Is 6-8 mpg while towing normal?

This.

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When i was on 34x11.5 tires, i averaged 13.5 for daily driving. while towing my 26 foot camper i averaged 7-8 mpg. I am regeared to 5.29 gears and that made towing feel easier and reduced my trans fluid temp over 30 degrees when towing

 

Trailer salesman told my dad to keep it at 60 or below for best MPG. Over 60 (65-70) he got 7, 60 and under 12. 2021 F250 (6.2L) pulling a 35 foot fifth wheel toy hauler.

 

It doesn't seem to matter what I tow with the Tundra the mileage stays around 8-10. Several 600+ mile trips with a twin 5k lb axle 18' cargo trailer loaded to its capacity (or more) and I got 8-9mpg averaging about 70mph, some of that through the Blue Ridge.

Then pulled a little single axle 12'x6' open utility trailer nearly empty the same path at the same speed and only got 9-10mpg....

 

Yes I have the 5.7. Speed makes a HUGE difference in mpg even without a trailer. I'll see 20mpg on my local roads which are 45-55mph. The second I start doing 75 on the interstate I'm back to averaging 16.5mpg.

I'm new to towing, so doing 65 on the interstate was comfortable for me with the trailer. Also I run stock sized tires and am not lifted. That can play a role in mpg.

 

This!

Sure you will be passed all the time but speed is the answer for sure.

Sounds like the salesman was a lying sack of crap too but now that it is yours slow down and save.

 

Don't have remorse OP. But the 5.7L would have been a better choice IMO, there is definitely not a 1:1 relationship between displacement and MPG. You get more power with a bigger engine so it can run a little slower for the same load. You'll be fine.

****Mod edit due to some really dangerous suggestions****

 

You're right about not having remorse, and that MPG sucks when towing, but PLEASE don't get that close behind a big rig.

As a former professional driver (I use the word professional loosely) I can tell you that if you are close enough to draft and get that extra 3 MPG, you are close enough that driver doesn't like you there. You are at least partially, if not fully, in their blind spot. That means they are unhappy with you, or don't know you are there, and either of those is a dangerous situation. People are aggressive behind the wheel and I know there are those who will brake check anyone that close, or if they don't know you are there they may inadvertently brake check you during normal driving. Couple that with the fact that a tread coming off a semi tire at that distance is going to be bad news for anyone behind them, and in general you're better off just eating the 3 MPG.

If you don't believe me, ask any other CDL driver on the forum. It's best to keep a healthy distance from tractor trailers whenever possible.

 

Getting back to your OP, I also have the 4.6L, and can offer apples to apples comparison without the trailer.

My indicated mileage runs a constant 15.5 mpg for mostly highway driving, 65-70 mph, with stock 275/55R20 Goodyear Wranglers on 20" TSS wheels. Not great mileage, but slightly better than yours. I'm OK with it...it is a truck. I suspect your 11-12 mpg might be a little less than average for a 4.6L. Over a lifetime, I've learned some vehicles with identical specs will have better mileage, and some worse. One of the mysteries of the universe.

You can take it in and have them check it out, but I suspect that's a fool's errand. They'll blow it off as being normal, even for a 4.6L. Your salesman didn't help you if you told him you were going to tow an RV regularly. Towing will be more difficult with the smaller engine, and it doesn't have the "tow package" either. Retrofitting the auxiliary transmission cooler will be even more important for a 4.6L used to tow.

The great thing about vehicle purchases is you're not married to them. You chose the right brand. Tundras have excellent value retention. If you want to upgrade in a year or so, you'll take a little hit, but should do all right.

 

Where you Stig on the English Top Gear?

 

Lmao. I wish. Just have my CDL and used it to pay the bills for a time.

 

I have the TSS SR5 crewcab and get about 15 mixed city/hwy normally. My 26 5600# dry weight camper drops me down to 6/7 mpg at 70 to 75 mph and 7/8 mgg under 70mph so slowing down does help, but either way you aren't going to get great millage. My buddy has a very similar camper in his ram and right at the same while towing. His daily driving he get closer to 22mpg. Still my tundra pulls the trailer much easier. Plus my 38 gallon tank keeps me on the road longer.

 

No one's saying "be close" to him. In normal traffic flow you're likely always behind someone, big or small. If given the choice, go big. Safe following distance (ie. far enough to allow flying pebbles to stop bouncing) will still let that big rig plow through the atmosphere on your behalf.

 

For your average vehicle you need a 3 second gap. Add weight to the vehicle or go bigger altogether, and you need more than that. A pickup with a trailer should be maintaining at least a 5-6 second gap, if not more.

Quick math, 60MPH is one mile per minute. 5280 feet divided by 60 seconds gets you 88 feet per second. That 5 second gap should be 440 feet. Your average Semi with a trailer is about 72 feet. That means you should really be able to fit about 6 tractor trailers between you and the vehicle in front of you when travelling 60 MPH. At a safe distance you won't see much of an MPG boost when driving behind someone. Even a 3 second gap at 60 MPH is going to be 264 feet (3 tractor trailers) and you wouldn't see a big impact to your economy.

 

Can anyone comment on how gas octane level affects their Tundra's mpg?

 

Towing a flat trailer is different than towing a billboard. 8 -9 is about right whether towing a 4k or 6k pound travel trailer. Slowing down does help. Getting out every 2-3 hours is a good break. I do it even though I have the larger tank.

I am on a number of RV FB forums. No matter which 1/2 ton almost everyone reports about the same gas mileage. The few that report 10+ usually also "can't even tell my 10,000 pound trailer is back there".

 

No impact. Octane has nothing to do with fuel economy.

 

It affects cost per gallon which is sort of a derivative of MPG, maybe? Lol

 

I was misinformed, I thought it had a minor effect.

 

I have logged 87 vs 91 timing and had not noticed any benefit, fwiw

 

Gotcha- good to know!

 

Towed a 5400 dry weight 25’ travel trailer, I estimate 5800 #s. Never drove over 65 , stayed in tow mode, and some grades went down to around 55. Got 9.1.

the larger displacement is probably more efficient with load as I have than a 4.7.

you may want to experience how well Tundras hold their value and trade up.

Best. Alan

 

You will not notice a lick of difference in a modern engine like what is in the Tundra.

 

Quick bit of google-fu and the short answers on octane. Sources are included so you can make your own judgements on validity.

 

I have been playing this game for years. I will try a tank or two at 91 octane and by the seat of my pants the truck "feels" better when towing over the mountains. MPG wise, no tangible difference.

The truth is your comment @knoxville36

 

True for the most part, but not always true.

IF the engine is running very hot, and IF the intake air is hot, the engine could knock causing the ecu to retard the timing to prevent the knock. This would show a loss of power and fuel economy. But it is very unlikely, and would only happen under extreme circumstances.

Honda J35’s can be susceptible to this, and in some of the owners manuals in the 2006-2016 ish it is recommended when at or near gcvwr to go up to 91 octane as their tuning will also affect torque converter lock-up which could increase trans temps on top of the power loss.

 

Same. My F150 got about 9-10 MPG the one or two times I towed a 24' camper, completely empty, no one else in the truck, no gear or anything. I'll accept the *possible* 1MPG hit for much easier towing due to much more TQ down low and more reliability.

 

Probably the same person that didn't realize they had a chicken wing stuck in their beard since last night.

 

So this guy?

 

"I don't even feel my trailer back there"