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rbpru's avatar
rbpru
Explorer II
Oct 30, 2017

Cold weather, cross winds equals 8.5 mph.

We decided to head down state for a quick trip it see the fall leaf colors along the Wabash River. The tree leaf colors at Clifty Falls State Park were well under way.

We left Northern Indiana with temperature in the low 40's and light rain. There were strong cross winds keeping the flags straight out and flapping rapidly. The wind speed was sustained an roughly 20 to 25 mph.

My normal towing mileage is 9.5 to 10.5 mpg. I always call it 10 mpg. Well between the richer fuel mixture these new fangled computers feed the engine and the sustained cross wind buffeting, we got 8.5 mpg.
This was on the flat ground at 55 to 60 mph.

The wind gusts were annoying and I was glad I have a lower profile tow behind 25 ft. TT; I am sure the folks with the higher profile 30+ foot 5vers have plenty of such tales to tell. :)

I though I would post this for the new folks to let them know that good gas mileage can be fleeting.

When we left Southern Indiana for home, it was mid 60s, calm but changing rapidly. We manages our typical 9.5 mpg but the last third of the trip was back to the 40's and rain we left in.

Maybe one of these times I will catch a good tale wind. :)

Enjoy the adventure.
  • djsamuel's avatar
    djsamuel
    Nomad
    Oct 31, 2017
    bobndot wrote:
    Maybe one of these times I will catch a good tale wind.


    Just deploy the awning :B


    Post of the week. :B
  • colliehauler's avatar
    colliehauler
    Explorer III
    Oct 31, 2017
    Actually cold weather makes air more dense, your engine should make more power.

    Number 1 windy state is Nebraska, Number 2 windy state is Kansas. Politicians don't count. LOL
  • rbpru's avatar
    rbpru
    Explorer II
    Oct 31, 2017
    You sure can't worry too much about gas mileage, it is too unpredictable. There are times when I am surprised or disappointed but over time 10 mpg has been a good average.
  • bobndot's avatar
    bobndot
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2017
    Maybe one of these times I will catch a good tale wind.


    Just deploy the awning :B
  • LVJJJ's avatar
    LVJJJ
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2017
    After stressing out about gas mileage when we first started RV'in in the '80's I've since figured out that if I'm going to enjoy the travel, I have to forget about it. except for once in a while to get a read on how the engine is performing, I just stick the nozzle in set the automatic fill thingy, and go wash the windshield or go buy something or head for the head. Once its full and kicked off, put the hose back and go on our way. The DW pays the bills, so since we use a gas credit card, I never know how much we've spent on gas and she doesn't care either, as long as we have enuff to get there, and back. I think the last time I checked it was about 9.5.

    I have time to do all three things while its filling cause the Suburban has a 42 gallon tank.
  • dodge_guy's avatar
    dodge_guy
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2017
    I always seem to have a headwind no matter where I go! Even coming back east from CO. It’s all downhill and the wind is from the west i still seem to have a head wind!!!!

    And FWIW I average 7.7mpg. Best is 8.5 worst is 6.5.
  • afidel's avatar
    afidel
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2017
    Yup, I average 11.5mpg towing but had one tank with a strong headwind in Florida last winter where we only got 8.5mpg and my trailer is tiny, 10' high, 7' wide and 18' long.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Oct 30, 2017
    After many years of towing trailers of all types, I don't remember ever having a good tail wind, going both directions. Yup, bucked head winds both directions often, and crosswinds both directions too. Towing is what it is, can be a challenge at times. Having too much truck is good, but more common, not enough truck.

    Happy towing,
    Jerry
  • SoundGuy's avatar
    SoundGuy
    Explorer
    Oct 30, 2017
    rbpru wrote:
    My normal towing mileage is 9.5 to 10.5 mpg. I always call it 10 mpg. Well between the richer fuel mixture these new fangled computers feed the engine and the sustained cross wind buffeting, we got 8.5 mpg.
    This was on the flat ground at 55 to 60 mph.


    Your thread title "8.5 mph" got me :W ... now I get it. :W I typically see 10.5 mpg towing our 4800 lb travel trailer with our '12 Silverado but often see as much as 12.5 mpg when I get a good tail wind ... regardless, I call it 10 mpg and calculate my costs based on that.
  • profdant139's avatar
    profdant139
    Explorer II
    Oct 30, 2017
    rbpru, the same thing (less than 9 mpg) has happened to me with a little 14 foot trailer and a bad headwind -- it's all about wind resistance.

    On the other hand, one time I was chased from Utah to Wyoming by a strong south tailwind and got 14.5 mpg at 60 mph -- woo hoo!

    I've often thought that there should be a way to plan a route so as to take advantage of favorable winds, the way sailing ships did in the old, old days. But I am too lazy to figure it out.

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