Real World Towing MPG

[CharlieL]

My wife and I recently took a trip from home in Albuquerque to Rapid City, SD to visit family. Two overnight stops each way. The total trip was 1,937 miles with 1,803 towing our 29 foot fifth wheel. It is 9,000 GVWR, and when fully loaded is about 8,800 per the last CAT scale weigh. I have been using the Road Trip lite app to track fuel mileage since at 1,200 miles in October 2021, which keeps track of actual fuel mileage. The overall average for this trip was 12.43 mpg. On most trips, seems I always have a headwind, no matter which way I'm going. Fortunately on this trip on a stretch eastbound out of Cheyenne WY we had a very strong tailwind. It was a hoot to see the EVIC showing instant mpg of up to 40 while cruising at 70!

 

[flan]

Seems about right in line for your setup. I get slightly better and have a 27’ bumper pull. Vehicle modifications, speed and terrain always come into play as well.

 

[AH64ID]

What speeds are y’all towing at?

 

[flan]

What speeds are y’all towing at?

About 70-75 ideally. Sometimes that doesn’t work out with traffic, etc.

 

[AH64ID]

About 70-75 ideally. Sometimes that doesn’t work out with traffic, etc.

Must be some very flat ground with a tail wind.

I rarely brake 11 mpg (hand calc) towing at 70-72 with either a 21' TH, 30' TT, or 30' 5th wheel. Multiple rigs and trailers over the years and the mileage is always about the same, weight doesn't make much difference either since the barn door accounts for most the drag.

 

[flan]

Must be some very flat ground with a tail wind.

I rarely brake 11 mpg (hand calc) towing at 70-72 with either a 21' TH, 30' TT, or 30' 5th wheel. Multiple rigs and trailers over the years and the mileage is always about the same, weight doesn't make much difference either since the barn door accounts for most the drag.

No such thing as flat ground around the northeast, but that being said I have never hand calc’d this truck. Occasionally I flip through the evic just out of curiosity sake. So yea I’m probably right there with you as they tend to be a bit generous.

 

[AH64ID]

No such thing as flat ground around the northeast, but that being said I have never hand calc’d this truck. Occasionally I flip through the evic just out of curiosity sake. So yea I’m probably right there with you as they tend to be a bit generous.

Gotcha, yes they are generous.... but not quite as generous as a 3rd gen 5.9

 

[CharlieL]

What speeds are y’all towing at?

I usually do 65 or 70 on the interstate. I’m pleased with the fuel mileage. Towing old 24 foot trailer with my 1500 Hemi I normally saw 8 to 9 mpg. Interesting was that the EVIC was pretty close to actual. This trip was not on flat terrain. I 25 from Albuquerque to Cheyenne has plenty of hills.

 

[Blythkd1]

I'd be pleased with 12.4 at 65-70. I've delivered new RVs with multiple GM diesels and now the Ram, all duallies, and they all averaged 12.5 at 65. And that's across the board, half empty and half loaded. Loaded mileage was usually right around 10 unless I was fighting a stiff wind.

 

[Firebird]

I average 11mpg pulling a 10,000 pound camper, but dually's aren't known for economy

 

[Finn5033]

Only one trip with my truck so far. Pulling a bumper pull RV/fish house. Weighs about 7,500lbs loaded up. Trip was roughly half 70mph freeway and half 60mph hilly and winding back country roads. Only averaged about 11mpg. Truck is brand new though so I hope it gets better as it breaks in. But compared to the 6-8mpg I got with my gas truck pulling the same trailer I’m happy