When I was on my way to and from the beach this weekend (225 miles one way) towing my travel trailer (about 7500 lbs.) I felt like my truck just wasn't pulling as well or efficiently as it normally does( I can usually play around with 11.5 MPG towing, this time around 10.2). I didn't have any more stuff or equipment and just one more person than I normally would.

I only have the stock gauges, and the only info that they were giving me that was different than any other trip was that the temperature gauge was reading about 1/8" above the 200 degree mark, rather than its normal position about 1/16" below it.

I have towed this trip many, many times with the camper and have never had the temp reading or the perceived difficulty towing. It felt as though the truck was really having to struggle to get up to speed and when taking off from a stand-still.

I am hoping that someone can advise me either as to possible solutions, causes or share some similar experiences. The one factor that is different, at least on the way home, is that I had to refuel while at the beach and may have not gotten the best fuel in the world. When unloaded, the truck appears to run fine.

Thanks for any help!!!!

Jason

 

The mileage drop thing has happened to me twice when pulling my boat. Going to the place I got 13-14mpg Comming back 11-12mpg. Both times I was returning from a boating trip. I believe it is either the diesel I picked up or "get home-a-titis" Both times I got fuel in middle & southern Illinois. And get on the highway and the mpg stays at 11-12 mpg. I noticed my speed is always 75 mph neared to home. You might want to change air & fuel filter.

 

I seem to have the exact same problem, I towed my trailer yesterday 150 miles and used 3/4 tank of fuel. Truck is 2003 ctd ram 2500 qc 4x4, towing 8500 pound trailer. Light grades and a slight sidewind. Last time I towed the trailer, just about the same route, I had plenty of power and fuel milage was great, this time it was a dog, semi's passed me on these grades. It is running warmer than usual also. I have not noticed this while driving empty, and it was at the dealer recently to have an injector replaced. Truck has 34,000 miles on it. Does anybody have any theories concerning this symptom? Thanks in advance.

 

did ya drain your boat when you pulled it out of the water? kidding of course

 

Check/change the air & fuel filter?Do NOT rely on the factory restricter guage on the air filter.they lie.

 

I experience the same problem sometimes and it's definately caused by the fuel I get,my truck is very picky with fuel,not very noticable empty but soon as I hook up my camper I can tell right away when I got fuel that it don't like.