Tow Vehical MPG...

4ncar
4ncar Member Posts: 1,072
in Trailer & Towing
Ok, I suppose we all don't care too much about our mpg...but who dares to share?  I'll start: '09 Jeep 4 door rubi, 110,00 miles and my 320S, lightly loaded...  400 mile trip: 13 MPG...
TV- '16 Chevy Colorado LT Crew Cab-DuraMax
2018 320S Outback
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  • Homebodyatheart
    Homebodyatheart Member Posts: 2,516
    A very wise Tab friend once told ne to watch the gas guage, not the MPG and that I would enjoy my travels more if I did. He was right! That said, I'm running around 15mpg overall.
    2017 T@B 320 Max S silver and cherry red, L@dybug ("Bug" aka my esc@pe pod), TV 2015 Toyota Highlander aka Big Red
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  • Dalehelman
    Dalehelman Member Posts: 2,414
    13 to 15 mpg about normal when towing. The higher the average seed the lower the MPG
    1. Hash  T@B Fun
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  • 4ncar
    4ncar Member Posts: 1,072
    I think on the flats I'll get closer to 15. This trip had us in the hills of Pa. so...the jeep, aka "the heep" never got good mileage to start... I may consider a 4bt swap...
    TV- '16 Chevy Colorado LT Crew Cab-DuraMax
    2018 320S Outback
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    13 to 17. Depends on speed and headwind.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • rkj__
    rkj__ Member Posts: 641
    edited September 2017
    I rarely check, but I've seen between 13 and 15 MPG, depending on speed, wind, temperature, AC use, etc.

    2008 GMC Canyon, 32" tires, 3.7L engine.
    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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  • blackc2004
    blackc2004 Member Posts: 117
    2017 Infiniti QX60

    I average 13.5 when towing the T@B 320 and 17 when towing the T@G Max
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  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,655
    My 4.0L V6 Nissan Frontier drops from ~20 MPG to ~15 MPG.

    This topic comes up from time to time. ~15 MPG seems to be the sweet spot. Smaller vehicles with higher initial MPG seem to take a bigger hit when towing, so everyone lands in about the same place.
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
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  • ClaudeA
    ClaudeA Member Posts: 54
    I'm getting about 15-17 mpg US when driving at 55-60mpg. It all depends on wind and terrain
    2016 CS-S silver and red, 2022 Toyota Sienna Hybrid
    Ottawa, Ontario
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    13-15, high of 17 with the 5.3L V8  Chevy Avalanche.....8-10 with the '72 1/2 Custom 10 Chevy P/U with a built 350 V8, but it's fun to drive...try to use THAT one on shorter trips! ;)
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • Hikerman
    Hikerman Member Posts: 12
    We have a T@B CS-S Max and are towing it with a MB GLC-300, and we get right around 15mpg.
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    ericnliz said:
    13-15, high of 17 with the 5.3L V8  Chevy Avalanche.....8-10 with the '72 1/2 Custom 10 Chevy P/U with a built 350 V8, but it's fun to drive...try to use THAT one on shorter trips! ;)
    I want a V8 now!! I have a 6-speed V6 3.6L mid-sized GMC Canyon, but that's my normal vehicle (errands, etc). My tow capacity is the same as the full-sized trucks with V6 engines (not V8's). I've looked 2018 full-sized 5.8L V8's and the tow capacities have decreased!! *sigh* 

    I did see a 6.2L 4x4 full sized truck that could pull 10k. Then ya have to go to heavy-duty or super-duty... *sigh* 
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • ChanW
    ChanW Member Posts: 3,165
    There was one Tab on here, pulled by a VW diesel, I think, that got fuel mileage  in the high 20's...
    But then again, can you really trust VW re their diesels anymore?  ;)=)
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • 4ncar
    4ncar Member Posts: 1,072
    I'd live a diesel. I pulled my race car in 24' slopenose box trailer. Tv is/was '05 3/4ton dodge with the 5.9 Cummings. That thing PULLED!!  I am considering the possibility of a 4bt cummings swap into my Jeep. Torque will increase dramatically, HP will increase modestly; just not sure of the MPG.

