Hey gang,

I know a bunch have asked this question, but I have to ask again. I have read through a lot of posts with a lot of suggestions and have tried a few... but still not seeing what others are even close to.

I just pulled my 19ft aluminum enclosed snowmobile trailer to Tug Hill to go riding this weekend. I filled up before I left and reset the trip. Out and back with some in town travel without the trailer, I went 340 miles on 30 gallons of Fuel.

The trailer has a claimed weight (from the mfr) of 1500lbs. With the two snowmobiles in it, it's probably in the 3000lb range (if the claimed weight of the trailer is correct). The height of the trailer is high (8.75 - 9ft) and wide (102"), but has a V-nose and sloped front. Not the most aerodynamic, but definitely not the worst.

It's cold here in NY (10 - 30deg most days). I was towing West into a headwind, but coming East I had a tailwind with little change to mileage (overhead anyway). I was running at 68mph in an attempt to get better mileage than my standard 70+. RPMS were in the 1800 range. Truck pulled the trailer great (expected).

I have inflated my tires to 68psi and recently put the Napa Gold air filter in it. I have had the smoother shift flash done on the auto, but have since had other work done (need a recirc door and had some problem with the grid heaters that they were unsure of what the cause was... hasn't come back).

11mpg? I gotta think this thing can do better. I realize the mega cab is a good chunk heavier than the other trucks (almost 4 tons), but shouldn't I be doing better for such a small load? Even my regular mileage is not that great (14.5 hand calc'd).

Any thoughts? Do I just sign this off as mixed winter fuel... are others seeing this mileage in the winter? Is someone slipping something in my drinks?

Thanks

 

You rmileage is better than mine 13.7 with no load except for the 35" tires and it seems no matter how I dirve thats what I get by the way its hand calculated.

 

Winter here in ND. 17-18 MPG hand calculated, 65 MPH with about 20% city and 80% highway. Last summer got a solid 19 MPG. Hoping for better fuel mileage this coming summer.

Towed my 12,000 lb, 12 foot high, 5th wheel 500 miles about a month ago in -21*F and a side wind of about 15-20 MPH going and coming and got 10 MPG.

The towing mileage is about the same I got with my 99 and 05 cummins. Empty mileage for the 06 is the best out of all three.

I always drive conservative, use an additive, inflate tires to 80 PSI, trailer tires to max PSI.

 

Your truck seems normal. I don't know if you have it broke in 100% yet. It could just be your driving style making a difference. The trailer is a big drag.

 

Its about what I'm getting for the winter driving. Just hauled a 6x12 Uhaul w/ stuff probally 1/2 your weight, kept ot about 70 but temperature was 5* or so. I got 12.6 going up but dropped off the trailer when done. It is better than what I would have got with my 99 suburban. Winter driving isn't very good with any vehicle. I would suggest you check your mileage against the mile markers. Drive at least 10 miles and see if they agree. Actually my stock truck would show 10.1 miles on the odometer with 10 miles at the markers. I checked mine driving 100 miles to get a good accurate reading, what else is there to do while driving anyway .

 

It is the aerodynamics of the trailer that kill your mileage. I pull a 6.5x14 V-nose and will get anywhere from 10-13mpg depending on wind/temp/terrain conditions. The weight becomes more of a factor in stop and go traffic, hills, mountains.

With your trailer, the only choice you have for better mileage is to slow down.

If someone gets 15mpg towing, they are probably pulling a flat trailer with a low profile load on it down a flat road at 55mph.

 

i have about the same ..340 with trailer( mine is heavy )and 420 city


http://www.mold-no-more.com/IMG_3604ab.JPG

i just noticed if i drive max 65m/h and in the city the rpm never abov 2000
then my MPG is lot better....

 

Thanks for the replies.

I'm not sure what to think now. I know that in the summer when I tow I do a lot better. Even if I am towing over some major back road hills. Although my speed never breaks over 60mph and generally runs in the 55 when I do this, the hills are much steeper. That said, I have seen 14mpg towing the same trailer with only a motorcycle and my race gear (some tools, spares, etc.).

The snowmobiles are more heavy... but another thing to consider is the air. Cold air is much more dense than warm air. Could it simply be the aerodynamics of the trailer in the cold dense air? If so, I may be looking at getting a low-boy instead of this tall sucker.