Mpg Towing

[TowPro]

Your speed is the problem. Check out this Webpage I picked up a couple years ago click here



then click the link "how much power does it take to tow my rig"



Click the "grade HP" tab on the bottom of the page, notice this is for a 18K CGVW, and on a 0% grade it takes 50hp to tow at 53mph, and 100hp to tow at 70mph.



Not only does your speed get you to your destanation a little quicker, but uses lots more fuel. Is it worth it?



Don't forget to add in the chances of getting stopped by the cops, that eats up your time savings real quick, or what if you crash? (trailer really arn't as safe at 70 as you would think). Then you might never get there or worse yet you or somebody else gets killed. Is it worth it?

Originally posted by packnheat

I RECENTLY PULLED MY SNOWMOBILE TRAILER UP NORTH FOR THE WEEKEND. IT IS A V-NOSE - 15FT LONG BY 7 FOOT HIGH WEIGHS 2,500 LBS LOADED. MY AVERAGE SPEED WAS 74 MPH - 17LBS OF BOOST - 750 DEGREES EGT - IT WAS AROUND 12 DEGREES OUTSIDE. I GOT 12. 8 MPG GOING AND 10. 8MPG COMING HOME.



AM I EXPECTING TOO MUCH OR DOES THIS MILEAGE SUCK???





2002 QUAD CAB 4X4 2500 SHORTBED - 3. 55 GEARS - AUTO - EDGE EZ - GAUGES - 12,000 MILES

 

[R-N-R]

..... sounds like a need for Air Tabs. They attach to the rear sides and top of the towed vehicle and "reduce" that drag/suction.

How would you attach Air Tabs to a rubber roof?

 

[dpuckett]

I used to get 14 mpg or so when towing with a moving company out of Loveland CO. Loaded trailer was 8-10K; empty was ~3500. Empty I got 20-21. THis was a stock 92 D350 3. 54, stock 518 auto, and going 65-70. NOw, towing with a GCVW of 20-22K, I get 11-14 with a 93 D350 C&C (see sig- have added 12 cm housing, guages, and lost muffler) On the flat, I go in 5th, in hills, I drop down to 4th, to keep EGTs down 200* lower than 5th. I have an extra 1. 5 qts in the ol' Getrag. 12mpg towing that little weight sounds a little low to me, but I am also used to the older mechanical engines.



Daniel

 

[Gary - K7GLD]

"How would you attach Air Tabs to a rubber roof?"



With rubber cement?



Shucks, just NAIL the dern things on... :-laf :-laf

 

[JBlock]

Towing MPH 14. to 15

I only towed a few times (3), miles. San francicso to Portland Oregon, including Grants pass and other long grades, running 60-65. 650 miles one way.



A open car hauler with Packard Limo, 8000 pounds 14. 8mph

empty car hauler around 16-17 mph.



A open car hauler with Kubota Tractor, 8000 pounds 14 mph load truck bed too, gross probably close to 18000 pounds.



A 12 x6 u-haul, 15. 5 empty going downand 14. 8 full again

 

[DHatfield]

I would say your mileage is not too bad. I usually tow my Jeep and trailer (6,000 lbs) at 65 - 70 MPH and I get about 14 MPG, but that is during the summer and during the winter my mileage is about 1 to 2 MPG less because of the stupid blended fuel. It could also be as others have stated it just need to be broke in yet.

 

[J D Moore]

Fuel Mileage

Here's my $. 02.

I tow a 32. 5 foot fifth-wheel with a loaded weight of 10, 420 lbs. Truck weighs 6,800 lbs. Combined weight = 17,220 lbs. Although I live in Central FL our travels usually include trips to ID with a bit of mountain driving. Total towing mileage to date is 32,604 with fuel consumed of 3,214 gals. for a towing mpg of 10. 15. I typically drive the interstates when possible and rarely exceed the speed limit, but do "keep up with traffic". I also use the cruise control a lot which doesn't necessarily help the mpg.

Total truck mileage to date is 60,000 plus.

Jim

 

[jtisdale]

I agree...

Let the old boy (or in this case new), get broke in. And, slow down a bit.

Ray, the cooler temps may be a result of the EZ (considering its timing) as apposed to the VA. Although gauge accuracy is questionable.

 

[TDavidson]

Packnheat,



An "average" speed of 74 miles per hour leads me to believe that at times you were traveling considerablely faster 74 mph. I have found that speed is a major factor in my miles per gallon of fuel. To determine if that is the case, give it try at 65 mph and see what difference it makes. I suspect you might get closer to 15 mph at that speed pulling that load.



Tom

 

[BillGotthelf]

On my 1996 4x4 xcab dualie towing 14,000 5th wheel at 65 I average 11mpg speed up to 70 and it goes down to 10. Also I have a TST #5 plate, Mega Cannon, 4" exhaust, slightly bigger injectors (215 instead of the 180's stock). At 65 I run around 12lbs of boost and run 750-800 pre-turbo. At 70 16-18 lbs boost and 850 egt.