Small vehicle mpg

[kdot]

I have a different kind of question. We've had a 2013 F-150 with the ecoboost engine that we used to tow our 5'er. When we downsized to an A213HW, the F-150 seemed like overkill. The 5'er weighed somewhere in excess of 7,000 lbs; the A-frame, only about 2,300. I've gotten as low as 14.2 mpg and as high as 18 towing the A-frame with the Ford and I'm satisfied with that. But the truck takes up half of my garage space. I'm wondering if switching to a smaller truck would adversely affect the mileage. We're looking specifically at a Toyota Tacoma with a 6 cyl. engine. My question is this: Is anyone towing an A-frame with a smaller truck, and if so, what kind of mileage are you getting? I'm not unhappy with my Ford. I'm just wondering if I need something that big? Thoughts anyone.

kdot

[pgandw]

We have an A122 towed with a 6 cylinder minivan (Hyundai Entourage). The Hyundai has a 3.5L 250 HP V-6 FWD with a 5 speed transmission. The Hyundai has sufficient power and acceleration for towing the A-frame in the Rockies.

For a given speed, the wind has by far the greatest impact on gas mileage. My towing mileage at 65MPH on the interstates ranges from 21.3 mpg to 13.8 mpg (across Nebraska and Colorado where 35 MPH winds are not abnormal). I assume the wind impact is going to be that much greater with a High Wall. When winds are minimal I typically see around 17-19 mpg, depending on altitude.

Higher altitude equals better mileage, all other factors being equal.

From what I have heard (no personal experience), some 6 cyl trucks are good tow vehicles, but quite a few are not. My 1993 Ford Explorer (3.0L 170HP V-6) was severely under-powered for towing a similar size and weight pop-up in Western mountains.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A-122 (no s or b or HW)
2008 Hyundai Entourage (minivan) with Equalizer WDH

[acadianbob]

I'd be surprised if the expense of changing vehicles came anywhere near being recovered by fuel savings. I think it comes down to 1) do you want a new vehicle, 2) do you need the room in the garage.

[kdot]

Fred, thanks for the quick answer.
Bob, the answers are: (1) not necessarily, and (2) yes.

kdot

[pgandw]

I suspect the actual tow weight on your A-frame is a lot closer to 3000lbs, and then only if you watch what you carry. My smallest Rockwood A-frame actual road weight is about 2700-2800 lbs (depends mainly on water carried).

Tongue weight is going to be (or should be) 400+ lbs. Not a big deal for a sturdy F-150. But check your tow ratings on any V-6 truck. In any case, you are going to need a minimum tow rating of 3500lbs, tongue rating of 450lbs, and payload for 450lbs of tongue weight. You will probably want WDH with that much tongue weight on a light duty truck. I would not tow my A-frame with my minivan without WDH - I have an E2 Equalizer 600/6000 setup.

Fred W

[kdot]

Thanks, Fred. Good considerations.

kdot

[Dsfast]

Made the change the other way from a Ford Ranger to an F150 Eco about 3years ago. I get better mileage with the F150 then I did with the Ranger and a lot more power. I changed due to my Ranger was getting miled,out and needed to be replaced.I would have gotten a new Ranger if Ford would still be making them.Doug

[Mr Havercamp]

Keep the Ford as its payload capacity is golden compared to a Tacoma.

Park it outside and you have room in the garage, it won't melt.

[Jacink]

We have the QHW212 which is just under 3000 and we pull it with the Nissan four-door four-wheel-drive V6 frontier and it pulls 6000 pounds more than the Toyota Tacoma I am super happy with the performance

[kdot]

Jacink, thanks for the reply. What kind of mileage are you getting when towing your A-frame with the Frontier?

kdot

[Jacink]

Normally gets 19 to 22 drops down to 16 and 18 while pulling the camper with the bed of the truck fully loaded with firewood and our drink coolers.
We have gone from Clermont Florida to Black rock Mountain Georgia near Clayton on one and a half tanks that was close to 640 miles. I would have bought a Toyota Tacoma but the dealer was really nasty wouldn't unlock the door for me to sit in it to compare unless I give them a copy of my drivers license a copy of my insurance card and two forms of reference with phone numbers.
I'm 58 years old with my wife and a dog what did he think, that I was going to steal.

