7.5 MPG Towing Mini Lite with Toyota Sequoia

[007matman]

I get between 12 and 14mpg when towing with my F350 Dually Diesel 6.0 pulling a 7400 lb (loaded) 33' Rockwood Signature ultra-light trailer.

Pulling the came camper with my Escalade I used to get 6-7mpg. I'd have to stop every hour and a half for fuel with the Escalade. Now I can go 4-5 hours at a time without stopping.

I don't agree with the statement that "the fuel mileage difference washes out between the two because Diesel is more expensive". I'm getting two times the MPG now.. less complaining from the back seat too now that I can go longer between stops.

[HONDAMAN174]

I agree that it has more to do with wind resistance. 11’ tundra with 5.7 pulling 7500k. Getting 7-8. Down hill 9-10. 2hours or 200 miles is our limit before stopping but great time to stretch. So the question to ask is if you are going to spend more $$$ to get mpg or if your going to upgrade in the future.

[Wifshowfur]

Yea, you probably dont need a new TV but sounds like as good of an excuse as any to get one lol.

[Fluffywhitedogs]

Another vote for speed and wind resistance. I had one trip with my clipper and 4Runner where I couldn’t even get 2 hours between fill ups! It was a super windy day. I also figured out on multiple trips that the difference in gas mileage between 55mph and 70mph while towing is quite astonishing!

[TheWolfPaq82]

Originally Posted by dustman_stx

Deleted, tuned and driving for max mileage-maybe.........

2014 Sierra......Stock, w/DEF. No tuner.

[lswartz]

$$$ wise improving gas mileage by 3.5 mpg isn’t enough reason to trade vehicles even you are towing your TT all the time.

If you just want a truck, trade it.

[Traveling Circus]

I have a FBRS 21, my TV is a 2008 Tundra DC 5.7 with tow package. Previously I towed a 8,000 lb trailer. With both my mpg is 8-9. The towing capacity is listed in your owners manual.

[HONDAMAN174]

FWIW- I think the op’s rating is between 7000-7400. This is based on my guesstimate that he has a 14 sequoia judging by body style. He should have 4.30 gearing which should provide plenty of power. Toyota just keeping the rating down due to shorter wheel base.

[45RPM]

The Sequoia is 2008 and has the tow package; I leave the tow haul OFF when towing on long stretches of straight roads; I found out that using the cruise control is worse on gas mileage as the truck shifts into 4th gear when going over an overpass (4000 rpm!); Our most recent trip was from the Chicago area to the Rio Grande Valley of Texas (1500 miles each way). I had a tail wind going and a head wind returning. I did not calculate the MPG going but still had to stop for gas every 2 hours. Without cruise control ON, the engine was about 3200 RPM. Sometimes it would drop to 2200 RPM. Engine is 5.7. Without the trailer (Mini Lite 2509S), at the same highway speeds, the Sequoia 5.7 is at about 1,000-1200 RPM.

-Rich

[45RPM]

Toyota Sequoia wheelbase is 122"
Ford F150 w/SuperCrew cab and 6.5' box is 156.8"
F150 has a much larger footprint!

BTW Sequoia Payload: 1,255 to 1,380 lbs
Towing capacity: 7,500 to 10,000 lbs
MPG: Up to 14 city / 19 highway
Curb weight: 5,680 to 6,045 lbs
Dimensions: 205″ L x 80″ W x 75″ H

-Rich

[HONDAMAN174]

Well it’s good that it only goes to 4th gear on hills- mine will kick to 3rd to hold 60 but 4K is where it’s power is at. With all the hills in my area, I’m always right there.

Both sequoia and f150 are good tow vehicles. Should be able to get a good price on your sequoia as they always are in demand on our lot.

[babock]

The Sequoia and the Tundra have obsolete engines by today's standards. The poor fuel economy is a huge problem with those trucks. For some reason Toyota is not updating them.

[Mountainmanbob]

We have a tundra 5.7 pretty good power but, the towing mileage sure seems low.

M-Bob

[RetiredNavyfamily]

We tow with 2017 Expedition with tow factory set up. Once I figured out where Toe/Haul mode was, gas mileage with 2507S Mini Lite on hitch went from 8.5 tp 10.5 on last trip of 260 mi

[okiecowboy]

45, don’t trade your Toyota thinking gas mileage will improve. I pull a 2104S with a F150 Ecoboost. Only get 7 to 10 mpg depending on conditions. The 150 pulls great and makes towing easy, but no gas tow vehicle is going get more than 10. I can tow 4 hours on a fill up only because of the 36 gallon tank.

[45RPM]

OK . . . I need to find an F150 with EcoBoost AND a 36 gallon tank! I'm considering this change in vehicles because the F150 will be newer than my 2008 Sequoia (more features); larger footprint (better stability); WDH will transfer from Sequoia to F150; almost a wash in cost if I sell the Toyota outright vs trade in providing that I find a used F150; and IF I can find one with a 36 gallon tank, I'll save time on the road by not stopping for gas as often!

Thanks everyone for your responses!
-Rich

[RACarvalho]

Since you are in the market for a F150, try to find one with the heavy duty payload package.
That package includes the 36 gal tank but also additional springs in the rear suspension, transmission cooling, 3.73 diff. and in increased payload.

[NJKris]

My 2015 F150 4x4 with 5.0L V8 gets just over 18 mpg by itself, and about 14 mpg towing. My trailer and payload is just a little lower than yours Rich.

The Sequoia and the Tundra have obsolete engines by today's standards.

Don't forget the 4Runner. I don't think they've updated that engine and trans in over 10 years! Surprising Toyota is dragging heels investing in new tech.

[dustman_stx]

Originally Posted by RACarvalho

Since you are in the market for a F150, try to find one with the heavy duty payload package.
That package includes the 36 gal tank but also additional springs in the rear suspension, transmission cooling, 3.73 diff. and in increased payload.

That'll be like finding a needle in a haystack! I seriously considered the HDPP since I ordered mine but decided to go with the MaxTow. Really no need for the 3.73 gears with a 10 speed and the low RPM torque with the EB. No difference in transmission cooling on the EB trucks- haven't researched the 5.0 HDPP trucks, so maybe there is a diff. there. The beefed up rear axle and suspension is the real benefit(along with the additional payload). You actually lose GCVWR and towing capability with the HDPP, which makes no sense at all.


It's all here on page 19:


https://www.fleet.ford.com/resources...e_r11_Jan4.pdf


Considering the pre aluminum F150 MaxTow had a GVWR of 7700 and any changes made actually increased strength (more HSS I understand), I take the GVWR reductions with a grain of salt. Until someone can show me what was weakened that would result in a lowering of the GVWR(from Ford-not something from one of the millions of factually challenged websites or discussions available on the net), I'll continue to assert it was nothing more than a numbers game to keep the F150 below the F250 payload numbers. If they hadn't dropped the GVWR on the HDPP F150 when they went aluminum, it would actually have a payload on par with the highest payload F250 options (even the gas versions). So, with all of this being said, the MaxTow will be easier to find and it will do everything you need with ease.

[wvyankee2]

Originally Posted by NJKris

Don't forget the 4Runner. I don't think they've updated that engine and trans in over 10 years! Surprising Toyota is dragging heels investing in new tech.

Just traded in my newer model 4Runner for a new GMC Sierra with the 6.2 motor and 3.23 gearing. Will be towing around 4500 pounds. Will check back in with the mileage after my first trip in April. Been getting over 18 in everyday driving. Which is more than I was getting with the 4Runner. ( about 17)