MPG

[Evan D Dailey]

Just bought a 2020 King Ranch EXPY, Max, with up graded tow package.
I just completed a 1000 mile tow with my trailer that weighs approximately 3500 lbs. While the MPG is great, 18-20 on freeway without trailer, I averaged about 9.5 mpg on this trip towing. I may have been a little heavy footed, average speed in the 65-70 range, but I expected better mileage.

Any thoughts on this?
Thank you for your help.

 

[Mlarv]

If it was an enclosed trailer then you are pulling a big billboard down the road at 65 to 70 MPH. I would say that is average for pulling an enclosed trailer. An open deck empty then that was way to low. One trailer hauling a car a little low also.

How windy was it where you you were? If it was like my drive from Norfolk to Knoxville on Friday then it was windy also Saturday.

Need trailer weight etc to give a better idea.

Also did you bump to 93 octane or just 87

 

[MHay]

I tow a 35 ft. 7500 lb. travel trailer with my Platinum Max and I average 8.7 mpg. I typically stay around 65 mph on the highway.

 

[byathread]

I've pulled a 7K TT for about 10K miles at this point... Only had 85 octane available in eastern MT and got 5.5 mpg that tank. Usually 9.5 would be the highest if I had 93/94 octane in the tank and no headwinds.

It will do much better mileage at lower speeds. I could probably light foot it to 10.5 or 11 mpg per tank if I never went over 60-63 mph, but that kinda driving is not really for me.

I'm more of a set the cruise at 5-10% over speed limit and let it rip, mileage be damned! [emoji23]

Constant turbo pulling that sail/surface area unless on a steeper downhill grade... Whatever, it pulls great, sucks air, burns gas and kicks ass. [emoji106]

 

[vincentrose]

Yes, Wind resistance plays a HUGE role in fuel economy. I sometime pull my open trailer, and only get around 11 mpg when pulling it, around 65-70mph

 

[mwl001]

I see close to what others here see. 9.5mpg sounds about right at 65-70mph towing a travel trailer. Also see huge gains every 5mph your speed drops, due to less turbo PSI needed for wind resistance. Between reduced reaction time and being unable to do anything but drive straight at 70mph I just stay at 65 or do the speed limit unless I'm really trying to cover a lot of ground in a day (which sucks I don't recommend it).

 

[Evan D Dailey]

Thanks for all of your replies.
It is an enclosed trailer, Featherlite, for 2 snowmobiles. It is tall, perhaps 6 1/2 feet.
I put in the cheapest gas, octane around 87-89. Will the higher octane really help. It would have to be 1+ miles/gallon to offset the increased cost of fuel.
Thank you all again.

 

[Calidad]

Tall box trailers over roof line height are huge parachutes ie drag chutes. Lousy mileage with any giant box tallerthan the truck is the norm.

I’m waiting for more trailer makers to get on the pop top band wagon so tow mileage and performance isn’t so lousy

 

[byathread]

Thanks for all of your replies.
It is an enclosed trailer, Featherlite, for 2 snowmobiles. It is tall, perhaps 6 1/2 feet.
I put in the cheapest gas, octane around 87-89. Will the higher octane really help. It would have to be 1+ miles/gallon to offset the increased cost of fuel.
Thank you all again.

Out west, 91 is usually the highest octane I could get, until you hit the coastal states. It has been my experience that running even that is considerably worse towing/performance wise with the eco boost (and also the "foot dyno"). Trip to FL from PA and back is the best mileage I've got towing not because of terrain, it is because there is 93 or better octane fuel stops the whole trip. Speed kills, one whole tank I kept cruise at 62 and that seemed to be the sweet spot for economy for me. But I really can't stand going that slow/trucks blowing past me. Just a more "active" drive getting pushed around with aerodynamics at 62 vs the 5-10% over the limit, conditions/traffic permitting.

 

[bill_b]

I'm on board with the rest of these guys with it being the enclosed trailer.

