'04 Tows 3500lbs Like Crap!!!

[trqmnstr]

Recently bought the truck in sig below. I hadn't towed anything over 2000lbs until yesterday. Trucks seems to be all there... good power, trans shifts good, well maintained. Well, I purchased an 8x24 enclosed v-nose trailer yesterday and the truck pulls it like a gasser. It's only 3500lbs but it feels like more from the wind resistance, I guess. My truck gets 21mpg empty on the highway. I got 12. 5 pulling this empty trailer home. WOW!!! Couldn't believe it. Wait until I add some weight! It was also really slow to get it moving. I realize my truck is stock but damn! I had no idea. I recently sold an '01 2500 6spd and it wouldn't have done this. Is this auto really that bad? What gives? I don't want to spend a million dollars on chips, exhausts, sticks, turbos, etc. Any help is appreciated. Thanks, Clay.

 

[TFucili]

Enclosed trailers are hard pulling SOBs. It feels like you're pulling a parachute,especially if you've got your foot in it. My trailer is 7 x 14 w/flat front, and every time I pull it I'm amazed at how hard it works the truck.

Being tag-along doesn't help either.

 

[trqmnstr]

I just don't understand how this truck is rated for towing 12k+. I don't think my truck would move with 12k behind it. It seems like the transmission would be toast in a few miles.

 

[ScottLewis]

Regardless of the increased wind resistance, a mere 3500 lbs. shouldn't have that significant an affect on your trucks performance. My '98 with a 47RE pulled over 11K pretty easilly and averaged over 13 MPG. My '06 with the 48RE almost walks away with the same RV but only gets 10 or 11 MPG even when I keep it at about 60 or so. Keeping at a steady speed with the TC locked up helps.



Dan

 

[Grizzly]

Maybe it's not the truck. The trailer maybe causing added resistance. Look at the wheels on the trailer. Check brakes and wheel bearings. Try pulling another trailer of simular size and weight.

 

[BigPapa]

I pulled a 7'x12' Haulmark enclosed trailer from Nashville to Atlanta and back a week ago. Empty going down and loaded with 4000# coming back. I generally get 21-23mpg empty. Going down I got 15. 5mpg and coming back I got 14mpg. I was surprised at the 15. 5mpg considering the trailer was empty, but like others have said the enclosed trailers push a lot of air.



Scott

 

[trqmnstr]

The trailer I bought is brand new so I doubt it's a wheel/brake issue. I guess I'll jack it up and spin the wheels. I don't even have a brake controller yet so I'm pretty sure the brakes weren't dragging.

 

[trqmnstr]

I pulled a 7'x12' Haulmark enclosed trailer from Nashville to Atlanta and back a week ago. Empty going down and loaded with 4000# coming back. I generally get 21-23mpg empty. Going down I got 15. 5mpg and coming back I got 14mpg. I was surprised at the 15. 5mpg considering the trailer was empty, but like others have said the enclosed trailers push a lot of air.



Scott

If your 7x12 is dragging you that much... imagine my 8. 5 x 24!!!

 

[trqmnstr]

I also forgot to add that my truck had never run hotter. It was at 200* on the highway. Should I just buy a small fuel box and call it a day?

 

[SNoyes]

Pull a 8. 5 x 27 foot V-nose haulmark weighing 4400 lbs empty (2x8 main rail steel, 6,000# axles, what I was thinking I don't know but it's heavy). I don't care what everyone says but I know it's back there. I have pulled the trailer with my 2002 Ford F-250 7. 3 diesel with the 4R100 auto and the 5. 9 Cummins in my 2006 3500 Mega cab with the G-56. I would say the Cummins does have an easier time with it, but both are working. I don't drive over 65 mph, usually keep it about 60 mph. Wind resistance is big, headwinds and I know I am fighting, tailwinds and it seems to cruise. I know the speed at which you pull has a huge effect on what your mileage is. Something like, from 55-70, the wind resistance is double(saw the formula on another website)... So, what speed are you pulling at? Also make sure to check the trailer, I know it doesn't make sense but the factory does mess things up. I have seen trailers factory direct to the consumer with all types of issues... .

 

[trqmnstr]

I was cruising 65-75. I'm probably gonna start keeping it around 65. Only problem with 65 is I'm not in the sweet spot with 3. 73's. I need some 4. 10's now... hahahaha.

 

[MMeier]

If your 7x12 is dragging you that much... imagine my 8. 5 x 24!!!

12'. . 24'... :-laf Try this!!! 48'x9'5 high, 10,520# can on 40' 9400#, 39" off ground trailer, pulled by 9100# truck!

 

[NDanecker]

Wind resistance is HUGE and effects your towing more than weight does (at least on basically level ground).



I've towed my gooseneck (approx 15k total) with stainless steel rolls down from CT and it towed like a dream. You felt the weight when starting, stopping and going up major grades, but cruising down I95 was fine. Let off the throttle and she still rolls.



Now..... I've got a 8'x24' Thule V-nose enclosed with 7'6" inside clear (its a high trailer). Weight is around 3500 or 4000 empty (all aluminum). Running empty I really have to push it to travel 80mph. In fact, I usually only drive 65 to 70 when towing this trailer and my mileage is crap when doing so. Load it up with 3 sleds, 2 quads, beer and other stuff and its still the same. Let go of the throttle and she slows down quick.



So... . unless you towed the SAME trailer with your old and new trucks I wouldn't say its fair to compare them like you did. Hope this helps!

 

[NDanecker]

12'. . 24'... :-laf Try this!!! 48'x9'5 high, 10,520# can on 40' 9400#, 39" off ground trailer, pulled by 9100# truck!

Wonder what your mileage was?

 

[MMeier]

Wonder what your mileage was?

From the Port of L. A. back to Vegas I would average around 8. 5-9, if the wind was blowing against me about 7.

 

[NDanecker]

From the Port of L. A. back to Vegas I would average around 8. 5-9, if the wind was blowing against me about 7.

You’d expect better but can’t complain considering what you are hauling. Far better than what a gasser could do. Hell..... I don't even think a gasser would be able to pull that without blowing a rod out the side! :-laf



As for wind resistance... ... ... I've got a 06 Jetta TDI as a commuter car. Pulling a flat bed aluminum 6x12 trailer weighing 450 lbs empty I get 31 mpg with the tailgate up. With the tailgate down... ... . 40 mpg! So, I travel with the gate down whenever possible!!!

 

[trqmnstr]

I was thinking of buying a topper soon. Does anybody think that would keep more air from hitting the trailer?

 

[trqmnstr]

12'. . 24'... :-laf Try this!!! 48'x9'5 high, 10,520# can on 40' 9400#, 39" off ground trailer, pulled by 9100# truck!

I really couldn't imagine. That's a big load!!!

 

[Cattletrkr]

12'. . 24'... :-laf Try this!!! 48'x9'5 high, 10,520# can on 40' 9400#, 39" off ground trailer, pulled by 9100# truck!

Proof that wind resistance is a bigger factor than weight. This past week I averaged 11. 4mpg over 1350 miles grossing 38K loaded and 15. 5K empty. That was a great week, I usually get 10-10. 5mpg.

 

[daytripper63]

I cant believe no one asked this...

Is the truck an S. O. or an H. O. ? Did you check the decal on the side of valve cover to verify this.