    i am glad to see that my tired 3.6litre jeep motor is generally in the hunt of new, younger power plants!
    TV- '16 Chevy Colorado LT Crew Cab-DuraMax
    2018 320S Outback
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  • hymie
    hymie Member Posts: 150
    16 jeep cherokee and 17 outback- averaged 17 mpg on our last trip (5000 + miles - northern Ontario (all hills) and very flat prairies)
    James & Jacquie     Almonte, Ontario
    2016 Jeep Cherokee & 2017 T@B Outback
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  • Z_G
    Z_G Member Posts: 38
    16 ford edge v6 gets 16 to 18mpg towing
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  • pthomas745
    pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,529
    ChanW, I found the post about the Jetta TDI in this thread, from Wizard1880, but he pointed out the major downsides, also.

    http://tab-rv.vanillaforums.com/discussion/3954/fuel-efficient-tow-vehicle-recommendation/p1

    (the Ford Escape gets rave reviews in that thread)

      I have one of the 2014 Touareg V6 diesels involved in "Dieselgate."  I'm keeping my car, VW is paying me money, correcting the emissions "cheat", and extending the warranty.  You can find all the details on the fix online if you want the down deep details.  It is a beautiful car.  I had it for a year and a half before I bought the Tab, and even though I had factory towing packages on an Xterra and then the Touareg, I had never towed anything. 

    The Touareg diesel gets 27-29 mpg without towing, and I'll just go with 20mpg average this summer with the Tab,  mostly at a leisurely 60-65.  On the flats in the desert with a massive tailwind I once got 23mpg.  Up in the mountains to 8000-10000 feet in Colorado I maybe got 18-19.  I can't be  happier about a nice car towing a beautiful trailer and having a 500 mile range!

    And, now the lawsuits and the "corrections" have run their course, the 2015 model TDis are coming up for sale ( or are already up for sale.)  Near as I can tell, they are selling quickly.




    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • irvingj
    irvingj Member Posts: 335
    "There was one Tab on here, pulled by a VW diesel..."

    Chan, that might have been me, as well. Towed our older DM T@B with my 2005 (pre-cheat) 1.9L BEW-engined TDI Jetta Wagon. At freeway speeds, 65-75, I only got 18mpg, but under 60 I got a tad over 30mpg, and the T@B towed extremely well -- even being pulled by such a light car.

    As far as new diesels, after selling our beloved T@B, we now have a 2015 MB Sprinter-based Roadtrek, with the Mercedes OM642 V6 3-liter diesel.

    I am continually amazed & befuddled (and often horrified) by the complexity --and number-- of controls required for emissions on a Blue-Tech diesel engine. And they're often flaking out, parts being replaced with "superseded" designs; as far as I can tell, this technology appears to still be in the trial-and-error phase.

    Remember the initial emission-control hit gas engines took, beginning in 1972? Took engineers & manufacturers about 20 years to get that straightened out, for the most part.

    Not sure if I'd consider a new diesel again, though they certainly are --still-- more efficient. Our Roadtrek, at around 8500 lbs, still gets around 20mpg, even at highway speeds.

    Repairs, however, can very quickly become very expensive, and are no longer really addressable by even an experienced DIY mechanic. Still love diesels, but I find I tend to travel with the Roadtrek with fingers crossed....
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    My friend is having trouble with her diesel 2004 Cummings dually (Dodge). It got one very bad tank of fuel and hasn't been right since. Cleaned everything 5-7x, serious. The specs on optimum power on diesels are so tiny! I am in awe of the technology and the awesome gas mileage in the cars that are diesel, but geesh.... one thing goes wrong and it gets pricy. 

    I guess as a first world problem, if one thing goes wrong in any of the newer vehicles, it's expensive! Either that, or the tech can't find anything wrong (like they didn't find anything yesterday with my truck - usb port going out). Geesh, just replace the stupid thing under warranty and call it a day. Why test it? Why wait for me to take a video of the problem? *sigh* Sorry, rant.

    On a good note, the 2015 GMC Canyon pulls like a champ. The Nav system can't get you out of a paper bag though. I'm thinking of putting my motorcycle Garmin in the truck with voice on (something sthexy) and call it a day - or get a bigger phone and use Waze.

