Gas mileage -- Expedition

[RACarvalho]

Originally Posted by joinco70

Wow! What do you think your average speed is? I'm coming to the conclusion that speed is the biggest factor.

Speed is THE factor in fuel consumption.

We drove 4400 miles - Indiana to Nevada and back - and averaged 10.7 mpg including going up the continental divide in Denver, CO.
Riding at 50 mph would give me 12-13 mpg...
I'm riding an I6 3.0 and got the same average most V8's get...
About the shape of the trailer: CamAm did a testing on this some time ago and the result was that a more aerodynamic front can improve fuel consumption in 12%, but hybrids with a front bunk will never have a sloped front.

[bikendan]

Originally Posted by rockfordroo

WOW. I pulled my Roo 19 with a Traverse (3.6L) and got 9 mpg. I pulled it with a 2009 Silverado (5.3L, 3.73) and got 9 mpg. And that's in the flat midwest.

I'm having a hard time believing 13-14.

x2

[cheeseheadjim]

X3



2017 Shamrock 23IKSS
2011 Ram 1500

[Rodski]

I tow a 21DK with a 2013 Explorer - Average anywhere from 8.5 - 10 mpg, depending on which way the wind is blowing.

[thomsonr]

I've done a lot of testing and the only way to increase mpg is to stick to secondary roads and keep the speed down to 90km (55) or so. If I do that here in Canada I can sometimes get 15mpg. Otherwise on the highway,it's 8-10 mpg.

I like the scenic routes but unfortunately nobody else in the family does.

[joinco70]

Originally Posted by thomsonr

I've done a lot of testing and the only way to increase mpg is to stick to secondary roads and keep the speed down to 90km (55) or so. If I do that here in Canada I can sometimes get 15mpg. Otherwise on the highway,it's 8-10 mpg.

I like the scenic routes but unfortunately nobody else in the family does.

It's good to know it's at least possible to up the MPG. However, I found when given the choice between shaving a considerable amount of time off of a long trip and saving on gas money, it's hard to slow down with a car full of kids!

[Old Eeyore]

As has already been said - I've found that speed is the primary factor in mpg.

So it pretty much comes down to stopping less frequently or listening to my DW complaining about how long it's taking to get across Kansas. . .

FWIW: Higher octain gas has never improved mpg for us - probably for reasons already explained above - but it has helped with performance in the mountains. (My DW judges that by the frequency and severity of the cussing at the TV on long and winding up grades. . . )