2018 EXPLORER MPG WHILE TOWING

Oasisbob wrote:
Thanks guys. It is what it is. Wish it had a larger fuel tank. Happy Trails ya all

Yeah - I have a 2016 Explorer with the V6. I don't tow with it as it is my daily driver work vehicle. But I can say it has a ridiculously small fuel tank. What was Ford thinking? It's the smallest gas tank I have ever had on an SUV...

As a side note, I wouldn't tow with mine, I think it would kill the transmission, but that's just the way I feel about it. It struggles going up steep hills with no load.

Thanks guys. It is what it is. Wish it had a larger fuel tank. Happy Trails ya all

Small gas motor with the wind resistance of a hybrid, I don't think I"d expect much better. We used to tow a pop up with a Pilot that had a 3.5 and we got 14ish but that was lower and wasn't dragging the wind.

The only tow vehicles that get decent mileage are diesel and decent is relative.

I have a 13 limited 3.5 N/A. Highest highway mileage I’ve seen was 22. The only towing I have done with it was my 3 place snowmobile trailer so this was winter in single digits, but it was 8! The only time I have towed in warm weather was a 6X12 U haul with a couch in it, I got 12.
My 12 Chrysler 300 with the Hemi gets better mileage than it.

I've got a 13 F150 with the 3.5 EcoBoost (twin turbo version) and I get 20 mpg's with it on flat, straight hwy runs keeping it below 70 mph.

When towing, it drops to around 9-10 mpg at best.

I know you said you don't have the turbos, but that sounds kinda low all around for a smaller, lighter rig as yours compared to my #6000 truck when it's empty.

Maybe those Exploders are heavier than I think they are?

Good luck! Mitch