Best towing vehicles for best MPGs

I get around 30mpg

My RAM 1500 with V6, topper and eight speed transmission.


Returned 26.3 mpg on our last almost 3000 mile trip using Regular Gasoline.


Not Towing!
It's only rated to tow 4950 lbs. We are looking at 3500 to 4500 GVW, TT's.

There are always many who can't wait to jump into any question about MPG and RV-ing to say you should not be asking about or trying to improve MPG. I really don't know what motivates them. It's almost like it's envy or guilt or something. They always say one dieter in a household of overweight people will be sabotaged by the others, who can't stand to see the person succeed. Or one drinker or smoker trying to quit, etc. Why it should bother some people here that others would like to get better MPG is beyond me.


As others have said, for the most part, diesel engine is a starting point. Then match vehicle to the trailer size. A diesel pickup truck with a less than full frontal profile trailer would give good results. It's really not about weight. It's about aerodynamics. Anecodotal evidence and common sense suggests Airstream trailers do better than boxy ones. The best MPG diesel pickups seem to be Dodge 5.9L models. You'd need to do your research to find which vintages are best overall. They'd be very-used trucks at this point.

I too have read of great results from people towing with VW Toureg diesels. Apparently it's not approved by VW USA, but it is in Europe. So some owners have taken the bull by the horns and just done it. And are happy.

Lastly I would suggest if you are really into it, check out the forums at www.ecomodder.com . A lot of the content is way far out, but there are discussions about RV trailer towing MPG.

I've read good reports about the VW diesel Touareg with mid sized trailers (<5K lbs).

I average mid-30's towing with my EcoBoost Fiesta. It pulls great even with 2,000 pounds of trailer. A small teardrop would probably be a great match.

my best mileage was

1986 Honda Goldwing 1200 with a combi-camp pop up camper... 33 miles per gallon average. and trailer did have electric brakes, I installed.

1987 to 2000... this rig I put over 50,000 miles... bike total was 80k...

Forget about RV'ing and good mileage.
Wrong past-time.
You will enjoy it a lot more when you relax and accept the fact that if you are going to tow a trailer, you are going to use lots of fuel.

Big truck and little trailer.
Pulled my friend's 8' popup with my sig truck and had 2 dirt bikes in the back. Got 17mpg running 70 and passed everything we caught up to.
With my sig trailer I get around 12 at 60-65.

Actually best is in the eye of the beholder.
Be sure to pick a TV that has sufficient capacity to not be overloaded or overworked by the intended load. Skimping on size/HP/torque just to save 1-2 MPG when not towing will cost you a check of a lot more when towing.

I was always impressed with the older Astro/Safari Vans. I used to get 20mpg
when not towing and it dropped down to 16-17 mpg when hauling a 19ft TT.

Since then I have upgraded to a 24ft TT with a Dodge and now a Chevy van both with the V8 engines. 11mpg is the expected economy.