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Old 05-17-2020, 02:07 AM   #21
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Originally Posted by Dave&HarriettB View Post
I don't think we're getting much over 8mpg when we're not towing, but it may just be the price we pay for having the trailer we wanted. It's tough when the gas for a trip costs almost 4 times what the campsite does!
The weight of the trailer doesn’t affect mileage like you think. It’s a 12 foot wind wall behind your truck.

I pulled a hybrid with my 2016 Silverado 1500 5.3 that weighted 5000 loaded and got about 9mpg.

We upgraded to a 300tq with that same truck and got about 8.5 loaded weighing around 9000.

Just traded for a 2020 Silverado 2500HD with the new 6.6 gas engine and a 36 gallon tank and get 9 mpg with the 300tq.

Didn’t upgrade tow vehicle because of a power issue. It was a weight and stability issue. Pulled the toy hauler from Atlanta to Disney and back with no issue.
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Old 05-17-2020, 03:01 AM   #22
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I towed my Surveyor SP 240 (6,000 lbs. loaded) with both my 1500 Suburban 5.3 and my newer 1500 Silverado 5.3. With both vehicles I got 8 - 10 mpg. Many miles. Flat, up, down and always 8 - 10. Dropped to 6 - 7 pushing into a 35 mph headwind, but my foot was buried on the throttle with the old 4 speed automatic Suburban shifting between 3rd and 2nd at times. There is a theme here. I have had tanks as high as 12 with a tailwind, but that is the exception. I pull at 65 - 70 mph on the interstate. Then I traded up to an Aerolite at about 6,500 - 7,000 lbs. With the Silverado I got 8 - 10. Now have an Escalade 6.2 pulling the Aerolite. Getting 8 - 10. As far as 1/2 vs. 3/4 ton, I would stay with the bigger truck. Far more capable. The 1/2 ton should pull it. My Silverado was rated to tow 9,100 lbs. and the Escalade 8,100, but I am not certain I want to get much over 7,000. I feel that I would run out of margin. Good luck with your choices. My guess is you will see 8 - 10 mpg regardless. All about wind resistance and weight. The physics are compelling.
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Old 05-17-2020, 11:16 AM   #23
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Howdy All,
In "MY OPINION" if your concerned about getting much better then 8mpg when towing any decent trailer your playing the wrong game.


When I first started out I had a Dodge one ton dually diesel 3.73 gears hauling a 4,500 pound camper towing GW tandem axle trailer to haul the toys, I got on a good day maybe 7-8mph. I later sold the camper and moved up to a GW 16,000 pound toy hauler trailer, still got around 7mpg not up to 8 anymore.

Where I live western Washington I can't go anywhere unless I cross mountain ranges I got tired of not having the power to climb the grade, creeping down the other side to save the brakes. 7 years ago I said the heck with this, bought a GW 20,000 pound toy hauler and built a real truck to not only tow this weight but PANIC STOP it in a controlled manner if needed.

I now carry a Smart Car on the truck, drag a 20,000+ pound trailer loaded with toys up and down mountains at just about any speed I feel are safe for conditions and still get 7mpg at speeds of 62-72mph. If your going to tow its going to cost so you might as well get a trailer your comfortable in and a truck with enough power to drag it safely. Oh and for the record I have about half the money in the Peterbilt even with all the work I have done to it that you will pay for a new pickup that will never come close to it in safety over all economy and comfort. That's not a brag it's a simple statement of fact. The cost of a new pickup nowadays is CRAZY. Sorry for the links, I have tried for a half hour and can't get photos to display on this website.


