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Towing and gas mileage

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Old August 10th, 2019, 10:17 AM
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Default Towing and gas mileage

I have a 2019 Silverado 1500 4x4 5.3 RST.
I get great mileage empty 19 to 20 mi. and when my truck looks at a trailer I get 9 to 10mi. per gal.. Whats up? This is crazy difference in gas mileage, the trailers are utility which weighs 2000# and a small RV (teardrop style) at 3000#. I have other trucks and their gas mileage is reduced but not by so much! Does any body have the same problem and may have an idea on better gas mileage?
Old August 10th, 2019, 3:21 PM
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19 to 20 mpg is fantastic. to get that your trunk is probably in afm mode cruising on 4 cylinders. Once your in tow/haul mode afm is deactivated so its 8cyl all the time.Your towing mpg seems normal to me.
Old August 10th, 2019, 3:33 PM
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[QUOTE=tech2;433220]19 to 20 mpg is fantastic. to get that your trunk is probably in afm mode cruising on 4 cylinders. Once your in tow/haul mode afm is deactivated so its 8cyl all the time.Your towing mpg seems normal to me.[/QUOT

Thanks for the info. I had hoped for better gas mileage than what I am getting. My other trucks do not have as much of a drop in mileage towing. But but they also do not start out as good either I do love this truck
Old August 10th, 2019, 3:38 PM
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what are your other trucks?
I've had a 06 2500 sierra, 2000 4.8 1500 sierra and a 07 2500 ram and towing mpg are all pretty much the same. the 2500's just have more *****.

empty the 4.8 destroys the 2500 mpg wise.
Old August 10th, 2019, 4:04 PM
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Originally Posted by tech2
what are your other trucks?
I've had a 06 2500 sierra, 2000 4.8 1500 sierra and a 07 2500 ram and towing mpg are all pretty much the same. the 2500's just have more *****.

empty the 4.8 destroys the 2500 mpg wise.
2000 F350 crew 4x4 7.3, bought it new and it just keeps on running like a jewel at 350,000 mi.. use it to haul tractors and logs. I get 16 hwy and about 11mi. Carrying 12000 to 15000#s
2008 Toyota Tacoma 4x4 v6 crew long bed with a little lift and bigger tires. I get 17 on a good day and 12 mi. Pulling the same trailer I pull with the Chevy. It’s a small trailer for ATVs and UTV’s.
i am just a kid with gray hair
Old August 10th, 2019, 7:50 PM
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you can't compare a diesel to gas for towing. diesel engines are 30% more fuel efficient than a gasser.
Old August 15th, 2019, 10:16 AM
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Keep in mind, a pickup truck towing a trailer is an aerodynamic nightmare. It is what it is. And fuel economy is going to suffer substantially because of it.
Old August 21st, 2019, 2:10 PM
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Thumbs up I disagree

I agree on everything you said would like to state why I disagree on "substantially". Sure towing a trailer you should expect gas mileage drop. I just got back from a 2400 mi. trip yesterday and had 11mi to the gallon! I have taken shorter trips with a smaller trailer and had 9 to 10mi. per gal.
My beef is I get 22mi. when I drive unloaded, not any of my trucks have had such a reduction of 50% plus, maybe 25%. Anyway I am behind you 100% on "It is what it is".
On a side note it pulled the small RV like a dream!!
Old August 21st, 2019, 7:51 PM
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sure but you can't put a diesel into the comparison.
any diesel will not drop as much fuel mileage when towing compared to a gasser. my service manager pulled his rv to Banff and can't make it there on a tank with his gasser...upgraded to a diesel and now he just over half a tank...same size tank, same diff ratio. run both trucks empty and they are much closer to the same mileage.
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