Towing MPG

[Eric_18]

Hi All!
Pretty serious about changing from Class C motorhome to Truck-trailer combo, due to overall costs associated with driving it.
The biggest trailer we're looking at is about 8,000 dry & 10,400 GVW.
My plan is to get a Ford F150 or Dodge 1500.
Curious what kind of towing MPG people are getting.
The best we've gotten in our motorhome is 7.4 MPG with the F450 chasis & V10.
Thank You!
Eric

[bikendan]

AlmostAnOldGuy wrote:
Pulling 8k I get around 9.

If you have good reasons for staying with a '1/2 ton' and go with an F150 I would get the Max Payload option to beef up the suspension. Those are tough to get on a lot so that means putting in an order for your truck. That also means you get just the packages you want. Would not expect to save any $ over the F250. But you may have other reasons for staying with the F150 (vehicle height, non-towing mpg, etc.).

Good luck,
Stu

Just to clarify, you're mixing up the F150 packages.
The HD Payload package gives you the beefed up suspension for a heavier PAYLOAD capacity.
The Max Tow package gives other features for a higher TOWING capacity, like rear view camera and 36 gallon fuel tank.
With the HDPP, I believe it automatically comes with the Max Tow package.

[twodownzero]

snowpeke wrote:
10 k with a 1/2 ton is just to much get a 3/4 ton diesel I get 12 to 13 mpg pulling 10k with my 2002 Duramax

It's pretty unlikely a 3/4 ton truck can pull 10,000 lbs, at least on a 5th wheel hitch, without being overloaded, either. With a ball trailer you can probably make it if you don't have a cab full of people. In 2002, Chevrolet's 3/4 tons had a 9,200 lb GVWR. Depending on cab and drive configuration, they can have less than 2k pounds of payload, which includes not only pin weight but the weight of all of the passengers. My 5th wheel only weighs about 9k pounds, but its pin weight is ~2,300 alone. If I had a 3/4 ton truck, I'd be 700 pounds overloaded before I even got in my truck!

[Eric_18]

Thank You All for the responses!
I'm pretty set on truck size. I'll be buying new. We're going to go with a lighter weight trailer, per the majority of thoughts.
The truck will be my daily driver, and will be trading in a 14 GT Mustang for it.
My wife & I love the sense of community we find RVing. It seems to be the same here!
Thanks Again, Happy New Year!

[downtheroad]

You have gotten lots of good, correct answers from lots of experienced RVers.

My stock answer to this question is:
Forget about MPG and you will have a better time. If you are going to be an RV'er, relax and get on down the road. You are going to get terrible mileage.

[AlmostAnOldGuy]

Pulling 8k I get around 9.

If you have good reasons for staying with a '1/2 ton' and go with an F150 I would get the Max Payload option to beef up the suspension. Those are tough to get on a lot so that means putting in an order for your truck. That also means you get just the packages you want. Would not expect to save any $ over the F250. But you may have other reasons for staying with the F150 (vehicle height, non-towing mpg, etc.).

Good luck,
Stu

[DustyR]

bikendan wrote:
As was said 8-10mpg, unless you buy a diesel.

08 Tundra towing my sig TT was at the max and averaged 7.5 - 8 MPG. Changed to a 08 Chevrolet 2500 HD Duramax Diesel and average at the worst 12.3 on a 1800 mile tow.

The diesel gave me power to spare and more importantly a lot better brake control.

[kw_00]

Hi to answer your question about a gas version 1/2 ton it will be depending on your foot. My experience so far with my gas 3/4 ton pulling 10k is 7.5-9.0 depending on how fast I drive. Usually I pull 65-70 on the interstate which yields 8.0-8.5 if in the hills then it drops to 7.5-8.0 depending on speed. I have seen 9.0 when around 65 in Florida where I live. Diesel will yield some more but again 11-12 mpgs with current emission controls, that’s what my parents get with there Cummins. A newer 1/2 ton can pull what your asking it to do. Comfortably you would be better served with a 3/4 ton gas, you don’t need a diesel for that weight . Daily driver plus towing duties I can see where a 1/2 ton would work better. So I lesser weight camper like 8k max included loaded would be good. Of course the it all depends on what 1/2 ton you buy so your capabilities of weight capacity can go up. Do your research on the newer 1/2 tons for sure. I think that they are really impressive for what they are designed to do. Hope this helps, good luck and let us know what other questions that you may have as your trying to decide.

[bikendan]

As was said 8-10mpg, unless you buy a diesel.

[elivi8]

I agree with most here. I have an ecoboost and at 100 KPH, the mileage is around 21 l/100km. At 115 KPH, it goes to 26 l/100km. My trailer is around 7500 lbs wet. I wouldn't tow heavier and I am at 3/4 of the rated capacity. It works well but any heavier, I would move up.

FYI, if you are towing, forget about gas mileage. You are towing a sail and that's just the way it is. After a certain speed, it doesn't make a **** bit of difference what truck is towing it, wind resistance will take over.

[VernDiesel]

If the wet weight is over 8k then you will be better served by an HD. With a 7k dry 8k wet 33.5' ball to bumper aero nose box TT I average 14.0 on the hwy at 65. Thats with a tuned Ecodiesel. Any faster mileage drops off quickly.

[edbehnke]

8 to 10 mpg. work with that.

[snowpeke]

10 k with a 1/2 ton is just to much get a 3/4 ton diesel I get 12 to 13 mpg pulling 10k with my 2002 Duramax

[MitchF150]

ha, ha... I get about 10 mpg towing a #5000 TT with my F150... And that's on a flat and level road, no head wind, etc... 🙂

Good luck with a #10,000 TT and an F150... 🙂

(if you are worried about mpg's and rving... Well, you'll just have to decide which you desire more I guess??)

Mitch

[ScottG]

Get a bigger truck, you wont be sorry.
I get 11 avg with my combination.

[corvettekent]

We get 10.5 MPG towing with a gross weight of truck and trailer at 21,000 lbs. This is a one ton diesel.