https://photos.smugmug.com/My-2001-P...IMG_2921-L.jpg


https://photos.smugmug.com/My-2001-P...put_3069-L.jpg




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I remember you posting pics a while back. Giving us all truck envy!
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Old 05-17-2020, 02:19 PM   #24
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I have a 2016 Shasta 32 footer, that I have towed around the country including to Alaska. I have towed it with a 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost with Max Towing and Max payload, it had a 12,500 tow capacity. I have also towed it with my 2016 Ram 2500HD with the Cummins 6.7 Diesel. The Ford got 10 MPG and the Ram got 11.5 MPG towing the same trailer on the same roads. The millage not towing was the same, 21 MPG, the price for the trucks was almost the same at $45,000. So you can look at all the stats, in the end it is your decision. One I would not get is the ford 2.7 EcoBoost or a RAM or Chevy?GM V-6.
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Old 05-17-2020, 04:06 PM   #25
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I have a 2016 Shasta 32 footer, that I have towed around the country including to Alaska. I have towed it with a 2011 Ford F-150 EcoBoost with Max Towing and Max payload, it had a 12,500 tow capacity. I have also towed it with my 2016 Ram 2500HD with the Cummins 6.7 Diesel. The Ford got 10 MPG and the Ram got 11.5 MPG towing the same trailer on the same roads. The millage not towing was the same, 21 MPG, the price for the trucks was almost the same at $45,000. So you can look at all the stats, in the end it is your decision. One I would not get is the ford 2.7 EcoBoost or a RAM or Chevy?GM V-6.

Whats funny is my 2018 Platinum 3.5EB with Max Tow has the same trailer rating as the 2011 HDPP. Not that it could tow a 12,500 pound travel trailer, not enough payload @ 13%, but it just seems that newer trucks just get higher and higher trailer weights, yet very very few of them actually have the payload to do so.
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Old 05-17-2020, 05:59 PM   #26
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Whats funny is my 2018 Platinum 3.5EB with Max Tow has the same trailer rating as the 2011 HDPP. Not that it could tow a 12,500 pound travel trailer, not enough payload @ 13%, but it just seems that newer trucks just get higher and higher trailer weights, yet very very few of them actually have the payload to do so.
Do you also have the Max Payload package? In 2011they are two different packages. Don't confuse payload with GCVW, payload is weight on the axle not towing. Also, your Platinum is weighted down with all the extra goodies, my 2011 was an XLT Super Cab.
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Old 05-17-2020, 06:27 PM   #27
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Nice looking rig! Looks extremely capable.
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Old 05-17-2020, 11:14 PM   #28
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Do you also have the Max Payload package? In 2011they are two different packages. Don't confuse payload with GCVW, payload is weight on the axle not towing. Also, your Platinum is weighted down with all the extra goodies, my 2011 was an XLT Super Cab.

No, just max tow, but the combination rates in at 12,500. It has 1557 pounds payload, so at 10% TW, it can tow a 12,500# trailer. They gained about 400 pounds payload since the 09-14 gen
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Old 05-17-2020, 11:54 PM   #29
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No, just max tow, but the combination rates in at 12,500. It has 1557 pounds payload, so at 10% TW, it can tow a 12,500# trailer. They gained about 400 pounds payload since the 09-14 gen
Thats kind of low for payload, mine in 2011 was 3200, and I think it was the same in 2018 with the max payload package.
I see all the folks talking about 1 ton and 2 1/2 ton trucks, that's over kill for a 6000 or 7000 trailer.
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Old 05-18-2020, 01:40 PM   #30
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Thats kind of low for payload, mine in 2011 was 3200, and I think it was the same in 2018 with the max payload package.
I see all the folks talking about 1 ton and 2 1/2 ton trucks, that's over kill for a 6000 or 7000 trailer.

Not for a 1/2 ton. Base 4x2 XL max was 3060, 4x4 2860. That was only for Regular cab with 8' box. Supercab was lower by 300 pounds, and XLT even lower than that. 2018-2020 3270 is max and only for an XL regular cab 8' bed. On average the HDPP XLT is 2600 or less.
I had a 2014 Lariat that had 1470 pounds payload, and a 2012 Lariat 1320 payload, so my fully optioned Platinum with 1557 is a beast compared to them and tows 6500 pounds just fine, but when towing the same trailer with a Superduty, there is no comparison, I can hardly tell the trailer is back there in the SD, but you know it is there with the 1/2 ton. It's like using a sailboat anchor on a battleship, the ship will move that anchor, but with the SD the anchor keeps the ship in it's place.
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Old 05-19-2020, 03:47 AM   #31
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Good Mileage

