I took my 2015 F-250 4x4 6.2L V8 and trailer out for the first time this year. Truck has 15,200 miles on it and it is due for an oil change and tire rotation (right at the 5,000 mile mark). No check engine lights on at all.Gas mileage last year was 8-9 MPG towing 7500# (loaded) Jayco 29QBH.On this trip I averaged 6.2 MPG. (Hand calculated)Only things different from this year to last year:* Filled 1 30 lb propane cylinder* Trucks tires have 65 psi pressure in them compared to 60 psi last year.* I changed the air filter in the truck 2 weeks ago.I am looking for some ideas/thoughts on why my mileage has dropped so much. I understand that there are a number of factors such as wind, etc, but this just doesn't feel right and the truck seems to lack some power.TIA!!!

Variations could be caused by wind resistance. If you were driving directly into a strong wind, your mileage will drop. A strong tail wind, your mileage improves.Another factor is hills. Were you driving flat land vs hills or mountains. And the next factor is how many times you came to a complete stop and had to start moving forward again. Every start from a dead stop (like stop lights) absolutely kills fuel mileage ..... ESPECIALLY when towing. So if you did a lot of towing in a town or city environment, that will absolutely tear up your mileage.

One trip comparison? Do two or three more but is mileage ok not towing?

Hard to conclude anything from just 1 trip. As mentioned it could be just wind.Take a few more trips before you make any judgements

A dirty air filter can greatly impact your available power and make a truck/car feel "not right". Add in different environmentals and there you go.

Were you traveling west? That always kills mileage due to the wind. Whenever I head west my mileage suffers on my way home it improves. Also were you still running winter blend fuel? That will impact mileage. Lots of variables.

F-250 Towing Mileage Reduced by 25% | Good Sam Community

DutchmenSport
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
Variations could be caused by wind resistance. If you were driving directly into a strong wind, your mileage will drop. A strong tail wind, your mileage improves.

Another factor is hills. Were you driving flat land vs hills or mountains. And the next factor is how many times you came to a complete stop and had to start moving forward again. Every start from a dead stop (like stop lights) absolutely kills fuel mileage ..... ESPECIALLY when towing. So if you did a lot of towing in a town or city environment, that will absolutely tear up your mileage.
Lwiddis
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2017
One trip comparison? Do two or three more but is mileage ok not towing?
Lantley
Nomad
Apr 30, 2017
Hard to conclude anything from just 1 trip. As mentioned it could be just wind.Take a few more trips before you make any judgements
RedRocket204
Explorer
Apr 30, 2017
A dirty air filter can greatly impact your available power and make a truck/car feel "not right". Add in different environmentals and there you go.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Apr 30, 2017
Were you traveling west? That always kills mileage due to the wind. Whenever I head west my mileage suffers on my way home it improves. Also were you still running winter blend fuel? That will impact mileage. Lots of variables.
Slowmover
Explorer
Jun 09, 2017
On both vehicles:

Alignment
Brake drag
Tire pressure

On TT:

Bearing preset

On TV

Fuel & Air Delivery

On lash up:

Set WDH at CAT Scale. Obtain good numbers using three pass method. Use this as baseline. I've seen changes of 20% after rectifying.

As to testing:

Use crruise control for consistency. Avoid lane changing, and keep speed below 64. Commercial traffic moves at this speed and higher. Don't mix with commercial traffic or today's ultra-idiot four wheelers.

Be very consistent trip to trip.
BenK
Explorer
Jun 09, 2017
Check when your area switches from Winter blend to Summer Blend fuel...

Always see a difference in MPG and during the switch, the computer has to re-learn HOW2 manage it

Main thing is: RVP, or Reid Vapor Pressure and alcohol content also varies from state to state, region to region and city to city
IHnutz
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017
BenK wrote:
Check when your area switches from Winter blend to Summer Blend fuel...

Always see a difference in MPG and during the switch, the computer has to re-learn HOW2 manage it

Main thing is: RVP, or Reid Vapor Pressure and alcohol content also varies from state to state, region to region and city to city

X2
rklavoon
Explorer
Jun 10, 2017
Update: Mileage seems to have "normalized". I either got a bad tank of gas, or the stations were still using Winter blend fuel in April.

I went Buffalo to Monroe Michigan and got 7.9 MPG and then back (tailwind) and got 8.5. This is closer to what I have been seeing.

I met a guy at the campground that that the exact same truck and trailer as me, same size family, etc and he was getting 11.5 MPG towing 8,000 lbs (6.2L gas engine).....not sure how he was accomplishing that.
Bobbo
Explorer II
Jun 10, 2017
Were you going faster? On my previous MH, at 60 mph I got 9 mpg, at 70 mph I got 6 mpg.

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