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Towing MPG

71639 Views 98 Replies 52 Participants Last post by  Arkansas Eco
Just completed an 1,800 miles round trip from St. Louis to Florida. I was towing a 5 x 8 aluminum trailer with a motorcycle and some gear. About 2,000 lbs. Overall gas mileage was 14.2 MPG. I actually got 15.1 MPG on the way to Florida (I guess since it's at a lower elevation than St. Louis) but less on the way back. I was hoping to average over 15 MPG with such a light load. I think I averaged about 70 MPH.
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That still nice mpg!
Drug my Cuda around town on the trailer yesterday. Combined city/highway was 11.9. Max speed was just 60 but, man, the torque from the stop signs was as good as the Cummins diesel in the 01 Dodge Dually I used to drive...

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Here's the trailer I towed. And a picture of the inside.
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That's awesome! What grade of gas were you using?

Just completed an 1,800 miles round trip from St. Louis to Florida. I was towing a 5 x 8 aluminum trailer with a motorcycle and some gear. About 2,000 lbs. Overall gas mileage was 14.2 MPG. I actually got 15.1 MPG on the way to Florida (I guess since it's at a lower elevation than St. Louis) but less on the way back. I was hoping to average over 15 MPG with such a light load. I think I averaged about 70 MPH.
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That's awesome! What grade of gas were you using?
Regular 87 Octane although I once switched to 89 octane since the 87 pump wasn't working.
That is impressive. I haven't really noticed the difference in Octane when pulling heavy loads (Both 87 & 90). Unfortantly, we do not have octane higher than 90 up here in Alaska. I would have to use a Fitch Fuel Filter to offset the lower octane rating if I was ever to a tuner/programmer for the truck.
Just completed the first leg of a trip towing with my new ecoboost. 2013 FX4 screw, 3.55 gears, 2500 miles. I tow a custom height 20 ft haul mark enclosed hauler loaded with a 97 jeep rock buggy. Total weight 8200 lbs, but trailer is a flat nose, about 10 ft tall, so wind resistance is a killer. Coming from a 2012 Toyota tundra, I was a true doubter as to the claims of the ford, but.....I am a believer.
First leg of trip was from Tampa to north Georgia, 490 miles. Averaged @75 mph until I hit Atlanta traffic, then stop and go around 25 mph for 35 or so miles. Overall mpg was similar to the tundra, 9.1 overall, but this little 6 banger would hold 6th gear up the grades on i75, and never once dropped below 5th gear. The ford was overall a pleasure to drive with this load. Tranny temp never changed from normal. My expectations were exceeded. The only thing I wished I had we're the extended tow mirrors that come with the max tow pkg, I couldn't see the back of my trailer with the standard mirrors.
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Just completed the first leg of a trip towing with my new ecoboost. 2013 FX4 screw, 3.55 gears, 2500 miles. I tow a custom height 20 ft haul mark enclosed hauler loaded with a 97 jeep rock buggy. Total weight 8200 lbs, but trailer is a flat nose, about 10 ft tall, so wind resistance is a killer. Coming from a 2012 Toyota tundra, I was a true doubter as to the claims of the ford, but.....I am a believer.
First leg of trip was from Tampa to north Georgia, 490 miles. Averaged @75 mph until I hit Atlanta traffic, then stop and go around 25 mph for 35 or so miles. Overall mpg was similar to the tundra, 9.1 overall, but this little 6 banger would hold 6th gear up the grades on i75, and never once dropped below 5th gear. The ford was overall a pleasure to driveways this load. Tranny temp never changed from normal. My expectations were exceeded. The only thing I wished I had we're the extended tow mirrors that come with the ax tow pkg, I couldn't see the back of my trailer with the standard mirrors.
Sweet write up! I am with you with the amazement of the EcoBoost ability to hold the two taller overdrive gears so well with the loads. My cousin and some friends who have tundra and don't believe me when I say my truck can pull such loads with ease. I have the tow mirrors and they do make the difference just wish I could get the 2013 power version but the manual folding and telescopic
Ones are still better than other brands out there lol.
I have the tow mirrors and they do make the difference just wish I could get the 2013 power version but the manual folding and telescopic ones are still better than other brands out there lol.
I have the power operated ones and they really are amazing. Makes me wonder how I towed without them.
Just completed the first leg of a trip towing with my new ecoboost. 2013 FX4 screw, 3.55 gears, 2500 miles. I tow a custom height 20 ft haul mark enclosed hauler loaded with a 97 jeep rock buggy. Total weight 8200 lbs, but trailer is a flat nose, about 10 ft tall, so wind resistance is a killer. Coming from a 2012 Toyota tundra, I was a true doubter as to the claims of the ford, but.....I am a believer.
First leg of trip was from Tampa to north Georgia, 490 miles. Averaged @75 mph until I hit Atlanta traffic, then stop and go around 25 mph for 35 or so miles. Overall mpg was similar to the tundra, 9.1 overall, but this little 6 banger would hold 6th gear up the grades on i75, and never once dropped below 5th gear. The ford was overall a pleasure to drive with this load. Tranny temp never changed from normal. My expectations were exceeded. The only thing I wished I had we're the extended tow mirrors that come with the max tow pkg, I couldn't see the back of my trailer with the standard mirrors.
So, just completed the second leg, from NE Atlanta to a small town in Alabama about halfway between Birmingham and Atlanta. Speed averaged around 65 mph due to traffic and lower speed limits on I20. I locked out 6th gear for most of the 2 hr trip, lots of hills, and she did occasionally drop into 4th if I tried to keep a consistent speed. Interesting feature I wasn't aware of, when in tow/haul mode and running cruise control, the truck would downshift as low as third gear when descending long grades to keep the speed consistent. Mpg for this leg was an impressive 11.1 mpg.
I'm so close to trading my baby in on an Ecoboost.
The main reason is for better fuel economy.
But I'm hoping for better then 14-15 towing. I hope if I do this, I'm not disappointed.
If I sell my truck it would cost a fortune to replace, if the Ecoboost doesn't work out.
The dealer said I could take my boat on the test drive with me, but I'm wanting to get an idea of long term mpg.

