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ElCamino Man · 10-07-2012, 09:04 AM

I think this is the first time my trucks been called cool lol.

When its all said and done, the guy thatll always come out ahead is the guy who bought an older truck and paid it off that gets good mpgs on and off the road. Buying a 2011 EcoBoost or 6.7 diesel will always cost more in the long run. Iv debated buying a newer, fancier truck but even with my truck getting 11 mpg not towing, the new truck would have to cost less than $8,000 and get 20 mpg. Not worth it IMO

Ahab · 10-07-2012, 09:52 AM

OK, the OP asked for the best mileage and my rig set a new towing record. 22MPG! We were in a caravan of 20 Airstreams going from Carrizozo, NM to Alamogordo on US54. Due to construction the speed limit was posted at 45mph for most of the way and we had the wind at our backs. No big elevation swings and the Honda Ridgeline was turning 1200-1800 rpm.

Ag&Au · 10-07-2012, 09:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahab

OK, the OP asked for the best mileage and my rig set a new towing record. 22MPG! We were in a caravan of 20 Airstreams going from Carrizozo, NM to Alamogordo on US54. Due to construction the speed limit was posted at 45mph for most of the way and we had the wind at our backs. No big elevation swings and the Honda Ridgeline was turning 1200-1800 rpm.

I don't think you should have mentioned the caravan part. I immediately envisioned a rope from your front bumper to the trailer in front of you.

Ken

rodsterinfl · 10-07-2012, 07:28 PM

Looking over this thread, it looks like most gas 1/2 tons average about 12mpg and diesel super somethings average 14mpg. In my area, diesel is .30 more than gas or 8%+. That would compare in cost to adding another mpg to the gas average- cost-wise. The gas and diesel are close. It all comes down to what you need for the weight you have - payload and trailer and, around 1mpg advantage on diesel. Fuel though is not the only advantage a diesel has but for the topic, this is what I observe.

Road Geezer · 10-07-2012, 08:31 PM

We're on an extended run thru the NPs in Southern Utah. Lots of travel above 5 to 6K with passes in excess of 7k. I'd guess our AS currently weighs around 6800# and we're towing with a 2001 Sub 1500, 5.3 ltr. Pretty consistent mileage is 11 mpg on regular unleaded. I'm happy with that.

slowmover · 10-08-2012, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dkottum

Red' what is cpm?

doug k

CPM is the easiest way to understand fuel cost. The other is to understand the way those in other countries look at liters of consumption per 100-kilometers, so, for us, as gallons per 100-miles.

At an estimated 15-mpg towing (level terrain), it would be 6.6/100

CPM or [per 100] is much the easiest way to trip plan.

But for sake of making comparisons, there are problems, as there are with making changes for improved mpg to a given rig. I wrote about some of this on a post at IRV2, here, from a discussion on rooftop wind deflectors.

.

pickerdd · 10-08-2012, 08:09 AM

On my previous 2 trips to Kansas from Georgia (2010 and 2012 - 1000 miles each way) I averaged between 10.5 mpg and 12 mpg pulling my '71 Safari with 2008 4WD V8 4Runner. Not computer numbers, but calculated from the actual gas receipts. I keep a small notebook for each trip to track expenses and such with receipts. I also keep a spreadsheet for my mileage and gas costs.

No mountains on the trip to Kansas, just hills and stop and go traffic in Birmingham and Memphis and toll roads in Oklahoma. I averaged 65mph for most of the trip, but drove as fast as 70 a few times and as low as 60 on the Interstate. This is with the 4Runner in 4th gear and the AC on. I don't use the cruise control when towing. It rained most of the way home from Kansas.

Around town on a daily basis my mileage is usually 15-16mpg and 19-20 on the Interstate. My 4Runner is my daily driver.

Keep in mind that I tow in 4th gear, but drive in overdrive (5th) when not towing.

TouringDan · 10-08-2012, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ahab

OK, the OP asked for the best mileage and my rig set a new towing record. 22MPG! We were in a caravan of 20 Airstreams going from Carrizozo, NM to Alamogordo on US54. Due to construction the speed limit was posted at 45mph for most of the way and we had the wind at our backs. No big elevation swings and the Honda Ridgeline was turning 1200-1800 rpm.

Ahab

That is outstanding fuel economy, even with the planets all properly aligned, but I doubt that it is the record. I am waiting for a VW diesel to chime in towing a lightweight vintage Airstream.

Dan

ElCamino Man · 10-08-2012, 02:33 PM

Im pretty sure some Tauregs (or however its spelled) have got similar or better mpgs lol. Not to burst your bubble

Ahab · 10-08-2012, 02:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TouringDan

Ahab

That is outstanding fuel economy, even with the planets all properly aligned, but I doubt that it is the record. I am waiting for a VW diesel to chime in towing a lightweight vintage Airstream.

Dan

It was a record for me. Prior best was 17.3 going downhill with the Santa Anna blowing 35mph on my back.

slowmover · 10-08-2012, 04:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rodsterinfl

Looking over this thread, it looks like most gas 1/2 tons average about 12mpg and diesel super somethings average 14mpg. In my area, diesel is .30 more than gas or 8%+. That would compare in cost to adding another mpg to the gas average- cost-wise. The gas and diesel are close. It all comes down to what you need for the weight you have - payload and trailer and, around 1mpg advantage on diesel. Fuel though is not the only advantage a diesel has but for the topic, this is what I observe.

I did a very close comparison of mine to another man with the "exact" same truck (brand, model, year [2004] + spec) except with a gasoline motor. So long as diesel was no more than 50-cents/gl higher than gasoline the difference in fuel cost was a wash . . the big difference is in work capacity and longevity.

