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07-13-2016, 09:43 AM
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#1
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New Member
Golden
, Colorado
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 1
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Advice on tow vehicle with best gas mileage
My husband and I are looking at purchasing a used/newer model 25-27’ Airstream and would appreciate any advice you could give on which type of tow vehicle gets the best gas mileage. We are considering a Ford F-250. Also wondering or seeing if anyone has suggestions on how to calculate how much we might be spending on gas? I know that's a difficult/loaded question but any insight would be helpful. We are in the very beginning of our research so our knowledge is limited. Thanks!
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07-13-2016, 09:57 AM
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#2
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3 Rivet Member
2014 25' Flying Cloud
New Ashford
, Massachusetts
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 236
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With out factoring in the initial cost of the TV (gas vs diesel)
I have a 2009 Dodge 2500 Diesel and a 25ft flying cloud. MPG range towing 14.5 to 16.5. So many factors weight, terrain, traffic conditions, air temp, ect, come into play. But the reality is a 25-27 ft trailer and the power needed to tow it will prevent any real MPG fluctuations. Gas truck or SUV, Diesel truck or SUV I can't see anyone doing much better that 17MPG and maybe as bad a 10mpg.
Fuel cost is a necessary evil if you want to travel. The unpredictability of the cost per gallon of fuel will have a more profound effect on the cost than a few MPG here or there.
Joe D
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07-13-2016, 10:54 AM
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#3
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4 Rivet Member
Vintage Kin Owner
St. Louis
, Missouri
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 415
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Diesel will give much better mileage than gas. Your driving style will be the next biggest factor.
Pete bragged to me that his 36' class A diesel towing a full size Chevy PU got 10 MPH because he never drove over 55 MPH. Rodney was getting 6 MPH with his 5th wheel going 75 MPH across the northern plains.
__________________
The Morgans
1989 Avion 34VB
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07-13-2016, 11:27 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1991 34' Excella
Princeton
, New Jersey
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 7,070
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Unless you are going to put 10s of thousands of mile per year towing it should not be a consideration. The difference per TV in a given generation will take way too long to amortize on fuel mileage.
Get what you will be happiest driving.
The maintenance costs of a diesel are much higher but if you are really traveling and intend to keep it for 5 years or more than diesel is the answer.
As President of my companies credit union I always had trouble talking members out of buying a new car just to save gas. The hundred or so dollars saved per year did not quite justify the cost of the new car. I lost more often than not.
__________________
WBCCI 12156 AIR 3144 WACHUNG TAC NJ6
2004 Excursion 4x4
1991 34 ft. Excella +220,000 miles, new laminated flooring, new upholstery, new 3200 lbs axles
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07-13-2016, 11:49 AM
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#5
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in the rising sun toaster
1956 26' Cruiser/Overlander
Wimberley
, Texas
Join Date: Apr 2015
Posts: 52
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I consider form (e.g. mpg/cost) only after considering function (e.g. power/capabilities). Fuel mpg calculations and a knock-on "what TV to buy" decision, and, what the pump prices may be, and what total COO becomes just haven't been worth my time to pay attention to for a very long time now because towing, vs. not, invariably results in the lower end of mpg ranges w/ attendant higher fuel costs, and these no matter what TV is in question. At one time, I did pencil-whip claimed mpg's into cost-per-mile and etc. but these exercises proved, to me, that mpg a/o pump-price differences are just not *that* different, certainly not different enough to "drive" my TV buying decision, not different enough to continue the pencil-whipping exercises, and certainly not different enough to compromise on the important functions: the TV's real-world capabilities, or, will my TV meet/exceed the expected situations? and, will it *do* what I need it to do *when* I need it to do it? If we're going into mountains, or when doing a lot of Interstate miles, or especially for urban freeways, then it's the 8.1l Yukon XL 4x4 2500 that we'll tow with, hands down, due to its over-abundance of power and acceleration capabilities, which have allowed me many times to simply and quickly drive out-of/away-from problematic situations (e.g. mud/snow/steeps/sand/etc.), and away from "bad moves" made by other drivers on the road; otoh, if predominantly flats or country roads' lower speeds, then it's our trusty old 5.7l Suburban 1500 we'll take. Both tow just fine in any normal situations, but, for abnormal situations, or if I could have only one TV, then it would be the much more capable 8.1l Yukon XL 2500 4x4.
