Fuel Mileage While Towing

[SkipP]

We bought a new-to-us '99 Expedition this past year. It's got the 5.4L engine without tow package. Normal driving (sans pop-up) yields about 17-18 mpg, the camper puts us in the 15-16 mpg range. With gas prices being what they are (and no relief in sight), the appeal of a more fuel effecient vehicle has got us thinking. Diesel is an option but those prices are shooting up too. We're towing a 2003.5 Mesa so the vehicle needs to be capable of towing a fairly heavy load. If it weren't an everyday driver, it wouldn't be too much of an issue but the percentage of towing time vs. the percentage of total use is pretty low. So, what do you guy's do?

[mike4947]

We aren't the only ones asking that same question. Even the boys with the F350's/32 footers and motor coach folks are asking the same thing.

So far the local RV dealers say the increased gas/deisel prices haven't hurt their sales any.
But, IMHO A lot more folks are going to question stepping up if it means a drop in fuel economy for a while. Then the upward trend will return. That's what's happened at every increase since the first one that jacked prices from $.30 a gallon for high test to the $.55/$.60 range.
As for switching to deisel it takes a lot of miles to recoup the extra $3000-$4000 the deisel costs up front.

[tlhdoc]

We bought a used Taurus wagon to help out in the fuel department.  That way the TV can do more sitting in the driveway looking pretty rather than racking up a lot of everyday miles.  I drive 25,000 to 35,000 miles a year.

[NightOwl]

Tracy, I know exactly what you mean--your Taurus probably gets close to 20-22 mpg out on the highway--like my 6 cyl Aerostar, and that  good gas mileage is why I am so determined to keep it. (Towing the 3, 500 lb TrailManor, it still gets 15-17.) It's 7 yrs old, serves as a "farm" truck for hauling 4 x8 plywood, Billy's orchid and gardening supplies and hasnt cost a penny extra  except for an AC thermostat, and it now has over 105K on it.  Gas cost has become a real consideration in my mind and it is one  thing complicating our search for another RV--gotta be something the Aerostar can pull over our nearby mountains.

It is unusual these days to find a decently priced vehicle that can tow and still get such good gas consumption as my 7 passsenger van (although I have to say I am VERY picky  about the tires and it never goes too long without LOF [I use synthetic oil]  & a tune-up--all being factors in efficiency and longevity, I think.

[byrdr1]

SkipP,
I have a f-250 gasser and 12-13mpg around town, 15-16mpg open road.
towing the 6750lb TT plus gear, 8 or less MPG.
I have ben pricing diesels for the better fuel mileage and tow ratings, we are thinking Jayco 31BHDS next year..
So far new is only way to go.used is as much as new and new gets better laon rates. But monthly payments are out of monthly budget still..So we wait and hope for a better next year..
We are looking for a small car or truck now.. I think we have found it(truc-4banger) but to buy it puts my diesel further out..
Good luck on your find..
Oh!!!! hows things at the NC coast?
Coming to the coast Thanksgiving week(Ocean Lakes CG) as long as gas doesnt get to much higher..
Heading to RJ's Ranch this weekend..

[Camping Coxes]

Diesel is an option but those prices are shooting up too.

We have a diesel.  One of the reasons DH wanted a diesel is the price of diesel fuel always remained pretty constant.  That isn't he case lately.  Since they're gouging the rest of us, they've figured out diesels have to fill up too, so they can raise the price of diesel fuel. Worst part it, diesel is basically the sludge left after the processing of the gas, from what I understand.  And we're in So. Cal., so historically our gas prices are higher than the rest of the country.  We're paying around $2.30 for regular unleaded and $2.39 for diesel right now.
 
But to answer the mileage questions, we get 15-18 mpg when towing our Sunridge, which is the same model floorplan as your Mesa.

[SkipP]

From the sounds of things, we should be happy with what we have and just deal with it! We did trade the '96 5.0L Explorer for a Saturn wagon so that'll help.
 
Randy..... a BIGGER camper? Yikes!

[Kelly]

From the sounds of things, we should be happy with what we have and just deal with it! We did trade the '96 5.0L Explorer for a Saturn wagon so that'll help.
 
Randy..... a BIGGER camper? Yikes!

So ~ would a mini-van pull your PU, Skip?
     :p

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[ForestCreature]

Skip,
 Maybe what you need is more horsepower for pulling the camper. A team of 4 should suffice, you think?
 Just think how cool that Mesa would look behind a team of Clydesdales!
 

[PopupSgt]

Skip,
As you know I moved up the 1/2 dark side with the new hybrid.  When I pulled the popup I averaged 12mpg, and with the hybrid I am averaging 10mpg.  I looked also very hard at a vehicle with a diesel, I really liked the excursion with the powerstroke but the sticker shock of the diesel price brought me down.  Most diesel owners are averaging 15mpg towing their campers on the hwy, I did some calculations and it would take me a heck of a long time to absorb the $5k cost of the diesel at the 5mpg difference on the hwy.  After camping this weekend at a private park and listening to the noisy diesel trucks as they passed our camper, I'm glad of the decision that I made.

[Venatic]

I myself am looking to getting a diesel for my next truck. But I'm not looking at new. I'll take one that is 1 or 2 years old and let someone else take the depreciation. If the process was cost effective, soybeans could be used to make diesel fuel.

A friend of mine just bought a 2003 1 ton Chevy diesel crewcab for $32,000. Not much more than a 2004 1/2 ton new.

[Old Goat]

I tow an 01 Niagara with a 2000 Dodge 1500 pickup Qcab with a 318. It averages about 14 mpg on flatlands and towing the trailer really doesn't affect it's milage that much...I like the truck for it's comfort and the towing stability it gives, as I do not need a sway bar or a WDH.. For around town driving and short trips with out  the popup, we use DW's Chrysler T & C....It gets much better milage.....

[aw738]

I tow an 01 Niagara with a 2000 Dodge 1500 pickup Qcab with a 318. It averages about 14 mpg on flatlands and towing the trailer really doesn't affect it's milage that much...I like the truck for it's comfort and the towing stability it gives, as I do not need a sway bar or a WDH.. For around town driving and short trips with out the popup, we use DW's Chrysler T & C....It gets much better milage.....

I tow with an 84 Dodge 1/2 ton with a 360 and get almost the same milage (13 mpg) as Old Goat. The engine is a 74 model that has had a "few things" done to it. What I can't understand is if fuel injection is so good why do vehicles with it not get any better gas mileage? Ok it is more convenient, no chokes or waiting for them to warm up. Other than that I see no fuel economy advantage.

[Old Goat]

I tow with an 84 Dodge 1/2 ton with a 360 and get almost the same milage (13 mpg) as Old Goat. The engine is a 74 model that has had a "few things" done to it. What I can't understand is if fuel injection is so good why do vehicles with it not get any better gas mileage? Ok it is more convenient, no chokes or waiting for them to warm up. Other than that I see no fuel economy advantage.

I don't know either...I got much better milage with my old carb fueled trucks than I do with the newer fuel injected ones....