Tow package fuel economy

[Capt John]

When NOT towing, does the tow package (3.71 axle) impact gas mileage? The window stickers don’t change, but I’m wondering what the real world says. I want the tow package but not at the expense of significant drop in mpg. We won’t actually use it to tow that much, just thought it would be a “nice to have” since we’re boaters and have several boats, you never know if/when you might have occassion to tow with your SUV as opposed to your truck.

 

[Tripinbillie]

According to the computer, I get 19.4 not towing.. Haven’t towed yet, so dont know difference yet.. if anything like my F150 its about 10MPG

 

[Doug Morgan]

On the highway I average 20-21 mpg cruising at 70.

 

[Highlightreel]

'19 Shorty w/ tow...I'm at about 19.3 for a 1000 mile trip I just took from MPLS to KC driving about 8 mph over on 87 octane and mostly in ECO mode. 9,900 miles on mine and lifetime avg (on Trip 1 which I have made my 'never reset' one) is, to me, a disappointing 18.8.

I notice about a 1-1.5 mile increase in ECO vs. Normal on my 600 mile trips for work on freeways.

 

[dlcorbett]

Wow 18.8 is disappointing...what were you expecting? Thats pretty nice for a 400hp 6k lb 17ft long luxury block rollin on 22 in wheels with a heavy duty axle turnin underneath it. Most new crossovers only get 20 or 21 mpg avg

 

[scottdm]

Wow 18.8 is disappointing...what were you expecting? Thats pretty nice for a 400hp 6k lb 17ft long luxury block rollin on 22 in wheels with a heavy duty axle turnin underneath it. Most new crossovers only get 20 or 21 mpg avg

I guess it's all relative. I didn't buy this vehicle for the mileage, but having an updated diesel offering (not the current 3.0 PowerStroke) would be a nice option. The new 3 liter straight 6 from GM has my attention based on some of the videos I've seen on TFL (34 mpg running empty at 70 mph for a 2wd model). If GM offers their new 3 liter diesel on the new Tahoe/Suburban, Ford is going to have to step up to the plate with some alternative powertrains for the Expy. I thought I read that the new UAW contract with Ford discussed a hybrid Expy at some point in the future.

 

[dlcorbett]

Yea i believe ford is acricely workin a hybrid version of the expy and navi to be released 2023 model(mid cycle refresh)

 

[Deadman]

Here's what mine did on a trip my wife and I just did. We ran all over getting things for her, and a bunch of interstate and some idling and I think its great milage myself. This is a tow pack 4x4 Max loaded completely full of stuff we picked up for my wife.

 

[m3bs]

I took a 3000 mile trip right after I bought mine. Shorty Limited with tow pkg. Averaged over 23 for the trip running about 5 over posted limits. 24-25 indicated on trip computer. I’m good with that.

 

[NukeLife]

I average about 19mpg for combined driving. But I like “exercising” the turbo.

 

[duneslider]

I am sure the non-tow package gets a little better mileage. I seem to do well on longer trips. Short trips without the engine transmission fully warming up gets poor mileage. I see 19-21 on longer drives on the highway and that is at 75-80mph.

Towing is around 10-11 but that is still slightly better than I got with my Hemi, so I am happy there too.

 

[Grey ghost]

I get about 22-24 highway with 93 octane and a tuner. If gm claims a vehicle of comparable size gets 34 mpg I'd call B.S on that one. And a 3 litre diesel would be a total pig to drive.

 

[scottdm]

I get about 22-24 highway with 93 octane and a tuner. If gm claims a vehicle of comparable size gets 34 mpg I'd call B.S on that one. And a 3 litre diesel would be a total pig to drive.

You're right.... Must be total BS

 

[coupe11]

I average about 19mpg for combined driving. But I like “exercising” the turbo.

Funny. I think I understand what you mean. When I got my 81 Z28 with the 350 4 barrel and cowl induction hood I'd catch myself sitting at stoplights with the clutch in popping the gas pedal down just to hear the door open up and the 4 barrel suck air right in front of the windshield. Hot as hell on a summer afternoon driving home from work, but I'd have the windows down so I could hear that sucker suck air and burn gas when I pulled off a light.

I eventually got over that, but it took two or three years to get over that thrill.

 

[Deadman]

The new baby diesel's are turds.... Sure mpg, but I'm not looking for MPG out of a 6,000 lbs rig. lol

 

[Bow512]

Our Limited Max 4x4 with 22's and tow package averages about 16.5-17.5 mpg in mixed driving on 87 Octane here in DFW. We took a trip this summer from TX to DC & PA and back and averaged 21 mpg for the whole trip (a decent amount of city driving mixed in). Just highway was 22-23 mpg on 87 octane running 75-80 mph and in ECO mode. Once we hit the wind again in OK on the drive back it dropped to 19 mpg so that plays a big part.

 

[flying68]

With about 2500 miles so far, almost all of it city which includes freeway on the commute I am getting 15.5 to 18 mpg (high included a 240 mile round trip of interstate driving). Interestingly, the trip computer is reading 0.8 to 1.2 mpg high every time when compared to the calculated from the actual pump results. I am curious to see what I average this weekend on a 1200 mile round trip. My old Explorer usually got about 21 on that same trip while averaging about 17 to 18 in town. Its trip computer was closer to 0.5 mpg high, but was occasionally on the low side.

 

[Highlightreel]

Wow 18.8 is disappointing...what were you expecting? Thats pretty nice for a 400hp 6k lb 17ft long luxury block rollin on 22 in wheels with a heavy duty axle turnin underneath it. Most new crossovers only get 20 or 21 mpg avg

It's not terrible and I'm not devastated, just a bit disappointed with the 18.8. I don't expect that much all the time or even really that much more, and I wasn't hoping for a ton but it does say 22 hwy on the sticker, so I was hoping to stretch her legs a bit and hit a number that started with a 2 is all. It seems possible based on other posts on here. Overall it's not bad, but my 2009 5.3 Suburban got 2 mpg less than that on hwy trips so the jump from the V6 and ECO mode just wasn't as high as I thought it might be. I'll keep working to increasing my mpg skills.

 

[dlcorbett]

It's not terrible and I'm not devastated, just a bit disappointed with the 18.8. I don't expect that much all the time or even really that much more, and I wasn't hoping for a ton but it does say 22 hwy on the sticker, so I was hoping to stretch her legs a bit and hit a number that started with a 2 is all. It seems possible based on other posts on here. Overall it's not bad, but my 2009 5.3 Suburban got 2 mpg less than that on hwy trips so the jump from the V6 and ECO mode just wasn't as high as I thought it might be. I'll keep working to increasing my mpg skills.

I getcha. At first i thought the same. I learned what mines likes best. Its easier for me to get to fords numbers since mines is 2wd.

 

[shane_th_ee]

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