As gasoline motors improve [direct injection] -- and emissions tuning may shorten the effective life of a light duty truck engine -- the gas motor makes more sense at this point in time for a 3/4 or 1T pickup (assuming one has IRS-desuctible miles while not towing a recreational vehicle part-time).

Luckily, no A/S "needs" a pickup that size, so a range of vehicles can suit.

I'd say that the "best" TV is the one which best suits solo miles and can also tow the trailer. Within that range is the question of fuel mileage then mete.

.

robert claus · 10-08-2012, 05:06 PM

"I'd say that the "best" TV is the one which best suits solo miles and can also tow the trailer. Within that range is the question of fuel mileage then mete."

My '05 Sprinter, long paid for - with 150k miles, gives me 23-24mpg day in and out, city and highway. It pulls my 19' Bambi just fine (although that's the max it can pull), and works great as my everyday ride. On our recent trip out west with the Airstream, over 3k miles, we averaged over 16.5 mpg, according to the calibrated Scangauge II I use. I drive 60-65 mph. Lots of uphill downshifts from 5th to 4th. This past weekend, pulling the Bambi through a long construction zone at 45-50 mph, I was getting an 18-19mpg average. The Sprinter is not for everyone, though.

RangerJay · 10-08-2012, 05:37 PM

Our annual average - over many years - is very consistent at 13.5 mpg - the daily low would be 11.5 and the daily high would be 15 - terrain has little impact on mileage - wind has a great impact. Speed also has a great impact - our normal highway speed would be 55 mpg - if we are in a rush we pay the price .....

Jay

Bk Yd Safari · 10-08-2012, 05:53 PM

I tow with a 2009 1500 Chevy 5.3 liter V8, 4:32 rear end with tow gear and the A/S is a 2008 20' Safari. I have just returned from a 6500 (5500 towing) mile trip thru Rapid City, Yellowstone, Las Vegas, Monument Valley, Santa Fe and a lot of places in-between. I averaged 14/mpg combined towing/non-towing thru the entire trip. Most interstate driving was between 60 and 65 mph.

Scaler113 · 10-08-2012, 08:21 PM

We are pulling a 2012 Flying Cloud 25FB with a New F150 Ecoboost with the Max Tow package. We just got back from a trip to California and on that trip had 3 tanks of gas that the miles were 100% towing. I hold my speed to a little over 55 mph unless I am creating a traffic jam and accelerate slowly. I weighed our setup on this trip and truck 7,200 lbs, trailer axels 5,550 lbs, total 12,750 lbs.
The towing numbers were:
806.8 miles
63.801 gal gas
12.6 mpg
This was manual calculation
The trip computer on my truck runs about 2.8% over my manual calculations

Scaler

slowmover · 10-08-2012, 08:52 PM

Nicely done, Scaler113, as that is the proper way to quantify fuel usage (given a couple of additions):

1] Climate
2] Terrain
3] Truck Spec (includes scaled weights)
4] Driver & Use

Ideally, this average (the only number that matters; highs and lows are meaningless) is over several thousands of miles.

Comparisons are hard to make in the RV world as info is usually presented with too many unanswered questions (as in my link in Post #86 above).

The overhead MPG readout on my truck is about 11% high. Accurate or not, it is consistent, thus I can check on the fly the effects of winds, traffic or speed on fuel burn.

.

Ribbler · 10-08-2012, 09:03 PM

My dodge ram 2500 24 valve cummins 5.9 l diesel - 5 speed manual, get 19-20 mpg on the highway/mountain roads here in BC Canada pulling a 1970 - 25 foot land yacht near fully loaded.

Len n Jeanne · 10-08-2012, 09:47 PM

With a Toyota Tacoma ( crew cab) pulling a 16' Bambi (3500 lbs) up and down mountains and canyons on this most recent trip from BC to Colorado and Utah, we're happy with about 15 mpg if we keep the speed to about 60 mph or less; which we try to do. One thing we worked on with this trip was to figure out the lowest passes and most direct routes; because at 60 mph or lower, the Interstates' 70 mph advantage, time-wise, becomes neglible. Not to mention the inevitable rush hour traffic and construction along I-15 on the Wasatch Front.

While we can't say we made good time, we happily explored some beautiful two-lane state and federal highways in several western states, and got better mileage in the process.

We agree about the question of using the TV for other all-around purposes. As a comparatively light truck with some cargo capacity, the Tacoma gets around 22 mpg when it isn't towing anything. With a cap/canopy on the back, it also has ample room for gear when we are off camping with the Bambi.

lylesgl · 10-09-2012, 12:11 PM

Last 400 mile trip; 16 mpg towing 2007 27FB at ~60 MPH and average 21 MPG solo hwy @ ~70 MPH with 2012 F250 6.7L diesel. MPGs were manually calculated. I'm happy.

JamuJoe · 10-09-2012, 12:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by REDNAX

CPM is the easiest way to understand fuel cost. The other is to understand the way those in other countries look at liters of consumption per 100-kilometers, so, for us, as gallons per 100-miles.

At an estimated 15-mpg towing (level terrain), it would be 6.6/100

CPM or [per 100] is much the easiest way to trip plan.

.

Calculating CPM may make you feel good (or bad) about the overall cost of vehicle ownership and use, but it is not a valid metric for comparisons of fuel economy, as it introduces variables (fuel cost, capital, depreciation, insurance, maintenance etc...) that have no direct relationship to the efficiency of the vehicle. There are many variables in the cost of towing a trailer, but for the sake of practical comparisons, KISS leaves us with mpg as the common metric in the USA.