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Is 6-8 mpg while towing normal?

Discussion in 'Towing & Hauling' started by New2Trucking, Mar 24, 2021.

  1. Mar 24, 2021 at 7:58 AM
    #1
    New2Trucking

    New2Trucking [OP] New Member

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    So I bought my Tundra last month to tow a camper trailer. Its the smaller 4.6 engine which the salesperson said was sufficient to tow but would have better gas mileage without the trailer. We went to Zion and had to stop every 2 hours for gas. We averaged 6-8 mpg on the hills and we were being passed by tractor truck semi trailers. With the trailer off it averages 11-2 mpg but I have to be a grandma driver to get it that low.

    Is this horrible mpg because I bought the smaller engine? Im having Tundra buying remorse.
     
  2. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:01 AM
    #2
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    You my friend, just bought yourself a gas guzzler. :thumbsup:

    How big is your trailer, weight, length, etc?
     
    Last edited: Mar 24, 2021
  3. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:06 AM
    #3
    Ace402

    Ace402 New Member

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    Yes, that MPG while towing is normal. The MPG difference between the 4.6 and 5.7 is overstated. They are pretty similar.
     
  4. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:06 AM
    #4
    BecauseRacecar

    BecauseRacecar New Member

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    What/how much are you towing? What altitude are you at? You're only getting 12mpg unladen?

    For reference, I just averaged about 12mpg towing a 6k lb car trailer with tools and people in the bed/cab, but that was flat highway at sea level @ 65mph.
     
  5. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:08 AM
    #5
    Danimal86

    Danimal86 Looks clean even when its dirty!

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    Sounds about right especially if you are towing on hills.
     
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  6. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:09 AM
    #6
    dsotm

    dsotm New Member

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    I get about 12.5 pulling my pop-up camper
     
  7. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:10 AM
    #7
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    Welcome to the community!

    Are you newer to towing? If yes, MPG can be a shock, regardless of the vehicle. With that said, the Tundra can be described as a little worse than average.

    Here are some examples that come from the popular YouTube channel TFL Truck on their standard 60 mile loop test in Colorado:

    • 2021 Ford F-150 Limited with the PowerBoost powertrain: Towing 6,000 pound trailer - 8.068 MPG average. Unladen/No trailer - 29.8 MPG average
    • Jeep Gladiator: Towing 6,000 pound trailer - 11.5 MPG average. Unladen/No trailer - 21.2 MPG average

    So it's normal do see big drops when towing. If you have lots of mountain passes, 6 MPG is very possible depending on the weight of the trailer and how fast you go.

    With all that said, I am more concerned about what @BecauseRacecar also asked: 11 MPG empty and driving like a grandma is unusual. You should do better.

    What do you have for wheels and tires?
     
  8. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:10 AM
    #8
    Nightshade Tundra

    Nightshade Tundra New Member

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    Sounds about right I get about 8mpg while towing my 33ft trailer
     
    lsaami likes this.
  9. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:12 AM
    #9
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    :eek2:
    TUNDRA:
    14 combined city/highway MPG 13 city 17 highway 7.1 gals/100 miles

    LAMBORGHINI Avendtador:
    15 combined city/highway MPG 13 city 18 highway 6.7 gals/100 miles
     
  10. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:20 AM
    #10
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    I get 8-10mpg towing my flatbed at the speed limit. No trailer 13 if I'm lucky :D
     
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  11. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:22 AM
    #11
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    My Avendtator never hits that.
     
  12. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:23 AM
    #12
    New2Trucking

    New2Trucking [OP] New Member

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    My trailer is 24 feet and 4400 lbs dry. Every time I looked down at the gas gauge I was half full, it was crazy. Is there anything I can do to make it a bit better? I keep seeing driving under 70mph may be better.
     
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  13. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #13
    New2Trucking

    New2Trucking [OP] New Member

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    That makes me feel better, thank you.
     
  14. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:24 AM
    #14
    Bammer

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    Never ever believe a salesperson !
     
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  15. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:25 AM
    #15
    BravoDeltaRomeo

    BravoDeltaRomeo Old Man Little Blue Finger

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    DRY means nothing if you fill it with 6000 lbs of cargo. 24' is pretty big and 4400 dry is likely 7000-8000 loaded, not including your bed and inside the truck.

