I am about to tow a 26 foot travel trailer, gvwr 5500 lbs, with my 2007 Yukon XL which has a 5.3 L engine and axle ration of 3.73. Before I do this, I am curious about the probable gasoline mileage, and I need to know if I should use the 87 or th 89 octane gasoline. I am about to purchase a 26 foot North Country trailor built by Heartland, and I am looking forward to our first trip.
You are going to get anywhere between 8-12 mpg....big span, I know, but it all depends on your driving style, speed, terrain, wind direction, etc.
Use octane that you normally use and that is suggested by your owner's manual. Maybe, maybe if you are towing at altitude and in steep hills and grades you could pump in some higher octane.
Have a good trip... and forget about mileage..you are towing and good mileage and towing just don't go together.
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downtheroad is correct, lots of variables will cause your mileage to vary so it is rather hard to predict.
But just so you feel better about it, I have a 2006 F250 with 3V 5.4 (300 HP), 2wd supercab about 6400lbs. Towing a 26ft 1984 Komfort empty weight is 4300 lbs, loaded with personal stuff at about 5500 lbs from PA through W VA, VA, NC, SC. Averaging low of 9.8 to 10.1 this year, keeping in mind several long 7%-8% grades in the mountains.
Use 87, no need to spend extra money for minimal to no extra mileage, besides the engine computer detects and compensates for changes in octane which nets no real difference in mileage. Found that out many years ago by running a tank of each and checking the mileage vs the cost, mileage only improved by .1 of mpg but the cost difference was $.20 a gal (10 yrs ago, today about $.30 in places). Not worth the extra money.
I towed our 31ft with a 04 Yukon XL 5.3L with 3.73 gears and we got 9-11mpg on the flats. We didn't take to the hills with the Yukon, we traded for a 08 Silverado 2500HD, mpg went to 9-10 BUT....More power is more better!!
08 Silverado 2500HD, Prodigy brake controller, Trifecta tonneau cover, TPMS by Truck Systems Tech.
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I have a 2007 Silverado (new body style) with the same engine and transmission as you. I tow a 30 foot Flagstaff in Florida and average about 9.5 or so. If winds are light and traffic is heavy I do a bit better due to drafting. In heavy headwinds you are looking at 7-8 MPG. I normally tow in OD at 63-65 and combined my truck and camper weighed 12,400 last time I hit the scales.
One point worth mentioning again. SPEED is the biggest issue. By dropping from 65 mph to 55 mph we gain 20% or so in gas mileage.
Chuck
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I average about 9 mpg towing in 3rd gear. And I burn 87 octane. I tried to baby the truck on one of my trips and unlucky me saw no real difference in gas mileage. So now I just cruise at 60 to 65. Enjoy your new camper. Mike
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Here are my particulars: Dodge Dakota 4.7 with 3.91 r/e pulling 5,000+ lbs at 62 mph on cruise control in tow/haul mode traveling Rte 95 from Cape Cod to Fla = 10.3 to 11.7 mpg using regular gas (87 octane). Camp on!
I tow a 2008 starcraft 2700bh with 2007 trailblazer 4wd with a 5.3 v8 and 3.73 r/e with regular gas (87 octane). I figure I am towing 5000+ lbs. I tow in o/d when on the flats at 55 mph with little to no head wind and get 10-11mpg. I don't get in a hurry when tow my TT and I pull off at the first chance, when on a 2 lane, if I collect a parade and let them go. On the 4 lane I stay right. When I arrive I am not frazzeled, no white knuckels and I get what I consider good gas mileage.
nuff said
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