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Old 03-24-2014, 04:36 PM   #1
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Fuel Economy/MPG Towing

I was wondering what everyone does to improve their fuel economy? Do you use the "Tow" button on or leave the vehicle in overdrive? Do you use the cruise control always or during certain times? Any upgrades that helped such as performance exhaust or air filter?

I especially would like to hear from Rockwood UL owners with 1/2 tons.

Thanks,
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:01 PM   #2
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I do not use the "Tow" option. (when on flat ground) but then my trailer is only 7400lb dry. Also this is my third trailer, the first one was shaped like a brick - a huge wind drag at anything over 65mph. With a 7.3 the best it got was 10mpg and it only weighed 5500 dry. The next time I tried a "V-Nosed" trailer (Keystone VR1 at 7600lb dry) that helped the milage with same 7.3 went up to avg of 12mpg in spite of it being heaver than the first one. Then I got a Cummins 5.9 and the "V-Nose VR1" milage went up again to around 13.5 avg. So on trailer no 3 - with the lessons I learned - I went with a lower profile and aerodynamic shaped 5th wheel. Now with the 5.9 pulling a 7400lb dry 5-er I can get 16mpg if I keep it around 60mph. (15mpg at 70 or less).
My lessons were (on flat ground at least) weigh was less of a factor than wind resistance for me. But now when I get in the hills I have to admit that I do put her in "Tow Haul" just to keep the shifting down to a minimum.
I use cruse on flat ground (not in the hills).

My current rig - You can see the aerodynamic front nose on the 5-er
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:08 PM   #3
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the "tow" button varies I'm sure as to exactly what it does in different vehicles. It always changes your shift points and cuts down on constant shifting. On some vehicles it raises trans. pressure too. That is a big plus to minimize slippage.
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:30 PM   #4
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EnduroRdr, thanks for the information, that is a good looking rig.
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:33 PM   #5
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David & Lynn, What about down hill? I still use the "tow" button always but may change that now, it seems it would be just as important downhill as up to keep the speed down and the brakes cool.
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:34 PM   #6
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If your towing heavy I would suggest you utilize the tow/haul setting. I've heard you can tear up the tranny if you don't. Me personally when towing I always use it. Works good for me.
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:36 PM   #7
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the 09 GMC gas engine truck I had, when in tow mode, there was engine braking by means of downshifting which was helpful and on long down grades didn't need as much braking to maintain lower speeds. Now I have a diesel with exhaust brake and its amazing how well that works
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Old 03-24-2014, 05:37 PM   #8
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your owners manual should describe exactly what it does and when to use it. If in doubt, use it.
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Old 03-24-2014, 09:49 PM   #9
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Why would anyone purposely not use the tow/haul setting on their truck when they're towing something?

It doesn't lock out overdrive on my 2011 F150 but it does change the shift points so it's not searching for a gear as often. It also uses the engine to brake when it's on.

If you really want to improve your mileage, the only solution is to leave your trailer at home.
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Old 03-24-2014, 10:05 PM   #10
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Quote:
Originally Posted by pappcam View Post
Why would anyone purposely not use the tow/haul setting on their truck when they're towing something?

It doesn't lock out overdrive on my 2011 F150 but it does change the shift points so it's not searching for a gear as often. It also uses the engine to brake when it's on.

If you really want to improve your mileage, the only solution is to leave your trailer at home.
I love the challenge trying to improve my mileage. Definately not worried about the cost; look what I'm towing and towing with.

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Old 03-24-2014, 10:07 PM   #11
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*chuckles* why do you think it's called a "tow/haul" button?
I will only speak for Ford trucks in particular (but I can't believe it does not generalize to other makes)
ALWAYS use tow/haul - that's why it's there - to electronically adjust the engine, transmission and other systems to tow or haul something.
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Old 03-24-2014, 10:13 PM   #12
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Use the tow haul mode, it's there to protect the transmission as much as to improve towing. Less shifting, higher shift pressure, different converter lock up criteria, etc.

As for improving MPG, a lot of what you hear is bunk. I mean, all those advertisements that claim "Up to 30% improvement in MPG and power!" really must be drinking good stuff, otherwise I'd install three of them and nearly double my power and MPG!

Keep your injectors cleaned every 25-40,000 miles, keep your oil changed, keep tire pressure at spec, when it's tire replacement time pay attention to mileage claims as tires can make a HUGE difference in MPG especially in truck tires. BFG Mud T/A's look awesome aren't the hot ticket for decent MPG but the All Terrains are better and Long Trail TA's are better still.