    Btw, I get 14.7 mph average around town, 23-27 mpg on the highway (Harvey has a lead paw). I get 12-13 mpg towing through piedmont and minor hills. Have not taken the big camper up to Shenandoah yet (3500'). I expect about 8 mpg!
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • blackc2004
    blackc2004 Member Posts: 117
    ericnliz said:
    13-15, high of 17 with the 5.3L V8  Chevy Avalanche.....8-10 with the '72 1/2 Custom 10 Chevy P/U with a built 350 V8, but it's fun to drive...try to use THAT one on shorter trips! ;)
    Wow. I have a '78 Bronco with a 351m and I get 8-10 on a normal day! I'd hate to know what it drops to when towing something!
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  • ericnliz
    ericnliz Member Posts: 4,437
    @blackc2004, Probably wouldn't drop any. I get about the same whether I'm towing, or not with the '72 P/U. There have been times when I actually get better mileage when towing with it....still haven't figured THAT one out! :o
    2016 T@B MAX S-aka: WolfT@B
    TV: 2006 Chevy Avalanche LT Z71 aka: WhiteWolf, or 1972 Chevy Custom10 P/U aka: SnarlingWolf
    Spokane, Wa.
    Eric aka: Lone Wolf  


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  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442
    We tow our T@b with either of our two "VW" diesels.  I get low-mid 20's with the Jetta TDI (no mountain passes--see my linked thread above!), and 18-22 mpg with the Audi V6 TDI.  Diesels make fantastic towing machines.  They can cross almost any mountain pass in top gear at speed limit without breaking a sweat, with or without a trailer. Depending on the vehicle, the ownership can be more expensive however.  (That goes without saying for many European vehicles...)

    It looks like Ford may soon introduce a 3.0 V6 diesel into their Expedition for 2018-2019 (not yet confirmed).  Unfortunately, Ford prices them the same or higher than the Audi diesels (?!!???)  so we'll probably hang on to our Audi for now.
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
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  • irvingj
    irvingj Member Posts: 335
    Eric, reminds me of my '72 Blazer (307, four-speed SM465 manual transmission)... after a lot of tinkering, I got it up to around 15 from its original 7-8mpg. Didn't matter whether it was fully loaded & pulling a trailer or totally empty with just me... 15 mpg. OTOH, it didn't slow down going up hills.... =)

    BTW-- unloaded, of course, my Jetta wagon is the first car I've had since the Blazer that could actually accelerate -- briskly, if desired-- going up my long, steep hill to where I live.
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  • rkj__
    rkj__ Member Posts: 641
    edited September 2017
    wizard1880 said:
    Diesels make fantastic towing machines.
    I was getting ready to suggest the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox diesel as a T@b tow vehicle in another thread, but I was surprised to find it was only rated for 1,500 LB towing.  Clearly they were chasing MPG, not capability with the little 1.6L diesel engine.  It kind of seems like they missed the mark though, since although the MPG is class leading, you pay a significant upcharge on the diesel.  So, it is low on HP, can't tow much, and is expensive.  I guess the driving range is nice, but the cons seem to outweigh the pros there. 

    Here is an article on trying to justify the diesel in the Equinox:
    http://jalopnik.com/the-39-mpg-2018-chevrolet-equinox-diesel-seems-like-a-h-1797983211


    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    My sister said Ford is considering bringing back the Ford Explorer Sport Track, but only in diesel. She loves hers and has put a new engine and transmission it because she loves it so much. It's in like-new condition, just lots of miles. She also said that she doubts the diesel will come to the U.S. because of some sort of standards it can't pass. Don't ask me which because I have no idea. She really, really wants that diesel. 

    Her BF wants the Jeep diesel that has been rumored too. 
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • 4ncar
    4ncar Member Posts: 1,072
    rkj__ said:
    wizard1880 said:
    Diesels make fantastic towing machines.
    I was getting ready to suggest the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox diesel as a T@b tow vehicle in another thread, but I was surprised to find it was only rated for 1,500 LB towing.  Clearly they were chasing MPG, not capability with the little 1.6L diesel engine.  It kind of seems like they missed the mark though, since although the MPG is class leading, you pay a significant upcharge on the diesel.  So, it is low on HP, can't tow much, and is expensive.  I guess the driving range is nice, but the cons seem to outweigh the pros there. 

