Towing and Mileage

"TheOnelectronic" (theoneelectronic) 08/03/2015 at 12:45 • Filed to: None

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Alright, here’s the deal. Now that I’m down at sea level, my supercharged Tacoma actually has decent, borderline surprsing power. Part of my day-to-day duties involves towing a 6.5x12 trailer with 1-4 motorcycles on it. The truck barely notices it’s even there. in that respect, it’s great.

Where it’s not great, though, is gas mileage. I maybe get 12mpg on a good day, unladen. With the trailer, I’m down to the 6-8 region. Coupled with the Tacoma’s tiny tank, that nets me a fuel range of 100-140 miles.

Obviously, this is a major pain in the ass. So I’ve been looking at replacing it with something better suited to the task. The problem is that not all engines respond the same under load, so it’s hard to get a sense of what will get how much mileage with the trailer.

My current favorite is the F-150 Ecoboost, because I’ve already got one Ford product that I really love, and because it seems to return pretty good mileage.

Second would be the not-yet-here Titan XD with its Diesel V8. Problem being it’s going to be a bit before they’re available to check out, and it’s potentially overkill for a fairly light towing load. Will likely also be quite expensive.

Third would be the also forthcoming Colorado Diesel. The downside here being it has been years since I’ve sat in a GM product that I liked the feel of.

And then of course there’s the Ram 1500 diesel... but It’s hard to shake my natural predisposition against chrysler products.

So, any thoughts? My main concern would be whether, say, the Ecoboost engine actually gets much better mileage than the V8’s when it’s not just cruising.

On the other hand, Diesels are likely to get great mileage, but have a higher cost of entry.

It’d be even better if any of these had been out for a while so I could pick one up used, but no.

I’m open to any suggestions, by the way.

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:48

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I suggest a Berlinetta Boxer.

Stephen the Canuck > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:53

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Anything wrong with a gas engine? A Silverado with the 5.3 gas V8 should be plenty to tow that. It’ll get decent enough mileage.

Party-vi > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/03/2015 at 12:53

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YOU’RE GOD DAMN RIGHT YOU DO!!

*snorts cocaine*

450X_FTW > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:53

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For the Ram 1500 diesel, I worked on the program for about 8 months while I was at FCA. AMA and I’ll answer it (granted it doesn’t violate confidentiality agreements)

I have a 27 ft toy hauler, weighs 4500 lbs empty and about 5300 full loaded with a huge frontal area. I’ve towed it with 3 different vehicles. This is all about 70-75 mph on Michigan highways.

1) 2012 Ram 1500 4x4 5.7L average 8.5 mpg

2) 2013 Ram 2500 4x4 6.7 L average 11 mpg

3) 2014 Ram 1500 4x2 3.0L average 13.5 mpg.

TheD0k_2many toys 2little time > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:55

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99-03 powerstroke

ecoboost is good but towing they still get crappy mileage. gasoline turbos suck fuel no matter what they call it.

Jcarr > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:55

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That seems like awfully poor mileage even when towing. How heavy is your trailer? I towed a ~4200lb travel trailer from Wisconsin to Iowa with my 4.2 I-6 Envoy and got around 11-12 mpg.

Also, numerous tests of the Ecoboost have confirmed that it doesn’t get mileage any better than a comparable V8 when under load.

PetarVN, GLI Guy, now with stupid power > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:57

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we own a touareg TDI. that's the same engine as the one in that ram I think. it's great. I suggest trying it

SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie > Party-vi 08/03/2015 at 12:57

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Hey, I got this new ::sniff:: Phil Collins record. Want to ::sniff:: give it a spin later in the ‘Rari?

TheOnelectronic > Jcarr 08/03/2015 at 12:57

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My truck’s ability to devour gasoline is inexplicable.

ntl0505 > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 12:58

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Power is power, gas is gas, power needs gas. When towing, obviously the EB F150 will eat gas just like a v8. What it does have though over a V8 is a broad torque curve. Two of my good friends (who also tow big trailers all the time) have a 2014 Chevy 1500 (5.3, max towing package) and a 2011 EB F150 (max towing package). After putting in a lot of miles as a passenger with 8000+ lbs in both, I prefer the way the F150 tows. The engine works a lot less than the V8 because of its low end torque (#turbos) and it’s just a lot quicker than the Chevy in general. Both get similar towing mileage with heavy loads (10-13mpg) also.

Both do fairly well on the highway (20+ mpg) so I don’t think it’s much of a difference there.

At the end of the day, it’s all going to come down to preference. I prefer the Ford myself.

Jcarr > SidewaysOnDirt still misses Bowie 08/03/2015 at 13:01

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HammerheadFistpunch > 450X_FTW 08/03/2015 at 13:04

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With a load, does it feel as slow as 240 hp suggest?

TheOnelectronic > 450X_FTW 08/03/2015 at 13:05

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Hmm. I may have to give the Ram more thought. I remember hearing a lot of negative stuff about them compared to the other two American trucks, but that was during Chryslers dark(er) years,.

XJDano > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:07

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My wife’s Equinox gets pretty bad mileage for what it is. But when hooked up to my parents camper on L4 & not above 65 mph it actually got better mileage than regular driving. This could have been from extra cautious driving.

Also what gears are your truck & size tires? If this has been modified from stock configuration it will effect your mpg.

TheOnelectronic > ntl0505 08/03/2015 at 13:07

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Good to know. I hadn’t thought much about torque curve shape.

