DYNOBOB

Just got back from Daytona Beach. 2000 miles towing 8.5x16' 6' inside height four bike trailer that weighs about 6000lbs loaded. I put my stock wheels/tires back on for the trip to get my 3.73 gearing back. Hand calculated I got between 7-9mpg with an 8.5mpg average for entire trip. This is about the same as my old 7.3 Powerstroke got. Was running 80 for 300miles but 70 the rest of the time. I had the Edge on Tow(2) setting part of the time and Drive(3) at other times. This truck pulls a lot stronger than the old truck but I was expecting the mileage to be better than I got. The Megacab has way more room in the back than the Ford crew did and was awesome for the long run. All in all I love the truck but thought the mileage would be better. Anyone have any thoughts?
Bob

TriSum

Ouch, that hurts at $4.00 a gallon. That seems pretty low. I just pulled a Crown Victoria on an open trailer, about 5500lbs, through the California hills and averaged 14.2 . I was only going 60 - 65 mph, pulling it with a 2wd dually with 4.10 gears.

Bill1374

About the same trip, but with our fifth wheel. Trailer is just about 13k and for the 2600 miles, shows about 10.25 mpg.

Bill

Valv

Slow down and you'll get better results

80mph with a 16ft enclosed..... with a head wind of at least 25mph, you did good at 8.5mpg

P Kennedy

With No good reason to travel at excessive speed and endanger others and then complain about the cost of fuel needed to create this event, Thanks for the input. PK

pluguglyinhere

I claim to be no expert and will add the speed is huge. I have logged 15000 towing 8-9000lbs and mpg drop off quick after 60-65. I have got 13 running 60-65 and then hit a road with a 70 speed limit and that 5 mph has cost me mpg. Speed kills mpg too

Bonshawman

My 2005 CTD/6spd seems to have a sweet spot @ 1900 RPM = around 62mph. I can count of dropping 2-3MPG when I am at 65MPH, let alone above.

I don't know how the curb weight of your set up contrasts to mine, but mine is 8,200# (4x4, quad cab, toter bed, DRW).

As previously stated, wind resistance can also play a part, but the only control we can often exercise is with our speed. Your mileage for what you were running should warrant no complaint ! I see similar fluctuations even when driving my 2008 Prius.....the pedal MATTERS.

DYNOBOB

Not sure what that is supposed to mean... 70 was the speed limit most of the trip and I never drive more than 10 over.

I know that speed kills mileage but 1700 of 2000 miles was at 70 on GPS. Based on what others seem to get towing big tall heavy RV's my results seemed low to me. Even unloaded I only seem to get 16mpg w/ no hotrodding. Maybe I've just got a thirsty truck.

Thanks for the feedback guys.

Valv

You didn't get a thirsty truck, you are going too fast to get good mileage, and you calculated it wrong, try to understand what people is suggesting, even 5 mph less will increase your mpgs by a lot.
Slow down and enjoy more $$ in your pocket.

haulin-rv

Anything over 63mph KILLS the fuel economy on my truck (did on my 06 dmax too). So over 1700 miles if you slowed to lets say 62-63mph you could have saved $143 on fuel ($3.75 gallon, 10.5 avg vs. 8.5). But it would cost you 2.75 more hours of travel time (70avg vs 63avg). Myself I go for saving money and loosing a bit of time.

P Kennedy

I thought this was a pretty straight forward concept but let's go through it. 80 mph with trailer stopping distance with electric brakes inadequate, ability to steer trying to avoid a collision-suicide, tires rated for 15 mph below this speed, occupants of tow vehicle 1st to the pending wreck, residual carnage to innocent travellers on the same road????, Biggest concern for the driver amount of fuel being used at today's prices! Unfortunately I know this is a major trend across North America, get there fast and enjoy more precious leisure time and at what cost to you and others? RV collisions 800% rise over the last 5 years= speed, inexperience and impatience. It is very hard to enjoy the weekend in a hospital or morgue with your precious family no matter how fast Emergency services got you there. Sorry just a bit of a sore spot, 300 kilometers of road 71 fatalities NO patience or respect for others all supported by fools like myself who respond to tragedy and try putting back together people and what's left of their lives after the fact. My ERV (Emergency Response Vehicle) does get 24 mpg on the way home at the speed limit, like it matters. PK

Vinceg99

Speed and wind are the biggest killers of MPG's heres my post in an other thread about my mileage. https://www.dieseltruckresource.com/...=196154&page=2

WestTN

The speed is FAR more important than the weight. Boy, that is worth saying again! The speed is FAR more important than the weight. The aerodynamics of the trailer are also more important than the weight.

Bonshawman

I follow my RPM's carefully in the Dodge and even the Freightliner, as I previously stated, unless I'm in a legit emergency.

I also (now I'll really get slammed) have a 2008 Prius, and with its electronics it is amazing to see how the MPG just shoot way up with even a slight decrease in pedal pressure. It confirms what I have found true in my trucks.

Valv

Y O U H A V E A P R I U S ???????

What were you thinking ??