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Topic ClosedTow Vehicles / Gas Mileage

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1981Tiger View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Topic: Tow Vehicles / Gas Mileage
    Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 6:55am
We recently purchased a 2015 RP179.  I currently tow with a 2007 GMC Acadia, FWD, with a factory tow package.  Normal highway driving usually yields around 24 MPG at 70- 72 MPH.

Highway towing of the RP is yielding around 9-10 MPG at 65 MPH. Is this type of drop off normal?  

I had towed heavy trailers before with comparable weight and gotten around 13-15 at 65-70 MPH so I assume it is related to the shape of the camper and the drag of the AC unit.

With that back ground, I am considering purchasing a 2014 Ford F150 with the 3.7 V-6 and an integrated towing package.  The engine is not any larger that the 3.6 in my present vehicle but it does generate around 60 more HP and the gearing is more in line with where it needs to be for towing.  The Ford also has a matching camper shell over on it so it should help streamline the air flow toward the camper.

Does anyone else out there tow with this type of vehicle and have any experiences they can share? I want a truck anyway but hate to try to upgrade with this one if there will be no benefits.

Thanks,
2015 RP-179
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Marx View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 7:05am
I don't have a F150 but the truck overall from the beginning is much more suited to towing regardless than the Acadia.  V6's today in all vechicles are much better to begin with too.  Power should be ok, just don't expect anything crazy.  More info on the F150 will help.  Long bed, reg cab ect, 4x4 or 4x2 ect.  Your towing setup will help a bit too.  On both of my two rigs which I've towed the RPOD with there was a noticeable drop in MPG's.  Regardless your not going to get the best in terms of MPGS.
2014 R-POD 177
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Pooterpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 7:44am
I have a 2011 f-150 RCSB 5.0 with a 3.55 rear end . I get 13.5 -15.5 mpg at 60 depending on landscape and wind. . I think you will get better mileage with the 5.0 towing as it has  a bunch more low end torque than the 3.7 . HP is fine on the 3.7 but torque is was you need for towing. IMO with the 3.7 you will be in lower gears much more often losing any mileage advantage of the smaller engine. 
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Leo B View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 8:01am
We tow with our 2013 Grand Caravan, we get between 13.5 and 15.5 depending on the wind. we usually drive around 60 give or take a couple mph.
Leo & Melissa Bachand
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2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk
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Craneman View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 11:49am
We tow with a 2011 f 150 with eco boost  3.7 and absolutely  love it plenty of power, our Chevy Silverado with v/6 just was't that great on the hills
   Moe
Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150



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Pooterpod View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 1:13pm
Originally posted by Craneman

We tow with a 2011 f 150 with eco boost  3.7 and absolutely  love it plenty of power, our Chevy Silverado with v/6 just was't that great on the hills
   Moe
what fuel mileage spread are you getting with that truck towing a pod? @ what mph?
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 3:21pm
Welcome. 
Doug ~ '10 171 (2009-2015) ~ 2008 Salem ~ Pod instruction manual
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ToolmanJohn View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 7:05pm
Originally posted by 1981Tiger

.

Highway towing of the RP is yielding around 9-10 MPG at 65 MPH. Is this type of drop off normal?  

Thanks,

 When looking at your next tow vehicle, get some more torque. Stronger V6 or V8.

The general rule (but not always true, depends on vehicle) it to divide the standard non-towing highway fuel mileage by 2. So If your tow vehicle usually gets 24 mpg, expect around 12 mpg when towing. And towing over 55 mph, pulling the Pod through the wind becomes a big factor. Drop about 1 mpg for every 5 mph over 55.


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Craneman View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 17 Jun 2015 at 9:12pm
Originally posted by Pooterpod

Originally posted by Craneman

We tow with a 2011 f 150 with eco boost  3.7 and absolutely  love it plenty of power, our Chevy Silverado with v/6 just was't that great on the hills
   Moe
what fuel mileage spread are you getting with that truck towing a pod? @ what mph?

Well, we get 20/21 mpg not towing and it drops to 12-14 mph freeway 60/65 mph. Mileage varies quite abit depends on the terran.
     Moe
Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150

Jo and Gary
2010 174
2011 Ford 150



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Keith-N-Dar View Drop Down
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Direct Link To This Post Posted: 18 Jun 2015 at 6:35pm
We just did a 300ile trip and averaged m15.1 MPG in our pre ecoboost F150.  All at less than 55 mph with a bunch of the return trip less than 30 mph in heavy rain. 
Keith-N-Dar
Boris & Betty (Boston Terriers)
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