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Old 04-30-2019, 08:16 PM   #1
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First toad trip with 3011ds.

Just made a 600+ miles round-trip from north Louisiana to south Mississippi. First time towing jeep liberty. I got 2 surprises.
First, the V-10 ran on cruise at 62 mph right around 2200 rpms. While the route is mostly flat except for overpasses and bridges, I was happy to see very little down shifting on inclines.
Secondly, I got 9.16 mpg!
I did use non-ethanol gas for the first time and it seemed more responsive and less strain on hills.
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Old 05-02-2019, 05:19 PM   #2
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I’ve heard that pulling a toad disrupts the airflow behind the m/h which reduces drag. Don’t have a clue if that’s right but it seems logical. I do know my mileage increases about one mpg when the toad is being pulled.
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Old 05-02-2019, 09:27 PM   #3
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I’ve heard that pulling a toad disrupts the airflow behind the m/h which reduces drag. Don’t have a clue if that’s right but it seems logical. I do know my mileage increases about one mpg when the toad is being pulled.
Don't tell me that. I was hoping it'd be even better when not towing. Lol
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Old 05-03-2019, 07:01 AM   #4
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Looking Good ! Enjoy it !
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Old 05-03-2019, 10:58 AM   #5
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Great looking outfit! [emoji106]
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Old 05-03-2019, 01:14 PM   #6
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Tow/haul mode?

Hi, just wondering if you used the tow/haul mode? We have a 2017 3011ds and just made the trip to Pigeon Forge pulling a Chevy Sonic. We averaged 8.47 mpg. I used tow mode but am wondering if that is correct. Thanks.
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Old 05-03-2019, 01:16 PM   #7
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getting my toad next week to pull behind my 3010 sunseeker. My toad is a 2016 traverse.
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Old 05-03-2019, 03:44 PM   #8
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Just a general note for consideration: adding ethanol to gasoline reduces the amount of energy per gallon of the fuel mixture, so you can expect lower mpg when you run a gasoline/ethanol mixture. The only really good benefit when running ethanol is it has a much higher octane rating than gasoline.That's why the Indy cars have been running alcohol with very high compression engines for decades.
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Old 05-05-2019, 05:56 AM   #9
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Hi, just wondering if you used the tow/haul mode? We have a 2017 3011ds and just made the trip to Pigeon Forge pulling a Chevy Sonic. We averaged 8.47 mpg. I used tow mode but am wondering if that is correct. Thanks.
Yes it is correct !
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Old 05-06-2019, 03:16 AM   #10
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First toad trip with 3011ds.

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Yes it is correct !


With the basic chassis loaded up with the motorhome body and contents would you not use the tow/ haul mode most of the time. It’s not like when you are towing a trailer behind a pick up and then go solo. By the way I just bought a 2019 Sunseeker 3010 DSF with the same body paint and look forward to making a trip pulling our Toyota Corolla iM soon.
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Old 05-07-2019, 01:23 PM   #11
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Originally Posted by conniep16 View Post
Hi, just wondering if you used the tow/haul mode? We have a 2017 3011ds and just made the trip to Pigeon Forge pulling a Chevy Sonic. We averaged 8.47 mpg. I used tow mode but am wondering if that is correct. Thanks.
Yes. I had tow/haul on the entire trip. Your mileage sounds about right compared to the flat country I was in, and the hilly country you were in.
I would say you are correct with using it. Safe travels.
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Old 05-07-2019, 02:36 PM   #12
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Camera added

When I was hauling the Jeep I could see most of the top of it in the rear observation camera. Not really a problem but the view could be better. I didn’t need to see the Jeep because the factory camera was pointed down to see the hitch and just past the hood. So, I moved the main rear view camera to the back of the Jeep above the brake light.

Much better and unobstructed view.

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Old 05-08-2019, 04:59 PM   #13
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Quote:
Originally Posted by conniep16 View Post
Hi, just wondering if you used the tow/haul mode? We have a 2017 3011ds and just made the trip to Pigeon Forge pulling a Chevy Sonic. We averaged 8.47 mpg. I used tow mode but am wondering if that is correct. Thanks.

We always run ours on tow/haul mde.
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Old 05-15-2019, 09:50 PM   #14
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For what it is worth, I have a 2014 3170 Sunseeker with the 5 speed transmission with the 5 star tune and I rarely use tow haul mode except for down hill braking. My mpg is at 7.4 mpg. I am towing a 3200lb toad. I may try tow haul mode for possible better mpg.
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Old 05-16-2019, 06:01 PM   #15
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Beautiful setup!
I am NOT telling DW you got 9 mpg.
Wait, maybe I should!
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Old 05-17-2019, 10:57 AM   #16
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For what it is worth, I have a 2014 3170 Sunseeker with the 5 speed transmission with the 5 star tune and I rarely use tow haul mode except for down hill braking. My mpg is at 7.4 mpg. I am towing a 3200lb toad. I may try tow haul mode for possible better mpg.
Garrette,

Did the 5 Star tune option provide any performance or driving improvements that where noticeable?

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Old 05-17-2019, 11:54 AM   #17
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Garrette,

Did the 5 Star tune option provide any performance or driving improvements that where noticeable?

RVr
I put it on my 3051 and noticed a small improvement in performance. I don’t think it’s worth $500. The main benefit is the improvement in shifting gears. It seems to work much better without using cruise control.
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Old 05-23-2019, 06:12 AM   #18
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I have a 2018 3011DS with the same color scheme. I tow a Fiat 500, so it’s like there’s nothing back there. I installed a rock guard on my rear bumper, so I’m anxious to see how that affects the MPG. Leaving tomorrow from south Louisiana to Gatlinburg, then on to Myrtle Beach and Charleston.
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Old 05-28-2019, 06:13 PM   #19
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Quote:
Originally Posted by conniep16 View Post
Hi, just wondering if you used the tow/haul mode? We have a 2017 3011ds and just made the trip to Pigeon Forge pulling a Chevy Sonic. We averaged 8.47 mpg. I used tow mode but am wondering if that is correct. Thanks.
I have a 2016 3011 and just this year changed my toad from a 2011 Subaru Impreza to a 2014 Honda CRV. In the past I only used the tow/haul mode for engine braking going down hills since the Subie was relatively light and would not hold much when our folding bikes where inside. However, given the additional weight of the CRV and the fact that we can load it up with more gear beside our bikes it looks like I'll be driving with the tow/haul engaged most of the time from here on out. It did help with acceleration and especially with controlling speed on entrance and exit ramps. I even used in the holiday traffic to reduce braking in the high speed stop and go traffic for much of the turnpike drive.
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Old 05-31-2019, 06:31 AM   #20
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How do you turn tow haul on in the Ford truck?
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