Awesome Towing MPG (1 Viewer)

[mazder]

Just got back from Camping @ Big Sur California... Towing our 3900lbs (dry weight) trailer up highway 1 with 285's BFG AT's no re gear, I averaged about 9.5 mpg! Not bad for having over 200,000 miles and climbing.... Now I know about how far I can go with out the need to carry spare fuel... not to say I needed to.

 

[MoGas]

At what speed? On the highway, I get 17 if I stick to 65. My around town mileage is typically 11ish. I have an arb, winch, sliders, 285s, and stock gearing. Did you GPS the mileage or go by the odometer?

 

[Frankencruiser]

On what planet is 9.5mpg awesome?

 

[inkpot]

On what planet is 9.5mpg awesome?

Pulling 2 tons + of trailer, ain't bad.

 

[Stylo07]

Sounds about right to me. You could tape off all the panel gaps, grill, etc., and maybe get 9.6. =) I average around 13mpg in my mix of city/highway driving.

 

[kidglove13]

I get 9 mpg if I am lucky with an empty truck
But I think the 6 inches of lift and bias 37's have something to do with it.

That is not bad towing mpg in the mountains if you ask me.

 

[equipped to survive]

I usually get around 11 MPG In my 94 80 series. I live in mountains and to me that is great. I have a Ford Truck that cant even 9.

 

[valentine]

Just got back from Camping @ Big Sur California... Towing our 3900lbs (dry weight) trailer up highway 1 with 285's BFG AT's no re gear, I averaged about 9.5 mpg! Not bad for having over 200,000 miles and climbing.... Now I know about how far I can go with out the need to carry spare fuel... not to say I needed to.

That's the same we average while pulling our trailer.

 

[kirkm76]

That's the same we average while pulling our trailer.

Wow. I always figured my 3200 pound pop up was about the max Id ever want to pull. How much does that thing weigh and are you pulling any hills? I am looking for a new trailer and haven't shopped travel trailers because I didn't want to replace the tow vehicle. I do like to camp in the Appalachians.

And in keeping with the original post, I always got around 12 pulling my pop up (250,000) miles. The lower wind resistance might help there. I haven't pulled since I replaced the motor but I am getting 12 without anything attached to the back. Hopefully it will improve with break in and switching oil afterwards.

 

[Schwein]

back to the gps question, with 285's you would have at the end of the trip traveled more miles than the odo shows i believe. Maybe have even had better mpg than you quoted if you went with the odo!

 

[MoGas]

With GPS, I've found that I actually travel 4.9% greater distance than shown on the odometer. I have verified this with 3 different GPS units. I have a Superlift Truspeed to install, I just haven't gotten around to it yet.

 

[mazder]

This Is what was towed behind me, 2011 24ft keystone passport ultra light.

 

[valentine]

Wow. I always figured my 3200 pound pop up was about the max Id ever want to pull. How much does that thing weigh and are you pulling any hills? I am looking for a new trailer and haven't shopped travel trailers because I didn't want to replace the tow vehicle. I do like to camp in the Appalachians.

And in keeping with the original post, I always got around 12 pulling my pop up (250,000) miles. The lower wind resistance might help there. I haven't pulled since I replaced the motor but I am getting 12 without anything attached to the back. Hopefully it will improve with break in and switching oil afterwards.

Mine weighs about the same as Mazder's.

I have to pull hills on almost every trip we go on. Some are alright... some are painful.

The key is to get your momentum up before the hill, and don't let off until you crest the grade.

 

[valentine]

Now that the kids are getting older (and bigger), we've pretty much outgrown our current setup. We're going to upgrade to a 28'-32' trailer with at least one slide-out... which means we'll have to upgrade to a domestic diesel pickup at the same time.

 

[kirkm76]

What have you guys pulling those larger trailers done to the rear suspension (if anything) and are you running trailer brakes?

 

[valentine]

I installed a brake controller.

Here's the write-up
https://forum.ih8mud.com/80-series-tech/176453-best-spot-mount-brake-controller.html

I have airbags in the rear. They're great.

 

[chukardog]

you guys are nuts. I wouldn't pull anything near that large with that puny motor, short wheelbase and tiny brakes. I would be nervous pulling a pop up or a small boat.

 

[valentine]

you guys are nuts. I wouldn't pull anything near that large with that puny motor, short wheelbase and tiny brakes. I would be nervous pulling a pop up or a small boat.

I have a Hensley Hitch. No sway whatsoever. It pulls like a dream.

 

[mazder]

Same here, Brake controller, sway control, and load leveling hitch, (airbags and new shocks in the future!) I manage 35mph going up a 7% grade. Ive noticed since installing my hood louvers my temp gauge hasn't climbed into the red so soon or easily either. Scan gauge is also in the future plans though.

 

[valentine]

Same here, Brake controller, sway control, and load leveling hitch, (airbags and new shocks in the future!) I manage 35mph going up a 7% grade. Ive noticed since installing my hood louvers my temp gauge hasn't climbed into the red so soon or easily either. Scan gauge is also in the future plans though.

You'll love the scan guage.