MPG?
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Cross-Country
Joined: Oct 2018
Posts: 67
Likes: 3
MPG?
We have a 2016 F250 with the 6.2 L v 8 engine. We tow an 11,000 LB GVW 5th wheel trailer. We tend to average high 7’s to low 8’s in mpg. We’re looking at downsizing to a bumper pull that has a 6,800 LB gvw and is nearly a foot lower in overall height.
Any thoughts on how much if any improvement I may see in mpg?
Any thoughts on how much if any improvement I may see in mpg?
Laughing Gas
Joined: Nov 2020
Posts: 994
Likes: 367
From: Republic of Texas
Way too many variables to measure however..
Truck stance, tire size, gearing, engine, transmission gearing, trailer height, trailer profile, roads you drive on, and how you drive, these and more must be taken into consideration.
Your biggest problem other than the above is the application of the skinny pedal and planing ahead while in motion as well as getting into motion.
Truck stance, tire size, gearing, engine, transmission gearing, trailer height, trailer profile, roads you drive on, and how you drive, these and more must be taken into consideration.
Your biggest problem other than the above is the application of the skinny pedal and planing ahead while in motion as well as getting into motion.
Cross-Country
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 63
Likes: 14
We have a 2016 F250 with the 6.2 L v 8 engine. We tow an 11,000 LB GVW 5th wheel trailer. We tend to average high 7’s to low 8’s in mpg. We’re looking at downsizing to a bumper pull that has a 6,800 LB gvw and is nearly a foot lower in overall height.
Any thoughts on how much if any improvement I may see in mpg?
Any thoughts on how much if any improvement I may see in mpg?
11 foot tall, 33 foot long, 8500gvw bumper pull bunk house
Mostly flat driving
9-10mpg
We have played leapfrog with trucks and campers a bit. At one time, I had a tiny 17' hybrid RV that barely weighed 3500lbs and towed it with an F150 5.0L. It got 10mpg. That same truck got 10mpg with our current trailer which is twice the size. I agree with the other poster that wind drag across the face of the camper will automatically bring you into an 8-11mpg range, and then total weight and truck setup may affect that up or down 1-2mpg from there. When we realized that any trailer is going to put us in basically the same MPG range we decided to upgrade to a larger unit for more comfort. Of course that unit ended up being a bit too much for the F150 and here we stand with the F250, but we are very happy with this setup. Well within the limits of the truck and very comfortable at camp.
I've come to expect 9mpg but generally hit 10mpg and tell myself to be happy about it.
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FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,769
Likes: 1,506
We have a 2016 F250 with the 6.2 L v 8 engine. We tow an 11,000 LB GVW 5th wheel trailer. We tend to average high 7’s to low 8’s in mpg. We’re looking at downsizing to a bumper pull that has a 6,800 LB gvw and is nearly a foot lower in overall height.
Any thoughts on how much if any improvement I may see in mpg?
Any thoughts on how much if any improvement I may see in mpg?
I'll be interested to see what your experience actually is.
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Fleet Mechanic
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,765
Likes: 502
I'd guess you'll be in the same general range, maybe 8's. Bumper pulls are like attaching a sail to the back of the truck where as 5th wheels tend to be more aerodynamic. A lot of slow speed, back road driving, you might notice an improvement just from the reduction in weight but, at speed, worse aerodynamics take a lot of power to overcome, sucking up any efficiency gained by the reduced weight.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2019
Posts: 2,799
Likes: 313
we have a 11' 8" tall 34ft long 9500 gvw travel trailer. last time i scaled it we were about 16,500 combined. i get 8-9 mpg on my normal tune depending on terrain. i get 5-6 with E85. my truck is also lifted on 35s and has 4.88 gears. i dont go faster then 65 cause i dont trust the current tires, they will be replaced this summer, and mpg drops quicker at higher speed.
5th Wheeling
Joined: Nov 2021
Posts: 41
Likes: 14
From: Maryland
I purchased the 2017 SD 6.2 this fall in anticipation of our new 28BH Vibe Travel Trailer. Max weight is 9,730 and we are taking it from Maryland to Bar Harbor this August. We booked the trip before gas was $4.25 but I am expecting 8-9 MPG. I am really surprise that my truck gets 11.2 daily without a load, stock. Seems low. Have not pulled the camper any farther than from the dealer so I dont have numbers yet.
FTE Community Team
Joined: Jan 2019
Posts: 10,769
Likes: 1,506
I purchased the 2017 SD 6.2 this fall in anticipation of our new 28BH Vibe Travel Trailer. Max weight is 9,730 and we are taking it from Maryland to Bar Harbor this August. We booked the trip before gas was $4.25 but I am expecting 8-9 MPG. I am really surprise that my truck gets 11.2 daily without a load, stock. Seems low. Have not pulled the camper any farther than from the dealer so I dont have numbers yet.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 1,729
Likes: 80
From: New Jersey
I have had 2 RV trailers on my current truck. Our first trailer and our current trailer. The first trailer was like 9.5 or 10 feet high. No room inside 
30 footer weighing 6,000 pounds wet. I usually got around 9 MPG. The current trailer is 11 foot high weighs 9500 wet. 36 footer. Average MPG is around 8 to 8.5. Depends on the terrain as did our old one. More of an interesting note, our current trailer is easier to tow. Probably due to the better design of the trailer. There were not as many pucker moments on the road with it.
30 footer weighing 6,000 pounds wet. I usually got around 9 MPG. The current trailer is 11 foot high weighs 9500 wet. 36 footer. Average MPG is around 8 to 8.5. Depends on the terrain as did our old one. More of an interesting note, our current trailer is easier to tow. Probably due to the better design of the trailer. There were not as many pucker moments on the road with it.
Tuned
Joined: Mar 2019
Posts: 256
Likes: 253
From: Auburn, WA
Tuned
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 425
Likes: 44
From: Everett, WA
This thread is a bit reassuring in that we are getting about the same as everyone else. Our travel trailer is 7,500 loaded, 30' long and about 11' tall. Towing on the highway, I run a constant 65mph flat ground, uphill and downhill. Hand calculated, it averages right about 7.5-8 mpg. All of my estimates for fuel on trips is is based on 7.5 mpg and its been pretty dang close.
In June, we leave the Seattle area for Yellowstone. The trip will be about 1,750 miles towing. With fuel prices the way they are, we are going to experiment with running at 60mph to see if we gain any improvement. I'm not expecting a miracle but picking up any fuel economy should be worth the extra little bit of time on the road.
One thing that I'm also curious in is how the topper will affect fuel economy, if at all. We've always towed with a tonneau cover on the bed. This last year we added a Leer, cab height topper. My hopes are that it helps the truck and trailer be more streamlined but with the added weight of the topper, it likely will zero out. Either way, more secure bed space is well worth it.
In June, we leave the Seattle area for Yellowstone. The trip will be about 1,750 miles towing. With fuel prices the way they are, we are going to experiment with running at 60mph to see if we gain any improvement. I'm not expecting a miracle but picking up any fuel economy should be worth the extra little bit of time on the road.
One thing that I'm also curious in is how the topper will affect fuel economy, if at all. We've always towed with a tonneau cover on the bed. This last year we added a Leer, cab height topper. My hopes are that it helps the truck and trailer be more streamlined but with the added weight of the topper, it likely will zero out. Either way, more secure bed space is well worth it.
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