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sportzfann
PNW
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Joined: 08/10/2013
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Fiver owners, not trying to start a debate, but wanted some data to think about.
I have a 2017 f350 Dually diesel and I am looking at fivers in the 30-35’ range but the weights vary quite a lot I’ve seen 30’ at 9k lbs gvw. and 35’ at15k lbs. gvw
my question is will it make much difference in mileage pulling those different weights, and length trailers or is this a aerodynamic issue nor so much weight. ??
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ReneeG
Meridian, Idaho
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I'm not an expert, but I think it's a little of both. Before we purchased our FW we had a 32' Komfort TT, 8 - 9k fully loaded that we towed with an F250 6.8L gasser. Got about 12 - 13mpg. Same truck towing the 13k fully loaded FW in our signature, 7, yes, 7mpg. Fast forward - same FW, different TV, 2011 F350 diesel dually, long bed, 12 - 14mpg.
2011 Bighorn 3055RL
2011 F350 DRW 6.7L 4x4 Diesel Lariat and Hensley TrailerSaver BD3
1992 Jeep ZJ and 1978 Coleman Concord Pop-Up for remote camping
Dave & Renee plus (Champ, Molly, Paris, Missy, and Maggie in spirit), Mica and Mabel, both Rat Terriers!
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MFL
Midwest
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IMO, towing with the diesel, the weight will not make much difference. The height diff will make about the same diff as the weight.
Also if looking at GVWR sticker to compare, that may have more to do with axle/spring size, such as comparing 4,400 rated axles to 5,200/6000 axles. The beefier axles/springs allowing a higher wt rating, rather than actual scaled wt of the various trailers.
Jerry
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Second Chance
Wherever...
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Joined: 07/23/2013
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Speaking from over 44,000 miles towing fifth wheels with diesels: on the flats, once you get it rolling, it's wind resistance (think pulling three sheets of plywood through the air at highway speeds); in the mountains, weight really comes into play. Significant headwinds or tailwinds and all the above go out the window. When we upgraded our rig 2-1/2 years ago, the GVWR (and actual weight) of the trailer increased from 13K to 15K lbs. Overall there was about a 1.5 MPG difference coast-to-coast in all kinds of conditions. With both trailers, I saw mileage as low as 4.5 MPH (45 MPH headwinds)/8 MPG (6% grades) and as high as 15 MPG (45 MPH tailwind in the Central Valley in CA). Bottom line is, it just depends.
On the other hand, not many people buy large RVs and worry about fuel mileage.
Rob
U.S. Army retired
2020 Solitude 310GK-R
MORryde IS, disc brakes, solar, DP windows
(Previously in a Reflection 337RLS)
2012 F350 CC DRW Lariat 6.7
Full-time since 8/2015
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sportzfann
PNW
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Yes I wondered if it made much fuel mileage difference between lighter rigs or heavier rigs. it doesn’t sound like much. Pretty much get the one with the floor plan you like and drive.
Didn’t want to be surprised and find out I’m getting 7-8 MPG….??
* This post was
edited 07/28/22 04:34pm by an administrator/moderator *
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2oldman
NM
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Weight matters more as to the overall build quality.
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ford truck guy
Pennsylvania
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You’re driving habits will also dictate the MPG you get..
I can tow my 16,000 pound fiver and get just shy of 12 MPGs and the very next trip get just under nine to the identical campground.
Wind, speed, acceleration, all will alter your numbers
Me-Her-the kids
2020 Ford F350 SD 6.7
2020 Redwood 3991RD Garnet
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stickdog
Somewhere, USA
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Rig in my sig. 50,000 miles. Average 9.5. Been as high as 12.1 as low as 8. Sometimes the mountains are steeper, sometimes the wind is at your back.
9-11 WE WILL NEVER FORGET!
FULLTIME SINCE 2010
17 DRV MS 36rssb3
17 F350 King Ranch CC DRW 4x4 6.7 4:10 B&W hitch
John
“A good traveler has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving.” Lao Tzu
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Bionic Man
USA
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Joined: 04/03/2009
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My experience is weight makes very little difference in MPG. My 5er is about 12,000 pounds. I often tow my 3500 pound boat tandem. MPG is about the same either way. And it doesn’t really matter if I’m towing relatively flat (not much of that in Colorado) or through the mountains.
2012 RAM 3500 Laramie Longhorn DRW CC 4x4 Max Tow, Cummins HO, 60 gallon RDS aux fuel tank, Reese 18k Elite hitch
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 QC SB 4x4 Cummins HO NV5600 with Smarty JR, Jacobs EB (sold)
2002 Gulf Stream Sea Hawk 29FRB with Honda EV6010
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Campinghoss@51
Windsor NC
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I would not be overly concerned with the weight/height but really concerned with the floor plan I wanted. Most fivers run 13 feet and a few inches to top of a/c's regardless.
Now your mpg will run 9.3 to 10.5 depending on the terrain and more importantly your speed. I had a F-250 diesel pulling a heavy 28 foot Sunnybrook fiver and ran 10.5 fairly consistently. Our 40 foot motor home with a cummins got 9.5 to 10.5. Now with the setup in my sig I get 9.3 the majority of the time. I run 65ish on interstates and 59ish on primary roads.
I will stress again though, go with the floor plan that you want or you will be sorry a few months, years down the road.
Camping Hoss
2017 Open Range 3X 388RKS
2017 F-350 6.7 with hips 8'bed
Lucky & Lucie
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