Just curious......

9-11 while towing

We got 9-11 MPG pulling the Dart with a 4L Frontier.
Now, with the Silverado, 10-13. With 8 more gallons of gas, not as many gas stops.

Well, those of you with big trucks and big trailers probably think that if you went smaller, you'd get better mileage, right?

Nope. I have a Tacoma 4 liter and a tiny 12 foot trailer, and I get around 10 mpg, just like the big guys.

The problem is wind resistance, rather than length or weight. To use an often-quoted analogy, it's like towing a 4x8 piece of plywood perpendicular to the direction of travel.

I have decided that bad MPG is just the price of admission -- no way to avoid it. The good news is that due to the bad mileage, I have to stop every couple of hours for gas. That means a bathroom break!!

I'm with bucky . . ..

All 3 of my diesels have produced around 8-9-10 depending on terrain, speed and conditions while pulling 15k to 16.5k fivers

*****. There was this one time coming home from Indiana that I had a 35-40mph tail wind... It was blowing HARD. There were times I was up over 13-14 on flat roads staying at 60..

The problem is my foot hurts at 60..... :B

Lot of fishing stories on here. Like a campfire that is, blowing smoke.
I've had 3 diesel trucks towing a 30 foot Jayco TT and 2 tall 5ers.
All 3 have gotten 10 mpg regardless of hills or wind speed and direction and we've been up some big hills.
If you want to toodle along at 50 mph on the interstates you can do better of course.
It doesn't really matter of course cause be all love doing it.

scbwr wrote:
Never had a diesel truck, but over time, I came to this conclusion re tow vehicles and towing. All you can do is make sure your truck is running properly and up to specs. After that, any checking of gas mileage is only good for monitoring any change that could be indicative of a problem. Otherwise, ignore the mileage as it's never that good when you are pulling a trailer with flat surface areas that create so much drag and resistance. There are no "miracle cures". The only thing you can do is keep your speed down, manage gear shifts where applicable, accelerate gently when possible and keep the truck in top condition. Aside from that, fill the tank when necessary and just enjoy the ride!

One more thing. When towing, no matter which direction you're headed, it's into the wind!
It seems I can recall bucking nasty head winds a hundred times, but only remember a good tail wind 3 times! Lol

I tow a Puma 25RS with a 2007 Cheverolet PU with a 5.3 Engine. The average mpg runs at 10-13. Not towing the trailer on the interstate it averages about 20-22 MPG. Pulling my utility trailer with a load...about 16 mpg average. It looks like everyone is getting about the same.

Tow my 31 foot Jayco, 7000 pound with a Excursion. On level ground 10-11. On hills 8-9. Excursion empty about 14-15.

About 11.5-12.

Never had a diesel truck, but over time, I came to this conclusion re tow vehicles and towing. All you can do is make sure your truck is running properly and up to specs. After that, any checking of gas mileage is only good for monitoring any change that could be indicative of a problem. Otherwise, ignore the mileage as it's never that good when you are pulling a trailer with flat surface areas that create so much drag and resistance. There are no "miracle cures". The only thing you can do is keep your speed down, manage gear shifts where applicable, accelerate gently when possible and keep the truck in top condition. Aside from that, fill the tank when necessary and just enjoy the ride!