Trucks MPG

[bradacc]

My last outing was 83.8 miles round trip and I got 12.6mpg. For what it's worth my vote is get whatever is most comfortable to ride in for you. Think of how much time you'll be spending in the seat and whether or not saving a buck or two on gas is really worth it. For me it's not.

[The_Rhino]

If you get a good deal on a used TV, the money saved upfront can buy a lot of gas & easily offset any MPG differences.

In 2013 I only paid $14K for a 2 year-old Ram 2500 CC w/5.7 hemi & paid it of quickly... I get 15-17 mpg on my daily commute & 8 mpg towing. My annual fuel bill is about $2000.

Had I bought a $40K+ used diesel or new Ecoboost (gas) I would save about $300/year on fuel but paid more than $1250/year financing the $25K difference in price...

IMO a 3/4 ton gas offers the best bang/buck for towing TTs under 9000 lbs. loaded... My 2500 has a payload of 3,000 which means I can add a fiberglass cap to keep everything dry & pack what I want in the PU bed vs. trying to squeeze it into the TT. Had I chosen a F150 Ecoboost, etc. I would have to constantly monitor my payload...

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by The_Rhino

If you get a good deal on a used TV, the money saved upfront can buy a lot of gas & easily offset any MPG differences.

In 2013 I only paid $14K for a 2 year-old Ram 2500 CC w/5.7 hemi & paid it of quickly... I get 15-17 mpg on my daily commute & 8 mpg towing. My annual fuel bill is about $2000.

Had I bought a $40K+ used diesel or new Ecoboost (gas) I would save about $300/year on fuel but paid more than $1250/year financing the $25K difference in price...

IMO a 3/4 ton gas offers the best bang/buck for towing TTs under 9000 lbs. loaded... My 2500 has a payload of 3,000 which means I can add a fiberglass cap to keep everything dry & pack what I want in the PU bed vs. trying to squeeze it into the TT. Had I chosen a F150 Ecoboost, etc. I would have to constantly monitor my payload...

Navigating those tiny gas lanes while towing a trailer is a nightmare that I do not miss.

[DieselDrax]

Well, the first tow with the combo in my sig netted just over 13.5mpg average on the ~75 mile drive home from the dealer doing 65mph with some wind. The trailer was probably around 4,300-4,400lb with battery and full propane tanks. Can't complain too much, really liking this truck so far.

[Nurek]

Just think you are pulling this \/ with wheels behind your TV.

[DDC]

Best mpg I ever had was towing a surveyor 264 with a vow Touareg diesel, the 264 had torsion suspension that put it low to the ground, I used a heansley hitch and that combination returned me a high of 24 mpg, the average was 19/20.

[timfromma]

Originally Posted by Nurek

Just think you are pulling this \/ with wheels behind your TV.

I don't know where you are buying your campers from but mine looks nothing like that.

[Martsing]

I try to stay just over 60mph towing our RW 2703WS. I get an average of 10-12mpg. I get to 70 when passing on the interstate but that's rare. Uphill or when I am passing I get 5 or 6mpg. I heard someone say that with the ECOBOOST you get ECO or BOOST but never at the same time!!

Marty

[Thurman]

First: My TV is a '14 GMC Sierra, CC, 5.2, 3:43 rear gear, auto tranny, max trailer package. When I bought the truck I had a 29 footer TT, weight unknown now, but did have the torsion axles which made it sit lower. We don't travel the whole U.S., actually GA, North FL., and eastern AL. That set-up allowed me to get a consistent 10 MPG at 60 MPH. My current TT is a '14 Coachmen Freedom Express 31 footer that sits a good foot higher than the old unit and weighs probably another 2K#. The best I can do staying at/under 60 MPH is 8 MPG according to the onboard computer. As has been stated-most of these newer units sit higher making more wind resistance, more drag, and less MPG. And also as stated, IF you really want to go camping, traveling the U.S., etc. then you will have to pay for fuel period. Another note on these taller RV's: The wind is not my best friend when towing. I've tried hundreds (it seems like) different settings with my WDH, many different configurations with the weight within the TT, going to "E" rated tires on the truck, and different Prayers to eliminate those sudden unexpected movements of the rig when a cross-wind blows by. I never had these wind problems with the older TT as it sat so much lower and weighed quite a bit less. Just pay for the fuel and go camping

[timfromma]

Even with the high cost of fuel, I can take 3 of us to Disney for 5 days for right around $2000. That includes, fuel, food, campground and park tickets. I defy anyone to travel there cheaper the old fashioned way with airfare, hotels, dining out, etc.

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by GBRVer

New to RVing. Needing to know what trucks get the best mpg towing. have a Wildwood Ulralite (4800 lbs ). Will be retiring and will travel extensively. Thanks for your input

Wrong question. You should be more concerned over which truck will pull your RV the best for your particular situation. Just know the MPG will suck while towing. But all the TVs will suck pretty much the same. Easy.

[GBRVer]

Should I entertain a 4WD if traveling through the U.S

[NMWildcat]

Originally Posted by GBRVer

Should I entertain a 4WD if traveling through the U.S

Why not?

[DieselDrax]

Originally Posted by GBRVer

Should I entertain a 4WD if traveling through the U.S

Purely up to you, you definitely don't need 4WD if you can travel based on the weather and won't ever be towing through a snow storm (Which I've done and don't recommend). And if you're not going to be boondocking (dry camping) off pavement then the only time you'd likely ever experience a "need" for 4WD is if you end up needing to back up into or pull out of a site on an incline, especially if it's raining or just rained.

I've owned one 2WD pickup that I towed with and not having 4WD made it a huge headache sometimes so all future pickups have been 4WD for various reasons. Most recently, the truck in my sig is 4WD to deal with snowy winters.

Keep in mind that 4WD vehicles typically have lower tow and payload ratings because of the added weight of the components. Also, 4WD trucks will also get slightly worse fuel economy than their 2WD counterparts.

[Dakota EV]

Originally Posted by GBRVer

Should I entertain a 4WD if traveling through the U.S

Personally, I would never pull any trailer, pull-behind or 5th wheel, without having 4 wheel drive. Just too many places that I go where you will need a 4 wheel drive vehicle. I am sure that there are people on the forum that are using 2 wheel drive but I prefer 4 wheel drive with good tires.

[W5CI]

Originally Posted by GBRVer

Should I entertain a 4WD if traveling through the U.S

Not unless you are going Off Road

[raspivey]

Truth...when you get right down to it, there's not a lot of difference between 8 and 12 mpg. It all sucks.

[BandJCarm]

There are some 2wd trucks big enough to pull a large camper.

Probably...Somewhere.

But not many.

[znate80]

I have a 2016 Ram 1500 4x4 eco-diesel pulling a 2017 Rockwood 2504s dry weight roughly 4900lbs closer to 6000lb when loaded. I get 29 mpg w/out towing at 70 mph. With the trailer the family and I did a 2800 mile round trip to Yellowstone left from CA I averaged 15mpg for the trip. I take my time and did not tow about 67mph for the entire trip. If you ever plan on upgrading do yourself a favor and get at least a 3/4 ton now.

[arter368rlbhk]

Originally Posted by BandJCarm

There are some 2wd trucks big enough to pull a large camper.

Probably...Somewhere.

But not many.

Actually most 2wd trucks have higher tow ratings than 4wd. With that said, I’d rather have 4wd