Towing and MPG with the new Rig

[EdZacko]

It has been close to two weeks on the road with the new 2017 -2500 and all is going exceedingly well.
I am astounded at the smooth, quiet ride and am even more impressed now that we are towing "The Load!"

As you all predicted, the difference between by '97 5 speed stick and the new 2017 with the 6 speed auto is like night and day. We hooked up to the boat and trailer and off we went---like a shot. I was doing 50 mph before the rig straightened out on the road. 60 to 70 is no problem and the HILLS are non-existent!

I am running about 950 lb tongue weight with the Blue OX weight distrib set up set to 9 links. I started with 8 then moved up to 9. The steering was a bot light at 8 links and 9 was a noticeable improvement in steering. Even my wife noticed the difference. Tomorrow and see how that feels.

The trip out from AZ to Mass----no trailer or tow---we averaged an astounding 22.4 mpg.
The tow is another matter however----so far we average only 10.2. The log book from my 97 is back in AZ so I can not compare the two until I get home.
I was hoping for at least 13/14.

Now I do realize that I am pulling 13,000 lbs and the truck pulls the load so effortlessly I should not complain but on the same run with the 97 I was seeing 12/13 and, truth be told that 97 was working hard on the hills. I reailize now that a 6 or 7 speed would have made a big difference or maybe even a Gear vendors Splitter---which I was seriously thinking about until the truck got totaled.

My technique for towing is as you all suggested---turn on Tow/Haul and let the auto do its thing. I tried turning off Tow/Haul and locking out 6th gear but that didnt improve things.

Air on or off does not seem to make a difference.

I am curious as to what MPG you all are getting and might have some suggestions to slightly improve things.

I guess I should be grateful for all the power and ease.

Suggestions welcomed.
Eddie

 

[mpaulson]

I just did about a 200 mile stretch today with 30-40 mph gusting side winds and managed to average 6.5 mpg average (trucks calculating). That’s at 30,000lbs total with truck, trailer and boat doing 70ish mph.
First time towing this set up with the 2023 3500, handled it like a champ.

 

[slowmover]

Records.

Accurate comparisons to others isn’t straightforward where climate, topography and truck spec differ. All, or several.

The CAT Scale is your friend. Setting the hitch, getting tire pressure correct, etc. Use it.

The truck — with weight comparable to when loaded prior to hitching for a trip — run at the same speed as when towing is the mark: the percentage change.

With a travel trailer the aero resistance is a 40% penalty (any tow vehicle, nearly any TT). A great deal more than this (above 50%) and something is wrong.

A numerical baseline is mandatory.
No guesstimates.

.

 

[NIsaacs]

This load is lighter than yours, westbound from Trenton, Texas to Snowflake, AZ, it is uphill, 10.6 mpg. I would say you are fine.

Do you have a front end level kit? If not, you might drop another link on your hitch and pull the rear up a little more.

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This load is also lighter than yours, 11.71 mpg.

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[wyosteve]

Your towing is right in line with mine. You have a lot of wind resistance with the boat.

 

[sag2]

I only pull a 5500 lb travel trailer and average is around 11 calculated depending on terrain and wind.

 

[crispyboy]

My 2009 model gets 11-13 mpg towing our 8,300 lb camper at 68 mph. Depends on the wind and terrain of course. I had to take two recent 500 mile trips each way to assist my ailing in-laws and the truck got 20 mpg at 70 mph running solo. It seems like all these trucks get about the same mileage towing.

 

[C M McCormick]

I'm getting around 10.2 with 3:42 gears towing 10,000lb's. And around 605 miles per gallon of def (I'll recheck that). That's towing WV, MD and PA. I-68 Morgantown WV-Hagerstown MD some good pulls across that.

 

[p-Bar]

14k trailer, about same mileage as you.

 

[Killer223]

looks a little nose high, See if you can get the nose a little lower, that will help a lot. and speed.
I think you should work on aerodynamics some. maybe airbags?
you're right in line though.

 

[Cummins12V98]

That DRW does NOT need Bags. The front of the RV should be lowered to 6" clearance at the tailgate.

 

[p-Bar]

That DRW does NOT need Bags. The front of the RV should be lowered to 6" clearance at the tailgate.

I think he was commenting on the original poster

 

[bcbender]

I get 10 - 12mpg pulling this 45' 5er (16k) Worst was 8mpg in WY in wind traveling 75 ish... best was around 12 in TX on 10 (where it was decently flat and I was not going that fast).... With my GN equip trailer and my dump I get around 13ish... DEF is 300mpg worst and usually about 750mpg empty.