450X_FTW > HammerheadFistpunch 08/03/2015 at 13:09

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Off the line, I feel the 3.0L is very slow, but once it’s moving it’s great. Once the turbo kicks in it moves plenty fast. For me the turbo lag is beyond what I would deem acceptable for everyday use which is why I went with the V8. For others it’s just fine for them. I’m picky like that though.

TheOnelectronic > XJDano 08/03/2015 at 13:10

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33” tires, with gearing to return to very near stock final drive ratio.

I’m hoping with more highway-oriented tires I could get a few empeegees back, but I don’t want to shell out for 4/5 new tires if I’m going to change vehicles in the end.

450X_FTW > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:10

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Night and day from pre bankruptcy to FCA. Different thought process, different quality control. Old days it was just get the vehicle lauched on time so the managers can get their bonuses. Now it’s don’t launch it until it’s ready type of though

TheOnelectronic > 450X_FTW 08/03/2015 at 13:12

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Hmm. I messed around a bit with the online configurator, and it seems like the only option is a cold weather package, whereas Ford’s is several pages long of picking things. Does the Ram just come with a lot more standard (it does end up in the same price range as the 150 EB) or is the configurator just kind of weird?

KusabiSensei - Captain of the Toronto Maple Leafs > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:13

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I know what Nissan is trying to do with the Titan XD, but to be honest, that’s the same level of capability (at least from the engine) as a 2005 GM diesel. So at that stage, why not just get the GM truck, and get a little more payload as you have a 3/4 or 1 ton frame and running gear?

Which is what I ended up doing, and now tow with a 2005 Silverado diesel 4x4.

450X_FTW > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:14

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All depends on the trim level/cab configuration you choose.

TheOnelectronic > 450X_FTW 08/03/2015 at 13:16

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It looked like there were only two with the diesel- Tradesman and Express.

450X_FTW > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:17

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No it’s available in all trim levels, BUT it’s not availabe in standard cab short bed, and standard cab long bed has limited options since there are so few built. 4 doors give you a lot more options to choose from

TheOnelectronic > 450X_FTW 08/03/2015 at 13:19

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Ah, okay. User error.

450X_FTW > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:23

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Not a problem. Demand is very low for a standard cab diesel so they don’t put many options with them

TheOnelectronic > 450X_FTW 08/03/2015 at 13:26

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Interesting.

nermal > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 13:28

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I’m assuming that your trailer is enclosed. In that case, to improve mpgs, slow down. Even by 5mph, you’ll notice a difference.

My trailer is a 6x10, with a single bike in it. Estimated weight with all of my tools and other crap is about 2k lbs. Pulled with a V6 Jeep, and got about 12 mpg @ 65 mph. Upgraded to a new truck, and now get 15 mpg @ 70 mph. Empty it will get 22 @ 65 or 20 @ 70. Around town it gets 16-18.

The truck is a ‘15 GMC 1500 w/ 5.3 v8 and 3.73 gears. I went with this option because I didn’t want a Ram due to poor experiences with their dealer network. The Ford Ecoboost has tons of power, but like all turbo engines sucks down fuel when you’re on the boost. I liked the Toyota trucks, but the engine is also terrible on fuel. Didn’t want a HD diesel because I don’t need it.

TheOnelectronic > nermal 08/03/2015 at 13:33

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Nope, open trailer. It’s got a ramp on the back, but it’s mesh.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 14:20

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What’s the actual max weight you tow?

I don’t know how much 4 motorcycles + Trailer weighs.

I ask because you may not need a pickup at all.

Don’t forget if you’re not feeling the Colorado, you can always check on the GMC Canyon

TheOnelectronic > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/03/2015 at 14:24

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Isn’t the Canyon just going to be the Colorado with more chrome?

I don’t actually know either. Figure motorcycles are 400-600lbs each, trailer is about 1000lbs, so lets say max is about 3000 lbs.

Part of the reason I’m looking for a truck with more capacity than I really need is I’ve done enough towing at the very edge of my truck’s capabilities, and it’s awful. Part of the reason I got such crap mileage at altitude is because the engine was at full throttle nearly all of the time just to maintain speed.

nermal > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 14:29

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Oh. In that case, pretty much any modern 1/2 ton pickup will do. Still keep the speed below 70 mph, and make sure you get the lowest (highest number) gearing available. Personally I obviously prefer the GM option.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 15:00

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Max 3000? You could pull that with a Ford Escape lol! (Max tow of 3500 pounds).

I mean if you use the truck for more truck things other than the 3000 max tow then yeah - stick with a pickup. A full size is going to haul one of those trailers like it doesn’t exist.

As far as the Canyon vs colorado goes, you may end up with nicer seats, nicer finishes on the wheel/dash. Overall “Feel” might be different giving you said you haven’t liked the feel.

TheOnelectronic > MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner 08/03/2015 at 15:02

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“Can tow” and “Should tow” are very different. Like I said, my Tacoma can easily tow that on paper. In reality, it struggles to get up hills.

MontegoMan562 is a Capri RS Owner > TheOnelectronic 08/03/2015 at 15:26

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Hahaha, I know I’m just kidding. I was hoping you were going to say only 2k and then you could use anything to tow it. I personally like to leave a couple thousands of “spare towing capacity” just in case. Is your trailer 3k? Be equipped for 5k. Trailer is 5k? Be equipped for 7k.

Truck doesn’t work as hard, lives a lot longer.

Personally I can’t wait to own a Colorado or Canyon in about 2.5 or 3 years.