MPG towing with 4wd Toyota Tundra

[uncle_bob]

Hi

For a 30' AS trailer in the 8,000 to 10,000 lb range, a ~10 mpg to "maybe 12 mpg" number is pretty common for most tow vehicles in varied terrain and traffic. It's not unique to the Tundra. Put a flat fronted SOB on and no, you will not do as well.

Bob

[MissingLink5]

I averaged 13.9 going from Donna, TX to Atlanta, GA and home to Nebraska. Make sure you get the bigger (30+ gallon) gas tank with I see is available on the new models. Mine has the 20 gal and I stop at every fuel pump along the way (well, not quite).

[m.hony]

Originally Posted by MissingLink5

I averaged 13.9 going from Donna, TX to Atlanta, GA and home to Nebraska. Make sure you get the bigger (30+ gallon) gas tank with I see is available on the new models. Mine has the 20 gal and I stop at every fuel pump along the way (well, not quite).

I got 13 mpg pulling in Texas-
The highest mpg I have ever achieved-
Must be Texas-
Long, flat spaces with a tail wind...
Truck gets 15 empty with just me in it, so towing mileage doesn't bother me a bit.
I wonder if 20" wheels is a variable or if the low profile 20's are just the same as having 17" or 18" wheels and all Tundras get about the same mpg regardless of wheels...

[pteck]

~11.3MPG towing a 27FB with my LX570 (same 5.7 Tundra motor, but with full time 4WD). This is with 33.2" tires as well.

[thiel]

I have the 4.6L tundra (2013) with 4wd.

I get 9.5 mpg through the appalachians and a little over 11mpg on the flats.

65mph in tow haul mode.

[m.hony]

I have 59,000 miles now.
Seems like the fuel economy improved after 50,000-55,000 miles.
I am content with the mileage.

[Ray Eklund]

Location, location, location.

Flat landers get better mileage to brag about.

Coming out to the Rocky Mountains you can drop your bragging rights 75% going up the mountain and increase your mileage going down, 50%.

Going into a High Plains wind subtracts 25% of your mpg. Having a tail wind, add 25%. Side wind... who knows, it will change soon, enough.

Driving at 1600 RPM with a 5.7L... great mileage. Driving at 2200 RPM at speed limit... 8 to 12 mpg.

Our 2008 Toyota Land Cruiser with the 5.7L engine, full time 4x4... I would not even want to tow our 25 foot into places we travel. It could pull the load, but I would not be comfortable with the hitch weight.

I have towed a 23 foot Safari with a 4.7L 4x4 Tundra and a 5.7L 4x4 Tundra... the 5.7L got better mileage. Towing a 25 foot with the 5.7L 4x4 a bit better mpg... if not in a hurry, no head wind and on relatively flat High Plains. My current F350 6.7L diesel Ford... better towing, better capacity and better mileage at highway speeds going up or down the mountain.

If you are concerned about pinching pennies and dollars towing your trailer. Buy a tent and a Mini. A 25 foot International behind our 5.7L 4x4 Crew Max Tundra was riding on the leaf springs. You could feel it with a full load of Fresh Water.

The F350 Ford... like pulling a pop up camper and not even notice. It tows fine and the ride is great with the weight on the hitch. The mpg exceeds the 5.7L Tundra.

A half ton Tundra is bare minimum towing a 25 foot Airstream, loaded to travel. Anything larger... it will pull the load, but I had to admit to myself that my love for Tundra's ended, 2006 to 2014 models, when I wanted to tow... safely.

[Mollysdad]

I have a 2015 Tundra 2WD, 5.7.
It's always gotten 15.2 with just me.
I'd be satisfied with 10 towing (which I haven't done yet.)
I'm pleased some folks get 13.
I also heard the 4.6 and the 5.7 get about the same mileage.
I opted for the 5.7 for the tow package.

I have to balance towing 5% of the time and having a daily driver 95% of the time.
Yeah a Peterbilt would tow better, but I couldn't park it anywhere, or make a u-turn on a 8 lane highway.
I don't want a stepladder to get in and out.

