Most fuel efficient TV?

[Padgett]

Just an observation but Rick is correct about a 3-4 liter V6, modern ones can turn 6500 rpm and be making 90% of the torque peak there. Able to drop a gear lower than a V8 or Diesel makes up for a lot of the apparent power difference.

ps if you work at it a new 2WD Grand Cherokee Laredo with V6 and towing package can be had for a touch under $30k. With the older 5-speed I get 22-24 mpg on the Interstate, 19 around town, and 17-18 towing the TM @ 65ish.

 

[Gapopper]

Just for comparison, a full size truck pulling a conventional travel trailer only gets about 9 miles to the gallon. The TM excels in getting great mpg . You are not pulling a parachute down the road like you are with a travel trailer. I tow with a 5.7 v-8. I get about 14 mpg towing.

 

[dab1950]

Chevy 5.3L V8?

Can we hear from the Chevy/GMC owners that have the 5.3L V8
and in the years 2014 and newer? What is your MPG pulling a TM?
The recent engine upgrades include 'AFM'(Active Fuel management),
'VVT'(variable valve timing) and direct injection for best power, torque and
fuel efficiency.

Thinking of changing my TV.

 

[rmHaar]

Recently got 14 mpg towing a 3023 on mostly flat ground in MN at 65 with a 2018 Honda Ridgeline RTE.

 

[wrenchami]

And now for something completely different

I bought a 2017 Hyundai Santa Fe new a couple of years ago. This is the full size 3 row seating unit, not the 2 row Santa Fe Sport. I chose it because of the purported power, reliability, warranty and value. Seats 7, 3.3L V6, 6 speed. Lots of power, especially when pushed in the "sport" mode. 5,000 lbs towing. I like it alot. I added the Curt Class 3 hitch, trailer wiring, DC power, braking and 7 pin trailer connector myself. We live in the Sierra Nevada foothills and a week ago travelled to Hemet, CA, NE of San Diego to pick up a new to us 2014 2922KB, a 9.5 hr drive. By the time we inspected the unit and bought it the next morning and set up the WDH, etc. it was 11am and 100F. Heading NE to take the Mohave/Barstow route we hit peak air temps of 116F through San Bernardino. Over the Tehachapi's it was 114F and we kept the pace, falling once to 50mph, only out of caution. If the temp was lower, I'd have pushed it harder. The temperature gauge never budged off of it's regular reading the entire trip. I know that doesn't mean the ATF wasn't too hot, but it is a good indication that temp was being managed.

We got 16.7mpg on the trip home, including the mountain passes and pulling I-80 on the way to Grass Valley. This was in very high heat over 100F almost the whole way, AC running and pretty much maintaining the truck/RV pace on the CA-99 of 63mph. Trans almost always in 6th with the torque converter locked at that speed. On another trip, we recently got 25mpg with no trailer, a full load of people and luggage running AC. I am happy with these efficiencies. The Santa Fe is a VERY quiet vehicle, which made the trip just so much easier.

The Toyotas are certainly an excellent choice, but to me the premium price isn't worth it. This was just one trip, but I am very pleased with the results with the Santa Fe.

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

Can we hear from the Chevy/GMC owners that have the 5.3L V8
and in the years 2014 and newer? What is your MPG pulling a TM?
The recent engine upgrades include 'AFM'(Active Fuel management),
'VVT'(variable valve timing) and direct injection for best power, torque and
fuel efficiency.

Thinking of changing my TV.

We pulled our 2720 from Vancouver BC to Seattle this spring. Mileage is heavily dependent on hills, but I'd say it was in the 17-19 l/100km range. I suppose AFM does better, but a lot of people disable the AFM due to lifter failures causing engine damage.

I'm quite interested in Fords with the new Ecotech motors. The older ones had one set of fuel injectors directly into the cylinders. Consequently, the intake valves would foul up. The never ones have two sets of injectors, one set to keep the valves clean.

 

[Shane826]

I’m eyeballing a Ram 1500 EcoDiesel. High 20s MPG sounds superb to me, I figure that would translate to low 20s while towing.

 

[Shane826]

I don’t think Active Fuel Management would kick in much, if at all, while towing... Especially if you’re in Tow/Haul mode.

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

Oh, I was thinking Canadian...
Should have been 17-19 L/100 km, which roughly translates into 13 -14 mpg.

They could never match the eco - engines, but are easy and cheap to fix.

 

[Padgett]

Interesting, my 6 year old Jeep returns 17-18mpg of 87 PON at 65 mph pulling the 2720SL. Would think a 3.5 ecoboost would do better.

Big thing is to keep it below about 40% throttle, much more and you get into Power Enrichment.

 

[Robert The Pilgrim]

Late response to the thread but I thought I would toss in my newbie experience.

Just bought a 19RD, so a bit lighter than most.

We drove from 60 miles west of Chicago almost to Grand Rapids, Michigan (2 and a half times, a long story) to buy it.
Our TV is a 2012 Durango with 6 cylinder and a tow package, 7000 lbs tow rating.

