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05-17-2015, 11:06 AM
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#1
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1 Rivet Member
2003 25' Safari
Greensburg
, Kansas
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
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Gas mileage
We are on our way home from our first airstream trip. We had two weeks to travel from Greensburg Kansas to Yellowstone. A big surprise has been how well our 2008 Chevy 1/2 ton 4wd has pulled the trailer and we have averaged 12.5 mph.
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05-17-2015, 11:31 AM
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#2
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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That's very good mpg. WE have towed a 25 foot Airstream for many years with a 3/4 Suburban. We have always averaged about 10.5 mpg while towing.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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05-17-2015, 11:56 AM
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#3
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3 Rivet Member
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Mar 2015
Posts: 231
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That mirrors our Ram 1500 towing experience. Gas mileage is entirely dependent on wind direction, terrain, and speed. Mostly.
In rolling hills we do best selecting a transmission gear that keeps it from shifting up and down to maintain speed, especially in cruise control. For us that is 4th gear (of six) which is a 1:1 ratio, which is also most probably the most efficient of the gear ratios in the transmission, so we leave it there most of the time. Unless there are good tail winds or long downhill grade.
The transmission also has downhill braking assist mode that may benefit efficiency. When going steeper downhill grades in "Tow/Haul" mode, touching the brake will advise the transmission to shift down automatically to try to maintain that speed. That allows engine braking, rather than running gear braking which may waste fuel.
Yes, this size truck is an excellent match to mid-size Airstreams. We are fortunate to have an Airstream and are thankful for it, box-shaped trailers are not nearly as efficient or pleasantly towable by trucks of this size.
cheryl
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05-17-2015, 11:58 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2007 Interstate
Sneedville
, Tennessee
Join Date: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,753
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3/4 ton Suburban here with 25' FC and we get between 9.9 and 10.0...
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05-17-2015, 01:21 PM
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#5
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1 Rivet Member
2003 25' Safari
Greensburg
, Kansas
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 9
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We are pulling a 2004 25' and our vehicle does have the trailer pulling mode.
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05-17-2015, 01:44 PM
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#6
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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We average about the same, except for going up hill, then it blows, but I suspect this is the case for everyone, diesel and gas. More power required to overcome gravity.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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05-17-2015, 02:05 PM
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#7
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Always learning
1972 29' Ambassador
1962 19' Globetrotter
1951 21' Flying Cloud
Central
, Texas
Join Date: Oct 2010
Posts: 2,881
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Not too bad
Quote:
Originally Posted by Idea
We are on our way home from our first airstream trip. We had two weeks to travel from Greensburg Kansas to Yellowstone. A big surprise has been how well our 2008 Chevy 1/2 ton 4wd has pulled the trailer and we have averaged 12.5 mph.
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Is this from the trip computer, or hand calcs?
__________________
Lance
Work is never done, so take time to play!
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05-17-2015, 09:17 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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2012 Duramax 4x4 Crew cab 54k miles.
15-17mpg hwy no load
8.5-10.5 towing 34' triple axle. (when first towed, we consistently had 12-15Mpg...so truck has a problem, I think)
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Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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05-17-2015, 09:27 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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It might be that the vanes on the turbo are stuck, or the case of the turbo case has heat cracks locking the variable vanes in place.
Been there done that...
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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05-17-2015, 09:52 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,408
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J. Morgan.. Can't send PM till you flush some of the flotsam and jetsam.
Tell me more...
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
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05-17-2015, 10:01 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
Join Date: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,190
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I was getting fewer MPG
When I had my oil change I also got a new air filter. It appeared to me that I started getting a few more MPG. Could that be ?
3/4 ton van with 4.3 liter engine. 20 footer 3000 lbs
16-19 normally…12 towing
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05-18-2015, 08:08 AM
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#12
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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A dirty enough air filter can mess up MPG for sure.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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05-18-2015, 08:57 AM
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#13
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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The VVTs (variable vane turbochargers) often become gunked up with soot from the EGR, causing the vanes to stick to the case and not open and close properly.
I also had one where the cast iron part of the turbo case cracked and would not allow the vanes to move.
We had to fix this on one of my duramax trucks a couple of months ago.
The turbos are easy to clean and rebuild for about $100 in parts, but the turbo is challenging to get loose from its mounted position.
This may not be your problem, but I have had to clean these turbos several times on both DMaxes and Powerstrokes. (Same turbo)
__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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05-18-2015, 09:23 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
1955 22' Safari
Laredo
, Texas
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,342
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Slow Trip
Quote:
Originally Posted by Idea
We are on our way home from our first airstream trip. We had two weeks to travel from Greensburg Kansas to Yellowstone. A big surprise has been how well our 2008 Chevy 1/2 ton 4wd has pulled the trailer and we have averaged 12.5 mph.
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That trip would take a very long time at 12 MPH
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05-18-2015, 09:35 AM
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#15
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Moderator
2015 25' FB Flying Cloud
2012 23' FB Flying Cloud
2005 25' Safari
Santa Rosa Beach
, Florida
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 13,159
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cwf
2012 Duramax 4x4 Crew cab 54k miles.
15-17mpg hwy no load
8.5-10.5 towing 34' triple axle. (when first towed, we consistently had 12-15Mpg...so truck has a problem, I think)
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You may have a truck issue. We have a 2011 3500 Duramax crew long bed with 81,000 miles on it.. We tow a 25FB (7400#) and carry a 3,200# truck camper in the bed. We consistently get 11.5 mpg towing and hauling over 10,000#.
Brian
__________________
SuEllyn & Brian McCabe
WBCCI #3628 -- AIR #14872 -- TAC #FL-7
2015 FC 25' FB (Lucy) with ProPride
2020 Silverado 2500 (Vivian)
2023 Rivian R1T (Opal)
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