Fuel Ecomony - Towing
Currently I am towing a 28ft travel trailer with a 2014 Silverado 1500, 6.2 liter gas and 3.42:1 rear end. The trailer weighs about 7,500 lb. Loaded for shorter trips, the trailer axles and rear truc...
Forum Discussion
Engine fuel type will make a difference.
- Diesel will get better MPG but at higher up front cost and more cost per gallon...largely negates any cost efficiency benefits. For a 7500lb trailer, diesel is nice but way overkill.
- Gas...I would expect similar. We have an F250 with V10 and and similar size trailer. Our long term average is a just under 10 MPG.
Where a 1/2ton truck can hold an advantage is when not towing. Some of the newer 1/2 ton drivetrain options can get north of 22-24mpg (if you are easy on the throttle). But once you hook up the trailer, those smaller displacement engines have to put out the big HP needed for towing and you wind up with pretty much the same towing MPG.
For most people better than 90% of miles are not towing, so as long as the other ratings are sufficient, a 1/2 ton can be a good option. Problem is 1/2 ton trucks have ratings that are all over the place. Most will be at or near their limits with a 7500lb trailer. It wouldn't be uncommon for many to be over their ratings. Watch the payload ratings closely as that's often the limitation.
The 3/4 ton trucks automatically come with bigger V8 engines, so 14-16MPG not towing is pretty typical not towing. On the positive side, even the weakest will have plenty of payload for a 7500lb trailer.
You might also keep an eye out for a SRW(Single Rear Wheel) 1 ton. They cost almost the same as a 3/4 ton but have a bit more payload. Otherwise, they are nearly identical.
- Diesel will get better MPG but at higher up front cost and more cost per gallon...largely negates any cost efficiency benefits. For a 7500lb trailer, diesel is nice but way overkill.
- Gas...I would expect similar. We have an F250 with V10 and and similar size trailer. Our long term average is a just under 10 MPG.
Where a 1/2ton truck can hold an advantage is when not towing. Some of the newer 1/2 ton drivetrain options can get north of 22-24mpg (if you are easy on the throttle). But once you hook up the trailer, those smaller displacement engines have to put out the big HP needed for towing and you wind up with pretty much the same towing MPG.
For most people better than 90% of miles are not towing, so as long as the other ratings are sufficient, a 1/2 ton can be a good option. Problem is 1/2 ton trucks have ratings that are all over the place. Most will be at or near their limits with a 7500lb trailer. It wouldn't be uncommon for many to be over their ratings. Watch the payload ratings closely as that's often the limitation.
The 3/4 ton trucks automatically come with bigger V8 engines, so 14-16MPG not towing is pretty typical not towing. On the positive side, even the weakest will have plenty of payload for a 7500lb trailer.
You might also keep an eye out for a SRW(Single Rear Wheel) 1 ton. They cost almost the same as a 3/4 ton but have a bit more payload. Otherwise, they are nearly identical.
