Towing mpg?

[tdhanses]

Towing with a 1/2ton vs a 3/4 ton just isn’t comparable, my 5k camper I never felt behind my 3/4 ton even in high side winds, I feel everything in my 1/2 ton. Yes it has the motor all day to pull 12k but that’s not all that matters. Airbags have made a huge difference with my 1/2ton though but nothing will make up for the extra weight of a 3/4 ton.

I wish GM would put the 3.0 diesel in a 3/4 ton, we don’t all need 700hp and 1000ftlbs but some of us want the comfort of a 3/4 ton towing with better efficiency when not.

 

[5 shot group]

2020 silverado 3500 duramax pulling 8k trailer I'm getting about 15-16 mpg and I have all the power I want to pull out and pass just about anybody.

Before the silverado, I had an 07 Chevy avalanche with the 5.3L. Pulling a 7k trailer I was getting around 7mpg with no power to spare.

I bought the silverado after I blew up the avalanche trying to pull my trailer uphill on the highway. I have no regrets with the upgrade other then I now have truck payment.

 

[5MilesBack]

OP asked about a diesel 1/2 ton

In four pages of responses, only 7 of them were about the 1/2 ton diesels. So perhaps the general perspective of the thread is a little different than you perceived.

 

[Justinjs]

In four pages of responses, only 7 of them were about the 1/2 ton diesels. So perhaps the general perspective of the thread is a little different than you perceived.

Ehh, you spent too much time counting posts, nobody cares.
Did you have something on topic to add?

 

[5MilesBack]

Ehh, you spent too much time counting posts, nobody cares.
Did you have something on topic to add?

Obviously you care, you keep replying back. I already added to the topic, then you tried to ridicule it......LOL.

 

[drra]

I have a 2014 2500 Dodge BigHorn with a diesel engine and it doesn't matter what trailer I'm towing (camper, cargo trailer or 18 car trailer with my tractor on it) I average 14-16 mpg on the highway (not all that different than driving around town). On the highway with no trailer 20-22 mpg.

 

[Cornhusker]

2021 Ford 250 Super Duty 6.7 L diesel. I pull a 14,900 5th wheel loaded I probably add at least 1500 lbs although I try to eliminate as much junk I put in the trailer as I can. It has the 10 speed transmission which I think really helps from some of the older diesels I pulled with. I get anywhere from 9-12 Mpg a lot depends on the wind. I'll head south to Yuma Arizona next week and will head straight south to avoid the Rockies if the wind isn't real high in my face I'll average somewhere around 11-12 or at least I did last year.

 

[Marbles]

Tell hime to check the campers bearings. I have gotten 14 mpg towing about 5000 pounds with my Tacoma (150 mile trip, two axel enclosed trailer) and the next day gotten 9 mpg towing a smaller trailer with less in it on the same drive (1 axel enclosed trailer), got 10 mpg twing it empty, but was going the opposite direction, so not completely comparable.

Other wise I'm no help, doubt he wants a Tacoma, though it will handle his camper.

 

[Choupique]

Totally agree. The HD line is going to be more planted and pricing is very similar.

I've priced out a comparable 1/2 vs 3/4 gasser and they're within a few hundred, incentives aside.

It's only #5k though, any modern truck can pull that. If that's all the weight op's friend is pulling, it's a hard sell to get a gas 3/4 @ mid teens for mpg vs a low/mid 20s gas 1/2 or upper 20s 1/2 ton diesel. It would take hundreds of thousands of miles to break even on cost gas vs diesel.

I had a 2019 F250 4 door long bed 4x4 with 6.2 gas and 3.73's would get 18mpg cruising. Well worth it for how much more truck you're getting IMO. It's so much more truck for the money than any half ton.

 

[tdhanses]

I had a 2019 F250 4 door long bed 4x4 with 6.2 gas and 3.73's would get 18mpg cruising. Well worth it for how much more truck you're getting IMO. It's so much more truck for the money than any half ton.

My 2019 F250 with the 6.2 got 14.5mpg empty and 7-8mpg towing.

 

[Justinjs]

I had a 2019 F250 4 door long bed 4x4 with 6.2 gas and 3.73's would get 18mpg cruising. Well worth it for how much more truck you're getting IMO. It's so much more truck for the money than any half ton.

A personal friend has the same truck and hates it, terrible mpg towing/empty, not very good with their 5er, hunts for gears. The 6.2 is indestructible but gutless. I'd never opt for a 6.2 for a 5k trailer over a top tier engine 1/2 ton.

Also, 18.5...downhill with a tailwind?

 

[Choupique]

Lol, no. Those are some shit numbers and shit sample sizes. I had one with a 6.2 and 4.30 gears and it never got worse than 12-13 unloaded. It would get 15 if I nursed it. Always checked by hand.

My old 02 Chevy 3/4 ton with 4.10 gears and a 6 liter and a 4 speed would get 12mpg easily and lasted forever.