FYI Actual Towing MPG

[ToolmanJohn]

Just got back from a great 3 day weekend in Vermont, towing a 2013 Starcraft AR-ONE 17RD travel trailer, about 3200 lbs loaded. It is significantly bigger than my 4runner, especially frontal area. I am using a Hidden Hitch with a 600/6000 weigh carrying tow capacity. Also have a sway bar attatchment.

With the V6 4speed, I usually average 16mpg around home (calculated on actual miles and fuel used - NOT trip computer) .

Well the 481.2 mile round trip average was almost exactly 10 mpg. Ouch...
Funny thing was, I ALMOST made it to the campground without filling. I just barely had the fuel needle under the "E" and chickened out and stopped for gas 16 miles from the campground. It took exactly 21.45 gallons. Close...

My mileage was 9.86 mpg driving from central Connecticut to upper Vermont (Barre) at near constant 65mph , cruise set, 3rd gear (Left it out of 4th the whole trip while towing).. On the way home it was 10.50 mpg at 60 mph cruise set ( I slowed down to see if the mileage would be slightly better, and it was, but just barely).

So It was a hella expensive gas trip , $170.77 for a total of 481 miles.

No more three day weekends for a while.

 

[fun_runner]

I'm kinda surprised at that mileage for some reason. Tnats what I got with my Suburban with the 5.3L towing my camper that weighs close to 3800lbs loaded. My 4Runner gets 12-13mpg with the camper behind it.

 

[ToolmanJohn]

I'm pretty sure it's the large squarish front and rear on the camper. If I shut off the cruise control on a flat, the camper would act like a drag chute and slow me down like engine braking. It's brand new so I don't expect that there are any wheel problems on the trailer, but who knows, maybe the electric brakes are somehow rubbing?

 

[JohnsD90]

Yeah, thats about right for towing, that trailer will kill the milage alone with just the surface area it takes up, then factor in its weight, your speed, and the fact that you ran no overdrive.

If you want decent milage when towing i suggest a nice 2500 Series Pickup with a diesel, and i know the cummins in 2wd gets around 21ish mpg towing a car on a trailer.