Towing mileage on first long trip - Diesel Forum

worb · 06-07-2005, 12:04 AM

Hey all - We just had our first real long trip our "new" (to us) truck and trailer. Truck is an '01 F250 auto w/ 3.73 and the trailer is a 3600# (dry) 22 foot Westwind. We were probably loaded close to 4000# on the trailer and of course there's the usual camping junk loaded in the truck box.
Our trip was 800kms (approx 500mi) each way from Edmonton, AB to Revelstoke, BC. For those that don't know that is right over the Rockies and some high mountain passes.
All in all I was impressed with the truck and it's towing capabilites. On the steep hills with the OD off it holds 90km/h (55mph) easy at approx 2500rpm or so. The truck can probably do this all day long.
On the flats we got about 13MPG (@2100rpm approx 70mph) and in the mountains about 8-9MPG (usually 2500rpm approx 55mph). On the way back, the overall MPG was 11.8 calculated by hand for the entire 820km return trip. I sure do wish it was better, but my old '02 F150 got about that with a 1200lbs 13.5' trailer so I can't really complain. Plus the truck tows way better than the F150 of course.

I'm thinking of making a homemade Tymar and possibly cut out the muffler in hopes of a little better mileage, and of course lower egt's. Other than that does this mileage seem typical?

BASSAGE · 06-07-2005, 01:26 AM

I get between 12.5 and 13.5 mpg pulling a high profile 5th wheel at just about the max weight of the truck, I run about 67 to 68 mph when I can. For the most part the hills I get in to though are pretty mild compared to the Rockies. Not sure what the SD guy's get.One of these day's I am going to get up there and see that wonderful country of yours.

Take Care

Dan

P.S. Enjoy the new truck!!!

GOPDiesel · 06-08-2005, 05:56 PM

Dan:

That's great. Wish my 97 got what you get! I have about 1600 miles towing thus far with a overall average of 10.

Pat

Tough_Guy · 06-08-2005, 10:36 PM

Was that imperial gallons?

February 2005 I towed my fiver (10,000lbs) to Arizona and back, about 2400 miles or so and my entire trip average was 10.1mpg running around 68mph-72mph and I had the Edge Evolution set at "race" (80hp tune) I feel that had I driven a little slower and/or had it in the "tow" (60hp) tune or "stock" maybe it would have been higher...maybe not.

Cheers