Curious about the expected gas mileage while towing a 20-foot travel trailer weighing about 3,100 pounds with water and propane, towing with a full-sized pickup. My truck is a 2017 GMC Sierra with the 6.2 liter V8 and a cab-high "cap" (we called them "toppers" in the old days). I will be towing at approximately 60 mph. Also interested to know if the more aerodynamic looking trailers with curved nose and rear end (Forest River R-Pod, Jayco Hummingbird, etc) are more efficient than a trailer with a curved nose and a squared-off rear end (like a Coachmen Apex Nano), regarding gas mileage. I'm not worried about gas mileage, just would like to know what mileage to expect with my pickup and a 20-foot travel trailer. All responses appreciated.

My set up will get 10 MPG with a bit of wind behind me. Average about 8 MPG, only 6 MPG with a strong headwind. My V front trailer gets about 1 MPG better than my flat front three 26' SunnyBrook trailers; and that's a significant percentage difference. All were about the same 7,800 GVWR. I typically travel faster than 60 MPH but slowing down from 70 MPH does improve the mileage. I don't find traveling with empty tanks improves MPG; it's really all about wind resistance. I have never had a high camper shell; always have had a flat fiberglass bed cover. I don't think the length will make much difference either.

With a gas pickup and a narrow trailer you can probably expect around 10-12mpg average (I've averaged 11.1mpg over ~3,000 miles but individual tanks have gone from 13 on flat land at ~60mph to 8.5 at 55 into a 30mph headwind in Florida.

Welcome to the 8-12 club big or small we all get between 8 & 12.

My trailer 245RBS Bullet weight around 5800 lbs. and pulled with a 2015 GMC 6.2 eight speed 342 gears. Always got between 11 and 12 mpg pulling in 6 or 7 gear at 60 to 65 mph

With my 5.7L Tundra towing 3000lb 15 footer I usually average about 11 mpg. That was humming along at about the same speed you intend to pull.

Gas Mileage While Towing a 20 Foot Travel Trailer

WayneAt63044
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
My set up will get 10 MPG with a bit of wind behind me. Average about 8 MPG, only 6 MPG with a strong headwind. My V front trailer gets about 1 MPG better than my flat front three 26' SunnyBrook trailers; and that's a significant percentage difference. All were about the same 7,800 GVWR. I typically travel faster than 60 MPH but slowing down from 70 MPH does improve the mileage. I don't find traveling with empty tanks improves MPG; it's really all about wind resistance. I have never had a high camper shell; always have had a flat fiberglass bed cover. I don't think the length will make much difference either.
afidel
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2017
With a gas pickup and a narrow trailer you can probably expect around 10-12mpg average (I've averaged 11.1mpg over ~3,000 miles but individual tanks have gone from 13 on flat land at ~60mph to 8.5 at 55 into a 30mph headwind in Florida.
dfletch
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
Welcome to the 8-12 club big or small we all get between 8 & 12.
JCK
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
My trailer 245RBS Bullet weight around 5800 lbs. and pulled with a 2015 GMC 6.2 eight speed 342 gears. Always got between 11 and 12 mpg pulling in 6 or 7 gear at 60 to 65 mph
QFamCA
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
With my 5.7L Tundra towing 3000lb 15 footer I usually average about 11 mpg. That was humming along at about the same speed you intend to pull.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2017
As others mentioned, figure 8-12 MPG, that is pretty much the standard for towing a huge brick behind your vehicle..

I typically get a low of 9.8 to a high of 10.2 towing 6500 lbs with a F250 4x2 with 6.2.
RinconVTR
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
JCK wrote:
My trailer 245RBS Bullet weight around 5800 lbs. and pulled with a 2015 GMC 6.2 eight speed 342 gears. Always got between 11 and 12 mpg pulling in 6 or 7 gear at 60 to 65 mph

You got 11-12mpg pulling TT with the 6.2L motor? You may want to evaluate how you're calculating MPG. That's simply too high.

You might get 10mpg at 60mph, but 65mph+ pulling even an empty enclosed trailer at 65mph+, you wont see 11-12mpg.

Exactly as other have said, expect 8mpg-ish. You might see 10 here and there, but not often. And as low as 6 if you have consistent head wind.
Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Jul 24, 2017
RinconVTR wrote:
JCK wrote:
My trailer 245RBS Bullet weight around 5800 lbs. and pulled with a 2015 GMC 6.2 eight speed 342 gears. Always got between 11 and 12 mpg pulling in 6 or 7 gear at 60 to 65 mph

You got 11-12mpg pulling TT with the 6.2L motor? You may want to evaluate how you're calculating MPG. That's simply too high.

You might get 10mpg at 60mph, but 65mph+ pulling even an empty enclosed trailer at 65mph+, you wont see 11-12mpg.

Exactly as other have said, expect 8mpg-ish. You might see 10 here and there, but not often. And as low as 6 if you have consistent head wind.

Every one of my friends that owned a GM product tended to STRETCH the truth when it came to their mileage.. :h
BizmarksMom
Explorer
Jul 24, 2017
I get about 9 mpg when I'm towing my 25' barn.
Terryallan
Explorer II
Jul 24, 2017
Not so much the weight, as it is the wall you have to pull thru the air

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Gas Mileage While Towing a 20 Foot Travel Trailer

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