Towing MPG - Page 2

Steve Collins · 07-07-2009, 02:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JohnB

There are not signs on our pumps that we have Ethanol here in Ohio like was back in NYS on occasion I would see. However this past weekend I saw my 1st, out of town in southwest OH and the pump said 10% Ethanol. I know this V10 does not want any ethanol so I went to a different station that did not have a sign. Have no idea what comes out of the pump in OH but there is a difference with NYS gas.

And there is a price difference between OH and NYS. Just drive into NYS and gas jumps $0.30 a gallon just for crossing the boarder and only that if we are lucky….. Not much has changed in the last 19 years.

John,

Sounds like you folks in Ohio get a different soup of additives in your gasoline. It would be hard to figure out what is or isn't there in either state's fuel. I do know that the mixture changes with the seasons.

NY mandates the signs on the pumps if they're selling you an ethanol mix. Stations that carry the mix have lower prices, but the fuel mileage drops off, much the same as you are reporting.

While our gas may cost more, it sounds like the additional fuel economy may be worth it.

nasa42a · 07-07-2009, 05:26 PM

Folks.......

If we're still taking comments re: gas engined TVs....

Our Toyota Tacoma Doublecab (2x4, 236 hp V6) averages :

==>15.4 mpg towing our HiLo (about 3900 lbs loaded)*
==> approx. 14 mpg around town not towing.
==> approx. 20 mpg open road not towing.

Curiously enough, the Tacoma doesn't really seem to care if the 10% ethanol is in the gas or not.

* This mileage was on PA-FL & return trip last March.

Frank

**JohnB** · 07-07-2009, 09:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nasa42a

Folks.......

If we're still taking comments re: gas engined TVs....

Our Toyota Tacoma Doublecab (2x4, 236 hp V6) averages :

==>15.4 mpg towing our HiLo (about 3900 lbs loaded)*
==> approx. 14 mpg around town not towing.
==> approx. 20 mpg open road not towing.

Curiously enough, the Tacoma doesn't really seem to care if the 10% ethanol is in the gas or not.

* This mileage was on PA-FL & return trip last March.

Frank

Frank

What did you use to get with the Que?

That new HiLo of yours is really Low on the wind resistance and that is what can really eat fuel. And by the way, dog gone it I missed getting the tour at Buttonwood. Have to wait till next year now

I saw you pull out and WOW the rig sure looked nice

Sunline1 · 07-08-2009, 06:44 AM

I have a 1997 chevy auto, 3/4ton 4wd, 454 cu in, 3.73 rear, pickup.

Towing in "Drive" not "Overdrive", pulling my 2002 T2975, sunline fully loaded (truck & Trailer), for the winter in the south, I average 9 mpg @ 62-65 mph.

After my brother cooked his tranny in a ford pulling in overdrive, I decdided right or wrong I would pull in"Drive", hopefully keep the tranny cooler ?

Viking · 07-08-2009, 07:53 AM

Sunline1,
If your tranny has a lock up torque converter, there should not be any extra heat build up in the transmission when in lock up mode.
So, in my humble opinion, towing in OD should be just fine as long as the converter is locked up and not hunting between gears.
Roar

Sunline1 · 07-08-2009, 11:31 AM

Viking

I'm not sure if a lock up torque converter means "Tow" mode.

If it does my truck doesn't have the "Tow" mode.

I can tell you Towing it over drive it fairly frequently would shift even on I95 etc, while towing in drive I set the cruise control and don't have to worry about how many times it shifts etc.

I guess I'm putting a little more wear on the pump in the trans, but so far so good.

Viking · 07-08-2009, 02:45 PM

Sunline 1,
If your torque converter has lock up, you will feel what seems like another upshift with a drop in RPM after the tranny has shifted into OD, or 4th gear.
Most OD automatics with converter lock up will also lock up in 3rd gear, or direct drive. Tow/haul mode means the tranny will not shift into OD.
If you start out from a stop and accelerate steadily through the gears, and you count what seems like four upshifts, the last one was not an upshift, but actually the torque converter locking up.
Hope this helps you figure out what you have.
Roar

Honda03842 · 07-08-2009, 03:06 PM

I love the manual transmission in our Honda. No OD worries, no slippage. I really have never figured out why automatics are prefered.

Norm

Viking · 07-08-2009, 07:33 PM

Norm,
I definitely prefer manual trannys too, but DW wouldn't agree to getting a truck with one. She thought I might become too weak in my left leg to push the clutch pedal some day. Hope she is wrong!
I have to agree that it is easier to coax the coach into tight places when backing up with an automatic. It could be hard on the clutch, even at home, backing uphill into our driveway.
Roar

Honda03842 · 07-08-2009, 07:41 PM

I agree that backing up hill is where an automatic is better. Fortunately we live near the ocean and our driveway is flat and short and generally so are campsites.

