First Trip - Towing

[RWetmore]

Just completed the first trip to Orlando towing a 5ver.

Frankly, I expected better mileage. But I have to say it's a lot better than my motor home used to be. (Wife doesn't agree!)

I weighed with full fuel, 1/2 water, 3 people and 1 dog.



Steering Axle 4140

Drive Axle 5440

Trailer Axle 9400

Gross 18980



Fuel 62. 76 gal

Miles 728

MPG 11. 6



All that at 2000 RPM and 64-65 MPH



All you guys that have 4. 10's get about the same? or better.

Total mileage on truck at completion - 2980.

I'm aiming for 14 MPG - will it break in to that?



Truck rode very smooth but could use more HP on takeoffs and

definately the transmission upgrades from DTT and a Pac Brake.

 

[klenger]

My towing milages have been more like 10 - 11. I am also lighter than you setup. I think that towing in the mountains doesn't help. On the average it's flat, but the truck doesn't think so. I still have less than 2K on the truck.

 

[GLASMITHS]

Number 1. Your truck is not broke in; however, towing a heavy trailer is a good way to do it!!



I have a 98. 5 stock, with auto and 4. 10, plus GV, 70,000 miles,

and I just returned from a 2800 mile trip towing 16,500#; averaged about 13. Got 13. 7 on the Trace parkway from Nashville to Natchez,MS. Max speed 50mph. Beautiful this time o

f the year. No over the road trucks or comercial vehicles.



Good luck on getting 14 pulling that heavy trailer at 65.



george

 

[cwsoules]

I towed my 10. 5K 5er from South Carolina to California this spring. I got between 8 and 10 mph. I towed out of OD most of the way at a target speed of 62mph.



When I'm not towing I get about 17 mph. My truck has 26,000 miles on it.



I hope to see an improvement after a DTT TC, VB, smart box, exhaust brake, and EZ is installed in two weeks.

 

[RJOL]

I get about 11-12MPG towing my 32ft 5th wheel (in the 11,000lb range). A lot of it is on the freeway at about 60-65MPH. It goes down to about 10MPG when towing in hilly country. I have 18K on it now... .

 

[HEYBOSS]

RWetmore

I too did that round trip of 3000 miles. My 5er weighs were similar to yours.



steering axle 4600



drive axle 5920



trailer axle 8080



gross weight 18,600



I did 10mpg at 70mph, if I dropped to 60-65 I got close to 11mph, my truck had about 7000 miles on it. Now I have 16k on it and still is about the same. I noticed yours is a 2500, mine is a 3500 4x4 auto with 4. 10

Truck will pull much better when you get a little more mileage on it. On a good hill it would slow down from 70mph down to 60 in OD than I would have to lock out OD and climb at 50-55. I just put and Edge Ez box on it and you would not believe the difference, this box really shines when towing, now I can tow up just about any hill still at 70mph and won't have to take it out of OD. Like mentioned before good luck getting 14 towing but if you want the extra power you will be impressed and pleased with the Edge Ez box.



Good luck, Fred.