Towing a boat, 5th gear or 6th?

[CH1]

I'm, wondering if I'll see better mileage in 5th or 6th? I've got a 2011 F-250, 6.7L, 3:31 rear end. 3500# boat/motor/trailer ~6K Mi on my truck. The boat's on a single axle trailer so ride height isn't an issue. I live in very flat country and pull mostly on 4-lane @ roughly 75MPH. I am comfortable with the fuel I purchase. I run FPPF total power in almost every tank (sometimes I forget). I've been running 12-14MPG @ ~75MPH in 6th, I haven't tried running in 5th mostly because, again, I've just forgotten to pull in M5. I'm hoping someone has done this already, if not, I'll just have to remember to pull M5 some weekend and report. Thanks in advance guys.

[Specularius]

I think you will see a drop in mileage. I pull my 20 foot boat in auto, not in tow/haul for the best mileage. My longest trip pulling my boat was 977 miles and averaged 13.99MPG last July. This was from Louisiana into the Ozark Mountains in Arkansas and back. A mixture of two lane and interstate, Flat land and mountains. My boat and trailer weighs 3400 pounds and is a dual axle trailer.

[Specularius]

To add to this, hauling my Okanagan truck camper and pulling the same boat I got 11.13MPG over 331 miles. Here is a picture:

[Whiteline]

Towing that weight at that speed, you will be better off in 6th. Only time I've seen 5th as a better option is at much slower speeds, say 55 mph and with serious weight or hills or cross-wind. Lug 'er down and let the torque do the work!

[SavageNFS]

Originally Posted by Specularius

To add to this, hauling my Okanagan truck camper and pulling the same boat I got 11.13MPG over 331 miles. Here is a picture:

that sure is a sharp looking truck/boat

[Specularius]

thanks Savage. I love it.

[Sailor_Roy]

My experience is:
1) Let the computer figure it out
2) If the load is light.... I would call yours light, don't use Tow Mode.

Just my 2 cents worth.......

[sdetweil]

Originally Posted by Sailor_Roy

My experience is:
1) Let the computer figure it out
2) If the load is light.... I would call yours light, don't use Tow Mode.

Just my 2 cents worth.......

I use tow/haul mode in cities.. I want the extra stopping power of the integrated brake controller...

Sam

[Sailor_Roy]

Originally Posted by sdetweil

I use tow/haul mode in cities.. I want the extra stopping power of the integrated brake controller...

Sam

Hi Sam....... I didn't realize this. I haven't towed with a "light" trailer with this new truck. I assumed when the trailer pig tail was connected, the Brake controller was active. Thanks for the info.

[sdetweil]

Originally Posted by Sailor_Roy

Hi Sam....... I didn't realize this. I haven't towed with a "light" trailer with this new truck. I assumed when the trailer pig tail was connected, the Brake controller was active. Thanks for the info.

yes, if u have electric brakes, in Tow/Haul you get the same support as downhill.. step on the brakes and the tranny downshifts, and ABS is used to keep control.

prior to my SD, we had a good prodigy controller on our suburban, hauling the same trailer.. one day we slide thru an intersection
and another we barely missed (inches) an idiot who pulled out in front of us while we were doing 60..

T/H saved my bacon in similar situations.. I retested the intersection roll thru with the SD, and we stopped short of the marker line.. both vehicles had ABS screaming away.

and I can't count the times of a pullout problem.. my wife seems to attract bad other drivers whenever she is in the truck.. (gets the messed up meals, the lines behind people that don't know how to pay, u name it)..

you only get ABS if T/H is off.. emergency power downshift is amazing

Sam

[bama29fan]

Originally Posted by Sailor_Roy

Hi Sam....... I didn't realize this. I haven't towed with a "light" trailer with this new truck. I assumed when the trailer pig tail was connected, the Brake controller was active. Thanks for the info.

i think it does activate whenever a camper is hooked up.....the tow/haul mode activates the engine braking.

[Hdslider]

Originally Posted by CH1

I'm, wondering if I'll see better mileage in 5th or 6th? I've got a 2011 F-250, 6.7L, 3:31 rear end. 3500# boat/motor/trailer ~6K Mi on my truck. The boat's on a single axle trailer so ride height isn't an issue. I live in very flat country and pull mostly on 4-lane @ roughly 75MPH. I am comfortable with the fuel I purchase. I run FPPF total power in almost every tank (sometimes I forget). I've been running 12-14MPG @ ~75MPH in 6th, I haven't tried running in 5th mostly because, again, I've just forgotten to pull in M5. I'm hoping someone has done this already, if not, I'll just have to remember to pull M5 some weekend and report.

Thanks in advance guys.

3500lb boat isn't squat for your truck, 5th gear u will see worse mileage. If your concerned with mileage slow that big square brick down and it will probably amaze you.every 5mph economy drops. Play with it and have fun.

[FishingNut]

Originally Posted by Specularius

To add to this, hauling my Okanagan truck camper and pulling the same boat I got 11.13MPG over 331 miles. Here is a picture:

Wow! I agree with Savage really nice Rig!

Originally Posted by SavageNFS

that sure is a sharp looking truck/boat

Maybe one day I will get mine loaded up...had issues with the Airlift bags getting installed this weekend....so those pics are still on hold my friend

[Sailor_Roy]

Originally Posted by FishingNut

Wow! I agree with Savage really nice Rig!



Maybe one day I will get mine loaded up...had issues with the Airlift bags getting installed this weekend....so those pics are still on hold my friend

John the Fisher Man....................Come on..... Pictures
And.... No fair hooking up to a Radio-Flyer wagon and calling that towing !!

[FishingNut]

Originally Posted by Sailor_Roy

John the Fisher Man....................Come on..... Pictures
And.... No fair hooking up to a Radio-Flyer wagon and calling that towing !!

Well you did say to go buy one, so like a good sailor I followed orders

Are you sayin I can't post them?