Fortunately my wife prefers a manual not to mention they cost less.

Norm

Viking · 07-08-2009, 08:22 PM

Yep,
DW drives manuals just fine, and our daughters bought manual cars also. Our son was a given, and so far the grand kids are headed in the right direction.
Roar

donreitz · 07-09-2009, 11:52 AM

I'm late getting in on this thread.

'06 Chevy 2500HD D/A

Highway driving, unloaded (65 mph): 19 - 21 mpg depending on wind (this is Indiana, we get wind)
Highway driving w/2499 (60 to 65 mph): 13 mpg

Amazingly, mountain driving mpg doesn't differ much from flat land driving mpg.

Don

sunnyseagull · 07-09-2009, 03:38 PM

2000 ford Excursion 4x4 3.73 gears

not towing 10mpg
towing 8.5 mpg

2005 264sr gvrw 8600 lbs

very thristy truck but I love it!

Dan

**JohnB** · 07-09-2009, 07:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donreitz

'06 Chevy 2500HD D/A

Highway driving, unloaded (65 mph): 19 - 21 mpg depending on wind (this is Indiana, we get wind)
Highway driving w/2499 (60 to 65 mph): 13 mpg

Amazingly, mountain driving mpg doesn't differ much from flat land driving mpg.

Don

Don, WOW!!

Is that the 6.0 with the 4.10 rear end?

I could never approach that with my 2003 K2500 Suburban. I know you are flatter over then then here in Ohio, but still WOW... Great for you.

John

donreitz · 07-10-2009, 04:52 AM

John:
D/A = Duramax/Allison, the diesel and super-smart transmission combination, so the numbers are pretty typical for someone who drives with a light right foot. As I mentioned in the last post, I'm amazed that mountain driving doesn't seem to change the mileage much. But I guess since we come down as much as we go up in the mountains, the loss of efficiency going uphill is compensated by the gain in efficiency going downhill, so it balances out.

I don't think it'll last for long, but for right now I'm gloating: diesel is cheaper than regular.
Don

**JohnB** · 07-10-2009, 05:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by donreitz

John:
D/A = Duramax/Allison, the diesel and super-smart transmission combination,

Ah, I missed that little tid bit. That explains a lot. Darn, I thought you had a silver bullet for us gasser guys….

The hills verses the flats, some of this is the size of the drive train to the load pulling. You have so much extra reserve power compared to the load you are pulling the engine just plows right thru it and never starts lugging. In my gasser world, having been thru 3 TV’s and 2 TT’s, my gas mileage really has not changed that much, but TV performance is night and day. The big truck drinks as much in the flats verses the hills and she just keeps pulling along.

The price of fuel, we are all in the same boat. At this point in time, fuel is semi tolerable.

John

**Tweety** · 07-10-2009, 07:19 AM

2007 Sierra 2500 D/A
highway not towing 20 mpg
towing the 2753.... 13.3333333 every single time it's pure towing miles
Gotta love Alison

donreitz · 07-10-2009, 08:45 AM

You bet. When a transmission comes with its own user manual, you know its gotta be extra cool. The Allison's hill breaking feature is worth its weight in gold (and brake pads) when you spend time running around the Rockies and the Sierra Nevadas.
Don

**JohnB** · 07-10-2009, 10:37 AM

Yes, the Dmax has many running after it trying to catch up with the fuel mileage. This is one of the biggest parts of your fuel mileage gain.

Now to Alley, yes they are nice too and the Dmax/Alley combo is a good one. So was the 8.1 big block and the Alley but GM decided not to sell that in the smaller trucks any more.

My Ford Torqueshift tranny has the 5 speeds, tow haul and grade shifting and I must attest it is smooth, responsive and strong. The grade shifting is nice and does it own thing with a press of the brakes as we go down hill nice with less braking. And the tranny helps my gas sucking drinking problem V10 move the coach down the road with no pain or strain. Very pleased with the combo.

The Torqueshift/3 valve V10 combo is a good puller, just have to work on that drinking problem….

Since you Dmax owners out there have such good mileage how about throwing a few spare miles to us in need

Maybe at next years M & G we can have a excess mileage exchange.....

Have a good one

John

donreitz · 07-11-2009, 11:21 AM

Oops. Spoke too soon.

Regular: $2.35
Diesel: $2.41

Still, last year this time we were looking at almost $5 in the boondocks.
Don