tazzdvl

How can I get better mpg when towing my 5th wheel? My 2011 was same truck and got better mpg than this one any suggestions?

tech2

hard to say with no specific information about each truck.


what rear end ratio and tire size did they have? what mpg numbers are you getting? what does the trailer weigh?
sorry, gotta laugh when someone complains about fuel mileage pulling a fifth wheel with a gas 4x4.

tazzdvl

I know it's a little funny just surprised everything from the two trucks are identical just not sure what could cause the drastic change in mpg. Got factory 18" rims and tires it's the 410 rear and trailer 10k pounds. My 2011 was getting 12 mpg, my 2015 only 7mpg.

Rednucleus

How do the two mpg's compare when not pulling the trailer?

tazzdvl

The 2011 was 12 to 13mpg the 2015 I've gotten to 15.9mpg at about 66 mph.

intheburbs

So you got 12-13 mpg in the '11 when not towing, and 12 mpg when pulling the fifth wheel?



That's a pretty neat trick.

Cowpie

Yeah, that got be perplexed also. I rarely tow with my 2015 2500 6.0L, and that is relatively light towing. I got it primarily for hauling, which it can do much more of than the 1500. General highway mpg has been in the 17-18 mpg range. Lifetime average for all conditions has been a little over 14. Most of what I have heard from others when they have towed heavy is that they seem to get around 10-11 mpg with the 6.0L 4.10 setup.

Could some of the disparity between the pickup mpg's be related to the new one not being broken in yet?

tazzdvl

I had a couple people look at it it was weird but the 11 was about 12 full or empty.

tazzdvl

That could be it just thought it was odd that the other truck was 12 no matter what as long as I stayed around 70 not towing new one best has been 15.9 in slow lane but average about 14, towing half that just was wondering if anyone knew if they programed the new ones different for new emissions or anything just a big difference when all the equipment the same.

intheburbs

No way, no how were you getting the same mileage with or without a 10,000-lb fifth wheel. Do you realize how absurd that sounds?

My 3/4 ton Burb gets 15 mpg in regular driving, and 7-8 mpg pulling a 7,000-lb trailer.

Your numbers on the old truck are wrong.

Also, you might want to check the owners manual on how soon you can start towing a heavy trailer.