What's your towing MPG?

[carl2591]

I have found on my car, the "lie o meter" is quite accurate to within a 1/10 or so.. some like mine, unless reset, is showing average for the entire time.

labor day weekend we traveled up to NH and my MPG on dash was showing 28.7 MPG. after the long drive up and back it now show 29.8. my hand calculation shows actual mpg at 32.9 (lot of tail winds both ways )

The problem with a truck when you tow some times and not tow sometime the computer is basing the estimate of MPG on past gallons used and miles traveled, so yes the lieometer could be inaccurate for sure.

the best way, by far, is write done miles and gallons at every stop.. You can use an app like fuelly or do it with a note pad on the dash like i use..

for best fuel prices i like gasbuddy.com with the phone app to find cheap fuel where you are or where you are going.

Originally Posted by NWRVR

When my gallons used shows a number at the pump, the nozzle clicks off within a tenth. I have checked it at every fill up and it is consistent.

Originally Posted by senioryakker

When checking your mileage, do not go by the tv display calculator but do the math. The onboard "lie-ometer" is notoriously inaccurate in most cases. My 06 Ram 3500/4wd/Cummins/dually shows a consistent 16-17mpg towing an 07 Classic Limited, 29'. Doing the math shows in the 12-13 mpg with which I am happy, towing in the 60-65mph range. I note the same variations driving empty, from 20-22mpg by computer to 17-18 by the math.

I notice similar variations in our 2014 Subaru Outback, but variation is only about 10%.

[slowmover]

Mpg meter on my '04 Dodge is within 3/4-mpg high.

21-mpg average last 50k miles.

[DC Bruce]

@fishbyfly and Bruce B-
Another issue with tuners is emissions. As thousands of VW "clean diesel" owners can tell you, emissions compliance is about more than not making visible smoke, especially in a diesel. High combustion temperatures lead to the formation of nitrogen oxide, a major smog component and Diesel engine manufacturers go to great lengths to manage combustion temperature with various devices including exhaust gas recirculation. EGR does not help fuel economy, so a "fuel economy tune" may reduce EGR, for example. It's also illegal to tamper with your truck's emission system, which is probably why Cummins has a no-start built into the software.

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by DC Bruce

@fishbyfly and Bruce B-
Another issue with tuners is emissions. As thousands of VW "clean diesel" owners can tell you, emissions compliance is about more than not making visible smoke, especially in a diesel. High combustion temperatures lead to the formation of nitrogen oxide, a major smog component and Diesel engine manufacturers go to great lengths to manage combustion temperature with various devices including exhaust gas recirculation. EGR does not help fuel economy, so a "fuel economy tune" may reduce EGR, for example. It's also illegal to tamper with your truck's emission system, which is probably why Cummins has a no-start built into the software.

I know several dodge owners who removed all their emission systems and they run good... And they do start..

[KSA63]

We get 18.9L/100kM (about 18.2 US mpg) pulling the AS in mixed terrain at about 90-110kmh (55-65mph).
Our average FE for 2016 is 8.3L/100K (28.4 US mpg) with mixed driving and about 10% pulling the AS.
Very happy with the Q5 TDI
Kevin

[FLMarine]

I didn't use a tuner the first 175k on my truck since I didn't want to screw up the transmission. After I had my torque converter upgraded and transmission rebuilt I put a light tune on with a Smarty Jr. I gained 1.5 mpg on the highway and 1 mpg in the city. I'm not a huge fan of runners but the one I have was designed for the stock transmission in mind and only changes the timing and duration so it doesn't hurt the injectors.

My brother took the egr off his 08 Cummings and went from 14 mpg on the highway to 19-20 on the highway. The next truck I get once the warranty is up the egr will come off. Bottom line is do some research on the tuner and weigh the risks on adding it.


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[Ky76Argosy]

2009 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 crew cab, 4wd-off, ac on, Goodyear tires @ 50psi pulling 76 Argosy 26 @62mph on I64 (moderate hills) from Evansville IN to Louisville KY = 14+/-mph; not towing avg 17 mpg.

[Vantair]

Back yesterday. 2014 Sierra 1500 Denali 5.3 4X4, crew cab short box, @ 700 miles camp loaded towing 2005 25ft Intl CCD,
10 gal water up and back down from So Calif. to and around Sequoia Natl.. Forest.
1000~7000 ft elevations and some pulls up long grades in between. 55 to 65 usually on the long stretches. 12.7 MPG

[mefly2]

14.6 @ ~55 with AS25EB and Chev 2500HD ...

[Railroader]

16.5 running 60mph

[AWCHIEF]

Originally Posted by Railroader

16.5 running 60mph

With what TV?

[Vantair]

Helpfull info to all as it relates:

Tow vehicle brand, model, year, engine,fuel,

4x4, rear end ratio, Tow package, etc..

Type of terrain (flat/mountains)
TV loaded weight
Trailer weight
mpg

[jcrango]

I have heard people say that the Ram 6.4L Hemi with the 4.10 rear end gets better gas millage than the 3.73 when not towing on highway because the MDS stays engaged longer with the 4.10. Anyone have any experience or thoughts on this. Having a hard time deciding on which rear end for a daily driver and towing a 26U. Can't justify the cost of the diesel.

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by Railroader

16.5 running 60mph

Sorry, 2013 Chevy 2500 Z71 Duramax mostly flat roads.

[MarkR]

Originally Posted by Railroader

Sorry, 2013 Chevy 2500 Z71 Duramax mostly flat roads.

Per your Vehicle Computer? Or at the pump with your calculator?

[Railroader]

Originally Posted by MarkR

Per your Vehicle Computer? Or at the pump with your calculator?

I have checked it each way. Running solo it gets 19.7 mpg cruise set running down the interstate at 70-75. No chip just stock besides a K&N filter. I was pulling a smaller fiberglass Bigfoot trailer and the 34' Airstream pulls like a dream and doesn't catch as much wind.

[joshjack]

Got almost 13 today pulling my new International 30 going 70 most of the way. That's on the dash computer.

[Countryboy59]

9 mpg today. About 300 miles mostly 70 mph, flat ground in Michigan and Canada. Ford Superduty pulling a 19'.

[Zeitlupe]

12.3 mpg from Fort Collins to Portland, Astoria, Grand Teton and back. Maximum 65 mph when towing, 3.55 gears.

[Tireman9]

Originally Posted by Countryboy59

9 mpg today. About 300 miles mostly 70 mph, flat ground in Michigan and Canada. Ford Superduty pulling a 19'.

70 mph ! Trust you are not running ST type tires that have max speed rating of 65 mph.