MPG
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MPG
Hi I am new to this, bare with me. I have a 2011 Ford F250 SD,ext cab, 8ft bed w topper, 6.2 gas V8, 6sp automad, 2wd. I tow a 32ft travel trailer. I have a lot of hp but my MPG suck. I average 7.3 mpg towing.Is there anything I can do to improve my mpg?? Thank for the help. Ray
MMNC (SS)(Ret)
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 11,594
Likes: 144
From: SE Georgia
sorry man, you have just discovered the joys of towing a huge trailer with a gas motor
even with a PSD, I think you'd be lucky to get 10 mpg.
to improve mileage, get a trailer that's more aerodynamic. not much else will work unfortunately besides keeping it slow 60-65 mph
even with a PSD, I think you'd be lucky to get 10 mpg.
to improve mileage, get a trailer that's more aerodynamic. not much else will work unfortunately besides keeping it slow 60-65 mph
Lead Driver
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 5,844
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From: Albuquerque
Welcome to FTE!
Actually...your mpg are not all that bad for your SD configuration. I am also guessing...that you have 3.73 gears...which reduce your mpg's too.
So here are a few tips:
1. proper inflated tires while towing
2. filling up with gas that has less ethanol in it. Ethanol offers more hp...but reduced mpg's
3. reduce speed
4. Using manual mode more to hold gears that are keeping your 6.2L engine in the right rpm's for the conditions. If you play with it...you'll know what I mean.
Good luck...
biz
Actually...your mpg are not all that bad for your SD configuration. I am also guessing...that you have 3.73 gears...which reduce your mpg's too.
So here are a few tips:
1. proper inflated tires while towing
2. filling up with gas that has less ethanol in it. Ethanol offers more hp...but reduced mpg's
3. reduce speed
4. Using manual mode more to hold gears that are keeping your 6.2L engine in the right rpm's for the conditions. If you play with it...you'll know what I mean.
Good luck...
biz
Cargo Master
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 2,000
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From: Nowthen, MN
Unfortunately, as the others stated, that's just the nature of the beast. Biz4two offered a few good tips there that can help, the biggest of which in my opinion would be to reduce your speed. Towing a travel trailer is like pulling a huge sail down the road. The faster you go, the harder it is to pull, and the more fuel you will use. If you are going 70, bring it down to 55-60.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,066
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From: Rogue River, Oregon
+1 to all the above. The pros and cons of towing with a gas truck are that they are powerful, reliable, quiet and affordable. They are also thirsty. It's been debated here plenty and everyone sees it differently, but if an extra 3-4 mpg is going to make or break the deal you need a different truck because there is no silver bullet for mpg's with a big truck.
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Joined: Feb 2011
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From: FT. Rucker AL
I noticed just being empty with my v10 that if i dropped speed from 75 to 60 my mpg went from 11 mpg to 14 mpg.
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Joined: Mar 2012
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From: Brookhaven, Ms.
Just arbitrarily staying at a slower speed could cost you if you do not speed up going downhill and use some of the momentum to boost you up and over the next one.
Same way with cruise control. It will have you actually braking going downhill and floorboarding climbing the next one.
Same way with cruise control. It will have you actually braking going downhill and floorboarding climbing the next one.
Senior User
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 421
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From: FT. Rucker AL
That is my true cal from driving from augusta ga to fort rucker but never going over 65. I do also have the 235/75r16 tires and am not pulling anything. I was really surpirsed by the numbers. If i drive stop and go on post and around town it just under 10.