As I just got back from Sturgis where I trailered 2 big Harleys, I thought other might be interested in my impressions of my first tow. First to level set the specs of my rig - it's a 2000 LC with about 107k miles. I based lined all fluids including the diffs and TC with synthetics. Fresh tune-up as well. Mods so far include Ironman Pro Cell (about 2" lift) shocks, T-bar and springs with Slee UCAs. For tires I am running the BFG KO2 285s on a 16" rim. I also have rock sliders. At the last minute before the trip I've added a DT cat back system (see my other post on my impressions and mod on the DT system).
The trailer was a dual axle enclosed 12 x 7 with a weight of about 1,900 lbs empty carrying 2 big harleys with a weight of about 1,500 lbs and combined of 3,400 lbs. Inside the truck we carried about 250 lbs of cargo plus me and my buddy.
As a baseline MPG without trailering on a recent trip to Atlanta I was averaging about 15 MPG with the best tank at 16 mpg (going around 60-65 mph) and worst 14 mpg (about 75 mph). So the rule here is if you want better mileage - go slower.
Based in Chicago, we headed west on Route 20 until Sioux City where we stopped overnight. I90 is pretty boring so we thought a different route would be nicer but this route had many hills. From there we went north to 90 and on to Sturgis. On the way back we took I90 all the way.
Since my tires are taller than stock I corrected the miles by about 5% when calculating the MPG. So as far as mileage goes - going west - we averaged right around 10 MPG. Worst was about 8.5 and best was right around 11. The hills really kill the mileage. We could not use cruise since any hint of a small incline it would downshift quickly. Our average speed was 70-75 mph (corrected). The tire pressure was 45 PSI all the way around.
On the way back we increased the tire pressure to 55 PSI in the front and 65 PSI in the rears because the rears seemed flatter with the weight of the trailer. We also tried to go a little slower (60-65 mph) and drafting behind semis. All this seemed to increase milage slightly where we got close to 11 mpg. I had to plan ahead for every hill in that I would have to slowly increase speed before the hill since the slow down would be quite significant uphill otherwise it would have to downshift a gear or two. I did feel the engine was underpowered on the highway - hmmm maybe Slee's turbo would work nicely in this situation.
Conclusion - If I had to tow regularly I would buy something more appropriate or get a supercharger or turbo. Since I only tow on occasion maybe 2-3 times a year I am happy. Although next time I think I will rent an open trailer which should be lighter and better on fuel.
Lastly concerning the Doug Thorley exhaust - whenever it down shifted it was pretty loud and it downshifted often. So If I would tow more I would definately stay with the stock exhaust. I am still thinking if I should keep it or go back to stock.
The trailer was a dual axle enclosed 12 x 7 with a weight of about 1,900 lbs empty carrying 2 big harleys with a weight of about 1,500 lbs and combined of 3,400 lbs. Inside the truck we carried about 250 lbs of cargo plus me and my buddy.
As a baseline MPG without trailering on a recent trip to Atlanta I was averaging about 15 MPG with the best tank at 16 mpg (going around 60-65 mph) and worst 14 mpg (about 75 mph). So the rule here is if you want better mileage - go slower.
Based in Chicago, we headed west on Route 20 until Sioux City where we stopped overnight. I90 is pretty boring so we thought a different route would be nicer but this route had many hills. From there we went north to 90 and on to Sturgis. On the way back we took I90 all the way.
Since my tires are taller than stock I corrected the miles by about 5% when calculating the MPG. So as far as mileage goes - going west - we averaged right around 10 MPG. Worst was about 8.5 and best was right around 11. The hills really kill the mileage. We could not use cruise since any hint of a small incline it would downshift quickly. Our average speed was 70-75 mph (corrected). The tire pressure was 45 PSI all the way around.
On the way back we increased the tire pressure to 55 PSI in the front and 65 PSI in the rears because the rears seemed flatter with the weight of the trailer. We also tried to go a little slower (60-65 mph) and drafting behind semis. All this seemed to increase milage slightly where we got close to 11 mpg. I had to plan ahead for every hill in that I would have to slowly increase speed before the hill since the slow down would be quite significant uphill otherwise it would have to downshift a gear or two. I did feel the engine was underpowered on the highway - hmmm maybe Slee's turbo would work nicely in this situation.
Conclusion - If I had to tow regularly I would buy something more appropriate or get a supercharger or turbo. Since I only tow on occasion maybe 2-3 times a year I am happy. Although next time I think I will rent an open trailer which should be lighter and better on fuel.
Lastly concerning the Doug Thorley exhaust - whenever it down shifted it was pretty loud and it downshifted often. So If I would tow more I would definately stay with the stock exhaust. I am still thinking if I should keep it or go back to stock.
