MPG when towing

[coolzzy]

I got between 7 and 9mpg towing my rv from southern Idaho to Northern Idaho pan handle, lots of mountain climbing and hills. Did mostly 7 ish on the way up and managed 9 on the way back. Cruise set at 70, passing at 75 pretty often. My trailer is low profile and for this trip weighed less than 6k pounds. I'd like a slightly larger trailer and it sounds as though it won't impact my towing mpg once all that tin is in the wind, it's just wind resistance.

 

[fidget247]

I tow both a 4k pound ski-boat and a Travel Trailer. I generally get 9-10 with the TT and between 10 and 11 with the boat. Compared to my old suburban, and even my diesel Excursion, these numbers seem favorable to me.

 

[rollinstone]

2014 5.4L towing a 3500 lb trailer in mountainous terrain...60 mph top speed...12 mpg over 1500 miles.

 

[B-McD]

My 30' camper is probably close to 7000 lbs fully loaded. I get about 9 mpg overall when pulling. Travelling west to Mt. Rushmore in 2017 it was 8 mpg due to mostly prevailing headwinds/hills across the plains. 9.5 mpg or so on the eastbound trip. 65 mph with some stretches at 70 or so. Draft a big semi for a bit and you can feel the decrease in wind resistance.

 

[Dorzak]

F-

It was rounded a bit - this more accurate - 1.414213562373095

 

[Dorzak]

Towing a car on a trailer resulted in 12MPG on my 2017. My trailer is a BigTex (heavy steel ... diamond plate ect) and the car is a BMW 3 Series. The 2017 towes better then my 2014 but if you are not careful with the Ecoboost you can end up in the single digit area.

A flat trailer and a car are going to be more aerodynamic than the big slab front travel trailers.

 

[MyExpedition2016]

I just got back from a 4,000 mile round trip from MN to Grand Canyon, with stops along the way. Out I-70 through the Rockies, back I-80 through WY, SD. I had cruise control on for the duration and got 9.5mpg on average pulling 5,000lb TT. I cruised at 70mph when the speed limit was that or higher. I drive a 2017 extended. One thing I learned from renting the 2018-2019 expeditions watching the turbo is actually locking out gears gets better mpg (the 2018-19 have a turbo gauge). This turbo engine is incredible (both gen 1 in the '15-2017, and gen 2 in 18-19). For most of the time my '17 expy was happy pulling 70mph in 6th gear. What I found though is it winds the turbos more. I locked out 6th gear and it pulled in 5th all day and actually nets out better fuel economy because the turbos are not running as high as they would be in 6th gear. I tried premium fuel like others have suggested but really didn't see any change. The biggest change was locking out 6th gear.

It was by far the most enjoyable towing experience I've ever had. I love that Ford gives me the option to control my transmission gears, lock out gears when in automatic, shift myself in manual mode, and the tow/haul with the engine braking is wonderful. The only disappointment is that there is nothing, even the Rocky's that gave this Expedition a real test. It just cruised up everything like nothing was happening behind me.

 

[bobmbx]

It was rounded a bit - this more accurate - 1.414213562373095

I know.

 

[cmiles97]

I just got back from a 4,000 mile round trip from MN to Grand Canyon, with stops along the way. Out I-70 through the Rockies, back I-80 through WY, SD. I had cruise control on for the duration and got 9.5mpg on average pulling 5,000lb TT. I cruised at 70mph when the speed limit was that or higher. I drive a 2017 extended. One thing I learned from renting the 2018-2019 expeditions watching the turbo is actually locking out gears gets better mpg (the 2018-19 have a turbo gauge). This turbo engine is incredible (both gen 1 in the '15-2017, and gen 2 in 18-19). For most of the time my '17 expy was happy pulling 70mph in 6th gear. What I found though is it winds the turbos more. I locked out 6th gear and it pulled in 5th all day and actually nets out better fuel economy because the turbos are not running as high as they would be in 6th gear. I tried premium fuel like others have suggested but really didn't see any change. The biggest change was locking out 6th gear.

