Horrible Gas mileage
Ok.. so I know fuel mileage is probably the biggest shock most RV'ers experience, shortly after they shell out the big bucks for their rig. I have a 2011 GMC Silverado, short bed, 5.3L, 3.73 gears, towing a 2014 Tracer 2640RLS, trailer loaded is 5880 lbs. I also know that weight is not the determining factor for fuel mileage, it is the huge sail we are all pulling behind us.
So, I was hoping to get 10 MPG, but realized I probably wouldn't. My first trip out was quasi-hilly, and I managed just under 9MPG. Folks.. don't pay attention to the computer when it tells you the gas mileage. It lies! It said just about 10, and as I say, it was just under 9.
Last two times out, and much more level roads, I couldn't break 8MPG. This last trip I did a combination of towing and just regular driving, and managed a whopping 8.25MPG in combo driving.
The truck doesn't really struggle with the trailer, and everything is set up right in terms of weight distribution etc... Again, I know it's the sail/parachute Im hauling behind me. But, now I can't help but wonder if I ought to consider either (a) a diesel, or (b) a larger gas truck. Maybe a 3/4 ton gas or diesel. Friends of ours have a larger trailer, and with their F250 diesel, they are getting 12 MPG. Realizing diesel is higher cost than gas, I figured on my recent trips, diesel would have cost me 20 cents a mile, and gas 25 cents a mile (cost for a tank divided by the miles).
I just don't want to make a plunge for a new truck and find out I can't get any better gas mileage. I would prefer to stay gas, but if I bought a 3/4 ton gas truck and still struggled to get to 8MPG, it just wouldn't be worth it to me right now.
So, wondering what others are seeing gas mileage wise with 3/4 tons, pulling about a 6000 sail behind ya. And does struggling to get 8MPG sound right for a half ton?
Thanks in advance for any information or thoughts.
Mike
So, I was hoping to get 10 MPG, but realized I probably wouldn't. My first trip out was quasi-hilly, and I managed just under 9MPG. Folks.. don't pay attention to the computer when it tells you the gas mileage. It lies! It said just about 10, and as I say, it was just under 9.
Last two times out, and much more level roads, I couldn't break 8MPG. This last trip I did a combination of towing and just regular driving, and managed a whopping 8.25MPG in combo driving.
The truck doesn't really struggle with the trailer, and everything is set up right in terms of weight distribution etc... Again, I know it's the sail/parachute Im hauling behind me. But, now I can't help but wonder if I ought to consider either (a) a diesel, or (b) a larger gas truck. Maybe a 3/4 ton gas or diesel. Friends of ours have a larger trailer, and with their F250 diesel, they are getting 12 MPG. Realizing diesel is higher cost than gas, I figured on my recent trips, diesel would have cost me 20 cents a mile, and gas 25 cents a mile (cost for a tank divided by the miles).
I just don't want to make a plunge for a new truck and find out I can't get any better gas mileage. I would prefer to stay gas, but if I bought a 3/4 ton gas truck and still struggled to get to 8MPG, it just wouldn't be worth it to me right now.
So, wondering what others are seeing gas mileage wise with 3/4 tons, pulling about a 6000 sail behind ya. And does struggling to get 8MPG sound right for a half ton?
Thanks in advance for any information or thoughts.
Mike