[aceinspp]

Originally Posted by Jacink

I would have bought a Toyota Tacoma but the dealer was really nasty wouldn't unlock the door for me to sit in it to compare unless I give them a copy of my drivers license a copy of my insurance card and two forms of reference with phone numbers.
I'm 58 years old with my wife and a dog what did he think, that I was going to steal.

That's a good one never heard of that being done just to sit in a truck. Only in FL I guess. Later RJD

[kdot]

(Quote:That's a good one never heard of that being done just to sit in a truck. Only in FL I guess. Later RJD)

Aceinspp, I've got one for you. When I discovered the leak in my toilet water hose under the trailer, I tried to get it fixed on warranty at an RV dealer in Wisconsin Rapids, WI, the same one from whom we had purchased our 5th wheel. Even though the hose was a warranty item, they refused to repair it unless I paid $150 up front "for anything that might come up later." She said "we don't make our money doing repairs; we make it selling RVs." We didn't buy our A213HW there because they don't sell them. I assumed that Forest River's new RV warranty would be good at any Forest River dealer. Obviously, I will never purchase another RV from that dealer. I ended up doing the repair myself as it wasn't all that hard.

dot

[Jacink]

We actually bought our QHBW212 in Tucker Georgia at Pecos Campers because they were cheaper by $2800 and when we got there from Clermont Florida to take possession it had a little dent on the upper part of the door they said they would cover it under warranty and discounted another $500 off the $2800. And they would send the upper part of the door when it came in down to The dealer here in Florida to have it repaired. Three weeks later I got a call from the dealer from Leesburg said no charge bring it in. Now that was service, and I will buy from Pecos Campers that is now Campers Inn for our next one I even got a call from Forest River asking about the repair if I was happy with it.

[Jerry Pergande]

After reading all the responses I'm questioning on pulling my newly acquired a122s (dry weight less than 1900 lbs) with my 2013 Ford Escape with the 2.0 turbo boost. Tow rating 3500lbs. I appreciate any opinions. Is sway bars necessary with this unit?

[DobeFanatic]

I tow with a 2005 Chrysler Town n Country 3.5 L with tow package, getting 17.1 mpg. Got me through the hills, long grades of W Va and VA past two weeks, no issues.

[pgandw]

Originally Posted by Jerry Pergande

After reading all the responses I'm questioning on pulling my newly acquired a122s (dry weight less than 1900 lbs) with my 2013 Ford Escape with the 2.0 turbo boost. Tow rating 3500lbs. I appreciate any opinions. Is sway bars necessary with this unit?

Unfortunately, dry weight means less than nothing. It's deceiving and will never be achieved in real life.

There should be a yellow sticker somewhere that lists the actual weight as it left the factory (it will be several hundred pounds heavier than the dry weight). You also need the max gross weight - which is the published maximum weight the trailer should be when fully loaded. Your towing weight should be somewhere between the two, depending on much stuff you pack into the camper, and how much weight the dealer added on in extras and options.

From what I have seen from those who have actually weighed their a-frames in camping condition at a truck scale, your real tow weight will be somewhere around 2600 - 3000+ lbs. With that front stowage locker, you can really add weight, although I believe Forest River claims stuff in the front locker should be less than 150lbs.

With a Ford Escape, I would add a combination weight distributing hitch and anti-sway. This, when adjusted, will stop your Escape's rear end from sagging, and prevent sway. I use an Equalizer E2 hitch for both WDH and anti-sway - works very nicely on my Hyundai Entourage minivan.

From everything I have read, the EB engine will give better torque and power than a standard V6. Your gas mileage while towing won't be any better than a V6 (15-19 mpg, depending a lot of factors).

But you won't know until you try. I would also make a very concerted effort to keep your A122s weight as towed below 3000lb. A trip to the truck scale loaded up for camping will be very enlightening and worth the time and a few bucks.

Fred W
2014 Rockwood A122 a-frame
2008 Hyundai Entourage (minivan)
camping Colorado and adjacent states one weekend at a time

[Jerry Pergande]

Thanks for all the information. Your response went well beyond what I expected. Thanks again.
Jerry