I have a 2013 Suburban 2500. 180K miles

I towed my 28' enclosed trailer loaded with a car for the first time this weekend. Loaded it is approximately 8800 lbs. Overall I was happy with how it rode.

I knew going into this gas mileage was not going to be great, my first leg was 5.1 MPG with a real stiff headwind and 6.8 MPG on my return trip.

I wold like to know what others have done, or what can be done to improve either the power or mileage (or both would even be great)

I am open to all options, just wondering what others here have done.

Thanks,

Kevin

 

All bets are off when towing. My '11 Tahoe with a 5.3 and my 6x6x12 cargo or my 18' pontoon will only get 11-12 mpg at a max. gross trailer weight of 4000 lbs. on a good day.
Tow mode keeps it out of OD but towing heavy you need to be out of OD anyway. That alone pulls down the highway mpg. a lot.
With new AC O2 sensors I've got my Tahoe back up to 18-19 mpg. without a trailer, a 2 mpg gain.

 

My 2013 Suburban 2500 yielded an average of 9.1 MPG towing over the 5 years. I typically tow an enclosed trailer (24') which weighs about 8000 - 9000 lbs. I do have the Blackbear tuning for both the transmission and engine which yields noticeable improvements. Other than that, the engine is completely stock.

 

I get around 17-18 on the highway with the 6.5 diesel. With my 16’ enclosed I get 11. I’ve talked to a few guys with the 6.6 and the mileage is about the same while towing. What area of the country are you in. I travel from St Louis to OKC so not flat but I’m not up and down mountains either. Good luck.