realistic MPG expectations

I think 8 mpg is realistic.

Set your expectations low. You'll be a lot happier if you get 10mpg when you budget for 8mpg than if you budgeted for 12mpg!

ryanw821 wrote:

danimal53 wrote:
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. What have others experiences been with mileage? What kind of mileage does your TV get when not towing, and what do you get when towing? I have a jeep liberty, towing a coachmen clipper 17bh with 3700lb max. We'll be going on a long trip next month, so I'll have a solid number for my average MPG then.

I used to tow a very similar configuration, Coachmen Viking 16FB towed with Jeep Liberty CRD (2.8L Diesel), we got about 15MPG, I assume your Liberty has the 3.7L Gas motor though, so I would imagine you would likely see in the ballpark of 10MPG towing.

EDIT: It took exactly one year for us to upgrade tow vehicles, we now tow with a Duramax Chevy 2500HD. Jeep did fine on the flats, and was within weights, but just barely. If you accumulate more passengers, gear, or plan on hilly/mountain trips, I doubt you will want to tow with that Jeep very much longer ;)

yes it is 3.7L gas, i was figuring about 10mpg. I get 21-22 highway, about 15-16 city. I'll be right around 55-60mph, not trying to break records.

It seems that people get between 8-12. With my old Trailblazer and 17 ft hybrid I got 12 if it wasn't windy.

With my current rig I get 10mpg with light wind, 8.5mpg in strong, 30mph+ winds. For longer trips I plan 9mpg for an average. This is towing at about 62/63 mph.

colliehauler wrote:
Another major factor is how fast you drive.

X2! Sweet spot for most folks is 60-63 mph. Much over that and mileage drops dramatically in most cases.

Another major factor is how fast you drive.

I get 14 mpg with my Highlander towing my Ascend RD17
bumpy

For travel cost estimating I always use 6 MPG. I actually get between 10 and 12 while towing but the 6 MPG allows for differences in fuel prices and weather or road conditions.

For example on a trip through South Dakota we hit a stretch of road that all of the asphalt had been removed for 20 miles. We had to follow a pilot car through a rutted dirt road at 20MPH, once we got through there we hit a headwind and by the time we reached a gas station we were nearly on empty. The fuel at the only station was $4.05 per gallon (at the time the stations in our area averaged $2.80 per gallon). I calculated on that 150 mile trip we averaged 3 MPG mostly due to the headwind. I actually watched the fuel gauge indicator move as the tank emptied.

You never know what you might have to deal with while on a long trip. It's good to have a cushion.

danimal53 wrote:
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. What have others experiences been with mileage? What kind of mileage does your TV get when not towing, and what do you get when towing? I have a jeep liberty, towing a coachmen clipper 17bh with 3700lb max. We'll be going on a long trip next month, so I'll have a solid number for my average MPG then.

I used to tow a very similar configuration, Coachmen Viking 16FB towed with Jeep Liberty CRD (2.8L Diesel), we got about 15MPG, I assume your Liberty has the 3.7L Gas motor though, so I would imagine you would likely see in the ballpark of 10MPG towing.

EDIT: It took exactly one year for us to upgrade tow vehicles, we now tow with a Duramax Chevy 2500HD. Jeep did fine on the flats, and was within weights, but just barely. If you accumulate more passengers, gear, or plan on hilly/mountain trips, I doubt you will want to tow with that Jeep very much longer ;)

My 2011 E-boost F-150 4x4 gets 15 mpg around town. With no TT I get 18 to 20 mpg on the flat with the cruise set at 65 mph. Pulling a 5000 lb TT, I get 10 mpg at 60 mph on the flat.

Hills, wind, city towing etc. and it will drop to 8 to 9 mpg.

If you figure 10 mpg you will be close.