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So what are folks average MPG when towing

Can_t_Wait_Now
Explorer
Explorer
Well I am towing a 2800lb base weight figure 3600 actual with full propane tanks Battery and gear, Towing with a 2011 Nissan pathfinder V6 Pa is hilly so in 4th gear allot is automatic but to limit beating the tranny I run it manual, Well I am getting 8.7 mpg. Not thrilled but oh well having fun anyway. We have a 600 mile trip to Myrtle beach planned so hoping no more than 4 fill ups one way.
99 REPLIES 99

nomadictxn
Explorer
Explorer
From looking at the responses to the post, I am happy with the 6 liter gas Chevy performance vs gas mileage. If I travel in CO with my camper, I get 12 mpg. If I head down to Texas I have gotten as low as 9.5 mpg.
nomadictxn
2013 RAM 1500 QC 5.7, 3.92 4x4 6 sp.
2021 Flagstaff E Pro 19FBS

sky_free
Explorer
Explorer
Can't Wait Now wrote:
bob213 wrote:
If you are concerned about miles per gallon you picked the wrong way to enjoy your recreation. You are pulling a box down the road, mileage doesn't matter as there's not a lot you can do about it that makes economic sense. Just go and enjoy!:)


Nope just curious what others are getting to compare


This is the usual response that comes up regularly on here, but the fact is that you can get pretty reasonable MPG with a different tow vehicle. Filling up 4 times to go 600 miles would be a deal breaker for me. Our previous setup of VW Touareg 3.0 TDI towing a 4,500 lb 8' wide square TT was getting 14.5 mpg average. We are switching to a narrower fiberglass Escape 19 that may bump that up to 16+.

Why do I care about MPG? We are planning some really long trips across the country and up to Alaska. Going 6,000 miles at 8.7 mpg would cost close to $1,600 at today's low-ish gas prices. If / when gas goes back up to $4 a gallon that will be over $2,700, or close to 50-cents per mile! If you use your tow vehicle as a daily driver like we do, it makes great economic sense to choose the one that gets better fuel mileage.

Since you are asking, maybe you are thinking of changing vehicles? The Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon 2.8 Duramax or Jeep Grand Cherokee diesel would be in the same ballpark MPG-wise as the Touareg. This is really the golden age of having great choices for tow vehicles.
2017 Escape 17B, 2012 VW Touareg

Passin_Thru
Explorer
Explorer
There is a set formula for Specific Fuel Consumption used in Aviation and it is accurate. I don't care what anyone says about fuel mileage. It Ga Per Hr. My truck gets 9.8 MPG going from Va to central Co and back. That's at 67 MPH which it seems to like and that's 6.83 GPH for an 06 Chevy diesel with 420 hp and 19,000 lb GVW.Anyone wants to come tow my trailer to Pittsburgh Pa and back and can get better than 9.8 I'll buy the fuel. No One has ever taken me up. Road conditions, starts and stops, direction of travel, wind and atmospheric conditions have play in it. We owned a Class 8 truck and it got 6.5 Westbound from Balt to Sea and 7.5 on the return. Prevailing winds and more down hill ebnd.

hvac
Explorer
Explorer
4k lb coach 2015 ram eco diesel, wind is a factor but over 8k miles avg is 16.5. Lifetime avg of truck in the 23 range according to evic. Never reset it. incredible vehicle.

JimVan
Explorer
Explorer
I JUST GOT BACK FROM Black Hills and Yellow Stone.4 adults,dog and loaded and got 10 miles per average.
Jim & Vanessia
Winnebago Minnie 2500 rls
2015 Silverado 4x4

atwowheelguy
Explorer
Explorer
16 mpg at 9,200 lbs. GCVW, 12 mpg at 12,900 lbs. GCVW







2013 F150 XLT SCrew 5.5' 3.5 EB, 3.55, 2WD, 1607# Payload, EAZ Lift WDH
Toy Hauler: 2010 Fun Finder XT-245, 5025# new, 6640-7180# loaded, 900# TW, Voyager wireless rear view camera
Toys: '66 Super Hawk, XR400R, SV650, XR650R, DL650 V-Strom, 525EXC, 500EXC

SouthpawHD
Explorer
Explorer
bikendan wrote:
Can't Wait Now wrote:
Thanks so not to far off hell I got 11 mpg in the big rig lol. Ya need too slow down Pa is now 70 mph in places and I get sucked right in


All gassers will have average towing mpg range of 8-12mpg.
No matter what, unless you're towing a low profile trailer, like a popup or teardrop.


