Typical MPG on tow vehicle?

[mikextx]

Did you ever gps your speedometer? Just asking cause those are some pretty small tires. I wonder if it's throwing off your milage calculation. If not, that's sweet. I'd love to get 15 without a trailer

 

[murdered141]

Did you ever gps your speedometer? Just asking cause those are some pretty small tires. I wonder if it's throwing off your milage calculation. If not, that's sweet. I'd love to get 15 without a trailer

Yes i have, it's only off by 1 mile at 70, have you ever tried running a topper that's level with the cab, my buddy's dad has a 2001 with 630 thousand on his, he gets a steady 19 but when he puts his cap on for the winter it goes up to 21, also Excursion's are 2" lower than a sd pickup.

 

[murdered141]

Did you ever gps your speedometer? Just asking cause those are some pretty small tires. I wonder if it's throwing off your milage calculation. If not, that's sweet. I'd love to get 15 without a trailer

Tires are only .30" shorter but a full 2" narrower, every little bit helps, trust me im not one of those guys that claims upper 20's with a tune running 37" . On another note my 2002 f350 5.4 supercharged gasser with 10" of lift and 40" boggers gets a solid 5mpg at 55

 

[mikextx]

I haven't tried a topper. And, I believe ya. I know they're out there, just haven't seen any.

 

[murdered141]

I feel like i already derailed this thread, but iddling and short trips arent a 7.3's friend, my mileage does drop to 12-14 in city traffic commuting to work, my highway mileage comes from cruising off peak hours with no traffic and hardly getting on the brakes, its 286 miles from Chicago to my cabin in the UP.

 

[alswagg2]

My 1997 F 350 Camper Special gets 19 on hwy and 14 loaded with a 3,000 lb slide in camper. 65-70 mph. Truck only towing our 27’ sled trailer 14 mpg Oh ya 7.3 power stroke

 

[alswagg2]

 

[steveg_nh]

2015 Ford F350 6.7L Powerstroke diesel pulling 3 sleds in an 18+4'x7' inline trailer. About 13-14mpg.

 

[alswagg2]

Why do the new diesels get such bad mileage ? I would think they should get better?? Not pulling any
More weight, so what gives??

 

[porkchop]

biggest thing towing for MPG is air drag. My clamshell pulls pretty much as hard empty as it does loaded. Years ago I built an aluminum 18X5 open trailer . that thing pulled super easy. when I get a chance I want to build an enclosed tear drop trailer . Maybe 6.5 wide sled staggered . The Hybrid deck over rear ramp door trailers have gotten very popular in the east and those things suck as in literally suck gas 102" wide and tall with a square back . You could turn that style trailer around backwards and it would probably tow no harder . Rear ramp doors are horrible for MPG lots of drag. I would have the axle outside with low deck like an inline trailer but I would taper it to the rear with a hatchback style opening for head room and a short fold down ramp, maybe 3 feet ish ramp. No V nose just smooth rounded bubble style front.

My Titan Pro4x gets 9-12 mpg regardless if it's pulling the 16'6" x 7' inline or not. It doesn't even know it's there.
I pay for fuel not worry about any drag that I can't control.

 

[alswagg2]

My Titan Pro4x gets 9-12 mpg regardless if it's pulling the 16'6" x 7' inline or not. It doesn't even know it's there.
I pay for fuel not worry about any drag that I can't control.[/QUOTE

So if I here you correctly. Your Nissan gets worse mileage than my 2500 Suburban 496 ci Big Block pulling a 27’ 8.5’ wide fully loaded trailer?? And a lot worse mileage than my old Ford F 350 with a 7.3 power stroke? Really?

 

[steveg_nh]

I’m sure a lot has to do with where you tow too. Everything I do is up into elevation. I climb some serious hills.

 

[alswagg2]

I have not taken my ole F350 into the mountains. Bi am sure that it will sick down more fuel. I do like that I have dual 20 gallon tanks. 40 gallon capacity helps when road trips are going on. I try to not let the second tank go under 1/2 before refueling.

 

[porkchop]

Al,
Yep it'll pull just about anything but won't pass a gas station, its a pig.

 

[murdered141]

Why do the new diesels get such bad mileage ? I would think they should get better?? Not pulling any
More weight, so what gives??

Most new diesel truck mileage on the highway hovers around 17-18, which isnt bad considering their making about 40-45% more torque than 20 years ago, also not all the fuel goes into the combustion chamber with emission device's hurting economy, new pickups are taller with bigger wider tires from the factory.