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07-13-2016, 12:20 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
2013 27' FB International
El Dorado Hills
, California
Join Date: Jan 2013
Posts: 2,023
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For that size trailer you'll want a full size truck or large SUV. Gas will get about 10 to 13 MPG. Diesel a couple miles per gallon better. As others already mentioned, this is a secondary issue. If fuel consumption is a concern look to a popup trailer as air drag is a huge factor in determining fuel burn.
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07-14-2016, 11:32 AM
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#7
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1 Rivet Member
1978 31' Sovereign
Grimes
, Iowa
Join Date: Aug 2015
Posts: 10
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We have a 2005 F250 super duty xl. pulling a 31' as we were getting about 8-10 mpg. We have the 5.4L gas engine.
We just purchased a 2016 Nissan Titan XD with 5.0L diesel. Will be curious to see what we get for fuel mileage....
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07-14-2016, 11:35 AM
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#8
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3 Rivet Member
2017 27' International
Currently Looking...
Antes Fort
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 166
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I just bought a brand new 2017 27 foot AS Serenity. New to RVing. I am not even buying a TV until I live in the AS for a while and understand what kind of hitch, etc I need. I'll have the AS towed around by professionals until then.
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07-14-2016, 11:40 AM
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#9
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Rivet Master
2014 30' Flying Cloud
Tampa
, Florida
Join Date: May 2016
Posts: 1,364
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Quote:
Originally Posted by HowieE
Unless you are going to put 10s of thousands of mile per year towing it should not be a consideration. The difference per TV in a given generation will take way too long to amortize on fuel mileage.
Get what you will be happiest driving.
The maintenance costs of a diesel are much higher but if you are really traveling and intend to keep it for 5 years or more than diesel is the answer.
As President of my companies credit union I always had trouble talking members out of buying a new car just to save gas. The hundred or so dollars saved per year did not quite justify the cost of the new car. I lost more often than not.
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I like this advice. Focus on getting a vehicle you can drive daily. The difference in mileage in modern vehicles is not enough to be worrying about it that much. Towing will impact your mileage, of course, but unless you tow every day, who cares? I drive every day though, so my tow vehicle needs to be comfortable and easy to park.
__________________
2014 Airstream Flying Cloud 30 Recliner - WBCCI #4850 - AIR #110821
2018 Nissan Armada SL Tow Vehicle, Equal-i-zer Hitch
Visit Our Flying Cloud blog for my latest adventure!
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07-14-2016, 11:50 AM
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#10
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Lovin' the Mountains
2015 25' Flying Cloud
Scottsdale
, Arizona
Join Date: Nov 2010
Posts: 39
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I recently purchased a GMC Denali with a 6.2L engine to tow my 25' Flying Cloud. Incredibly, towing I get on average 12 mpg; not towing at highway speeds I average 24 mpg.
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07-14-2016, 11:55 AM
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#11
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4 Rivet Member
2005 25' Safari
palm beach gardens
, Florida
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 290
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I just did 8000 miles through the mountains out west and averaged 13.1 MPG with my 2500 GMC PU diesel towing a 25 Safari. I don't think there is a much better TV but it is a little big around town. However, I am use to it and it begs me to hook up to my AS and go!
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07-14-2016, 12:14 PM
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#12
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1 Rivet Member
1994 25' Excella
Saratoga
, California
Join Date: Nov 2015
Posts: 5
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I think a Tesla X will give the best mileage.
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07-14-2016, 12:20 PM
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#13
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3 Rivet Member
Currently Looking...
belen
, New Mexico
Join Date: Jan 2012
Posts: 191
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my 97 f250 PS Deisel 5 speed manual avg. 18 to 20 mpg towing a 77 ambassador
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07-14-2016, 12:44 PM
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#14
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Rivet Master
2012 23' FB International
Woodstock
, Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,428
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
For that size trailer you'll want a full size truck or large SUV. Gas will get about 10 to 13 MPG. Diesel a couple miles per gallon better. As others already mentioned, this is a secondary issue. If fuel consumption is a concern look to a popup trailer as air drag is a huge factor in determining fuel burn.