I have a 14x7 single axle ATV trailer (1500lbs) and I get roughly 14.5mpg pulling it at highway speeds... 12.5mpg with my Wolverine X4 on it (3300lbs trailer/sxs).

I will mention this was on my 20" winter tire setup, I have noticed a significant drop in MPGs with my Stealth 22" oem wheel/tire setup.

 

[DWs-TTEB]

Loving the scenery you have there Bill!

 

[Dice Roll]

I was getting single digits with the camper. Can’t remember the exact number.

 

[Grizguy]

My V nose trailer I get about 9... 10 MPG empty or loaded.. My friend used my trailer behind her F150. About the same for her as well. I do not waste any time.. I don't get passed much..

 

[Zig10]

7500 lb boat with a hard top - 8.0-9.0 MPG with high test, about 0.5 less with regular. I haul it on some longer (1100 mile +) trips each year and it's been pretty consistent. Highway speed and a big heavy parachute are a bad combination.

Point of note - I get the same mileage in my Ram 1500 with the 5.7 hemi, so as long as you're up against the wind and weight, it's all about he same unless you go diesel, which is probably the correct choice for regular heavy towing.

 

[Fozzy]

I get 13-14 with my set up. Best MPG is at lower cruising speeds. Take the big wind break off the rear and your mileage will improve a little. Even with the mesh the air still packs up on the tailgate and drags you way down. My buddy borrowed my trailer and smashed the tail gate. Just driving it empty the trailer feels so much lighter and easier to pull with it gone. Going to leave it off this summer and see how big a pain it is and what the MPG is after a few trips.




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[byathread]

Yeah, any surface area perpendicular to travel kills ya.

Right from the manual:
Note: Make sure to take into consideration trailer frontal area. Do not exceed 36.5 feet² (3.39 meters²) if your vehicle is equipped with the standard towing package, or 60 feet² (5.57 meters²) if your vehicle is equipped with the optional heavy duty package.

 

[byathread]

I get 13-14 with my set up. Best MPG is at lower cruising speeds. Take the big wind break off the rear and your mileage will improve a little. Even with the mesh the air still packs up on the tailgate and drags you way down. My buddy borrowed my trailer and smashed the tail gate. Just driving it empty the trailer feels so much lighter and easier to pull with it gone. Going to leave it off this summer and see how big a pain it is and what the MPG is after a few trips.




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On the way to some fun! Looks awesome @Fozzy

 

[bill_b]

I get 13-14 with my set up. Best MPG is at lower cruising speeds. Take the big wind break off the rear and your mileage will improve a little. Even with the mesh the air still packs up on the tailgate and drags you way down. My buddy borrowed my trailer and smashed the tail gate. Just driving it empty the trailer feels so much lighter and easier to pull with it gone. Going to leave it off this summer and see how big a pain it is and what the MPG is after a few trips.




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Wow awesome setup!!! I have noticed that with my mesh gate too (mine will fold down flat when unloaded).

 

[Fozzy]

Wow awesome setup!!! I have noticed that with my mesh gate too (mine will fold down flat when unloaded).

I have a 12’ single axle that is built just the same and it has a larger ramp. It pulls harder empty at freeway speeds than the 24’ loaded. Big old air brake hanging in the wind.


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[Calidad]

I get 13-14 with my set up. Best MPG is at lower cruising speeds. Take the big wind break off the rear and your mileage will improve a little. Even with the mesh the air still packs up on the tailgate and drags you way down. My buddy borrowed my trailer and smashed the tail gate. Just driving it empty the trailer feels so much lighter and easier to pull with it gone. Going to leave it off this summer and see how big a pain it is and what the MPG is after a few trips.




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Yep the expanded yard maintenance trailer ramps are a massive drag. I convinced a buddy to ditch his gate/ramp he gained 5mpg on his trip vs the prior year with the same trailer. He was shocked said it even towed noticeably more stable. He had a shop fab up ramps that drop into a channel for easy setup and had them put slots on each side where he drops them in sideways on each side of the trailer for storage