smlporsche

I guess I'll chime in...

'06 F-350 SD CC 4x4 w/ 24' Millenium enclosed trailer

19,800# with all my gear

I get 11 to 12 MPG running 65 or so and am happy w/ that

I've gotten up to 19.3 MPG highway running light

A930Rocket

I have a 2001 F150, 5.4 2WD. I get about 15.5 on the highway empty and about 10-11 pulling a 1500 LB steel trailer with a tire rack, and a 2950 lb car at 70 MPH.

Tom N

I tow an open Trailex with a 2003 Range Rover, get about 11-12 mpg towing at 70-75 mph.

I get maybe 17-18 driving on highway at 70-75 mph.

F350Lawman

99 F350 7.3 PSD Dually CC 4x4 Auto w/4.10 gears

13-14mpg @75mph unloaded, and 10mpg @ 70mph loaded with a 24' enclosed trailer and 930 trackcar

Mussl Kar

495 here in Mass usually runs about 75 mph or so. I usually keep it to 74 and keep an eye out in the rear view. Very little radar in use. They mostly sit and watch and go after drivers going much faster than the general traffic, those changing lanes a lot, etc.
I pay very close attention to tire pressures, but only on my car. Time to check out the tow vehicle tire pressures this weekend.

F350Lawman

Originally Posted by NJ-GT
So the consensus here is that everybody is speeding, and the 16 mpg Diesel rating with an open loaded trailer is a fairy tale.

I use to be a frequent poster on the old Ford Diesel forum, the mileage claims were always realistic...that is if you live in a Plains state, keep it between 50-55mph and only drive with helpful to at worst nuetral winds.

Dodge guys use to claim 20's for mpg with the old 5.9 engine...sheesh!

Z-man

btzip - man, you are right on the jagged edge there - the Sienna has a 3500 lb tow rating, and a max load of 1,120lbs. IIRC, a trailex aluminum trailer like yours weighs around 800lbs. Your car - I guess is around 2500 lbs. Those tires on your rack must weigh over 100lbs. That puts you at or over your vehicle's capabilities. If may work for you under normal circumstances, but I'd hate to try to stop or do an emergency maneuver in your rig.... heck - even my Sport Trac (rated at 7,000lbs towing) is barely enough...

Query: how does your setup handle the decent into Montour Falls when leaving Watkins Glen?

-Z-man.

butzip

Z-Man I like to live on the edge!! actually the car is closer to 2100lbs and the trailer has surge brakes so no problem on the emergency stops or hills etc.. I keep the car back on the trailer to keep the tongue wgt to a minimum. Even with spares and tools etc, I figure I'm still within the limits. I was 60-70all the way home on rt-17. On the way out to WGI, a caravan of dually diesels towing boxes blew by me at about 80-90mph!! Save the racing for the track boys!!

butzip

FWIW - payload on the Sienna is 1570lbs and I typically don't carry those wheels and tires, I was just carrying up for a friend that particular time.

"heck - even my Sport Trac (rated at 7,000lbs towing) is barely enough..."

I'm surprised about that. I'm cruising with the a/c on and almost don't know it's there except for steeper hills... Time for a Tundra....

Camber

2008 Mercedes ML320CDI. Rated at 7200 lbs towing. Diesel with air suspension, towing kit which includes modified ECU to respond to trailer problems. Tow a GT3 on a Trailex open trailer with tire rack. My experience

1. Towing trailer with tires at 65 - 70 MPH: 15 - 16 MPG
2. Towing trailer without tires at 65-70 MPH: 16 - 17 MPG
3. Highway driving at 65 MPH without trailer: 27 MPG (really)
4. Highway driving at 55 MPH without trailer: 29 MPG

Z-man

butzip - I have never had problems when towing with my Sport Trac - uphill, downhill, crosswinds, A/C, rain, hail, tornado (yep - drove through some severe weather going out to Mid-Ohio a couple years ago)...etc.

My concern is that on paper, my numbers are a little on the low side of things.
Though I've had a few "need to stop in a real hurry" moments, I've never had to execute an emergency maneuver while towing. That's when the 'bigger is better' mantra of tow vehicles somes into play.

I chose my Sport Trac because it does double duty - tow vehicle and daily driver. I wanted a two vehicle with sufficient buffer in terms of capacity, yet still be comfortable as a daily driver. I suspect your choice of the Toyota minivan is also because of such compromises.

-Zoltan.

butzip

It's a family hauler first and a car hauler second. No compromises here, just being resourceful. Hell, most of the time I'll drive my car to the track. I like it old school... that's why I drive a 42yr old car. Think about it, a 42 yr old 912 on the track with Ruf turbos and GT3s. Which one takes more guts????

kgorman

This is your problem. Slow down. Try a trip at 60 and see the difference. I have a '06 Superduty 6.0 SRW and it's an amazing difference. We used to use 1/2 a tank to get to Thunderhill, now it's 1/4.

kgorman

John with a 6.0 Diesel and no tune it's quite easy to get 19-20mpg hwy when not towing.

pmason

06 F250 4x4 Crew Diesel and get 15~16 pulling at 24ft 10k enclosed trailer., 16~17 not pulling a trailer.