The elusive 10 mpg.

rbpru wrote:
We just finished a 4 week 4500 mile trip to the Everglades and back. I have an F-150 with Eco-Boost pulling a 5000 lb. 26 ft. Dutchmen Lite. Even though we travel light the total TV and TT load was about 14,000 lb.

The towing was fine, the occasional Semi wind bump and 35 mph cross wind gusts were annoying but not troublesome.

My goal was to get 10 mpg at 60 to 65 mph. The majority of my driving was interstate. Unfortunately, both coming and going we had 10 to 15 mph crosswinds.

Going down to FL I averaged 9.8 mpg. using 87 octane gas. Coming home I used 89 octane gas and got 10.1 mpg. (The owner manual mentioned improved performance with 89 octane.) However, with a 20 cents per gallon cost differential, if you do the math, the 89 octane cost more per mile.

So, as had been posted on the forum before; a ½ ton pulling a 5000 lb. trailer can expect to get about 9 ½ to 10 mpg. at 60 to 65 mph. proved to be true.

I'm trying to figure out what in the world your cargo is. The truck weighs what, maybe 6000 lb? And you say the TT is 5000 lb. If your total load is 14000, that makes for about 3000 lb of STUFF! :E

The only way to save big money on fuel is to stay home. Since that's not an option (!), the next best thing is downsizing. Most people who own molded fiberglass trailers 13' to 17' long can tow them with V6 engines (sometimes even 4-bangers) and typically get about 15-16 mpg. Beyond that option, the best alternative is to try not to think about the fuel bill too much!