mnaquaman
Farmington, MN
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Joined: 08/01/2004
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We just returned from a 4000 mile road trip. Flatlands, hilly, mountains, wind - everything but rain!
Over the coarse of 29 fuel stops and trying many different speeds, gears & rpms. I think I found the sweet spot - 65mph @ 2100rpm in 5th gear. Running a lower RPM in 6th gear caused a de-crease in fuel economy and the engine felt like it was lugging some. Of coarse if I ran at 55mph I think I would see some improvement - just a bit to slow.
Over the whole trip I averaged 10.22 MPG - 200-300 miles of these miles I was not towing the trailer. I don't really budget my fuel expenses, however I was hoping for 10mpg and half way expecting it to be in the 9's - so overall I am happy with my results.
Worst MPG: 7.62 into a stiff head wind
Best MPG: 11.96 in the mountains, lower speed and thinner air.
Wind & Speed kill MPG - the old rule of increase your speed by 10mph and watch your mileage drop by 10% holds true! I had one day that I was on dead flat roads with no wind 70mph - 9.79mpg, 65mph - 10.96mpg.
2015 Silverado 1500 Crew Cab, 5.3l, 3:42 gears
2017 Jayco 23BHM - weighs in around 6000lbs.
Randy & Sharon Engelland
Farmington, MN
2017 Jayco 23bhm
2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ
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LanceRKeys
Amarillo, TX
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Joined: 06/04/2017
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Very interesting. That’s pretty good mileage. One of these days I’ll learn to slow down.
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colliehauler
Mc Pherson KS USA
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Joined: 01/27/2004
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I tried one trip to drive 60 instead of my usual 70, It wasn’t worth it. I'll pay extra for the fuel. Maybe if I was on a two lane hwy I could but not on the interstate.
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4x4ord
Alberta
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Joined: 12/23/2010
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I've never seen unnecessary down shifting improve my fuel economy. It would be interesting to see a brake specific fuel consumption graph for your engine.
2017 F350 SRW Platinum short box 4x4.
B&W Companion
2008 Citation Platinum XL 34.5
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ksss
Eastern Idaho
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Joined: 02/19/2011
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That is good mileage. I would not have guessed you would be over 10 mpg.
2006 GMC 3500 CC 4X4 DRW D/A
2013 Fuzion 342
2011 RZR Desert Tan
2012 Sea Doo GTX 155
2018 Chevy 3500HD CC LB SRW 4X4 D/A
2015 Chevy Camaro ZL1
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1320Fastback
Vista, Ca
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Joined: 12/04/2016
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Nice to see a long range report. We did 5,231 miles earlier this year in our 22' Toy Hauler at around 6,300lbs weight. It's a rolling dog kennel with a residential sized deep freeze, coolers and lots of metal pet fencing. We went from CA to LA, up to KY and back to CA. I kept it in 5th which is OD on my manual trans and averaged 14.68mpg going around 62-65 the entire trip. Like you there was around 300 miles of non towing which works out to 19mpg for me.
I love these long trips. Nothing like filling the fuel tank and seeing America!
1992 D250 Cummins 5psd
2005 Forest River T26 Toy Hauler
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edbehnke
North America (from Michigan)
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Joined: 12/13/2006
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A lot of work to figure out that pulling a trailer will cause your MPG to be about 9-10 a gallon. But thanks for the reminder.
A friend once told me that anyone who tells you he gets of 10mpg is lying:-)
My MPG is around 9-10pmg when pulling my 16K trailer with my F350.
eddie and sandie
3402 Montana 2013
Ford F350 2015
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Lynnmor
Red Lion
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Joined: 07/16/2011
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edbehnke wrote:A lot of work to figure out that pulling a trailer will cause your MPG to be about 9-10 a gallon. But thanks for the reminder.
A friend once told me that anyone who tells you he gets of 10mpg is lying:-)
My MPG is around 9-10pmg when pulling my 16K trailer with my F350.
Yeah, diesels do much better than gas engines.
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ppine
Northern Nevada
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Joined: 07/04/2016
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"That is good mileage" refering to 10 mpg said no diesel owner ever.
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mnaquaman
Farmington, MN
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Joined: 08/01/2004
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Even with the same set-up as I have I know everyone will have a different experience and opinion of what is right for them - this is just my opinions and reflections on what I learned with my set-up. Life is a learning experience - will I continue to experiment? I doubt it. However, I will continue to watch what is happening with my fuel economy.
I have been pulling trailers for over forty year and I always knew that I would get 9 - 10mpg.
My main purpose was to dial in my "sweet spot". With over 20 fuel stops and many different conditions I was able to find that "sweet spot"! I was looking for fuel efficiency and driver comfort. Sure I was comfortable going at a higher speeds but at what expense?
Would the truck hold the speed with the cruise control active without massive throttle response to the conditions? At 65mph@2100rpm that was possible. If I tried to run in 6th gear the transmission tended shift down to 5th often and the economy suffered.
Happy camping & Safe travels!!
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