realistic MPG expectations
after some searching, I'm wondering what kind of mileage people are getting when towing. I know the frontal area of the trailer is a big factor, as far as wind resistance, even more so than weight. ...
Forum Discussion
FleaM35A2 wrote:
If you look at the CRD temperature gauge, though, you can peg the gauge and the engine temperature is still only 235*. I feel much more confident towing after learning that, because I can approach the red zone and still not be "overheating," just running hot.
Ryan:
The CRDs (mine at least) has an absolute maximum on the axles of almost 5800 lbs. Given the factory curb weight of 4300, that actually leaves about 1400 lbs to play with. My trailer above has a verified tongue weight loaded of just over 600 lbs. I don't usually travel with gear in the vehicle when I haul the camper; there's not much room for it anyways!
Edit to add: My 15.3 was done from the Tri-Cities area of Tennessee most recently to Myrtle Beach via Sam's Gap. Average speed was about 62 mph, which is where the Jeep and trailer felt most comfortable.
Didn't know that about the temp gauge, I figured riding on the red line was bad news, won't be doing much more towing with our CRD so probably will never get that high again.
Weights can vary based on options, with the Limited package ours is probably about as heavy as they come, I was going off "carrying capacity" on door jamb (1150#), which should be GVWR minus curb weight as built specific to MY CRD.
We averaged 14mpg over our whole trip from Minneapolis, MN to Custer SD and back home (I did a trip average, never did math on individual tanks), much of that was cruise set to 55mph on I90, and OD off to save wear on transmission, it was doing a lot of gear hunting up and down those rolling hills in SD and that would have just been hell on the torque converter. Most closer in-state trips have been 15MPG, pretty much dead nuts on.