It was by far the most enjoyable towing experience I've ever had. I love that Ford gives me the option to control my transmission gears, lock out gears when in automatic, shift myself in manual mode, and the tow/haul with the engine braking is wonderful. The only disappointment is that there is nothing, even the Rocky's that gave this Expedition a real test. It just cruised up everything like nothing was happening behind me.

Every vehicle prior to the Expedition twin turbo v-6 with 6 speed transmission would downshift while towing up hills. I am amazed how the Expedition rarely downshifts. The Sequoia would drop 2 gears on some hills that the Expy stays in 6th for.

 

[LRNAD90]

Every vehicle prior to the Expedition twin turbo v-6 with 6 speed transmission would downshift while towing up hills. I am amazed how the Expedition rarely downshifts. The Sequoia would drop 2 gears on some hills that the Expy stays in 6th for.

I haven't towed with one, but what impresses me about the EcoBoost Expedition is that the power delivery feels like a diesel, lots of torque down low, so it doesn't have to downshift and run high RPMs whenever you want to accelerate..

 

[nycnftm]

My favorite post I ever read on this website is ‘If you want good gas mileage, leave it in the garage’

I use mine in place of a van. The rear seats are down and it is always full. I get 8-10 mpg. The rest of the time I drive my Accord.

I really want an EL.

 

[Expy guy]

On a trip from Pa to Florida towing an enclosed trailer with 2 harley's I would get 11.5 MPG in my 04 Expy with a 5.4, 3.73 gears.
On the same trip with my 17 Limited 3.31 gears I got 8.5 MPG.
Not towing I had gotten 15 MPG at best around town on my 04. My 2017 gets 19 MPG.
Most of the time we are not towing, so over all MPG is far better.

 

[WesT]

Sorry to say BUT anyone who buys a large SUV 4X4 that at best averages 19 in perfect conditions should be happy to get 8 - 9 towing 4k or more...you must admit it did a great job, a plus for sure for the Great Expy....my $.02...

 

[Grey ghost]

87 octane will kill your message

 

[Flexpedition]

Curious what make/model the OP towed this trailer with prior to an Expedition, and what the fuel mileage was on it.

Did you use the 'tow/haul' mode feature? Overdrive turned off?

Usually a pair of ATV's in an enclosed trailer bring along a heavy tool box, spare parts, several full gas cans, outdoor furniture, riding gear, etc. 800 pounds of Suzuki, 750 pounds of Honda, 3K worth of stuff.

 

[Helo driver]

These engines pull so much better than previous years. The sacrifice on mpg is worth it. My last Expy, an early 97 with the 4.6 was good for 17 mpg, but our last trip moving was horrible. Loaded 16' enclosed trailer on flatland Illinois...8 mpg. Coming back empty, fighting a 20 mph head wind, 4....
Only one experience towing with my 17, 4500# Kubota backhoe up and down a few hills. Actually dogged a new charger climbing a hill.

 

[Mean_Dean]

Guess I am lucky, 17 EL Limited and I get 13-14 MPG towing my 19 foot bass boat that weighs in around 3400-3500 pounds on the highway at 70 MPH

 

[bobmbx]

Guess I am lucky, 17 EL Limited and I get 13-14 MPG towing my 19 foot bass boat that weighs in around 3400-3500 pounds on the highway at 70 MPH

Your bass boat has a fair bit more "aerodynamics" than a box trailer.

 

[Joedirtyshirt]

Your not going to get much better than that on any gasoline powered vehicle, there are only so many B,T,U's in gasoline so if you want better fuel milage than that you need a diesel , then there are those trade off's

 

[JasonH]

Just returned to Houston from Melbourne, FL. Averaged 9.6 mpg on 93 octane towing a 7,000 lb trailer, and four people. Best I've done. Usually closer to 8.5. I attribute it to low wind, drafting trucks, and moderate speeds. Trailer tires are ST, so most of the trip was around 65 and very flat.