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Typical MPG on tow vehicle?

Wish I had the $70,000 to swing the diesel. Just don't do enough pulling to warrant that type of drivetrain.

One of the TY members had a 8.1gas motor in a Denali. I'll have to strike up a conversation about how bad that is.
 

Last year was my first year with my 16 2500 duramax. I had 5 sleds in my trailer and one in the back of the truck. 5 adults and all of our luggage. I ran the truck at 75 from Illinois to Mercer. I got somewhere around 11-12. But for me I can live with a little worse mileage and know that I can take everyone and not have to drop down to 60 mph or have the truck shift on every hill.
 
jtmetal said:
You think 91 would yield better than 87? IDK? I always use 87.
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my truck will, I have it flashed for more power and pulling. It makes a difference for me. I cant say it will in a normal stock truck but I know for sure ethanol will not help the mileage. If you read up on that flex fuel, the economy drops substantially and to me the offset in price is not worth the drop in mileage.
 
2005 GMC 2500HD Crew w/ 8.1 liter big block and Allison tranny. I get 10 mpg no matter what I pull.
 

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Well 27’ enclosed V nose with 4 sleds. Our 2500 Suburban with Big Block 9 mpg. The F 350 with 7.3 15 mpg. 65-70 mph.
 
jtmetal said:
I just loaded up with flex fuel (appx 51% ethanol) and made a run to Keweenaw. And got a very depressing 6mpg. Couldn't even make 200miles and needed fuel. Yuck!
Wonder how that Ford Ecoboost does when pulling?
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If you use regular 10% ethanol you’ll get much better mileage than flex fuel.
I have the same 2015 2500 6.0 Chevy with variable valve timing and get 9 mpg with three sleds in a 29” v- nose aluminum using premium fuel. If you have the older 6.0 it’s even worse mileage.
E-85 is cheaper tho so the cost is about the same as running regular gas.
I never tow with 87 octane! I do exactly what you do, I top the tank off before I leave with e-85.
A 50/50 mix of e85 and 87 regular will net you a whopping 96 octane fuel, so it’s great for your motor under heavier loads.
 
well in my case it makes no difference what i have it it for gas as it does the same on 91 no ethenol as on 87 with ethenol. i usually fill it with 91 when towing heavy. with my older enclosed 6' wide i was getting almost 18mpg hauling 4 sleds around with same truck.

going to have to try the heavy haul tune on my bullydog and see if it makes a difference.
 
My 8.1 gasser was 10 mpg no matter what it pulled. I actually got close to 14 once running back from Montana with a full trailer and four peeps. She liked a good tail wind and 80mph that trip home. Now running a lml duramax. Can't say I've missed the gasser.
 
2003 f250 7.3 diesel ccsb. 12.5 mpg pulling 4 sleds, with 4 adults. 2, 3, 4 place trailer is all around the same
 
jtmetal said:
I've pulled with two different V6's and three different V8's.

Newest is a '16 chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.0 6sp. Ya know.....all of them have gotten real close to 10mpg. I generally pull at 70mph.

What do you use to pull and what's your avg mpg?
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My 95 318 ram, with 78,000 miles gets 12 with one on the bed, and a triton 2 place. 14 regular. Friends Chevy Silverado gets 12, son in laws 500 cubic inch or whatever Chevy 2500 gets 10, towing or not! Lol! Now, I don't drive my 03 3500 cummins dually long bed 4 door with a wing on top, 6 speed manual, smarty programmer on tow, in winter much, but it gets 20 to 24 at 60 mph, but 18 at 65. I towed 10,000 pounds of rough cut lumber to Chapel Hill for my brother in law and got 14 mph at mostly 70. Empty coming back, 16 if you stayed under 65. Pulling a 2 place sled trailer has no effect on mpg....I got 21 dropping my sleds off back in October. Stayed at 55 mph.
No emission inspection, no urea, 800 ft lbs, 400 hp at least...LOL! Love those pre 06 cummins'!
(picked it up used, mint. Not paying 76000 for a new one)
 
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