We are looking at a Ram Laramie 1500 with 5.7 HEMI MDS engine. Manufacturer says mpg is 17 city and 21 hwy. We will be towing a trailer about 6500 pounds. Anyone have ANY clue what kind of mileage we can expect? We are currently getting 7 in our 24 year old truck. Our goal is to improve at least 50% on that. HELP

The trailer is 6500 pounds dry or wet and loaded? What’s the truck’s max payload and max trailer weight?My TT is 5200 pounds wet and loaded. My 2015 Tahoe sometimes got 12 MPG but mostly 10 to 10.5. My new Silverado does about the same. You won’t do as well at 6500 pounds minimum. You may need a new truck but don’t justify the purchase on saving gasoline.

So much depends on where you are driving and your habits. You are in California, do you stay on I-5 or venture into the mountains? Do you try to maintain legal highway speed under all conditions? 17 is under perfect scenario with a professionally trained driver and not representative of everyday driving.

8-10 when it's hilly and maybe 13 on the flats if you keep it under 65mph per a 10 min Google search of various forums.

My coworker gets 14mpg daily mixed driving non towing and averages 8.5mpg towing a similar size trailer on flat terrain.. I think you’re dreaming if you think you’re going to get over 10mpg towing. The MDS will never kick in while towing.

Ram Laramie 5.7 HEMI towing MGP | Good Sam Community

Lwiddis
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2019
The trailer is 6500 pounds dry or wet and loaded? What’s the truck’s max payload and max trailer weight?

My TT is 5200 pounds wet and loaded. My 2015 Tahoe sometimes got 12 MPG but mostly 10 to 10.5. My new Silverado does about the same. You won’t do as well at 6500 pounds minimum. You may need a new truck but don’t justify the purchase on saving gasoline.
romore
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2019
So much depends on where you are driving and your habits. You are in California, do you stay on I-5 or venture into the mountains? Do you try to maintain legal highway speed under all conditions? 17 is under perfect scenario with a professionally trained driver and not representative of everyday driving.
1320Fastback
Explorer
Sep 18, 2019
8-10 when it's hilly and maybe 13 on the flats if you keep it under 65mph per a 10 min Google search of various forums.
camp-n-family
Explorer
Sep 18, 2019
My coworker gets 14mpg daily mixed driving non towing and averages 8.5mpg towing a similar size trailer on flat terrain.. I think you’re dreaming if you think you’re going to get over 10mpg towing.

The MDS will never kick in while towing.
dodge_guy
Explorer II
Sep 18, 2019
between 8 and 9, closer to 8.
Hondavalk
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2019
dodge guy wrote:
between 8 and 9, closer to 8.

X2
parker_rowe
Explorer
Sep 19, 2019
dodge guy wrote:
between 8 and 9, closer to 8.

I agree as well. Just about any gas truck will get these numbers pulling a full height travel trailer.

If you get better, then that's great. But expect around 8 going in and you shouldn't be disappointed.
Dave_H_M
Explorer II
Sep 19, 2019
dodge guy wrote:
between 8 and 9, closer to 8.

Now we are getting into the ball park!
prichardson
Explorer
Sep 19, 2019
Trailer frontal shape and towing speed are as big of factors as weight. With today's engine technology gains vs that of two decades ago you will probably gain about 1 MPG or so when towing with any newer truck.
carringb
Explorer
Sep 19, 2019
prichardson wrote:
Trailer frontal shape and towing speed are as big of factors as weight. With today's engine technology gains vs that of two decades ago you will probably gain about 1 MPG or so when towing with any newer truck.

Yup!

Unfortunately, until we start getting wind-tunnel-tested trailers, that's about all we can hope for. It's not the weight, it's the aero!