Towing mpg

lam396 · Mar 28, 2021

I know there are tons of variables in the "what mpg are you getting while towing" question but I'm asking anyways lol. I've been debating getting a camper and I'm curious what mpg folks are getting while pulling a 3kish pound travel trailer vs a pop up of similar weight. I'm in the Midwest and like to hit the mountains so I'll stack the miles up. I'm leaning towards the pop up for that reason but just seeing what sort of experience others are having. Thanks

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JasonH · Mar 29, 2021

Be prepared for disappointment. The aero is more important than the weight. The trailer being light isn't as much of determinent as the frontal profile, except that you'll be towing up grades so weight will count in a bit more. I'm at 7k and usually around 9 mpg. That's pretty much your worse case scenario. Unless you're towing all the time mpg likely won't be a factor. If it is you'll want a diesel.

lam396 · Mar 29, 2021

What kind of camper/trailer are you pulling? Im not expecting anything great, just trying to figure out what to expect really. Since the frontal area has a bigger impact, would it be reasonable to expect 2-3mpg better with the pop up?

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shane_th_ee · Mar 29, 2021

Averaged over about 14,000 towing miles, we've gotten about 10 mpg while towing our 6000lb trailer all over the mountainous PNW. Note that we use premium while towing which increases our gas mileage enough to offset the cost difference between regular and premium. Note that I tow at 70mph on the interstate and would get better mileage at 60 or 65. (If you plan to tow that fast, please make sure your trailer tires are rated for that speed...)

Calidad · Mar 29, 2021

My 4x6 utility trailer was 21-22mpg long camping trip last summer HD Expedition. Another dad towing a Taxa Mantis reported 14-15mpg was typically his towing mileage. As mentioned aerodynamics is the biggest factor the cheap box RV trailers are lousy to tow and a huge reason I won’t get one.

Fasttimes · Mar 29, 2021

lam396 said:
What kind of camper/trailer are you pulling? Im not expecting anything great, just trying to figure out what to expect really. Since the frontal area has a bigger impact, would it be reasonable to expect 2-3mpg better with the pop up?

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Better than 2-3mpg for sure. I had a pop-up prior to my current travel trailer and pulled with my older Xpy. It hardly noticed it was there. I sure do miss that. Aerodynamics of puling a pop-up are awesome. Now, not so much. Like mentioned before, I average 9mpg when towing these days.

lam396 · Mar 29, 2021

Fasttimes said:
Better than 2-3mpg for sure. I had a pop-up prior to my current travel trailer and pulled with my older Xpy. It hardly noticed it was there. I sure do miss that. Aerodynamics of puling a pop-up are awesome. Now, not so much. Like mentioned before, I average 9mpg when towing these days.

That's good news. Really helps confirm my thoughts toward a pop up.

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mwl001 · Mar 29, 2021

I tow a full size travel trailer. If mileage is your concern stick with a pop up I’m sure your mileage will be much better.

m3bs · Mar 29, 2021

I just got back from a trip towing my 3000# race car on a 1500# open trailer with a big rock shield in front. Heavy traffic with lots of stop and go on the 320 mile trip up, indicated 12.5 mpg. On the return trip with minimal traffic, and slightly more relaxed pace (68 mph vs 72) I got 16.5 mpg. I do have the HD tow package with 3.73 axle. I bet the rock shield probably costs a significant amount of mpg.

texevora · Mar 30, 2021

Towing a 20' enclosed trailer (~9' exterior height plus a roof AC sticking up another foot) weighing ~6K pounds (4k trailer + 2k contents), i get about 7mpg in my '19 Limited. That's on pretty flat roads in TX at highway speeds going about 70-75mph.

Towing mpg

lam396

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