1,500 mile trip - 7.5 avg. mpg

[mason4runner]

Just got back from a trip from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach. I towed my travel trailer whichs weighs 6,000# & the 4R with the family of 5. I averaged 7.5 mpg for the whole trip (calculated). The 4R did a great job of towing, ran 75 mph most of the time & going over the mountains of Tn. & NC. it never dropped below 60 mph on the inclines. I was hoping for better mileage, but pulling that weight & running those speeds, I wasn't surprised. A friend was pulling a 8,000# trailer with us using a Nissan Armada, He averaged the 6 mpg.
Had comments from serveral people along the way that it was the best looking tow vehicle they had ever seen & weren't aware that it had the towing capacity.
We saw serveral cars overheated on the way back in NC on the mountains. It was about 92 degrees & my temp gauge never moved.
Now my DTE readout is down to 210 miles.

 

[peter78]

We saw serveral cars overheated on the way back in NC on the mountains. It was about 92 degrees & my temp gauge never moved.

I went camping this weekend in the Smokey Mountains, only we used a tent. I can attest to the temperatures. At 10 at night it was still hot and steamy. It would of been nice to be in a air conditioned trailer.

I am a little surprised with the mileage, but I know a 6,000 pound trailer must be a big ass trailer.

 

[RL Lemke]

Just got back from a trip from Cincinnati to Myrtle Beach. I towed my travel trailer whichs weighs 6,000# & the 4R with the family of 5. I averaged 7.5 mpg for the whole trip (calculated).

Regular or premium gas?

I was pulling a trailer with motorcycles over the mountains. When I switched to premium my mileage and preformance made a big jump, from single didget to around 12.

 

[mason4runner]

I used regular, 87 octane. I'll have to try premium next time to see if it improves. The performance was great though with regular.

 

[bluewolf]

I'm very pleased with our 4Runner for towing our travel trailer (4500 or so fully loaded). Couple of questions:

1. Do you use mirror extentions of some sort, if so where did you find them?

2. What brand brake controller do you use?

 

[mason4runner]

Bluewolf,
The only mirror extensions I've found are the cheap strap on from Walmart. I also tried the CIPA Ratchet strap, but they whistle really loud above 50 mph. Drove us nuts. It seems nobody makes any custom extensions for anything but American vehicles.

I use the Prodigy brake controller. Got it at Camping World. It does a great job, it calculates the incline & applies the nessecary volts to stop you.

 

[kullenberg]

Trip Mileage

Back in June, we put almost 8000 miles on our 04 V8 4x4, on a trip from the mtns of NC to Ca and return, and we averaged 18.7 mpg (not towing anything), which I thought to be fairly respectable for a still tight engine. BTW, the mtns of NC are quite cool, if you go high enough - we are at 5500 ft, and rarely go above 80.

 

[Guest]

Now my DTE readout is down to 210 miles.

What is a "DTE" readout and why is it down to 210 miles?

 

[mason4runner]

DTE= Distance to empty (on the readout with MPG & average speed)
It's calculated based upon previous full tanks & how far you were able to go. It was up to 376 before the trip. It will take some time to readjust itself to driving without towing.

 

[thunderpaw]

excellent...

after my experiences with my '97 runner, I'm convinced they massively underestimated what these guys can haul.

I use middle grade gas when towing, especially in the mountains. I only run low octane when I'm not stressing the motor so much... I think the computer will retard timing to adjust for pinging, but I'd rather not have it do that.

 

[EDGE]

So I'll be the odd man out and ask, hows your friends Armada, any interior noises

 

[mason4runner]

He loves the Armada. He says it rides & tows great. I've never riden in it though. I just don't like the exterior looks. Too boxy for me. The only complaint I've heard him say is that it's a bitch to park it. It sits up really high & hard to see whats behind you.
It's also rated to tow 9,100#.

 

[EDGE]

Sweet, I've been looking at 1 maybe