I made a recent trip towing my 25 foot Haulmark race car trailer. My 2002 F350 is equipped as follows: V10, Auto Transmission, Super Cab, short bed, 4 x 4, 3.73 axles. The race car + tools/supplies + trailer weighs about 7500 lbs. We had another 450 lbs of passengers and luggage. I use a Reese dual-cam anti-sway WD hitch for the trailer.

Miles traveled: 1800
Avg. MPG: 9.2
Highest MPG: 9.8
Lowest MPG: 7.8 (climb out of LA and side winds to Blythe)

I used OD with the exception of long hills and headwinds. I didn't need much downgrade engine braking, I guess my big trailer has enough wind resistance to hold down speed. Even on the 6% grades, I easily pulled 55 MPH in 2nd gear at 3500 RPM. So 3.73 axle gears are OK for me.

I tried to keep the speed in the 65 - 68 MPH range. Given that my average mileage around town is in the 11 - 12 range, I don't think the penalty of 9.2 MPG avg. for pulling 7500 lbs. is much.

Enjoy,
RichF350V10

 

I have a Crew Cab auto (3:73) and when towing a 10K fith wheel I also get 9.2. With an extended cab PSD 6 speed I got 9.

 

I have a 99 F-250 SC 4x4 5sp 4.30ls. On last year's trip from Atlanta to San Diego I averaged 9.0 MPG pulling our 30' Coachmen Travel Trailer (see picture in gallery for truck and trailer). The Coachmen weighs around 10k when loaded for camping.

This year I drove from Atlanta to Boston and averaged 8.8 for the trip. The only difference in the truck between this year and last is going from the stock 265/75-16 Steeltex's to 285/75-16 Bridgestone Dueler MT's.

Jeff

 

I averaged an even 10 miles per imp gallon on a 1900 mile trip this past two weeks. I have a 8.5ft camper that is 8'4" wide and about 3.5' from the truck cab to the top of the camper, weighs in around 3000 lbs wet and full of stuff. I drive 60 to 75 and seldom (if ever) use OD, I've got 3.73s and dualls. It'll pull a 6% grade at 65mph at 4500 rpm and the motor just sings.

 

I just returned from a 3000 mile fishing/camping trip in Wyoming and Utah. I have an 8 1/2ft. camper and a 17ft Fisher boat that add about 6000lbs to the truck truck. I averaged 65+ MPH and 10MPG. I think thats pretty darn good for that kind of load.

 

>I just returned from a 3000 mile fishing/camping trip in
>Wyoming and Utah. I have an 8 1/2ft. camper and a 17ft
>Fisher boat that add about 6000lbs to the truck truck. I
>averaged 65+ MPH and 10MPG. I think thats pretty darn good
>for that kind of load.
I get the same thing pulling my 6,000lb, 24' travel trailer @65 and 70,
"Same truck and gear"

 

I just went on a king salmon fishing trip a couple of weeks down to Willow Creek, Alaska from Fairbanks pulling my 32ft 5th wheel, weighs about 13,000lbs loaded. had a head wind all the way down and got about 7mpg. had no head wind on the way back and I got 8mpg. Very long and steep hills going both ways. I am very impressed with the pulling power of the V10. Never, even on the steepest and longest grades, did I drop below 50mph. As long as I could keep the rpm's above 3000 the thing would not slow down. The only time it dropped to 50mph is when I had to go into a hill with a corner at the bottom. I passed several Chevy, Dodge and Ford diesals like they were standing still. I still don't understand why everyone says that "if you are going to be pulling a heavy load get a diesal". I'd rather suffer a little on the gas mileage for the hill climbing power.


2000 F350SD,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears

 

OOps. I spelled diesel wrong. Didn't I. Oh well.
2000 F350SD,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears

 

>I just went on a king salmon fishing trip a couple of weeks
>down to Willow Creek, Alaska from Fairbanks pulling my 32ft
>5th wheel, weighs about 13,000lbs loaded. had a head wind
>all the way down and got about 7mpg. had no head wind on the
>way back and I got 8mpg. Very long and steep hills going
>both ways. I am very impressed with the pulling power of the
>V10. Never, even on the steepest and longest grades, did I
>drop below 50mph. As long as I could keep the rpm's above
>3000 the thing would not slow down. The only time it dropped
>to 50mph is when I had to go into a hill with a corner at
>the bottom. I passed several Chevy, Dodge and Ford diesals
>like they were standing still. I still don't understand why
>everyone says that "if you are going to be pulling a heavy
>load get a diesal". I'd rather suffer a little on the gas
>mileage for the hill climbing power.
>
>
>2000 F350SD,RC,5spd man,V10, Front Leveling Kit,4.30 gears
Don't ya just love our BIG V10's