On the way over we got ~25 mpg, on the way back we got a bit under 16 mpg doing 65 mph up to 70 sometimes. Spent a fair bit of time in 5th gear.
I locked it there once or twice, but a couple of times forgot so it did a bit more gear changing than necessary. The Trans temp was at 168 F or so, with the temps in the 80s. Didn't really change much.

FWIW, in town I probably get around 18 mpg. But while this is much nicer to drive than the 2000 Lincoln Navigator (5.3 V8), it ain't spry.
For those in the same boat as the OP I would suggest strongly considering keeping an "around town" vehicle if you can manage it financially and otherwise. At least until you get a feel for whatever

A side note, the 2014 (I think) Durango added 7th gear and some other dohickies to push the rated mileage up a notch or two.

 

[Shane826]

So I stepped up to the aforementioned Ram EcoDiesel. First couple hauls got around 20mpg at 65-70mph. Keep in mind I’m pulling a 3326, not exactly a small camper. Let me just say I absolutely LOVE this truck. Just does everything better than my Envoy did. Doesn’t even feel like the TM is even there.

 

[Padgett]

No question the diesel will gat better mpg than a gas engine but with diesel running about 10% above regular, the cost per mile is similar.

Can anyone here report on a Ford 3.5 Ecoboost ? In theory it should be more efficient than the Pentastar.

My Jeep GC has the same drivetrain and does a little better here in the flatlands, 17-18 when towing the 2720SL at 65 and 24.6 at 70ish without. GC is shorter and lighter than the Durango (no third seat) so fine around town.

 

[D and D-ESC]

Newbie, towing with Tacoma

We just bought our new/used TM in Colorado and drove it home to Nevada, 1,000 miles. We got low 20's mileage on the way to Colorado, but only around 14mpg on the way back.

We were driving 60-65 with the trailer, often 80 mph without it. We do have 4X4, which doesn't help the mileage, and the factory tow package.

I agree with a much earlier post- the factory tow package is essention on these smaller vehicles. We have a 6400 maximum tow capacity and bought the 2419 TM from 2013 at 2300 dry weight. We never had any issues on hill climbing (even the 9,600ft pass) or on the highway.

I would MUCH rather have excess tow capacity to limit strain on the vehicle and to know we have the ability to handle emergencies.

 

[Larryjb-HILO]

Fuel mileage is highly dependent on terrain. I heard that even with ecoboost, you lose much of the economy advantage when it goes into boost. I'm sure it will still be better than my 4.6 L on my Explorer.

 

[gonzo628]

Late response to the thread but I thought I would toss in my newbie experience.

Just bought a 19RD, so a bit lighter than most.

We drove from 60 miles west of Chicago almost to Grand Rapids, Michigan (2 and a half times, a long story) to buy it.
Our TV is a 2012 Durango with 6 cylinder and a tow package, 7000 lbs tow rating.

On the way over we got ~25 mpg, on the way back we got a bit under 16 mpg doing 65 mph up to 70 sometimes. Spent a fair bit of time in 5th gear.
I locked it there once or twice, but a couple of times forgot so it did a bit more gear changing than necessary. The Trans temp was at 168 F or so, with the temps in the 80s. Didn't really change much.

FWIW, in town I probably get around 18 mpg. But while this is much nicer to drive than the 2000 Lincoln Navigator (5.3 V8), it ain't spry.
For those in the same boat as the OP I would suggest strongly considering keeping an "around town" vehicle if you can manage it financially and otherwise. At least until you get a feel for whatever

A side note, the 2014 (I think) Durango added 7th gear and some other dohickies to push the rated mileage up a notch or two.

it did at 7th gear (and an 8th, too) ;-) I guess some other things change as well. Latest gen 6ers are only rated to tow 6200lbs. Add the Hemi and this goes to 7400lb (7200 with AWD). Add the 6.4 (SRT) and you get 8700lbs.

 

[dab1950]

Ultimate mileage

How about 37 MPG in a Ford F-150?

Achates 2.7L Boxer engine with opposing pistons.

Looks very interesting!

 

[BobTaylor-TMO]

2019 Chevy Traverse

I purchased a 2019 Traverse back in August to replace my gas guzzling F-150. Around town I get about 27-28 MPG. When towing I get 18+ MPG. I tow a 2720SL. No WDH or sway bar. The traction control system will automatically apply the trailer brakes if a fishtail event occurs. Very satisfied with the vehicle so far.

 

[tentcamper]

I use to be concern about towing MPG, still am. But, more concern with MPG overall in both towing and rest of the year when using the TV in none towing capacity.

Diesel I have had. I found the cost of ownership was higher. Total cost lets say after 150K miles. The additional up front cost and cost to maintain, repair, and additional cost for diesel. The total cost is higher for diesel ownership for me. Now maybe if I was full time, diesel would be the way to go?

 

[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