So I just got back from a trip across the pass and was suprised by the fuel economy I got, or lack there of. Maintaining a moderate speed of about 65mph towing a 1600lb flatbed trailer with 2 ATV's and the truck loaded with gear I got 9-10mpg. The trailer and gear I would say about 3000lbs combined.
Last summer I made the same trip but at the time I had a smaller trailer that I would say was about 450lbs, but the same ATV's and gear. That trip I averaged between 12-14mpg. The truck had the lift, same tires and wheels, the only changes being the muffler, intake, and programmer (set at 91 octane). Am I crazy to think that my fuel economy shouldn't have changed that much? My fuel economy has never been great around town unloaded I was getting about 9.3mpg and after the changes (intake,programmer,exhaust) that has increased to about 10.8mpg. I don't drive much on the highway, but I usually get about 17-18mpg. Thoughts?
In a word: Yes. In a senence: Yes, towing affects you MPG that much. You're also probably filling up with winter blend fuel with a higher ethanol content so it'll also lower your mileage. When we tow a 4,000lb camper with my brother's '05 laramie, we average 9mpg heading over the rockies to BC.
Well that makes me feel a little better knowing that is about the same as what you get. . I knew that the winter blend would lower the mpg, but not that much.
Did it have a gate/ramp that was in the "up" position, catching a lot of air? These create a huge amount of drag. It's actually usually harder to pull and EMPTY utility trailer (with gate/ramp "up") than a loaded one. The loaded trailer cuts the wind better.
Also, you were towing with the 91 performance tune? You should not do this. First off it can damage the engine. I bet your knock sensors were hearing pinging and retarding timing, and that hurts power so maybe that's part of the problem. If you want to tow with a performance tune you need to use higher octane that the tune calls for. When I tow I use the 87 performance tune on 91 or 93 octane. Or you could always do the stock or tow tunes.
Did it have a gate/ramp that was in the "up" position, catching a lot of air? These create a huge amount of drag. It's actually usually harder to pull and EMPTY utility trailer (with gate/ramp "up") than a loaded one. The loaded trailer cuts the wind better.
Also, you were towing with the 91 performance tune? You should not do this. First off it can damage the engine. I bet your knock sensors were hearing pinging and retarding timing, and that hurts power so maybe that's part of the problem. If you want to tow with a performance tune you need to use higher octane that the tune calls for. When I tow I use the 87 performance tune on 91 or 93 octane. Or you could always do the stock or tow tunes.
Yes the rear mesh gate was up, I was going to tow with it down but we left sooner than expected so I didn't have time to secure it down. I know it will create more drag and that possibly could be the issue. I plan to tow with it down next weekend so hopefully ill see better results.
Yes I towed with the 91 tune but I run 92 octane, as thats what we have here. If I was running 91 octane, it was 90 degree's out and I was towing a 8,000lb trailer then yes I would definately set it back to the stock tune (or 87 and run 89) but it was only 3,000lbs, 32-40 degree's out and I run higher than required octane.
I actually got better fuel economy towing up the pass than I did down the other side and the next 35miles of mostly level roadway. Maybe it was the fuel at the station that I filled up with mid way.
Thanks.
Ok, I'd still bet that with a few thousand pounds and only 1 octane higher you were having timing pulled. You can monitor knock sensors with the tuner (at least I can with my flashpaq) so you could see to be sure. If I put anything over 2,000 lb in my bed or a trailer I set to the 87 perf tune and run either 91 or 93 octane. You may have been ok there though, you'd have to look at the timing to see.
Ok, I'd still bet that with a few thousand pounds and only 1 octane higher you were having timing pulled. You can monitor knock sensors with the tuner (at least I can with my flashpaq) so you could see to be sure. If I put anything over 2,000 lb in my bed or a trailer I set to the 87 perf tune and run either 91 or 93 octane. You may have been ok there though, you'd have to look at the timing to see.
I doubt it. Ive done my fair share of playing with octane when I used to race, mixing fuel, determining what octane needed to prevent ping under full load etc. I can datalog with my diablosport, but it'll be a waste of time because im not worried about it. I listen to the engine out of habit, it comes natural and I do it without thinking about it. Running 93 on an 87 tune is overkill IMO, not my truck and it's only a few $ more(so no harm) but not needed.
But I do appreciate your concern, it's good info for people that are not familiar with octane requirements, towing and how a load affects that. :smileup:
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