Most fuel efficient TV?

[Craigrrr]

In our TM towing experience ...first we used a 2002 Suburban 5.3l V8 took a 9500 mile trip..we got 13 mpg.

We now use a 2008 Toyota Sienna 3.5l V6 Towing it gets 17-18 mpg not towing up to 28.9 mpg This sienna has the tow prep package and abs disc brakes all around 17" wheels and tires I also have air lift 1000 bags and use a wdh. with anti sway

[tentcamper]

We were getting close to the same MPG with the sienna. I think it was 15 to 17 at 65 MPH. Lost about 2 mpg going to the AWD highlander. I see about a 2 MPG hit when traveling at 70- 75. I know I should not travel that fast

[Craigrrr]

Originally Posted by tentcamper

We were getting close to the same MPG with the sienna. I think it was 15 to 17 at 65 MPH. Lost about 2 mpg going to the AWD highlander. I see about a 2 MPG hit when traveling at 70- 75. I know I should not travel that fast

I have only towed with the sienna once since we got it just last month, took it for a 120 mile test. I drive 60 mph when towing I am no longer in a hurry to get anywhere these days. But so far we are loving the sienna

[tentcamper]

The Siena has exceptional handling with almost all the weight of the engine and transaxle foward of the front axle and the short distance from the center rear axle to the center of the ball. The one weak area is the soft rear springs. After I stiffen the rear springs, I thought my Siena was the best handling TV I had in 30+ of ball mount towing campers. I liked the handeling more than my current TV, which does a very nice job.

Craig most of the time we are running at 65 mph and no more than 5 hours of driving per day. But there are exceptions. Just this weekend we were in line with a storm front that was going to hit us on the Blue Ridge. It was slated to dump 18 inchs of snow. The park services forced everyone out about 6 hours before the storm. We needed to travel 400 mile to get out of the storm path. To avoid the snow we were heavy peddle.

[Craigrrr]

Good to know Art, we are going to take it out again this weekend or possibly just wait till Christmas, as we generally camp on Christmas. I fill the air bags with 30# and all seemed good. Have not encountered any drag the ground effect yet, but some gas stations sure have one heck of a slope

[tentcamper]

Originally Posted by Craigrrr

Good to know Art, we are going to take it out again this weekend or possibly just wait till Christmas, as we generally camp on Christmas. I fill the air bags with 30# and all seemed good. Have not encountered any drag the ground effect yet, but some gas stations sure have one heck of a slope

You do have the tow package, or a large external trans cooler?

FYI, I towed with a 2001 sienna 3.0L. I found 18 psi for my airbags was right. When loaded with DW, myself, 2 - 65 lbs dogs and about 100 lbs of other stuff. I had about 5/8 inch rise on the front and the rear was about 1 inch lower with on. Compared with 7 psi in the air bags without trailer. The rise of the front was about the same with or without the air bags. But the squat in the rear was 4-5 without the air bags.

You should try to keep the rear end about the same as the without the trailer maybe an inch or so lower. Toyota has some type of way to determine the load by front to rear tilt. They adjust the braking force to the front and rear brakes to compensate. More force to rear with greater loads. I always figured if I adjusted the trailer brakes right. I was putting the weight of the trailer as a natural force on the sienna brakes. I know its a little wrong with delay, etc... But that was my thinking.

[Craigrrr]

Yes, this one has the factory tow prep package, bigger radiator, 150 A alternator engine oil cooler . Plus I am adding an additional tranny cooler to it.