    How much weight are you towing inside it, in the bed, water tanks, propane, food, water, etc etc. Hit up a weigh scale next time.

    You can't do anything to make it better. It is what it is and it sucks. But it tows like champ, so I don't mind.

    The best think you can do is NOT look at your MPG when towing or even driving.
     
  16. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:28 AM
    #16
    snivilous

    snivilous snivspeedshop.com

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    Get a 38/46 gallon tank and enjoy the money leaking away every mile :D
     
  17. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:28 AM
    #17
    New2Trucking

    New2Trucking [OP] New Member

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    Omg I would take your mpg. Do you have the larger engine? I have a 4.6 and my camper is 4400 lbs dry. I went from sea level to 6000 elevation. I was driving faster than 65, is that the trick and I need to slow down?
     
  18. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:30 AM
    #18
    tsinajinii

    tsinajinii Black Streak Wood People | Free Folk have no King

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    I get about 7 mpg towing an R-Pod here in Northern AZ
    Here are some details:
    • R-Pod 178: ~3,600lbs loaded
    • Crewmax w/ 5.7L
    • ~7,000ft elevation with some hills
    • Cruising on interstate @ 75 mph
    I think the elevation I'm at really kills my mpg's
     
  19. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:31 AM
    #19
    New2Trucking

    New2Trucking [OP] New Member

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    Ive been trying to spread out my load but I get what youre saying. I wonder if the 4 bikes we have hanging off the back bumper rack of the trailer is not helping?? We never drive with our tanks full or even half full. Im going to try slowing down. I was going 75-80 and big semis were passing me.
     
  20. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:34 AM
    #20
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    If you were going 80 then yes, 6 MPG is normal. Slow down to 60 and it will pop back up.
     
  21. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:35 AM
    #21
    tsinajinii

    tsinajinii Black Streak Wood People | Free Folk have no King

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    Going from sea level to 6,000ft elevation is quite a climb!
     
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  22. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:36 AM
    #22
    Shuffler

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    only solution is to slow down ... I was seeing 8-9mpg pulling a loaded ~5-7klb 7x14 enclosed between MT & CO ... lots of wind and elevation change is never friendly to a thirsty V8
     
  23. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:37 AM
    #23
    West Texas Tundra

    West Texas Tundra 2016 Bronze Beast

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    Yea that’s about right. I’ve got a 2016 5.7 and pulling my 6x12 enclosed trailer, get around 8mpg.
     
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  24. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:37 AM
    #24
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    Driving like a grandma does not = good MPG.

    If you accelerate too slow you actually can consume more fuel because you spend more time out of the optimal operating range. Low load cruising consumes the least amount of fuel. So if you accelerate too slow between traffic lights, you basically spend all your time accelerating.
     
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  25. Mar 24, 2021 at 8:53 AM
    #25
    Bammer

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    That's killing your MPG !
     
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  26. Mar 24, 2021 at 9:00 AM
    #26
    mountainpete

    mountainpete Explore more

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    Function before sparkle.
    It was an illustration, not an explicit description of slow acceleration.

    With that said, my mom in law in her 80's and mom in her 70's do not accelerate the way you describe. They tend to be heavy on the pedal but then stay very consistent in their speed. Heck my mom drives a performance chipped A4 :D

    I never knew my grandma. <feelings>
     
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  27. Mar 24, 2021 at 9:07 AM
    #27
    specter208

    specter208 New Member

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    Drive that truck in 4th and 55mph, if you have stock tire size. Much better MPGs and comfort.
     
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  28. Mar 24, 2021 at 9:07 AM
    #28
    14burrito

    14burrito IG @14burrito

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    I guess I jump to the conclusion of "driving like a grandma" to be tied to slow and lethargic.
     
    mountainpete[QUOTED] likes this.
  29. Mar 24, 2021 at 9:46 AM
    #29
    bsktball55

    bsktball55 New Member

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    Speed has a huge impact on mpg's especially when you are towing a giant wind sail of a camper behind you. On my 5.7 without towing, if I am going 60mph, I can hit 20-21 mpgs. If I bump it up to 70-75mph, I am down around 15. So yes, hauling that big camper at 75-80mph is going to kill your gas mileage.
     
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  30. Mar 24, 2021 at 10:18 AM
    #30
    Cpl_Punishment

    Cpl_Punishment Young men never die.

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    Slow down to 65 mph or less, like the manual recommends.
     
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