Any Tips for increasing Trailer towing mpg?

[Burndown1]

Cummins vs power stroke, hmmmm? The cummins has 30% less moving parts, way more torque, 19mpg vs. 12, If the V8 deisels were so much better why don't they run them in semi trucks

the only moving part you know about squary is your arm with a can of beer.

 

[alrevedup]

SLOW DOWN! even 5 miles an hour, dosn't make that big of diff on the time it takes to get there but it will show at the pump, dropping 5 mph towing our boat took it from 9 to 13.

MOST COST EFFECTIVE THING TO INCREASE MPG, SLOW DOWN, PLAIN AS THAT!

Google speed vs. drag and wind resistence and start reading. It's unreal how a change from 55 to 60, 60-65, and then 65-70 is in terms of load on the engine which of course is MPG. You would think it would go up the same amount per 5mph increase. Not even close how it starts to skyrocket when you get near the 70+ category.

It took me probably 3 years to get our group to keep it at 70 or less when going out west. On the trip to Togwotee and back it saves us 1 stop each way. Not a full tank but a fuel stop none the less, which saves time, keeps people passing us instead of us passing them with a trailer etc. Just makes the whole trip easier on everyone. We also when in the hills keep off the cruise ctrl. Using cruise in the hills sucks the fuel down like no other because the engine want to keep your speed on the hill which means it will downshift and increase the RPM's to do this. Again wasting fuel. If you simply go a normal speed and keep the pedal where your at you will slowly bleed off speed but usually on most occasions the transmission won't shift, the engine will be lower rpm's which saves fuel. Sure you may be going 60 at the top of the hill but what's 5-10 mph in that little spot. Nothing.

5.4L Ford with 3:73's at 65 with 4 place open trailer with slushguard will be always in the high 11's to 12mpg. I have the 35.7 gallon tank so my range is pretty nice heading out west. 4 guys, 4 sleds and the gear makes the fuel price not all that bad. Just have to learn to keep out of the throttle. Getting there 30 minutes or 1 hour earlier does you nothing but cost you more money.
More food, more fuel for the truck, more fuel for the sled, more oil for the sled and on and on.

1) Slow down 5mph minimum from what you have been going to see quality results.
2) Have a truck with no less then 3:73's or equilv with normal size tires. Bigger tires, better look into gear ratios
3) Programers do help a bit. Not earth shattering but notable differences.
4) No cruise in steep hilly terrain
5) Roll into and out of the throttle smoothly while trailering and don't think it's cool to drag race the truck next to you with a full load of sleds! (because I will usually win due to less care!)
6) Tire pressure up to snuff on the rig and the trailer.
7)

buy a cummins, will tow rings around any V8 diesel, and get better mileage

puff puff, pass!!!!! eaaaaaaarrrr maaan, your turn!!!!!!!

Biggest things you can do, outside of having a well-maintained vehicle including fresh fluids and correct tire pressure, etc, is to adjust your driving habits.

Slowing down will help, as will not using cruise control in the hills. I find I can get a noticeable jump in mileage by predicting hills and accelerating BEFORE them, and anticipating stops and getting out of the gas earlier as opposed to charging in and getting on the brakes. Sounds dumb, but most people don't do it...

Pretty much every thing I was going to say!!!



Driving habits is #1

Well tuned motor (gas)

Tire pressure on all 8 wheels!!

load your trailer well. pulls heavy with too much tongue pressure and wags with not enough.

Level the trailer. If your truck is lifted use a drop ball.

lockout overdrive going uphill (auto trans). Overdrive going up hill really shoots up the egts!! to much fuel!!

Bearing Buddies with well lubed hubs on your trailer

And I am a big fan of clean filters and syn oils and grease

my 2 cents