I am lucky, I get about 11 to 12 if I keep it at 60mph, I am pulling a 2015 3895 Toy Hauler, If I add my side by side it drops to 10, but I am over 22,000 lbs, I have a 2019 Chevy 3500HD CC DRW now with about 10,000 miles on it. It gets better mileage then my 2013 Chevy 3500HD CC DRW, 8 to 10mph

One trip going west on HWY 10 in California, bad wind, dropped mileage to 7mph
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Old 05-26-2021, 10:06 PM   #32
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6 cyl wont work. I pull with a Ram 1500 hemi 3.21 and get 8.5mpg
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Old 05-26-2021, 11:09 PM   #33
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I pull around 6000# loaded. My 2012 Silverado 5.3 would get between 9 & 10 most of the time. What I really hated was how high the engine had to rev climbing grades. Most of the time I was at or near 3500 RPM climbing. Switched a couple of years ago to the Ram Eco Diesel and it is amazing. Now average 15-16 towing at ~63 MPH and the engine only rarely gets above 2200 RPM, even on 6% grades at 55 MPH. Usually cruise the flats around 1750 RPM. Might not work for the load the OP is towing but it is near perfection for my rig.
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Old 05-26-2021, 11:48 PM   #34
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Not for a 1/2 ton. Base 4x2 XL max was 3060, 4x4 2860. That was only for Regular cab with 8' box. Supercab was lower by 300 pounds, and XLT even lower than that. 2018-2020 3270 is max and only for an XL regular cab 8' bed. On average the HDPP XLT is 2600 or less.
I had a 2014 Lariat that had 1470 pounds payload, and a 2012 Lariat 1320 payload, so my fully optioned Platinum with 1557 is a beast compared to them and tows 6500 pounds just fine, but when towing the same trailer with a Superduty, there is no comparison, I can hardly tell the trailer is back there in the SD, but you know it is there with the 1/2 ton. It's like using a sailboat anchor on a battleship, the ship will move that anchor, but with the SD the anchor keeps the ship in it's place.
Sorry, I was off by 180 lbs on the payload for my 2011 F-150 3.5 L Ecoboost, Supercab XLT, 4X4 with 8' box. you claim your Platinum was a beast with half that capability. I will tell you it pulled my trailer, 35' Dutchman better than my 2002 F-250 Supercab, XL with 8' box.
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Old 05-27-2021, 01:41 PM   #35
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Sorry, I was off by 180 lbs on the payload for my 2011 F-150 3.5 L Ecoboost, Supercab XLT, 4X4 with 8' box. you claim your Platinum was a beast with half that capability. I will tell you it pulled my trailer, 35' Dutchman better than my 2002 F-250 Supercab, XL with 8' box.
I believe it, the 2002 F250 was not much more than the F150. In fact I do believe you could swap tailgates between them. Todays 1/2 tons are better than yesterdays 1 tons.
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Old 05-28-2021, 10:47 PM   #36
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To put it simply on the last statement. Wrong
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Old 05-29-2021, 04:25 PM   #37
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The real reason that payload capacity decreases on 3/4 ton trucks is because the manufacturers in many cases have targeted a GVWR of 10,000. They do this because in many states registration is significantly more expensive for trucks with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs and up.

My Ram 2500 mega cab ways somewhere around 8,200 pounds. Therefore the payload is roughly 1,800 pounds (10,000 pound GVWR minus my truck’s curb weight of 8,200 pounds equals 1,800 pounds). In reality the truck’s practical payload would be far higher. With the same 6.7 liter Diesel engine, transmission, rear end and axles as the 3500 there is now way that a truck’s capacity would increase magically by exactly 2,000 pounds because you slap a 3500 emblem on the side. Now in fairness the rear suspension in the 3500 is leaf spring versus my factory air suspension nobody can convince me that that change alone is solely responsible for the substantial payload (and towing) increase.

As a matter of fact a 3.6 liter v6 1500 from the same year as my truck technically has a greater payload capacity than my truck. And a gas engine version of my exact truck would also have a greater payload capacity than my truck. I think we all realize I’m realty neither of the above trucks could more safely handle greater weight than my truck but they both have a sticker on the door jam that says they can.