Dropping a few MPH helps more than I can say. I lose two MPG towing at 70 vs. 60.

And, don't just leave the cruise on. On the flats, sure. But climbing a hill? The truck will floor it to maintain speed where you would back off a little knowing that 5-10 MPH isn't that important.

It's all about being efficient.
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Old 03-24-2014, 10:24 PM   #13
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Always leave you're TV in the tow position and your cruise off(from everything I have read on towing)leaving your cruise off will prevent your tranny from shifting excessively when going up even a small grade

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Old 03-24-2014, 10:27 PM   #14
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Oh and one other thing (this was discussed in a thread several months ago)...
Learn to drive 55 again yeah, with my beast of a truck I can yank our 5er down the road at 75....at @ 7MPG
Or at 55 at @ 12-13 MPG
You decide
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Old 03-25-2014, 08:02 AM   #15
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I used to use tow/haul all the time on my Dodge trucks and I do use the cruise control and I found they worked fine and the cruise control would even downshift the truck on a hill for braking to keep as close as possible to the selected speed. The Ford worked the same in that regard, it just has more powerful compression braking than the Hemi trucks did. I use manual mode with the SD and shift myself with the cruise on and it makes quite a difference in mileage as it is amazing how hard the 6.2 will pull when it needs to. Now I have an SCT programmer with custom tunes that make no pretention to better mileage just more power and better control with abt the same mileage when using the tow programs. As to your Toyota I know nothing about their tranny programming.
And I also drive 60 - 62 mph max.
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Old 03-25-2014, 10:03 AM   #16
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Toyota Tundra 5.7 pulling 8314 BSS with a listed dry weight of just under 7000 pounds. My previous trailer was a Jayco weighing around 1000 pounds less. Although I have not weighed it yet I figure I am pulling 7500 plus. Power from the Tundra 5.7 has never been a problem but when I pull the trailer it does like to stop often for fuel. I have made 4 trips now with this trailer and I have seen a worst of 8.9 mpg and a best of around 11.5. Looks like my average is going to be around 10 or so. I stay in tow setting all the time and never use cruise unless I need to scratch my foot. I also use the downshift button on the transmission shifter manually. I have been around trucks and pulling trailers for a lot of my life and I can tell when the tow vehicle is lugging down. Tundra has a 6 speed and you can lock it down into any of the 6 so if I am going up an incline knowing it is going to drop down a gear then I downshift and leave it in fifth until I know it can pull in 6th without downshifting. This seems to minimize the "gear hunting" somewhat.
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Old 03-25-2014, 10:34 AM   #17
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My owners manual (Ford F250) says to always use the Tow/Haul button if towing unless on snow or ice. I always use it and seldom, seldom, seldom tow on snow or ice. It doesn't seem to matter a whole lot on miles per gallon. I don't think I have had the cruise on more than once or twice while towing.
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Old 03-25-2014, 11:15 PM   #18
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Toyota Tundra 5.7 pulling 8314 BSS with a listed dry weight of just under 7000 pounds. My previous trailer was a Jayco weighing around 1000 pounds less. Although I have not weighed it yet I figure I am pulling 7500 plus. Power from the Tundra 5.7 has never been a problem but when I pull the trailer it does like to stop often for fuel. I have made 4 trips now with this trailer and I have seen a worst of 8.9 mpg and a best of around 11.5. Looks like my average is going to be around 10 or so. I stay in tow setting all the time and never use cruise unless I need to scratch my foot. I also use the downshift button on the transmission shifter manually. I have been around trucks and pulling trailers for a lot of my life and I can tell when the tow vehicle is lugging down. Tundra has a 6 speed and you can lock it down into any of the 6 so if I am going up an incline knowing it is going to drop down a gear then I downshift and leave it in fifth until I know it can pull in 6th without downshifting. This seems to minimize the "gear hunting" somewhat.

Forgot to mention,

I tow at around 60 mph, maybe 65. I try to not get in a situation where I am in that big of a hurry. I have NO TROUBLE at all getting up to highway speed. Now hauling 13,500 pounds to a stop is a completely different issue. You have to respect what you are pulling. Use the technology of your tow vehicle and most of all use common sense. I check the mpg some but it is what it is. I knew it would be in the ball park of 10 or 11 before I got it and I can live with it.
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