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Not great at towing

Moonlightboater

Moonlightboater

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Went and picked up my Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Forest pulling my Aluma 77x10’ trailer. It was slightly hilly in Mississippi, but was shocked at low fuel economy even at 65 mph. Also shocked at how much it down shifted to maintain the 65 mph and this was only towing 2100/lbs.
The fuel economy was also terrible at 11 mpg, I have the 3.92 rear axle ratio.
So now I am wondering what would it be like towing my 20’ utility trailer loaded with 8k pounds?
It is a steep learning curve coming from diesel 3/4 and 1 ton trucks!
IMG_4965.jpeg
 
The windscreen on that UTV acts as a big sail. There's like a 4mpg difference when I have the expanded metal ramp up on the back of my trailer instead of laying down on it, especially at speeds above 50. That's when the trailer is empty. Depending on which direction you're driving (into the wind or not) it gets even worse. Even without a trailer I've seen my mileage drop by 2-3 when driving into a strong headwind.

Cruise control also plays a part. I've noticed worse mileage with cruise control because it's focused on keeping that set speed as closely as possible as opposed to letting it fluctuate a bit even on downhills.
 
I mentioned this to my wife and she hated all of my HD trucks.
So as little as I will tow, do not want to deal with the complexities of the modern diesel.

I just wonder how the 6.4 Hemi in the 2500 tows?


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Moonlightboater said:
I mentioned this to my wife and she hated all of my HD trucks.
So as little as I will tow, do not want to deal with the complexities of the modern diesel.

I just wonder how the 6.4 Hemi in the 2500 tows?


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Click to expand...
You can go on the HD forum and some posts. From what I've read on there, most people are very happy with the 6.4. I've considered it, but I'm tired of trading and extending truck payments and my 5.7 non e-torq has been great. We pull a 26' travel trailer 3-4 times a year and I'm very happy with the set up I have now.
 
For what it's worth, I've towed ~8.5k pounds on a trailer and gotten 14mpg in my Rebel. Didn't go above 55, and it was a low profile trailer and two pallets of retaining wall blocks. Ran it about 50 miles for that average. Speed and wind resistance are the biggest factors.

But yeah, you're not going to touch diesel or 3/4-1 ton towing numbers with a 1/2 ton gasser. This is my daily, and my trailering consists of weekend loads or the occasional car haul. I'd rather have the half ton comforts most of the time over the towing capacity some of the time.
 
Moonlightboater said:
Went and picked up my Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Forest pulling my Aluma 77x10’ trailer. It was slightly hilly in Mississippi, but was shocked at low fuel economy even at 65 mph. Also shocked at how much it down shifted to maintain the 65 mph and this was only towing 2100/lbs.
The fuel economy was also terrible at 11 mpg, I have the 3.92 rear axle ratio.
So now I am wondering what would it be like towing my 20’ utility trailer loaded with 8k pounds?
It is a steep learning curve coming from diesel 3/4 and 1 ton trucks!
View attachment 180163
Click to expand...
I'm 99% sure you truck will not be able to tow your 8k trailer legally.
What is your payload from the factory?
Limiteds in general and your oem 22s are not made for towing.
Also 65 mpg is fast for 3.92 gears. I will only get around 15-17mpg at 65 mpg not towing, 11 sounds about right for adding that weight and wind resistance.
 
Last edited:
Moonlightboater said:
Went and picked up my Honda Pioneer 1000-5 Forest pulling my Aluma 77x10’ trailer. It was slightly hilly in Mississippi, but was shocked at low fuel economy even at 65 mph. Also shocked at how much it down shifted to maintain the 65 mph and this was only towing 2100/lbs.
The fuel economy was also terrible at 11 mpg, I have the 3.92 rear axle ratio.
So now I am wondering what would it be like towing my 20’ utility trailer loaded with 8k pounds?
It is a steep learning curve coming from diesel 3/4 and 1 ton trucks!
View attachment 180163
Click to expand...

