Forum Discussion

ng2951's avatar
ng2951
Explorer
Aug 08, 2016

Is there a calculator that can approximate the expected MPG

I know there are a number of variables, but is there a calculator that looks at a particular TV weight and TT weight and takes a guess wild guess at what an approximate MPG would be? It ought to take into account whether you are using gas or diesel.
  • I use calculator...miles divided by gallons, each fillup. At end of trip total miles div. By gallons for trip average. Gas 2500, Avg 9.5, towing only..gas motorhome, Ford V-10 always seemed to be 8.0. Doesn't seem to matter uphill, downhill. Tail wind will give a tad better on a fillup, headwind wind a little less. Speed 55-60.
  • Try dividing the gasoline used into the miles driven using an old school adding machine. Works every time.
  • There are far too many variables to easily calculate this. Average is 10. I get 10 with my current combo. I previously towed this trailer with a 2003 Trailblazer and I got 8. The same Trailblazer with a 17 ft hybrid and I got 11.
  • No there isn't. 10 is about the norm, some as little as 6, 12 if your pulling a popup. The weight of the TT doesn't matter as much as the speed you travel and the "frontal area". A larger TT then the one you have now won't make much difference unless it is a 5er with a larger frontal area.
  • 10 mpg is a good ballpark number. That's if you hold your speed to 60 and don't have a significant headwind. I've seen as low as 7 and as high as 14. But for budget purposes, we work with 10 mpg.