Are you happy with the size?
Of your travel trailer that is. I'm a new poster here and we're researching buying our first TT. Our main requirement is that we don't want to have to convert our table into a bed every night. So, ...
Forum Discussion
rbpru wrote:
There may be people that get 12 to 15 mpg. I have no reason to question their math.
SoundGuy wrote:
I do ... 'cause I'd like to know how they do it! :h If there's some magic potion out there that will allow anyone to consistently achieve 15+ miles to the US gallon while towing any full height trailer other than an Airstream with a gasser I'm sure we'd ALL like to know about it. Please, enlighten us! :p
TacoPuller wrote:
240mi/15.48 gal = 15.5mpg by my calculations. No magic potion. I drive at 60mph. a) This was at the end of the trip, so the trailer was empty (no fresh / gray/black), and we pack light so I estimate the weight to have been 3603 dry + clothing + paper plates. Maybe somewhere in the 3750+lb range. b)By 'full-height'...do you mean 11-13 feet? This is not a full-height trailer; it tops out at a maximum of 9'9" at the AC, and is a foot lower and streamlined in the front. c)This is Michigan (FLAT), so we were able to travel in overdrive (1900-2000 RPM) and the transmission doesn't hunt. I apologize if I implied that this was consistent mileage; it is not; it was simply a data point. In 4th gear at 2500 RPM, 11-12mpg has been consistent, though; the V6 seems to be happy with this setup. Keep in mind the truck normally gets 22mpg without the trailer, so at 50% below normal, this is still a big hit to our mpg. I used to get 10mpg towing our 5th wheel with a GMC, but it didn't get better than 12-13mpg when it wasn't attached which was why we bailed for the Tacoma. YMMV.
Happy Camping!
You bet, My Mileage Does Vary, and is not even close to 15+ miles to the US gallon, nor dare I say would it be for anyone save for running down a long mountain slope with the engine idling. :E Selecting just one particular run and referring to that as "fuel mileage" isn't realistic so it's helpful to know that your actual consistent mileage is really in the 11 - 12 mpg range, which is where the rest of us towing a trailer similar in size, weight, and height to yours are also getting. "Full height" trailer? - sure yours is full height, just as is mine ... anything that doesn't fold down or collapse for towing can be considered "full height" regardless of whether it's 9' or 12', the point is it's a barn door that's catching the wind and is the primary reason none of us will ever see 15+ mpg when towing one. I too consistently achieve 22 miles to the US gallon on the highway with our Avalanche when not towing and half that, ~ mid 11s, when towing our 19' Freedom Express which typically averages ~ 4500 lbs loaded and ready to camp - same as you, the difference being my Av's 5.3L V8 isn't working anywhere near as hard as your Taco's smaller displacement V6. ;)