That is completely not true - I average around 7 😉
Palomino SolAire 307QBDSK
2016 Chevrolet 2500, CC, 6.0L, 4.10

hone_eagle
Explorer
Explorer
Average around 8.5 , seen 9.4 - going up the jellico hill 2.9 gasp !
2005 Volvo 670 singled freedomline 12 speed
Newmar 34rsks 2008
Hensley trailersaver TSLB2H
directlink brake controller

-when overkill is cheaper-

likestrucks
Explorer
Explorer
TV TT info in sig, about 12500 combined weight. Last two trips as follows;

Calgary 1045m (3428ft) to Banff 1400m (4600Ft) and back. 30*C(86*F) Going about 100kph(62mph) I averaged 27.5L/100km (8.5MPG).

Calgary 1045m (3428ft) to Waterton 1290 (4232ft) and back. 24*C(75*F) Going about 110kph(68) I averaged 29.5L/100km (8MPG)
1998 Chevrolet K1500
2005 Keystone Hornet Lite RSL

hotpepperkid
Explorer
Explorer
My varies from 8 to 12. The wind seams to be the biggest factor
2019 Ford F-350 long bed SRW 4X4 6.4 PSD Grand Designs Reflection 295RL 5th wheel

bcsslc
Explorer
Explorer
So I just got back from a road trip from salt lake city to crater lake,jedediah smith, humboldt,lassen volcanic park and back.
I have a 14 3500 cummins towing a 33'tt my total # was 19,500/20k dependingon tanks. On the open road speed was 65/70 with lots of wind. After 2234 miles and 57 hours my mpg was 10.2.
My buddy and family were in a f-150 12,and about 11.5k(tanks mostly dry) he got 10.1mpg. A few times as we filled up we were with in a few tenths of each other.

RSD559
Explorer
Explorer
My Tahoe got about 8.5 on mostly flat land. The F150 Ecoboost got 10.5 going up to 6000 feet elevation and back. Can't wait to see how it does on a level tow. The Tahoe was set up for fuel economy, so it struggled while towing.
2020 Torque T314 Toy Hauler Travel Trailer- 38' tip to tip.
2015 F-350 6.7L Diesel, SRW.
2021 Can Am Defender 6 seater. Barely fits in the toy hauler!

bakerkids
Explorer
Explorer
Towing a T@B with a Jeep Liberty, 14-16 mpg depending on speed and wind.
Me '62, DH '59, DS '89, DD '90, DD '92
1 shih tzu
Our photos

bikendan
Explorer
Explorer
Can't Wait Now wrote:
Thanks so not to far off hell I got 11 mpg in the big rig lol. Ya need too slow down Pa is now 70 mph in places and I get sucked right in


All gassers will have average towing mpg range of 8-12mpg.
No matter what, unless you're towing a low profile trailer, like a popup or teardrop.
Dan- Firefighter, Retired:C, Shawn- Musician/Entrepreneur:W, Zoe- Faithful Golden Retriever(RIP:(), 2014 Ford F150 3.5 EcoboostMax Tow pkg, 2016 PrimeTime TracerAIR 255 w/4pt Equalizer and 5 Mtn. bikes and 2 Road bikes

wilber1
Explorer
Explorer
11ish, give or take.
"Never trust a man who has not a single redeeming vice" WSC

2011 RAM 3500 SRW
2015 Grand Design Reflection 303RLS