    Here is an article on trying to justify the diesel in the Equinox:
    http://jalopnik.com/the-39-mpg-2018-chevrolet-equinox-diesel-seems-like-a-h-1797983211


    The BEST feature of a diesel engine is torque, not necessarily horse power.  To illustrate the difference:  Torque is what gets you up to speed, and horse power is what keeps you there.  Torque is what you need to pull.  FYI.
    TV- '16 Chevy Colorado LT Crew Cab-DuraMax
    2018 320S Outback
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  • rkj__
    rkj__ Member Posts: 641
    edited September 2017
    4ncar said:
    rkj__ said:
    wizard1880 said:
    Diesels make fantastic towing machines.
    I was getting ready to suggest the 2018 Chevrolet Equinox diesel as a T@b tow vehicle in another thread, but I was surprised to find it was only rated for 1,500 LB towing.  Clearly they were chasing MPG, not capability with the little 1.6L diesel engine.  It kind of seems like they missed the mark though, since although the MPG is class leading, you pay a significant upcharge on the diesel.  So, it is low on HP, can't tow much, and is expensive.  I guess the driving range is nice, but the cons seem to outweigh the pros there. 

    Here is an article on trying to justify the diesel in the Equinox:
    http://jalopnik.com/the-39-mpg-2018-chevrolet-equinox-diesel-seems-like-a-h-1797983211


    The BEST feature of a diesel engine is torque, not necessarily horse power.  To illustrate the difference:  Torque is what gets you up to speed, and horse power is what keeps you there.  Torque is what you need to pull.  FYI.
    I understand torque and horsepower better than the average SUV buyer, as I have some education on the subject. 

    My point is that if the Equinox diesel can't (is not rated to) tow any more than the base 1.5 L 4 cyl gas engine, despite it's large torque increase, that extra torque is not doing you as many favours as it seems like it should be. 

    It's not like the tow rating is chassis limited either, as the optional 2.0 turbo 4 cyl gas engine can tow 3,500 lb. 
    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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  • Ratkity
    Ratkity Member Posts: 3,770
    @rkj__, I swear, I cringe every time I see "turbo" in an engine description. I just see money floating away to the mechanic and me eating ramen noodles and pb&j from a spoon for more days than I want to!
    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • rkj__
    rkj__ Member Posts: 641
    Ratkity said:
    @rkj__, I swear, I cringe every time I see "turbo" in an engine description. I just see money floating away to the mechanic and me eating ramen noodles and pb&j from a spoon for more days than I want to!
    My wife's car has a small turbo engine.  It drives so much differently than my N/A truck.  Turbo lag is real.  At idle RPM, you have a small displacement engine.  But, when the revs climb, you really take off.
    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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  • ScottG
    ScottG Administrator Posts: 5,655
    blackc2004 said:
    ...
    Wow. I have a '78 Bronco with a 351m and I get 8-10 on a normal day! I'd hate to know what it drops to when towing something!
    Try it. Maybe you'll get 15 MPG like the rest of us!  ;-)
    2015 T@B Max S (320)
    2015 Nissan Frontier SV V6 4x4
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  • wizard1880
    wizard1880 Member Posts: 442
    Turbochargers have come a long way since the 20th century, where they were considered a liability rather than asset :confounded:

    With diesel the turbo runs at a much cooler temperature, and often last the life of the engine without drama.  With gas engines on the other hand, you have higher exhaust gas temps and resulting heat stress.  But, within the last few years, especially with Ford's EcoBoost, Hyundai and other automakers, the turbos are built tougher with modern materials, and as well the vehicles' engine controls keep the turbo temperatures and boosts in check.

    If you use the right oils (turbo usually requires full synthetic) and reasonable driving habits (avoid high turbo boost until the engine is warmed up), they should last just as long as any other engine.
    T@@bulous
    2014 T@B CS Maxx
    TV: 2015 Audi Q7 3.0 V6 TDI (diesel)
    Martha Lake, WA
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