Desert Captain
Tucson
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rgd123 wrote:I am currently pulling a 5500 lb JAYCO 27 DSRL and getting about 9 mpg.
I am driving a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 Hemi 5.7
If I trade it in for a Ram 2500 would I get better mpg.
I guess it would be easier on the new truck?
While driving on fairly level hwy, the Dodge 1500 keeps shifting up and down Often .
That mileage is about average for a 7500# trailer and that is what you have (GVWR). The 5500# is the UVW which in no way reflects what it really weighs. Load it up and take it down to the Cat Scale to see what your real numbers are but don't be surprised when it comes in a lot closer to your GVWR. If your tranny keeps hunting/downshifting lock out OD as all that downshifting will overheat and ultimately destroy your transmission.
Check your tire pressures on the TT and TV and lighten up on the right foot to see better mileage but anything near 10 is about as good as it gets with that much trailer. Fully loaded you are at nearly 1000# of tongue weight and that does not leave much payload as half ton Dodge's are known to be light in that department. Going to a 3/4 ton will give you much more payload and probably a much nicer towing experience but with about the same mileage. I recently added a Scan Gauge and improved my mileage just by paying attention to the additional fuel displays. Load light and you have enough truck but double digit mileage is going to be elusive. 
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ng2951
Louisiana, USA
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Quote:...pulling a 5500 lb JAYCO 27 DSRL and getting about 9 mpg.
I am driving a 2011 Dodge Ram 1500 V8 Hemi 5.7... There are a lot of things people need to know.
How fast are you driving?
How loaded is the trailer?
Does you vehicle have a tow package?
Have checked your tire pressure?
I am pulling a Puma 27SBU TH and around 65 MPH with a DMax (diesel) 4WD 2500 (3/4 ton). I am getting a little over 10 MPG. If I slow down to 61 or thereabouts it is closer to 12 MPG.
It may be that 1500 might be configured for better unloaded gas mileage, but there is not enough info to tell.
I will agree that getting a ScanGauge will likely help you a lot in figuring out how to drive your rig.
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ghekiere1
Chester Montana
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I get about 6 MPG consistently with my set-up  But I know I am not gonna get any better with mine. Oh well, I guess.
1997 2500 Power Wagon 8.0 Liter V-10 Long Box
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2010 Starcraft Autumn Ridge 297 BHS
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goducks10
Keizer OR
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Are you using the TowHaul mode? And what rear gears are you running? Sounds like you might have some 3.3? gears. Hemi's have plenty of power so it has to be an OD or Towhaul mode thing. 9mpg is right in the middle for gassers. 8-10 is about what people on here report.
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beemerphile1
I'm 57, I'm not a
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When fuel mileage discussions start some people start throwing out some unbelievable numbers. The mileage given in my signature is the average over thousands of miles towing. Individual trips and tanks can vary greatly but after thousands of miles my figures are reliable.
Life can only be understood backwards; but it must be lived forwards.
- Soren Kierkegaard
2006 Weekend Warrior FK1900/1998 Ford E150 4.6L = 8MPG
2009 Aliner Sport/2009 Pontiac Vibe 1.8L = 22MPG
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fla-gypsy
North Florida
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It is not an inexpensive pastime. 9 mpg is about average.
09 SuperDuty Crew Cab 6.8L/4.10(The Black Pearl)
06 Keystone Hornet 29 RLS/(The Cracker Cabana)
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shenandoahvalley
Shenandoah Valley, Virginia
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beemerphile1 wrote:When fuel mileage discussions start some people start throwing out some unbelievable numbers. The mileage given in my signature is the average over thousands of miles towing. Individual trips and tanks can vary greatly but after thousands of miles my figures are reliable.
I agree, we see some pretty fantastic numbers sometimes but pulling 10k pounds with a V10 F250 we are consistently in the 7.8-8.0 range average. Wish it was better but it is what it is.
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eye8Ubutler
Maritime Provinces
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STOP EVERYONE........
High gas prices are here to stay, it is a form of 'back door' taxation and that is that!
Without 'regulation' of prices, whatever the market, that is us, is willing put up with, is what the pump price will be for the future!
The only way to help reduce the cost to us RVers is to travel at a speed that causes the engine to work less (less revs).
I doubt if many will want to travel at 50 to 55 when they last year travelled at 60 to 65 plus! BUT THAT IS WHAT WE WILL HAVE TO DO!
If one has a satisfying TV already, changing it just because of 'pump prices' is a complete waste of! When one takes into account time, effort and of course costs associated with changing a vehicle.
I would suggest any nicotine or aclcohol fans can help themselves by reducing that intact....think of it as a self applied tax break/rebate....against the extra tax paid on pump prices. End Of! LOL
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APT
SE Michigan
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9mpg towing any full walled RV is average for all gas engines. 8-10mpg is most common that RV owners report. Going to a 3/4 ton Hemi with shorter gearing (say 3.55->4.10) may improve loaded fuel economy, towing and city driving. A good diesel towing the same RV at the same speeds will probably get 11-12mpg. You did not specify if the 2500 was gas or diesel.
Should you decide to buy another truck, especially a diesel, get a 3500. You get about 1200 pounds more payload for $600. That's a tremendous value for RVing.
Your 2011 Ram should have tow haul mode and ERS (electronic Range select). I recommend using tow haul mode and limiting the trans to 4th gear max. All that shifting is not good for the transmission.
A & A parents of DD 2005, DS1 2007, DS2 2009
2011 Suburban 2500 6.0L 3.73 pulling 2011 Heartland North Trail 28BRS
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rgolding
Southern Illinois
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We have a 2009 Chevy crew cab with a Duramax Diesel, pulling a 2010 Dutchmen 25C-GS. We get a consistant 11 to 12 mpg at about 60 to 62 mph.
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