I can get between 9 and 11 towing my trailer loaded to 6000 pounds. At a certain point towing tends to wreck your MPG but when you get down to the 9's and 11's you can tow bigger trailers and not notice a difference. As mentioned above, aero is everything. My trailer isn't the biggest or the heaviest, but it's a dual axle with an identical front sized "wall" that much longer/heavier TT's have and that wall is the killer. Adding another 1000 pounds or 5-10 feet here and there doesn't do anything one way or the other, the wall is what does it.
 
LaxDfns15 said:
The windscreen on that UTV acts as a big sail. There's like a 4mpg difference when I have the expanded metal ramp up on the back of my trailer instead of laying down on it, especially at speeds above 50. That's when the trailer is empty. Depending on which direction you're driving (into the wind or not) it gets even worse. Even without a trailer I've seen my mileage drop by 2-3 when driving into a strong headwind.

Cruise control also plays a part. I've noticed worse mileage with cruise control because it's focused on keeping that set speed as closely as possible as opposed to letting it fluctuate a bit even on downhills.
Click to expand...
I’ve been towing 6k TT for 5 yr and in best conditions get around 12 mpg. Wind takes me down to 8 mpg, but my biggest ‘issue’ is the trans…cruise (or me being careless) keeps the trans in 5-6th gear 90%+ of the time, whereas I can usually get her into 7th if I’m paying attention…and that usually gets me a 2 mpg boost. I’ve got a 9k TT now that the 1500 can’t possibly handle (I did it once, she was NOT happy about it) so I’m renting a 2500 to take it in for warranty work. Next year it’s either the Ramcharger or a 2500 for me!
 
I moved from NY to Florida with this 6000lb boat. Inside the truck is probably 1k lbs of stuff and another 1-2k lbs inside the boat. 1200 miles, 9-10mpg at 65mph. 3.92 gears. Wishing that I went for a 3/4 ton with a diesel, but it will do for now. Maybe trade up when my powertrain warranty ends in november 2026.
1F25EF20-C375-43EE-BC9A-00EBC564CBA8.JPG
 
i_squared_r said:
I moved from NY to Florida with this 6000lb boat. Inside the truck is probably 1k lbs of stuff and another 1-2k lbs inside the boat. 1200 miles, 9-10mpg at 65mph. 3.92 gears. Wishing that I went for a 3/4 ton with a diesel, but it will do for now. Maybe trade up when my powertrain warranty ends in november 2026.
View attachment 181851
Click to expand...
Clean set-up. Enjoy the Sunshine State!
 
i_squared_r said:
I moved from NY to Florida with this 6000lb boat. Inside the truck is probably 1k lbs of stuff and another 1-2k lbs inside the boat. 1200 miles, 9-10mpg at 65mph. 3.92 gears. Wishing that I went for a 3/4 ton with a diesel, but it will do for now. Maybe trade up when my powertrain warranty ends in november 2026.
View attachment 181851
Click to expand...
Don’t make another mistake by getting 3/4 ton. I recommend a SRW (single rear wheel)
1 ton.
 
To the OP, I don't think it's a fair comparison lol. You made a big step down capacity wise, at least on paper.

That said, my travel trailer is 7,500 pounds and about 30', tows fine on my truck. 10MPG at 65-70mph, about the same as my BIL's 5.3L GMC 1500. Were you getting a lot more than 11MPG with your larger truck while towing?

I definitely feel like I could tow more safely, I wouldn't hesitate to tow 8,000 pounds.
 
I get anywhere from 8 - 11 mpg towing this depending on how fast I'm going and how much weight I put in there.

Towed it last weekend, empty trip from South Jersey to just outside Harrisburg, PA and got 10.7mpg.
353848653_10160721457292207_7664885027937324799_n.jpg
 
I have been towing 7500 lb on a 27’ camper on occasion. Mileage varies wildly depending on wind and terrain. Downright decent on the flat at 65 tho.

My 5th gen 1500 tows markedly better than my 2011 ram. Also better than my 2009 Chevy with the 5.3. The hemi has plenty of power and is never lacking in my travels. I am impressed with the truck.

I did drive a 2500 and I am sure it would be a great experience towing, but it rides a lot stiffer and gets worse mileage. If you are looking at a daily driver, family vacation vehicle and towing a camper a few times a year, the 1500 is a rock star.

If I wanted a really big camper and towed all year, I might dedicate a 2500 or 3500 to it.
 
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