Towing mpg?

[SwiftShot]

I have a 2016 Dodge 1500 Eco Diesel. Pulling my boat which was 7000 lbs it got 15 to 16MPG. The boat was very aerodynamic so not a lot of resistance. Pulling my travel trailers I have had it usually would get me 12ish. All of these trailers where well over 7000lbs. I was pushing max weight hard. My last trailer was a 23 foot towhauler. I switched to a F350. Anyway I towed them all over the PNW. In the mountains, just take it easy and watch your tranny temp. Truck has 150k and gojng strong.

 

[dieselchessy]

My 2006 5.9 Cummins gets 12 to 14 pulling my 24’ travel trailer. It isn’t the weight, it’s the big flat front on the trailer that kills you.
I can haul almost 2x the weight in hay stacked on my flatbed and get the same mileage.

Diesel probably won’t save any money. They are heavier so wear tires quicker, they use more oil, DEF, bigger filters, diesel costs more, they tend to be more expensive to repair, and they often cost more to buy.

I prefer diesel for a tow rig, but it’s not cheaper that I’ve experienced.

 

[83cj-7]

2020 F350 6.2l, 10 speed, 4:30 gears pulling a 6k camper with 1.5k of cargo on the truck will get 9-11 mpg depending on terrain. That’s also running E15 which is 80 cents cheaper than regular gas.
Doesn’t have the power of a diesel, but it’s pretty darn good. I can buy a brand new engine for my truck for what my friends have spent on repairing a diesel.

 

[HeavyAssault]

Diesel:
Drop anything on the hitch, drive it, and enjoy a worry free drive. Yea...diesel fuel isn't cheap right now.
You got to have a pretty heavy load or in varied terrain to get into single digit MPGs.
Gasser:
Drops mileage faster the more weight you put on the hitch. Yea...gas is cheaper but you will pay for it.
Pretty easy to get into single digit MPGs with MILD towing loads.

Why drive a diesel 3/4 or 1 ton truck (I highly suggest an 8' bed)?? Cause you can just load up anything or tow whatever you want....there's no second guessing what's going to happen when loaded up.

 

[Fullfan]

2018 Ram 3500 6.7 Cummins 4x4 Mega cab that has been deleated and tuned. Towing a 40’ fiver that comes in at 15k, I can do 12-13.

Same truck towing a 26’ enclosed from Pa to Idaho, with elk hunting gear. I can get 13-15.

 

[Tobe_B]

2019 Duramax 3/4 ton. Doesn’t seem to matter how much weight I load it with we get 14-16mpg towing at highway speeds. All Gooseneck trailers though, no bumper pulls. My 05 Cummins did about the same, my 07 Cummins got about 9-12 mpg. Had on 03 Silverado with the 6.0 vortec, it got 11mpg loaded no matter what. My wife had an 04 hemi 5.7 that got 7mpg loaded. It was a gas hog, glad to be rid of that one.


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[S-3 ranch]

My buddy has a eco diesel ram 1500 , it gets 15-16 pulling a 14ft utility trailer, i drive a Chevy Silverado 1500 same trailer 10-12
if you’re towing in wind , hills, mountains, more than 2-3 times a year get a 3/4 ton , way better brakes, gears, weight control
a diesel doesn’t make sense maintenance wise if it’s not a full time hauler
7.3 , 6.6 , 6.4 ( ford Chevy ram ) are good options in 3/4 -1T without the $400 oil and filter change

 

[MuleyFever]

I feel like the numbers being thrown out are dependent on terrain. Towing MPG in the western mountain states will be quite a bit different than towing across the midwest.

Towing about 10k lbs around UT and CO I got about 10 MPG with my 2017 F250 Powerstroke.

 

[MuleyFever]

a diesel doesn’t make sense maintenance wise if it’s not a full time hauler
7.3 , 6.6 , 6.4 ( ford Chevy ram ) are good options in 3/4 -1T without the $400 oil and filter change

I dont pay half that for a tire rotation, oil and filter change.

 

[Brooks]

Tire rotation is free, I buy both fuel filters, oil filter and air filter on line and they’re Motorcraft delivered for $100 I buy Full Synthetic Shell Rotella oil for around $80 takes about an hour to change check things over, grease and check the tire pressure . 6.7 Powerstroke.

 

[ToolMann]

I've had and towed with both gas and diesel. I don't buy 3/4 ton diesels because they're more economical, I do so because I enjoy the towing experience much more. Even with just my 25' (bumper to ball) travel trailer. Especially here in the Rockies. The engine break to me is as valuable as the torque. 2017 Ram 2500 currently. About the same mileage as many previous posts. If the wind is calm I have no problem setting cruise at 75 mph on the highway. Just make sure you have the appropriate tires on your trailer.

 

[davsco]

2012 f250 6.7 diesel. get 17-18 out and about (no towing). but drops big time to 10-12mpg just pulling a sxs on an open aluminum trailer. frankly pretty surprised (disappointed) about the mpg drop.

 

[rayporter]

2017 cummings ram 3500
i just got back from Ohio and got 14.9 going north and 13.3 going south towing 5000lb goose neck horse trailer.

with 13000 lb i never hit 14mpg and am real happy it is 13.5 which is rare. usually in 12 mpg range and 11 if in Ozarks.

empty i have seen 15 a couple times. the old 2006 cummins will still get about 2 mpg better than the 2017.
the engine brake needs more attention-it is a game changer.

 

[hunterjmj]

2009 Chevy 6L gasser. I have no idea what I get pulling but it gobbles the fuel. I don't pull enough to care but it pulls just fine when I do. I do know I get about 15mpg avg just driving around empty.

 

[jimh406]

I had a 96' Ford Expedition that got about 8 towing over Cascade mountains with a 6000 lb Travel Trailer.

Gasoline engines don't usually do that well towing. That's not really a problem. Do you want more MPG and pay several thousand dollars for it? It could be worth it if you need more range between fillips.

Btw, there are a few things you can easily do to a gasoline engine to make the MPG go up. 1. A good tune. 2. A more efficient air filter. 3. More efficient exhaust including a high flow catalytic converter.

Even still, it's not going to to be night or day, but you can pick up 1-2 mpg towing.

Obviously, diesels can get a lot better mpg, but currently, diesel is a lot more expensive than regular.

 

[Southern Heritage]

My 2020 tundra pulling a 12’ enclosed to North Dakota with a bad northern wind got me 6.5 mpg
my riding buddies where troopers helping split the fuel Bill. I left up at my house there. Got home getting 15

 

[Jethro]

My 2020 tundra pulling a 12’ enclosed to North Dakota with a bad northern wind got me 6.5 mpg
my riding buddies where troopers helping split the fuel Bill. I left up at my house there. Got home getting 15

I hope you have the 38 gallon fuel tank.

I only get 9mpg in my 18 Ram 1500. Same whether it’s a 12 or 16 ft enclosed. Makes for a lot of fuel stops.

 

[Choupique]

2012 f250 6.7 diesel. get 17-18 out and about (no towing). but drops big time to 10-12mpg just pulling a sxs on an open aluminum trailer. frankly pretty surprised (disappointed) about the mpg drop.

Is that a pre-DEF truck? The diesels between old school and new school get pretty terrible fuel mileage.

 

[tdhanses]

Really depends on what you’re pulling, my 5k camper I’m at 13mpg, flat bed with 5k that is not very high of a load I’m at 15-16mpg. 2021 GMC with the 3.0, avg hwy mpg empty is 27-31mpg.

 

[davsco]

Is that a pre-DEF truck? The diesels between old school and new school get pretty terrible fuel mileage.

it is def DEF haha