seem to get worse mileage when i use that tow/haul button.
anyone else experience that?

[TURBS]

Originally Posted by rickthelen

With an 07 tundra, 5.7 w/tow pkg i get 17-18 on hwy (with a bed cover)
14 around town and 10 with the trailer. i hold between 55 and 60 w/ the trailer.

BTW, I seem to get worse mileage when i use that tow/haul button.
anyone else experience that?

Thats because it shifts later and may run in a higher gear more often .
Do you run in overdrive with tow /haul or next lower gear ?

[tentcamper1]

my 07 6.0 Chevy w/ 4:10 rear averages 9 mpg towing 8000 lb TT. around town I get 12-14.

[SaskCampers]

08 Ram 2500 Megacab 4x4 hemi with 3:73's and get abt 15 empty and 8 or 9 pulling the 34 1/2 ft 8500lb V-Lite at 60mph.