Now towing capacity is greater in my truck than the other two but in many cases I can’t technically get there because the tongue weight exceeds my truck’s payload before I get to the towing capacity. And throw 4 adults and a dog in the cab and some stuff in the bed of my truck and you might have only 500 pounds of payload left before you hook up the trailer.

The weight police will tell you that sticker is the only thing that matters and while there is nothing wrong with playing it safe and following that sticker it just isn’t always practical.

This topic is hotly debated on truck forums all the time and arguments happen over whether it is safe or legal to exceed that payload sticker.

Some food for thought.
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Old 05-29-2021, 05:53 PM   #38
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The real reason that payload capacity decreases on 3/4 ton trucks is because the manufacturers in many cases have targeted a GVWR of 10,000. They do this because in many states registration is significantly more expensive for trucks with a GVWR of 10,001 lbs and up.

My Ram 2500 mega cab ways somewhere around 8,200 pounds. Therefore the payload is roughly 1,800 pounds (10,000 pound GVWR minus my truck’s curb weight of 8,200 pounds equals 1,800 pounds). In reality the truck’s practical payload would be far higher. With the same 6.7 liter Diesel engine, transmission, rear end and axles as the 3500 there is now way that a truck’s capacity would increase magically by exactly 2,000 pounds because you slap a 3500 emblem on the side. Now in fairness the rear suspension in the 3500 is leaf spring versus my factory air suspension nobody can convince me that that change alone is solely responsible for the substantial payload (and towing) increase.

As a matter of fact a 3.6 liter v6 1500 from the same year as my truck technically has a greater payload capacity than my truck. And a gas engine version of my exact truck would also have a greater payload capacity than my truck. I think we all realize I’m realty neither of the above trucks could more safely handle greater weight than my truck but they both have a sticker on the door jam that says they can.

Now towing capacity is greater in my truck than the other two but in many cases I can’t technically get there because the tongue weight exceeds my truck’s payload before I get to the towing capacity. And throw 4 adults and a dog in the cab and some stuff in the bed of my truck and you might have only 500 pounds of payload left before you hook up the trailer.

The weight police will tell you that sticker is the only thing that matters and while there is nothing wrong with playing it safe and following that sticker it just isn’t always practical.

This topic is hotly debated on truck forums all the time and arguments happen over whether it is safe or legal to exceed that payload sticker.

Some food for thought.
You make good fair points across the board, except one. Weight Police argue on this matter only to help protect you and others. Just because the 2500 can handle the same weight as a 3500, doesn't mean it legally can. No, State Troopers aren't going to be targeting and fining you if you happen to run a little over GVWR or GCVWR, They don't have time for that. When it matters, that one time something does go wrong and a wreck happens, Insurance inspectors, and lawyers can become involved if it is suspected of an over weight condition, most likely the opposing parties insurance will get involved.

Just remember, if an insurance company can find some way of denying a claim, they will!

Lets say you are towing a 16K 5th wheel with a 2500 series truck with a manufactures tag limiting it to 10,000 GVWR. You have it balanced to be just a little over the trucks GVWR, and are ok on all axles, but it turns out the entire rig weighs over GCVWR. Something happens, whether your fault or not, and an inspector comes out and looks everything over, checks the tags on both vehicles and questions the loadout. He/she can then have everything weighed and they can use that against you. Doesn't matter if the 2500 has the same tires as the 3500, or same axles, or even if you had installed 3500 spring packs. The GVWR doesn't change. That is a certification label for legal purposes. This is the point being made.

It can get worse in some cases if there is a serious injury or death, then it can become Criminal Negligence. This is a rarity as it usually only happens with Commercial drivers, but it can happen.

I did a brief search and came across a lawfirm that handles accident cases, Here is a brief list they posted, read the last paragraph. Also peruse your insurance policy to see if there are any exclusions.

Running 100 over GVWR of the truck, no one bats an eye, running 100 over the GAWR now you are in danger territory. Thats Gross Negligence.
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Old 05-29-2021, 06:48 PM   #39
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Duramax got around 8 mpg towing my condo. Then I found Diesel Kleen and started using it with every fill-up. No I'm over 10 mpg towing.
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Old 04-27-2022, 02:28 PM   #40
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LOL, I worry about GPM...
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