With the new TV I hardly notice the Bambi!

[Ray Eklund]

Mollysdad... brought up the most common reason why the F150 Eco6 and the Tundra 5.7L trucks are very popular for towing. It can easily be an 'Urban Vehicle', as well.

They are both excellent trucks. They may not be the better option for pulling a larger, heavier trailer. Being an excellent all around useful vehicle does not then make it the best for towing a trailer.

One point of the pre (to 2006 4.7L) 'full sized Tundra's of 2007 and later' are several.
- The 5.7L engine is powerful and will provide better gasoline mileage while towing.
- The 2007+ Tundra has a better turning radius that the smaller 2006 and earlier 4.7L Tundras.
- Tundra 4.7L and 5.7L trucks have excellent resale values... and trade in values.

If Toyota introduces a 3/4 ton pickup... I will there to look. There is something odd that Toyota has not... yet. The Tundra has a better body fit than my F350. The fender wells are enclosed on the Tundra with adequate flaps. Overall I consider the Tundra better built, even though I own a F350 Ford.

Since we tow our 25 foot trailer more often and in the West the 3/4 and 1 ton truck is considered a Cowboy Cadillac (the dually is the true Cowboy Cadillac)... it is often the work truck and grocery shopping truck. Living in an Urban environment with parking lots requiring to conform to numbers of spaces, than convenience in sizes due to building codes... a 3/4 ton plus is a Boat out of Water.

I never had a mechanical problem with my Tundra Trucks. They were worked hard towing. The upkeep and maintenance costs were low. Brake pads last for 60,000 miles if not more.

The problem are the leaf springs used for the comfortable ride of a half ton truck. I do not mind a heavy truck. Beats my 1965 Ford Bronco 4x4 for exploring the Badlands of Nebraska and Wyoming, but it was dependable for what it was.

You must give up something with a choice of a everyday vehicle that can also manage as a tow vehicle for a trailer that may outsize the intentions of the manufacturer.

You will find small pickups on western Ranches for all around uses. But the heavy work is done by GM, Dodge and Ford's. If you know which end of a horse is which... then so does a Rancher when they pick out a truck. The view is different depending on your needs.

[malinois38]

I see an average of 9-11mpg towing my 28' (6500lbs avg load) with a 2008 CrewMax, with ARE Cap, 4x4, 5.7L with 139,000 miles and going strong. MPG is not the Tundra's strong point.

I have 26 gallon tank and believe people with the 20 gallon tank are mistaken.

[Ray Eklund]

Malinois38 has made several good points... and accurate.

Regarding the Volume of Fuel Tanks, you will produce an 'Inverse Reaction' in the process. Time versus Volume...

By Increasing the Volume of the Fuel Capacity of your vehicle, you will Decrease the Volume of Family member's bladders.

If you have a 20, 26 or 100 gallon fuel tank... you will have to make, the same, if not more stops. Save yourself some money and keep your tank volume where it is... today. Some things do not change...

[rmkrum]

Ray,

That's why we refer to out AS as the tow-behind outhouse some days. Wife and daughter like knowing that a familiar bathroom is just 20 feet away after we come to a stop anywhere....

But yeah, that inverse relationship between TV fuel capacity and the human bladder is well known in this family. Interestingly, the dogs just run on time alone...

[aftermath]

I have a 2008 Tundra with the 5.7 and have towed our 25FB for 7+ years now. I started off hand calculating mileage and then got lazy and used the on board computer. They were close enough that that is what I use today. We have traveled throughout the western half of the nation and it seems that we are seldom on the flats. I was averaging between 11-12 towing. Then....we installed a Fiamma bike rack on the back of the trailer and noticed a loss in mileage. Over the last few years we are getting between 10.5 - 11.5. This isn't much but I found the change interesting. The truck is still running well and has plenty of power. I do believe, although I cannot prove this, the bike rack has interfered with the aerodynamics enough to show a drop in mileage.

I wonder if anyone else out there has experienced the same. It is such a small amount we are fine with it. Still would rather have our bikes when we want them.