Towing mpg

[tkkz71]

Is my towing mpg normal? I just got this truck 2 months ago. First time towing with it. 2022 refresh RST. 5.3 10sp 3.23 gear with 14,000 miles on it.  Trailer is a Mission Crossover 101’’x12’ weight is 1100lbs. 2 sleds weight is approximately 975. 2 people in the truck. Went from Rockford IL to Ontonagon MI. 

353 miles there, 60.3 average speed, 8.7mpg

On the way home average speed was 56 and got 8 mpg. 
I was really surprised by how much the transmission kept shifting. I used the manual shift mode so it would either be in 8 or 9

Is this normal mpg?

current mods:

K&N cold air intake

Borla Attack muffler

 

 

 

[Silverado4x4]

You have alot of wind drag on the flat front trailer. That's the issue.

[tkkz71]

11 minutes ago, Silverado4x4 said:

You have alot of wind drag on the flat front trailer. That's the issue.

I was thinking that too? I was just hoping because it’s a V nose it would’ve been a little easier on the truck? I got the trailer earlier this year

[Silverado4x4]

Even though it's a V nose it's still pushing a lot of wind therefore the Trans shifting alot. My utility trailer with the ramp gate up I can feel a slight drag pulling it at 55-60 mph even though the ramp has the open mesh metal screening. With the gate off I feel nothing.

Edited January 12, 2025 by Silverado4x4

[redwngr]

Were you running in tow/haul mode? 

 

[tkkz71]

7 hours ago, redwngr said:

Were you running in tow/haul mode? 

 

Yes, for probably an hour or two during the trip? I was also switching back-and-forth between normal. And what I believe is the sport mode? Just trying to see what kind of difference there would be in the transmission.

 

[newdude]

14 hours ago, tkkz71 said:

Is my towing mpg normal? 

353 miles there, 60.3 average speed, 8.7mpg

On the way home average speed was 56 and got 8 mpg. 
 

 

 

Average speed of 60.3mph and 56mph?  What speed were you traveling at?  

[KARNUT]

4 minutes ago, newdude said:

 

 

Average speed of 60.3mph and 56mph?  What speed were you traveling at?  

Maybe they’re wearing diapers 

[tkkz71]

5 hours ago, newdude said:

 

 

Average speed of 60.3mph and 56mph?  What speed were you traveling at?  

On the way up, mid 70s on the highway. The last hundred miles or so of the trip is all 2 Lane Rd. Speed limit from 60 all the way down to 25.

Sunday on the way home between the snow and the traffic it was obviously less

[newdude]

2 hours ago, tkkz71 said:

On the way up, mid 70s on the highway. The last hundred miles or so of the trip is all 2 Lane Rd. Speed limit from 60 all the way down to 25.

Sunday on the way home between the snow and the traffic it was obviously less

 

 

The MPG you are getting makes all sorts of sense then.  The faster you go, the worse you'll get when towing.  Same empty but probably a bit less noticeable.  

 

 

[Grover67]

Winter blend gas will show a little less mpg also

[tkkz71]

9 hours ago, Grover67 said:

Winter blend gas will show a little less mpg also

Didn’t think about that? Do you think if I run premium, it would be better
 

[dieselfan1]

2 hours ago, tkkz71 said:

Didn’t think about that? Do you think if I run premium, it would be better
 

No

I tow a similar sized trailer (cargo not snowmobile) with my 23 High Country 6.2. 

When I stick around 55 mph I can get 13-14 . Go up to 70 mph and it drops to 8-9 mpg. That extra 15 mph sucks the gas. 

Also the wind plays huge too.

Edited January 14, 2025 by dieselfan1

[redwngr]

4 hours ago, tkkz71 said:

Didn’t think about that? Do you think if I run premium, it would be better
 

 

No. 

(unless it's a 6.2)

 

Premium has the same amount of BTU's per gallon (same available power per gallon)

 

 

 

 

 

[Grumpy Bear]

On 1/12/2025 at 4:48 PM, tkkz71 said:

Is my towing mpg normal? I just got this truck 2 months ago. First time towing with it. 2022 refresh RST. 5.3 10sp 3.23 gear with 14,000 miles on it.  Trailer is a Mission Crossover 101’’x12’ weight is 1100lbs. 2 sleds weight is approximately 975. 2 people in the truck. Went from Rockford IL to Ontonagon MI. 

353 miles there, 60.3 average speed, 8.7mpg

On the way home average speed was 56 and got 8 mpg. 
I was really surprised by how much the transmission kept shifting. I used the manual shift mode so it would either be in 8 or 9

Is this normal mpg?

current mods:

K&N cold air intake

Borla Attack muffler

 

 

 

 

Yep.