I don't tow a lot of wieght, but I tow it frequently. About 3k lbs max, loaded up.
I went from an 04 Hemi 1500 to this 06 2500 Cummins, and love the torque and how well it pulls, but other than that its too much truck for around town driving.
And I only get 13-14mpg. I'd love to get over 15 when towing my boat.
I'm thinking the Hemi vs Ecoboost, the Hemi is junk, but I'm hesitant putting it up against my Cummins

From what you guys are saying it sounds like I'd be close on the mpg.
What do you guys think? Am I just dreaming that I could get a truck that tows like my Cummins, gets 18+ around town & 15+ towing the boat to the lake?
I'd level the Ecoboost (not lift) and put more aggressive tires, but hardly oversized if at all.
But thats it, no mods, I just got a quote of just under $50k for what I want, there's no way in holy hell that I have the eggs to gamble the warranty on that price tag!

Here's what I have now;

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No way that a couple of mpg's justify trading a vehicle that you are happy with. If your considering a new truck anyway, I think you will be happy with the Ford. My 12 Toyota Crewmax averaged about 1mpg less than the new ecoboost. I trade vehicles every two years due to mileage/resale and business depreciation.
Love the new Ford, but be realistic, it's not a Prius.
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I used to get 8 city 12 hwy while not towing with my 2000 Tahoe Z-71, so even if I only get 9 with the Eco I will be extatic!
I will not be towing our camper until May, but I expect good things with the new Truck!

SPPD
I'm so close to trading my baby in on an Ecoboost.
The main reason is for better fuel economy.
But I'm hoping for better then 14-15 towing. I hope if I do this, I'm not disappointed.
If I sell my truck it would cost a fortune to replace, if the Ecoboost doesn't work out.
The dealer said I could take my boat on the test drive with me, but I'm wanting to get an idea of long term mpg.

