lancekeys wrote:
Well, I just filled up my tank after picking up the trailer and one camping trip. I drove a total of 122 miles and got 6.5 miles per gallon. When I pulled the trailer home, I was really impressed with how well my truck pulled it and how I had all the power I needed. Well no wonder I was making a lot of power!
Looks like I am going to have to get out of the left lane and slow down a bit. I was really testing the truck to see what it would do, and how well it would pull, so I was driving quite hard. Truck kept up with traffic at 70-75mph no problem. I hope by slowing down I can get my numbers up to 9 or 10 mpg. Either way, I can't think of a cheaper solution other than not going. I could upgrade to a diesel or a newer truck, but my truck is paid for and I trust it. It would take a long time to re-coup the cost of a newer truck, just to save a little fuel.
Edit: Thought my signature would appear, but it did not. I am towing a 28' Forest River Wildcat fifth wheel with a 1999 dodge 2500 with the 360 V-8 and a 5 speed transmission (not sure about differential gearing).
You don't mention how much weight your 5er is but 6.5 MPG is terrible and I would highly doubt dropping speed to 60-65 is going to improve the numbers much more than .5-1 MPG.
Many of the newer engines not only have more power but also better mileage too boot.
My new 2013 F250 with 6.2 got 9.5-10.1 MPG pulling 26ft TT loaded up to about 6500 lbs plus I was carrying a 120 lb gen, 4 bicycles, firewood plus 3 passengers in my truck. So I figure I am about 7200-7500 lbs.
Best I could do with my 2006 F250 with 5.4 was 8-9 MPG and that engine was working pulling 8%-9% grades.
My 6.2 effortlessly towed my load up the same grades with power to spare.
Now some of your low mileage issue could also be your driving habits. Towing is like trying to pull a pile of cement blocks without wheels. There is no aerodynamics to a RV and it has a lot of weight plus rolling resistance. Just doesn't lend it's self to getting good mileage nor does it get you qualified for the Indy 500.
Instead of stomping on the gas, try less gas to get it rolling. Once you get up to speed then back off the gas a bit until you notice it losing speed, you need to balance the amount of gas to just keep it at speed. You will be surprised how much better the gas mileage can get if you don't try to operate the vehicle like you stole it especially when towing.
Last of all, don't be in a hurry, you ARE camping, not like you are trying to get to work to punch in before it is too late.
Its your choice to do what you want with your money but I am very glad I bought a new more powerful truck :B
While some folks have voiced an opinion about 70 being too fast, I would tend to disagree with that statement. Towing at 60 or even 65 on most interstates makes YOU A DANGEROUS TARGET.
Especially true on roads with 70 MPH limits posted, folks are often driving 75-80 MPH and may not notice in time a vehicle which is 10 MPH or more below the limit.
Driving anything too far below the speed limit can get you fined since you become a safety hazard to other motorists trying to get around you or even not noticing you are going slower than the rest of the pack.
If you are scared to drive at 65-70 then perhaps you should choose a slower and more scenic route.
