Mileage observations
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
towed 200 miles today....roughly 9k lbs in my enclosed car hauler. it has the aero dynamics of a brick but MAN I didnt think the mpg would go down so much! Anyone got any tips for upping the mpg while towing? I mean it still beats my 6.0 but thought it would be a little better
The only thing you can do is keep the speed down. Wind resistance increased by the square as speed increases linearly, so especially with a trailer, speed will KILL your fuel economy. With a full-profile trailer I always cruise no faster than 65 MPH.
Elder User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 879
Likes: 0
From: at the truck pulls
Well I'll turn 48 next Friday and I still drive like a 21 year old, okay mybe a 25 year old. My truck is just over one year old and just above 21,000 miles. Here is what I have found so far.
Driving/towing/:
30 miles one way to work 50% hwy/50% secondary roads
I usually have it to the floor 3 or 4 times every time I'm in it
@ 21K miles (only 17,000 on BFG A/T KO's I probably have 5000 miles left on them)
I have competed in about 6 truck pulls
I have pulled about 4000 miles towing my 5th wheel, it weighs 11,000 lbs and it 12' 8" tall, and I run at 75 to 85 mph
The main trip meter hasn't been reset, Trip A I use for towing or long distance references, Trip B I use tank-to-tank.
Main Trip Meter is at 13.7
Trip A:
Pulling my camper like I do 10.5-11.2
Unloaded hwy running 70 ----- 16.5-17.0
Unloaded running 85-95 -----13-14
Trip B:
around town usually 14.2 - 15.2 depending upon extra trips playing around
Now off to start my Saturday installing some Bilstein 5100 series shocks!!
Driving/towing/:
30 miles one way to work 50% hwy/50% secondary roads
I usually have it to the floor 3 or 4 times every time I'm in it
@ 21K miles (only 17,000 on BFG A/T KO's I probably have 5000 miles left on them)
I have competed in about 6 truck pulls
I have pulled about 4000 miles towing my 5th wheel, it weighs 11,000 lbs and it 12' 8" tall, and I run at 75 to 85 mph
The main trip meter hasn't been reset, Trip A I use for towing or long distance references, Trip B I use tank-to-tank.
Main Trip Meter is at 13.7
Trip A:
Pulling my camper like I do 10.5-11.2
Unloaded hwy running 70 ----- 16.5-17.0
Unloaded running 85-95 -----13-14
Trip B:
around town usually 14.2 - 15.2 depending upon extra trips playing around
Now off to start my Saturday installing some Bilstein 5100 series shocks!!
New User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
This is good info. I am going to play with my trip meters more to get some different rresults. I like to get mt foot in it as well every now and then! If i added some longer trips im sure all my numbers would go up. Thanks for the update. Im not unhappy where im at i am unhappy with the diesel price in general. I have a question, can i buy the factory flares prepainted to match my paint from ford. I have the ingot silver.
thanks
thanks
More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 588
Likes: 34
From: Boston
Your'e not kidding about the MPG towing an enclosed trailer. Here was mine on the way to OH for New Years.
The only thing you can do is keep the speed down. Wind resistance increased by the square as speed increases linearly, so especially with a trailer, speed will KILL your fuel economy. With a full-profile trailer I always cruise no faster than 65 MPH.
The only thing you can do is keep the speed down. Wind resistance increased by the square as speed increases linearly, so especially with a trailer, speed will KILL your fuel economy. With a full-profile trailer I always cruise no faster than 65 MPH.
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
Super Moderator
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 25,479
Likes: 742
From: Isanti, MN
That's a nice looking trailer! I just sold mine in May around the time I traded my truck in. Just didn't need it anymore and with $4.00/gal diesel it didn't make sense for me to keep the truck around for something I didn't use anymore.
Here's hoping that the future brings me cause to get another!
Here's hoping that the future brings me cause to get another!
More Turbo
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 538
Likes: 45
From: Lansing, MI
My hand calcs are very close to the LOM. Also, 90% of my fuel ups are at the same station and the same pump. Details are in the link in my sig.
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More Turbo
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 588
Likes: 34
From: Boston
Mine is also. Actually my truck said I used 23.2 gallons and I put 23.3 in. Lol
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