MPG towing
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2021
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MPG towing
What could I expect in MPG towing a travel trailer that weighs around 5,000 pounds. My truck is 2017 with 2.7 EB and 3.55 gears and 4X4, I normally get around 21/22 MPG not towing and combined town/country. Thanks, Jim.
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From: Home Base Nebraska
The 2.7 is a great motor and has lots of HP and torque and is fun to drive (we own one) but as far as pulling any weight over long distances I'm not sure it will hold up over time because the turbos will be working continually sucking fuel and generating heat.
Denny
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From: Everywhere and nowhere
I got about 5mpg with my 95 F350 460/ZF5/4.10s towing my 10k lb enclosed trailer into a headwind last week. It was tied with the worst mileage I've ever got with the truck. The other time was a 40mph headwind going across North Dakota. Pedal to the floor to maintain 65mph.
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From: Minnesota
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From: Republic of Texas
Frontal profile is a part of the issue, side profile and length are others... Weight of truck and weight of trailer are issues. Total Gross Combined Weight... Major factor.
Way too many overload both components, do not do it.
Now... Just because you can move it does not indicate you can control it.
Flat, rolling hills, and big hills (mountains) will all vary your MPG. Speed will have a huge impact on towing. Rusty so not flaming here... double speed is 4 times power required if I remember correctly. You will run out of power.
The dealer of the truck and the dealer of the trailer will all tell you that you are OK to do it.. They all lie...
But a 5k trailer by the sound if the number should be OK... maybe.
But also last thing.. Mass of the tow pig and displacement of the engine are king when pulling.
That little engine will be screaming the entire time, just keep up on the maintenance and slow down.
Way too many overload both components, do not do it.
Now... Just because you can move it does not indicate you can control it.
Flat, rolling hills, and big hills (mountains) will all vary your MPG. Speed will have a huge impact on towing. Rusty so not flaming here... double speed is 4 times power required if I remember correctly. You will run out of power.
The dealer of the truck and the dealer of the trailer will all tell you that you are OK to do it.. They all lie...
But a 5k trailer by the sound if the number should be OK... maybe.
But also last thing.. Mass of the tow pig and displacement of the engine are king when pulling.
That little engine will be screaming the entire time, just keep up on the maintenance and slow down.
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Cross-Country
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 55
Likes: 11
Well it looks like around 8 or 9 MPG would be a good estimate. Took a short trip just to get a feel of everything including the trailer brakes and it showed 10 MPG on the computer running 55 0r 60 MPH. Now I don't care, got my plans changed for the better. My wife wants to go to Florida for a week or two this winter like we did before we sold our motorhome but in the camper we have now. I offered to pay for her plane ticket if she would go by herself and she said OK. Jim.
Cargo Master
Joined: Apr 2012
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From: Bottom Of Pikes Peak
I got about 5mpg with my 95 F350 460/ZF5/4.10s towing my 10k lb enclosed trailer into a headwind last week. It was tied with the worst mileage I've ever got with the truck. The other time was a 40mph headwind going across North Dakota. Pedal to the floor to maintain 65mph.
I learned years ago not to run the truck harder than you have to. Have to find a happy medium in those situations. Some people enjoy paying for extra fuel and just don't care.
Mountain Pass
Joined: Jul 2024
Posts: 198
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Frontal profile is a part of the issue, side profile and length are others... Weight of truck and weight of trailer are issues. Total Gross Combined Weight... Major factor.
Way too many overload both components, do not do it.
Now... Just because you can move it does not indicate you can control it.
Flat, rolling hills, and big hills (mountains) will all vary your MPG. Speed will have a huge impact on towing. Rusty so not flaming here... double speed is 4 times power required if I remember correctly. You will run out of power.
The dealer of the truck and the dealer of the trailer will all tell you that you are OK to do it.. They all lie...
But a 5k trailer by the sound if the number should be OK... maybe.
But also last thing.. Mass of the tow pig and displacement of the engine are king when pulling.
That little engine will be screaming the entire time, just keep up on the maintenance and slow down.
Way too many overload both components, do not do it.
Now... Just because you can move it does not indicate you can control it.
Flat, rolling hills, and big hills (mountains) will all vary your MPG. Speed will have a huge impact on towing. Rusty so not flaming here... double speed is 4 times power required if I remember correctly. You will run out of power.
The dealer of the truck and the dealer of the trailer will all tell you that you are OK to do it.. They all lie...
But a 5k trailer by the sound if the number should be OK... maybe.
But also last thing.. Mass of the tow pig and displacement of the engine are king when pulling.
That little engine will be screaming the entire time, just keep up on the maintenance and slow down.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,862
Likes: 1,043
I've always wondered why anyone with a pulse and a general drivers license can drive some of these large trailers. Then drive them to 65mph. Even with all the decades I've been driving, it's the school of hard knocks that taught me. Fortunately, not any hard knocks........yet.
But then again, in my state, you need a license to cut peoples hair and paint peoples nails, but none to perform any automotive repairs. With all the sketchy stuff I've seen in my life, I am surprised there are not more fatalities.
But then again, in my state, you need a license to cut peoples hair and paint peoples nails, but none to perform any automotive repairs. With all the sketchy stuff I've seen in my life, I am surprised there are not more fatalities.