Tow package fuel economy

[Paddler]

Headed to Canada soon. Last trip was 20MPG overall, ~70MPH on the interstate with Yakima's largest Sky Box on top. I get >24MPG at 63MPH with my canoe on top. I'll set the CC at 70MPH this trip, nothing extra on top. I'm very happy with my fuel economy, it's about 33% better than my '08.

 

[Traditional]

I drive 60 percent highway and avg. 19.8. I had a,16 ram eco diesel, that I avged 26. The baby diesel was fine but hard to pass on country roads. If they get the diesel to 350hp and 450 lbs of torque would be a game-changer.

 

[TheDoug]

My heavy right foot is the biggest problem for my in town has mileage. I don't go far and all my weekly driving is surface streets so I get 15mph if I am lucky. On long trips I get 21. (I never use eco mode)

As a test once, I babied the throttle for a week in town and was able to get 18mpg per the onboard computer.

 

[Doug Morgan]

Axle ratios don't have nearly as big of an impact as the "towing" part of the towing package...

What were you towing on that trip?

 

[shane_th_ee]

What were you towing on that trip?

Our travel trailer. It’s 22’3” long, but ~6000lbs fully loaded. And it was fully loaded for that trip.

 

[Zig10]

Our travel trailer. It’s 22’3” long, but ~6000lbs fully loaded. And it was fully loaded for that trip.

The biggest shortcoming of this platform while towing, to me, is the small gas tank (even on the Max). When you're getting a whopping 8.6 MPG, an extra 4-5 gallons makes a big difference.

That said, unloaded we usually see 19-20 MPG on the highway, which is fine by my standards for a vehicle of this size with a 9k tow rating.

 

[m3bs]

Agree on the fuel tank size. I almost bumped up to the Max for that reason alone.

 

[Jason Bell]

Glad someone posted this because I was curious. 2019 Max 4x4 with tow package, 3.73 axle. Only 1700 miles. Ready Lift with 34" tires. Around town and mixed highway use, around 14mpg. On the highway with the cruise set at 80 around 15 mpg. But I experimented with setting the cruise at 65mph for about 40 miles on the highway and was getting 21-22mpg. Clearly the speed makes a big difference for me (and the tires, perhaps the lift). I was expecting a little better but did feel good about seeing the 21mpg for the short bit at 65mph. Does the MPG improve much as the engine get more broken in? I have not figured out a way to reprogram the speedometer for the tires - so I'm traveling about 5% farther than the odometer thinks. Adding 5% to 20MPG is really 21mpg. I have NOT manually calculated the MPG, just going off of the computer. Being realistic, I'm Overall pretty happy with my MPG, my 2008 with about the same tires and lift averages about 10-12mpg with less power. But I was hoping for more. It could be too that I'm actually getting a lot better then the computer thinks, maybe the taller tires confuse it more than I think.

 

[Soliyou]

To maximize economy, your speed on a flat stretch of the highway should be maintained with no boost. Boost should be only needed for hills, passing, etc. but majority of driving should be with off boost.

Now, this highly depends on wind. Headwind would require reducing the speed to a max. of 70mph (may be 65mph) to obtain a reasonable fuel economy.

In Oklahoma, driving south on the I-35 you would be lucky to get 18 mpg in strong wind doing more than 75 mph. Driving north on the same stretch of highway I get 23-24 mpg doing 75 mph.

 

[Artie]

The biggest shortcoming of this platform while towing, to me, is the small gas tank (even on the Max). When you're getting a whopping 8.6 MPG, an extra 4-5 gallons makes a big difference.

That said, unloaded we usually see 19-20 MPG on the highway, which is fine by my standards for a vehicle of this size with a 9k tow rating.

I agree completely! wish there was an option for a larger or secondary tank.

 

[dlcorbett]

I do wish my tank was larger as well, but i do get more range outta this truck then my nav with 28 gal tank. On a good Hwy stretch its pullin well over 550+ miles on a 23 gal tank.

 

[ANGEL TORES]

I get about 20mpg when not towing my 7500 lbs camper. When towing I get 9-10mpg. Having the tow package is nice to have...
Hope this helps, good luck

 

[Rossue]

Having a 4300 lb.(wet max) Esacape 21 I could have passed on HD Tow, and almost did, yet was able to negotiate a price that was only $500 more than the one at the other Dealer without.

Love the integrated brake controller, which I believe is only available with HD Tow, and it has gettyup off the line with that 3.73! I get better mileage towing- over 14 mpg over first trip, 4K miles than my Yukon w/5.3(12.5). Around town it is as good as my 2011 Murano was. That was a thirsty crossover!

 

[AAOO]

If you can’t afford the gas you can’t afford the truck. An old man used to tell me that when I was younger. Quit your crying lol

 

[Deadman]

If you can’t afford the gas you can’t afford the truck. An old man used to tell me that when I was younger. Quit your crying lol

But people can borrow every cent of the new vehicle today, and then pay on it for 5-10 years! lol

 

[coupe11]

Went for a ride yesterday out in the country. Some 4 lane, some 2 lane, small towns, etc. Nothing over 60 mph for posted speed limits.

Ate at Chic fil a (breakfast). No more McDonalds breakfast stuff for me. Took the 2014 Expedition, my wife and mother-in-law.

Stopped here and there at antique shops, small country stores, etc. They shopped and I sat in the comfortable seat and read a paperback. Got coffee/drinks a couple times. Always fun to go for a ride on a cold, rainy/snowy day and enjoy the warmth inside the vehicle and a few cups of hot coffee or cocoa, listen to the radio, see the sights and just talk without the house phone ringing every 15 or 20 minutes.

Filled it up as we left, drove just over 100 miles and filled it up when we got back. 18.8 mpg. Not a bad day at all. The Outlander got 29 mpg when we filled it up the day before but its no where near as fun/nice to drive as the Expedition.

Not a bad day at all.

 

[Artie]

But people can borrow every cent of the new vehicle today, and then pay on it for 5-10 years! lol

We were shocked when we went to settle up with the finance guy and he had options for 72 months and some longer. Then he was shocked when we wanted zero months.

 

[Wayne Decker]

I get about 20mpg when not towing my 7500 lbs camper. When towing I get 9-10mpg. Having the tow package is nice to have...
Hope this helps, good luck

That's my experience also.

 

[Deadman]

We were shocked when we went to settle up with the finance guy and he had options for 72 months and some longer. Then he was shocked when we wanted zero months.

Exactly same here.

 

[Plati]

I think the original question was "do you get better gas mileage with 3.31 rear diff vs 3.73 if you never tow?"

I'm not sure I saw answer to that.
Did I miss it?

Do you get faster acceleration with 3.73 or more torque? I think more torque would be same acceleration but could pull more load at that acceleration. Kind of like having a larger motor on a snowblower will throw snow the same distance but will not get bogged down.