Only 6.5 mpg towing enclosed trailer!

[runamuck]

I usually get 8.5-10 ish pulling our 6000# travel trailer with cruise set on 68-69 and truck loaded for the weekend... that is over terrain that is not very hilly..I have got 11.5 before on flat road at that speed...dont think I have the temperment for going much slower. I get passed by 1500's pulling bigger stuff, but I dont try to push it too hard. that is also with tow/haul on...

 

[gtxdana]

I got 10-12 MPG towing an enclosed car trailer weighing between 6.5K and 7K with my last truck-2012 Ram R/T RCSB, six speed auto/4.10 gear. I usually ran between 60-70 MPH. I'll have to see what kind of numbers I get with the new truck-2020 CCSB Hemi 3.92 gear.

 

[Raydar]

Last weekend I towed a 6X10 blunt nose box trailer about 100 miles. (Empty, one way.)
It knocked my average "estimated" MPG down to 12.X in fairly short order. Average stayed there until I refilled the tank, and reset. Using manual calculation, I got 13 and change, on that tank. I normally get at least 15. As high as ~17.
4x4 Crew with 3.92s. Speed was 55-65. Mostly two-lane road.

 

[A-TEAM]

Too fast. I get 19-20 driving at 70 with my heavy tools in the back, get 11 pulling my 6k camper loaded up up, but I keep it a 60, 65 max. 3.21 gears.

 

[hotjava66]

I made a few trips with new 2020 CCMB 1500 5.7 3.21 pulling 84” tall v nose enclosed. Unfortunately even though light they drag a lot of air, speed vs drag is pretty steep curve. Best I saw at 70 flat terrain 7th gear 6th up hills 13-14mpg lie o meter, 60-65 14-15mpg, after 70 it dumps hard, 80 showed 6-8mpg and mostly ran in 5th and 6th gear. I have owned many diesel trucks and it’s hard to swallow that you cant pull 80mph effortlessly but none of my diesels would get much more than 12mpg pulling other than the very first pre emissions Duramax with mods and tuner. With the added cost of diesel your cost per mile isn’t that much more and that doesn’t include the added cost of the Diesel engine or truck. My friend (diesel 3/4)and I trade towing duties on snowmobile trips and fuel fill ups are nearly same cost, that being said you can’t beat the diesel for pure towing power. I do miss it but spent 1/3 less on truck and 1/3 less on fuel for same result plus the 1/2 ton is way more comfortable for the 95% driving I do unloaded.

 

[nbomar]

I towed a empty 6.5x16 v nose this week from OKC to NW Arkansas at 70-75 mph (turnpike) and got 6.5 mpg hand calculated and thought my truck motor was going to blow. Less than impressed with this truck compared to my 18 f150 ecoboost.


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[Konrad]

Always in tow/haul mode, it will save your transmission. If you don't engage tow/haul it will allow the transmission to shift into 8th, then back down, then back up...needless shifting and wear on your transmission shifting in and out of OD 8th.

Well... My truck will shift into 8th in the Tow/Haul mode! Experienced it today towing our 25ft 4600# TT. The terrain was flat and I think we had the wind straight in our back. The truck was in 8th gear quite a lot, shifting down as needed (but not excessively). All temps normal, it didn't feel like anything was working too hard. It was a really smooth and pleasant drive. 137 miles with cruise control at 63-68. Ended up at 12.4 mpg hand calculated.


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[barr0208]

I towed a empty 6.5x16 v nose this week from OKC to NW Arkansas at 70-75 mph (turnpike) and got 6.5 mpg hand calculated and thought my truck motor was going to blow. Less than impressed with this truck compared to my 18 f150 ecoboost.


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really what gears do you have I have 3.92 and pulling a 32ft rv im getting 9- 11mpg and mine does not sound like its blowing.

 

[pber1]

I knew my '19 Ram with the 5.7 (non etorque) and 3.21 gears would deliver worse mpg compared to my old 07 GMC Duramax. But holy cow, I just got 6.5 mpg pulling my enclosed v nose trailer! The trailer with snowmobiles only weigh about 3,700 lbs. I would normally get 11-12ish mpg with my Duramax. On the freeway I set the cruise at 75 (just like I would with my Duramax).
The truck only has about 5K miles on her now. Hope it loosens up and the mpg improves.

I was getting 8-10mpg From LA to SAC with 3.21 gears

 

[nbomar]

really what gears do you have I have 3.92 and pulling a 32ft rv im getting 9- 11mpg and mine does not sound sound like its blowing.

3.21 I believe. Crazy, I did the same drive today without a trailer or anything and got 15.1. Really thought it would get better mileage.


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[silver billet]

I made a few trips with new 2020 CCMB 1500 5.7 3.21 pulling 84” tall v nose enclosed. Unfortunately even though light they drag a lot of air, speed vs drag is pretty steep curve. Best I saw at 70 flat terrain 7th gear 6th up hills 13-14mpg lie o meter, 60-65 14-15mpg, after 70 it dumps hard, 80 showed 6-8mpg and mostly ran in 5th and 6th gear. I have owned many diesel trucks and it’s hard to swallow that you cant pull 80mph effortlessly but none of my diesels would get much more than 12mpg pulling other than the very first pre emissions Duramax with mods and tuner. With the added cost of diesel your cost per mile isn’t that much more and that doesn’t include the added cost of the Diesel engine or truck. My friend (diesel 3/4)and I trade towing duties on snowmobile trips and fuel fill ups are nearly same cost, that being said you can’t beat the diesel for pure towing power. I do miss it but spent 1/3 less on truck and 1/3 less on fuel for same result plus the 1/2 ton is way more comfortable for the 95% driving I do unloaded.

I don't understand people who tow at 80 mph. Whether the truck can do it or not, the trailer probably can't. Many trailers have crummy bearings or tires and I've the read the manual of more than one that says you shouldn't be towing at > 70 mph.

 

[barr0208]

I don't understand people who tow at 80 mph. Whether the truck can do it or not, the trailer probably can't. Many trailers have crummy bearings or tires and I've the read the manual of more than one that says you shouldn't be towing at > 70 mph.

actually I go 60-65 max those Chinese bomb tires are going to be replaced soon they are rated for 70 mph

 

[raven_DT]

I don't understand people who tow at 80 mph. Whether the truck can do it or not, the trailer probably can't. Many trailers have crummy bearings or tires and I've the read the manual of more than one that says you shouldn't be towing at > 70 mph.

or you have to perform an emergency maneuver, brake hard, etc...