I don't tow a lot of wieght, but I tow it frequently. About 3k lbs max, loaded up.
I went from an 04 Hemi 1500 to this 06 2500 Cummins, and love the torque and how well it pulls, but other than that its too much truck for around town driving.
And I only get 13-14mpg. I'd love to get over 15 when towing my boat.
I'm thinking the Hemi vs Ecoboost, the Hemi is junk, but I'm hesitant putting it up against my Cummins

From what you guys are saying it sounds like I'd be close on the mpg.
What do you guys think? Am I just dreaming that I could get a truck that tows like my Cummins, gets 18+ around town & 15+ towing the boat to the lake?
I'd level the Ecoboost (not lift) and put more aggressive tires, but hardly oversized if at all.
But thats it, no mods, I just got a quote of just under $50k for what I want, there's no way in holy hell that I have the eggs to gamble the warranty on that price tag!

Here's what I have now;

View attachment 270
I doubt you will average 15 plus towing, even with that low of a weight. And I don't think you will get 18+ in the city either. City mileage is the hardest EPA number to achieve.

To get the good mileage in the ecoboost you have to be diligent and stay out of the boost. The highway numbers are achievable, but I've found you have to keep it around 60 to do that and most people aren't willing to drive that slow. I have a 157" fx4 max tow.
I'm so close to trading my baby in on an Ecoboost.
The main reason is for better fuel economy.
But I'm hoping for better then 14-15 towing. I hope if I do this, I'm not disappointed.
If I sell my truck it would cost a fortune to replace, if the Ecoboost doesn't work out.
The dealer said I could take my boat on the test drive with me, but I'm wanting to get an idea of long term mpg.

I don't tow a lot of wieght, but I tow it frequently. About 3k lbs max, loaded up.
I went from an 04 Hemi 1500 to this 06 2500 Cummins, and love the torque and how well it pulls, but other than that its too much truck for around town driving.
And I only get 13-14mpg. I'd love to get over 15 when towing my boat.
I'm thinking the Hemi vs Ecoboost, the Hemi is junk, but I'm hesitant putting it up against my Cummins

From what you guys are saying it sounds like I'd be close on the mpg.
What do you guys think? Am I just dreaming that I could get a truck that tows like my Cummins, gets 18+ around town & 15+ towing the boat to the lake?
I'd level the Ecoboost (not lift) and put more aggressive tires, but hardly oversized if at all.
But thats it, no mods, I just got a quote of just under $50k for what I want, there's no way in holy hell that I have the eggs to gamble the warranty on that price tag!

Here's what I have now;

View attachment 270
Think you would be disappointed under your criteria for the change of trucks. Your MPG estimates while towing are unrealistic for this motor, I believe.
I just towed my 2k# tandem car trailer from home to Auburn AL. And running 70-75 it was 15.6 . This weekend I will be towing our 94 Ranger LWB back home. So I will update when I return.

But wo trailer from Auburn to Tampa FL. About 1/2 2 / 4 lane 55-65 mph and 70-75 mph on I-70 I got 19.4 .

I am pleased FX4 Super Crew 3.73 gears.

Just got back home last night. Pulling my 2k#+ car trailer with my 94 Ranger LWB on the back and CC set at 70 mph. I got 11.8 mpg. And could have pulled this combo 80 mph + but I don't like to tow over 70 mph!

Very pleased with the power and MPG!!!
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Alright, thanks you guys for all of the input.
I need to reconsider everything.
I don't know if I could handle driving under 70, I'd be the slowest guy on the road around here.

Sounds like I need to just lower my truck & keep it.

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good morning.....i too am less then impressed with my mileage. i have a 2013 2 wd reg cab lx pick up. towed my 21 ' parker center console boat to fla and back ....averaged 8.2 mpg. i only get 16/17 under normal driving conditions
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