Don't forget tires. Most trailers have bias ply tires. I was flabbergasted when I learned that. Haven't, until lately, had a trailer since early 1980's so I just assumed that trailer tire technology rode along with other tires. Bias ply tires take serious amounts of extra energy to roll as compared to radials especially good radials. It takes a good bit or research to quantify this and I haven't looked at it for years. I don't know whether anyone has bothered to compare the rolling resistance effect on trailers since most people are resigned to coughing up lots of extra gas money to pull a trailer with it'w extra wind resistance, weight etc. And for just a few trips a year, what difference does it make? Not much but if you seriously like to travel a lot then the gas expense matters. I hope someone can enlighten us on this milage thing.
2008 Dutchmen Kodiak 27CDSL, 94 Dodge 4x4 Cummins, Trailer mods: Automatic switchover for Honda EU3000IS generator w/extension plug to back of truck. Propride 3P hitch Plan to do mods for camping in cold weather.
Not sure how significant differences are in Engines, but I tow a 6K trailer with a 2004 Ford Expedition, 5.4L. Normally got around 7 MPG. Had come across info on some Ford Forums that I could see better performance towing using Premium gas - I tried it this spring on 2 tanks worth - and my MPG went up to 9.5! Just looking at price of gas, it's nearly 6 centers per mile cheaper to tow with premium!
There is ONE method of saving gas while towing. Take your foot off of the gas and slow down. What brand of trailer is still being delivered with bias ply tires on it, I'm not sure. I personally haven't seen one in quite a few years but that kind of difference in fuel mileage will be unmeasurable without some pretty sophisticated instruments. As for "stuff" to pour into your gas tank to magically increase mileage, forget it, Myth Busters just did a piece on it about a year ago and busted every one of them for both diesel and gasoline. Good luck / skip
Lakedawgs,
Since you have a Dodge, here are a couple of links that can be a wealth of information on how to fine tune and get the best mileage. I personally have done a couple of mods to my 2002 Dodge 1500 QuadCab like the Flowmaster Exhaust, K&N Fuel Injector Performance Kit (Air Intake System) and a JetChip and have gained a couple of miles per gallon and a little more power/torque for towing. Check them out and good luck!
Not sure if you are asking me or someone else, I get about 13mpg in the truck, my daily driver, a small import, gets about 30mpg. Pulling the TT I am hoping I can tweek out 10mpg.
Lakedawgs
You said;
"This truck will be used only to pull the TT (weekend camping 6-8 times a year for now), and odd jobs, it will see little mileage otherwise."
If it’s only going to be driven to tow the TT then I sure wouldn’t drop a load of cash in it to only pick up 1-3 MPG. Do a tune up if needed replace the air filter and keep the tires inflated near the max PSI as marked on the sidewall.
Don
I think everyone who asks this question already knows the answer. Properly inflated tires, a well tuned engine, easy on (and off) the accelerator, and SLOW DOWN.
Gas pills, additives, 'cold air intakes', fuel line 'magnets', and other scams are just that and as long as take care of the above items, you'll be doing the best you can to optimize the potential of your vehicle.
Take Care
2000 Ford Excursion V10 (SOLD) 2005 Exc. 6.0L PSD, 2wd, 3.73LS, Air Lifts with Load Controller II, towing '00 31SKS Holiday Rambler Alumascape with a '01 Hensley.
Btravelen, Good post. I take one exception to the list of scams though, the cold air intake.
A cold air intake installed by itself will seldom make much difference in fuel mileage if your engine is properly sized. The only exception might be if you are trying to pull with too small of an engine where every hp counts. In this particular case adding a CAI by itself may help gas mileage (towing at over 1/2 throttle.)
On the other hand, a CAI will generally help mileage, when added as part of a comprehensive upgrade package designed to improve the vehicles brake specific fuel consumption. One example of such a package is the one I am using on my TV. I added a CAI, a header and a complete exhaust, along with a custom computer tune of both my engine control module and transmission control module to realize a boost in both mileage and performance.
Seldom will such modifications pay for themselves in gas savings alone, especially if you take into consideration the time value of money. However, if your goal is to improve your vehicle's performance/towing ability (I dropped my 1/4 mile time by .8 seconds.) you can recover most of your expenses by your fuel savings over a typical 100,000 mile vehicle life.
I find that if I use the smallest vehicle I can get away with towing, I get the best mileage. I have a choice between a large Chevy 2500 or a smaller car to tow my 26ft trailer. If I'm not planning on hills I use the smaller vehicle. WAAAY better on gas.
When I need to purchase a new vehicle, I'll get a better tow vehicle (more powerful) but not overdo it.
I did a chip,cold air, exaust.those three did not give the mileage increase that just changing the clutch fan, to an electric(flex-a-lite)fan. That was the best improvement I did to my truck. You can set the temp,and time the fan runs......Good mileage...See if some one has a kit for your truck.....
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Plan to do mods for camping in cold weather.
