MPG

[farmboy]

My 1999 Honda Odyssey runs on unleaded, and was marketed as using unleaded,  but when you read the towing section,they recommend that you use premium fuel when towing in order to realize five more horsepower.   Others may want to check their manual to see if they can get a boost in a similar manner; I assume engines that can benefit from premium but can run on regular are marketed  as using unleaded so as to appeal to folks who want lower fuel costs for everyday use.      Not sure how much five horsepower will help, but it can't hurt.   Unfortunately, that was going to be our tow vehicle, but after reading the postings on this site I realize that  a 3,500 towing capability simply is not enough for what we plan on getting.   Now to look for a tow vehicle.  

[charliem]

[quote source="/post/3509/thread" timestamp="1410394380" author="@farmboy"]My 1999 Honda Odyssey runs on unleaded, and was marketed as using unleaded,  but when you read the towing section,they recommend that you use premium fuel when towing in order to realize five more horsepower.   Others may want to check their manual to see if they can get a boost in a similar manner; I assume engines that can benefit from premium but can run on regular are marketed  as using unleaded so as to appeal to folks who want lower fuel costs for everyday use.      Not sure how much five horsepower will help, but it can't hurt.   Unfortunately, that was going to be our tow vehicle, but after reading the postings on this site I realize that  a 3,500 towing capability simply is not enough for what we plan on getting.   Now to look for a tow vehicle.  [/quote][font size="3"]Most newer cars are designed to run on 87 octane unleaded gas. "Regular" gas is 87 octane and unleaded. "Premium" gas is also unleaded, but 91-93 octane. High performance engines with a high compression ratios require 91-93 octane unleaded gas. All auto gas sold in the US today is unleaded, but at varying octane values. For towing, many manufacturers suggest "premium" gas, but it is all unleaded. My personal experience with a 2010 3.5L Honda Pilot yielded 2-3 MPG increase when towing using 91-93 octane premium gas. If you can find it, ethanol free gas will further improve engine performance and MPG, but it is also unleaded. Do not confuse leaded/unleaded with premium/regular. They are not the same.
[/font]

[farmboy]

I intended to say regular, not unleaded.  My mistake.  Long day.  I use regular most of the time.

[ron]

2014 ridgeline pulling a 14dbs, back from a local park, about 40 m away, and 1000' higher in elevation.  All 4 lane, non interstate and low traffic volume, I got a whopping 17 mpg by the trucks computer.  Going  up I got just a bit over 11.    

[djsamuel]

Just got back from a 5,000 mile trip from Florida to the Grand Canyon and then to Moab, Utah. The Ram 1500 did a great job towing the 21BHS and we averaged about 11 MPG for the trip, including some pretty steep grades.

[ktnm8135]

That's a good average. How fast were you pulling, and did you have the truck loaded heavy or the camper loaded heavy or both?

[djsamuel]

[quote source="/post/3875/thread" timestamp="1411842350" author="@woody"]That's a good average. How fast were you pulling, and did you have the truck loaded heavy or the camper loaded heavy or both?[/quote]Truck was just my wife and I along with some minor stuff.  Trailer was packed for two weeks, but I would estimate around 4300 pounds.  Tried to maintain 65 MPH during the drives (almost all Interstate). 

[daplumbr]

So I've noticed that some semi truck are now using using wind deflectors on the rear of the trailer to break the vacuum that's created as it moves through the air. Reducing that vacuum effect to improve gas mileage is also the principle behind the squishing of the rear areas on current SUVs. So, the much lower gas mileage towing an RV is not all frontal area drag; it is also overcoming the aerodynamic drag of the vacuum which may be 25% or more of the total drag from the trailer. There are some solutions being considered, but it would good if someone had an aftermarket product for this. I haven't seen any yet that are readily available.

http://spinoff.nasa.gov/Spinoff2008/t_3.html

[runningwriter]

My Silverado 5.3L with 5 speed manual will deliver 21.5 mpg at 50 mph unloaded.  Delivers 19 mpg overall.

Recent 1200 mile tow, low of 13.2 to a high of 15.2 mpg.  Most of the towing was at 60 mph.

[leslie]

Averaged 14.3 mpg going from Chicago to Louisville, mostly interstates, mostly 55 mph. Towing a custom 2014 Camplite 21-BHS with a 2014 Jeep Grand Cherokee Laredo, 3.7L engine, rear wheel drive, few options added in order to maximize towing experience.

[pinstriper]

That's pretty impressive with a 21' trailer.

[mitch]

I really think the difference between 55 mph and 65 mph has a huge impact on fuel economy especially while towing.

[tinkeringtechie]

I really think the difference between 55 mph and 65 mph has a huge impact on fuel economy especially while towing.

There's about 40% more air resistance at 65 vs 55, which is the biggest factor while towing.

[spot1]

We have a boat with trailer close to the ready to camp weight of the CampLite 11, 1950lbs.

Poughkeepsie NY to CLT:

Towing the low profile boat with our 2003 2.4L 4 cylinder Tacoma, 20MPG @ 65MPH.

SC flat lands:

CampLite 11 with our Tacoma, 17MPG @ 55MPH.
Not enough HP to maintain 65MPH on grades to test MPG with Tacoma

SC flat lands:

Towing the CampLite 11 with a 2013 4.0L Frontier 16MPG @ 55MPH.
CampLite 11 with the Frontier 14MPG @ 65MPH
Have not checked MPG towing the boat with the Frontier.

[baldboy]

My 2014 supercharged 4X4 Tacoma Double Cab gets about 12-13 mpg pulling at 60 - 65 on flat ground.