I'm preparing to go on a trip in which I plan to tow a trailer that will be about 5,000 lbs using my 2004 Excursion 5.4 liter v8 gas engine. I typically get about 13 mpg when driving without the trailer and this is mostly around town driving with a little interstate driving, I'd say about 75% town, 25% Interstate. On my trip I will be mostly interstate driving so am hoping my gas mileage would go up some with the understanding that the trailer would make it go down. I'm hoping for about 10mpg for this trip. Is this reasonable? Does anyone have experience with this engine an towing a trailer of this weight and would be willing to say what your mpg is? Thanks so much in advance to anyone willing to answer!

 

No, it won't go up. The biggest factor towing a trailer is frontal area. Need to know what kind of trailer.

 

Thanks mgraveman. I realize it won't go up, just wondering how much it will go down. I'm not sure what kind of trailer it is as I am borrowing it and won't have it until tomorrow. I do know that the trailer empty weighs about 3,000 pounds and it is enclosed. It is a dual wheel tandem trailer with trailer brakes. That is about all I know about it at this time. As I said the trip will be mostly interstate, I'd say about 95% of it so there will not be a lot of stop and go driving. Thanks again for your input.

 

Speed will be a big factor. I think you will be closer to 8.5 - 9 mpg.

 

Agree, as long as you stay under 60 or so the MPG won't get too bad.

 

Sounds like a typical box type trailer. Shouldn't be all that bad because the hox area probably mimics the X's width and height. I'm guessing you'll be around 11mpg.

 

I borrowed a friends 25' camper this summer and pulled it one time with my wifes 5.4 EX. It weighed around 5000 pounds. It really labored the ex in my opinion but it pulled it. I think we got 6.5 if I rememmber correct and that was a mainly interstate trip. Our EX is 4wd and I dont know if yours is or not.We get 12 empty runnin around everyday .

 

Thanks everyone for your input. I've decided to use a different trailer for a number of unrelated to gas mileage reasons. The new one is much smaller and I will only be pulling no more than 2000 pounds so I should be in good shape. I'll try to update everyone on my gas mileage when I get back from my trip. Thanks again!