MPG and RPM Question for Chevy truck-New RVers

Agree with previous posters, try slowing down. No need to race to the destination.

Trailer weight isn't the biggest factor, it's the air resistance - both truck and trailer pushing it out of the way up front and then the vacuum behind trying to pull you back.

That mileage for a 1/2 ton gas V8 is about right especially towing a trailer that heavy. The RPM stated is also accurate unless driving on flat level ground. I had a 1/2 ton CrewMax with the 5.7 and full tow package. Towing my 28RL I got 8 MPG if I was lucky, and the slightest grade it was 2800-3000 RPM to maintain speed.

I have now graduated to a 2018 RAM 3/4 with the 6.7 Cummins. What a difference all the way around.

I just returned from trip to Florida where the trip computer reported MPG in the 7-8 range. I do drive near 70 MPH. I have the 5.7 liter Hemi and 3.90 rear end gears. RPM runs 2,000 when things are easy and runs in 5th gear(OD)and I will shift down to 4th (no OD) when going up a hill before losing too much speed and RPM will jump to 3,000-3,500. If you have a 5.3 liter engine and 3:55 gears you will spend more time in a lower gear raising the RPM and lowering gas mileage. My trailer weight is about the same as yours. The only cure if all that is true is to lower your speed so there is less air pushing on the front of the trailer. Good gas mileage and pulling a trailer are opposing goals.

While you don't want to lug your engine, you are running more rpm than should be necessary. What speed what gear are you running in? It seems to me, that you are pushing a smaller truck engine harder, to make up for a fair sized trailer.

Most late model gas trucks get 8-10 mpg, towing an average size trailer.

Jerry

Welcome to the life!
Yep, Ford Ram Chevy Nissan Toyota, pretty much all of the get really sucky gas mileage. You might want to start saving for a little higher capacity truck too.
Time will tell.
Happy travels!

I don't have a Chevy. but that IS pretty dismal mileage.

You might want to post additional details of your vehicle like engine, gear ratio, weight of tow vehicle, oversized tires, lifts and other non factory mods.

Also details of speeds you are running/maintaining, terrain like hills, mountains, grades and even wind condition.

You do need to realize you ARE NOT going to run the "Indy 500" with this combination, it is extremely long, heavy and is like dragging several tons of cement blocks behind you without wheels..

You may be simply trying to hard to "maintain" too high of speeds and stomping on the gas pedal too hard..

SLOW DOWN, lighten up on the go pedal..

Jack rabbit starts also will make you guzzle fuel, you are not going to win any off the line speed records with this size of trailer..

I get 9.5-10.1 MPG with 7%-8% grades in mountains with 26ft 7K trailer and have done that with 2003 F250 5.4 (lethargic 265 HP 2V), 2006 F250 with 5.4 (3V 300 HP) and 2013 F250 with 6.2 (385 HP) all of those had 3.73 axles..