Gas mileage

I am getting about 9 MPG when pulling my 2014 Keystone Bullet 285RLS 30 ft TT.. Weight is 5600 lbs ( ultralite) Normal MPG with my 97 Ford Expedition 5.4L V8 is 16. I cruise about 60. So almost drops in half.. Sounds like 9 is about the norm with a TT over 5000 lbs. Glad I have a 30 gal tank. If you have a big concern of being under 10 MPG, get a pop up! They weigh usually under 2000. Good luck!

Not always half, it depends on how slick the tow vehicle was before you hooked up a big box behind it.

My big boxy van gets 15-16 MPG at highway speeds not towing, drops to 9-10 MPG towing. A relative with the same drivetrain in a F-150 crew cab, slightly higher gearing, got 18-19 towing, dropped to 9-10 MPG towing. I suspect if you got a slicker, more modern pickup with six speed automatic capable of 20-22 on the highway, you would still be close to 9-10 MPG with the same trailer.

Quite pleased with my new/used Dodge 5.9 diesel. I have so far averaged 17 MPG from Vancouver BC to Guanajuato, Mexico, pulling a 25 ft 7000 lb (loaded) trailer. Mileage improved in Mexico since it is not ULSD down here.

Most Fords get double that mileage. :-) Actually, 7-11 mpg is the range for most us who actually do the calculations.

Cardo, I pull my 24 ft. TT with a 2014 F-150. It has Ecoboost, as does mbopp, and I too get about 9.5 miles per gallon. In hill country it drops to 9 and on flat highway it goes up to 10 mpg.

I hope this helps you and wish you the very best in the camping experience.

I agree that wind resistance is the major factor towing a full size TT. It's an 8 foot by 8 foot parachute, and no matter what you drag it with, you are going to get between 8 and 15 depending on how fast you go and whether you are gas or diesel. Also, whether you have a headwind or a tail wind.

I've had two diesels, and the worst I've gotten is 9, but that was towing into a 50 mph headwind (I'll never do that again!) and the best was 16, with a tail wind and going slow. And yes, both of them get around twice the mileage when not towing.

I have tracked my towing only mileage for 21,000 miles now and am at 8.41. Wind makes the most difference in mileage from one day to the next. The elevation changes tend to average out.

About the norm from my experience. I notice no difference hauling my harley on a trailer. I go from 15-18 just the truck down to an avg of 9 with the TT. Less if I'm in a hurry and push 75-80 on the interstate. Normally I try to keep it between 60-65.

Your mpg when towing is pretty typical for any gasser tow vehicle pulling a 11'-12' tall brick down the road. When truck manufacturers tout there towing capacities they are using boats or other more aerodynamic loads and not 12' tall RVs with tongue or pin weights that quickly exceed payload capacity well before towing capacity is reached. Driving slower is the only sure way to increase towing mpg, but I don't fret about it much as it is just the price we all have to pay to enjoy the RVing lifestyle.

Last truck, '10 Chevy 1500 5.3/6spd/3.42 combo, about 17ish on the hwy, about 13ish pulling our 10' R&R clamshell snowmobile trailer with 2 sleds, about 8-10 pulling the tt!

Current '13 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 we get maybe 14ish hwy, about 10 pulling our 12' Sled Shed clamshell snowmobile trailer, and 8ish pulling the tt.

I noticed a difference when pulling our old '87 Yellowstone that had the "non flat" back wall compared to our then new to us '01 Dutchmen with a flat back wall. Even that made a 1-2mpg difference it seemed, depending on speed.

Or comparing our snowmobile trailers. The R&R has a very short back wall compared to the new Sled Shed trailer, which has room for the backrest on a 2up sled. I think this helps a little, similar to slowing down while traveling.

I mention this to compare like towing your boat is better mileage as mentioned. Lower overall height, probably the v of the bow helps as well.

But as posted, no matter what you do, you are still towing a rolling brick down the road!

Enjoy the travels.