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Interestingly, The AS shape is better at air drag than even a smaller trailer with boxy shape. I routinely get 10.5-11 mpg with my 25 foot and I only get 10.5 puling an 8-foot U-haul on the same truck
JCW
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07-14-2016, 01:49 PM
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#15
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2 Rivet Member
2012 30' International
Dallas
, Texas
Join Date: Feb 2010
Posts: 77
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We pull our 30' International with an F250 with the 6.7 diesel, and we average about 15 mpg, with most of our miles out west, in Colorado and New Mexivo.
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07-14-2016, 02:00 PM
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#16
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2 Rivet Member
2010 27' FB Flying Cloud
Kansas
, Topeka
Join Date: Jun 2011
Posts: 62
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We pull a 27FB FC with our 2012 F250 Diesel and average 13-14 MPG overall at 65 MPH day in day out on flatland, desert or high mountains. The most we ever seen diesel fuel sell for was Reno NV in 2012 at $4.44 a gallon, now it's $2.15 down the street. I never worry about MPG or cost as we made the commitment to travel and feel that a solid investment in the "front office" to get the "house" to where we want to go safely and with dispatch is the price we pay to chase our dreams. I do not use the 250 as a daily driver however so no real test on non-tow mileage.
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07-14-2016, 02:05 PM
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#17
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Rivet Master
2012 25' Flying Cloud
Battle Lake
, Minnesota
Join Date: Jun 2009
Posts: 7,714
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Our Ram 1500 Ecodiesel gets 16-17 pulling our Airstream 25 FC in normal conditions. Most of our driving is without the Airstream where it delvers 28-29 mpg on the highway. It is the 8-speed transmission that makes the complete power train here, and the 3.92 axle gears work well with a mid-size Airstream.
The are several SUV's with turbodiesel engines in the 3.0 liter range that deliver great economy and the owners are quite happy with them towing their Airstreams.
__________________
Doug and Cheryl
2012 FC RB, Michelin 16, ProPride 1400
2016 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab 4X4 Ecodiesel 3.92 axles
The Truth is More Important Than the Facts
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07-14-2016, 02:30 PM
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#18
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
St. Catharines
, South Western Ontario
Join Date: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,367
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Quote:
Originally Posted by kscherzi
If fuel consumption is a concern look to a popup trailer as air drag is a huge factor in determining fuel burn.
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Not much difference really. We got 19 MPG towing a 2,000lb Coleman pop up and 16MPG towing the 23' Airstream. Note imperial gals.
__________________
Airstreams..... The best towing trailers on the planet!
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07-14-2016, 02:44 PM
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#19
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4 Rivet Member
2015 28' Flying Cloud
Newtown
, Pennsylvania
Join Date: Jan 2015
Posts: 316
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Road Ruler
Not much difference really. We got 19 MPG towing a 2,000lb Coleman pop up and 16MPG towing the 23' Airstream. Note imperial gals.
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These MPG threads are always so entertaining. I'm going to get my trip computer recalibrated. Then I'll be back.
Bruce
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07-14-2016, 08:29 PM
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#20
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Mark and Marilyn
Vintage Kin Owner
Joshua
, Texas
Join Date: Jul 2016
Posts: 7
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Tow Vehicle
I am going to step into this discussion and sing the praises of a Diesel. I have a Dodge Cummins with 150,000 miles on th clock. I pull a 34 foot Avion. I have pulled lighter trailers around 7000 lbs with V8 gas and they always seemed to be working hard with the load. Downshifting on small hills, no engine brake, high RPM. The Cummins is a 2012 800 foot lbs of torque at 1700 rpm, when pulling torque is king ask any truck driver. With the Avion the truck sits at 1700 RPM at 65 miles per hour and that's it no straining no shifting. Need to slow down the engine brake and the transmission work together to slow things down. I am not certain what the Avion weighs(My wife packs heavy) but likely over 10,000 lbs. on the road at 65 you can't here the engine run. We average 12.8 MPG., With the wind seen 14.5, against the wind under 11. Go out and look at a good used Diesel they are 300,000 mile setups easy, likely more. Purchase a Vehicle to tow and you won't regret it. And never wonder how your going to get the next home improvement project home from The building supply store.
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