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Old 03-03-2010, 07:02 PM   #1
upmaryrose
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Default 4.6L Mercury Mountaineer w/ TM 3023 - Fuel Economy?

We towed our 2009 3023 with a 2002 3.8L V6 Windstar for one season, until it ceased communicating with the electronic brake controller. We just bought a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer with 4.6L V8 engine, 7000 lbs tow capacity. We just towed it for two hours to the TM dealer for some service here in Michigan, and were surprised that the fuel economy dropped from 19-20 with no TM, to about 12 with TM in tow. We did not notice this dramatic of a drop with the Windstar.

Can anyone else comment on their experience with a Mountaineer or Explorer?

Randy and Mary
2009 3023
Tow with 2007 V8 Mountaineer
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Old 03-04-2010, 03:35 AM   #2
ib4classics
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My first thought would be the rear end gearing. Possibly numerically lower than 3:73.
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Old 03-04-2010, 03:27 PM   #3
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Originally Posted by upmaryrose View Post
We towed our 2009 3023 with a 2002 3.8L V6 Windstar for one season, until it ceased communicating with the electronic brake controller. We just bought a 2007 Mercury Mountaineer with 4.6L V8 engine, 7000 lbs tow capacity. We just towed it for two hours to the TM dealer for some service here in Michigan, and were surprised that the fuel economy dropped from 19-20 with no TM, to about 12 with TM in tow. We did not notice this dramatic of a drop with the Windstar.

Can anyone else comment on their experience with a Mountaineer or Explorer?

Randy and Mary
2009 3023
Tow with 2007 V8 Mountaineer
How fast were you towing?

Our 4.8L Chevy V8 gets about 17+MPG towing on flat land, fully loaded @ 60MPH. We have 3.23 final drive gears.

12MPG is what I would expect from an Expedition or Suburban with a 7L engine. I'd hate to see what you get when fully loaded for camping.......

A lot of things can make a big difference in MPG......... head-wind, low tire presure, dirty air filter, engine timing, towing too fast etc.
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Old 04-17-2010, 03:28 PM   #4
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We have a 2009 Elkmont 24 and tow with a 2004 Toyota Sienna mini van 5 speed auto and 3.3 engine. The first time I took it to Florida from North Carolina I tried to go the same speed as not towing --always crowding the speed limit usually 70-75 mph. I got about 10.2 MPG. Coming back I learned to be content going between 50 and 60 averaging about 56 mph. I get about 15 MPG. Of course the Elkmont is always up and wind resistance seems to be a huge factor. Someone told me it squares with each increase in speed. I am hoping some small diesels will be out in a few years. Right now only the VW Tourareg, BMW X5, or Mercedes M class offer what I want and they are very pricey! The key is about 400 ft lbs of torque at 1800 or 2000 RPM and I think I should get over 20 mpg towing.
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Old 04-17-2010, 03:53 PM   #5
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We have a 2009 Elkmont 24 and tow with a 2004 Toyota Sienna mini van 5 speed auto and 3.3 engine. The first time I took it to Florida from North Carolina I tried to go the same speed as not towing --always crowding the speed limit usually 70-75 mph. I got about 10.2 MPG. Coming back I learned to be content going between 50 and 60 averaging about 56 mph. I get about 15 MPG. Of course the Elkmont is always up and wind resistance seems to be a huge factor. Someone told me it squares with each increase in speed. I am hoping some small diesels will be out in a few years. Right now only the VW Tourareg, BMW X5, or Mercedes M class offer what I want and they are very pricey! The key is about 400 ft lbs of torque at 1800 or 2000 RPM and I think I should get over 20 mpg towing.
I doubt that you would get 20MPG towing an Elkmont, no matter what you are towing with.

I do know that you are asking a lot of that Sienna, towing an Elkmont (or any other TT). I would think that it wouldn't be long before you're replacing the transmission in that vehicle. Whatever you think that you may be saving on gas might well go out the window if you have any major mechanical bill on that van.

Sometimes, the quest for better MPG is futile if not balanced with the mechanical abilities of the TV. Often, when people try to tow the most trailer with the least (real) towing capacity it ends up causing a lot of grief and $.

I know a few people that tow some pretty heavy pop-up campers with the Sienna (one has already replaced a trans) but a full size TT has more challenges than a PU.
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Old 04-17-2010, 06:06 PM   #6
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If VW put that V6 diesel in a longer wheel base pickup for a reasonable price, I'd be very tempted. All that torque and a 6 speed tranny ... mmmmmh.

We hauled our 2000-2500# tent trailer with the 2L Passat diesel and got 28mpg(US). So with a 3500-4000# upright Elkmont and a V6, I truly doubt if you would get over 20 mpg. Maybe close though.
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Old 04-17-2010, 08:56 PM   #7
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If you can find a used 2007 or 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes 3.0 L diesel, it would make a great tow vehicle for the Elkmont as well. Don't know what the reliability record is though. That's my "dream" tow vehicle. But not likely to get one any time soon. :-(
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Old 04-17-2010, 09:21 PM   #8
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If you can find a used 2007 or 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee with the Mercedes 3.0 L diesel, it would make a great tow vehicle for the Elkmont as well. Don't know what the reliability record is though. That's my "dream" tow vehicle. But not likely to get one any time soon. :-(
My daughter has one of those. They live in Bridgeport, CA (High Sierras). That thing is so gutless that it can't even keep 65 on the grades towing nothing and 2 people in the car....................but she loves it.......
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Old 04-18-2010, 06:27 AM   #9
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My daughter has one of those. They live in Bridgeport, CA (High Sierras). That thing is so gutless that it can't even keep 65 on the grades towing nothing and 2 people in the car....................but she loves it.......
That's really strange for a diesel. What I love about our Passat is the torque in the hills (and when hauling a trailer). You put it on cruise and it stays in 5th gear just grinding up those hills. "Gutless" is definitely not how I'd describe it when compared to 2L gas engines.

But then I haven't heard too many good reports about that suv/diesel generally. Maybe they just didn't get the transmission/gearing right.

Also that's not the same "Mercedes" diesel you get in their SUVs.
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