Gas mileage
Printed From: R-pod Owners Forum
Category: R-pod Discussion Forums
Forum Name: Podmods, Maintenance, Tips and Tricks
Forum Discription: Ask maintenance questions, share your podmods (modifications) and helpful tips
URL: http://www.rpod-owners.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=5280
Printed Date: 28 Apr 2024 at 11:24pm
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 9.64 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Gas mileage
Posted By: Tanager
Subject: Gas mileage
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 9:31pm
|
I'm wondering if anyone out there tows a 179 with a full size pickup with a V-8 (and 4WD). If so, what do you average for gas mileage? I tow with a 2006 Tacoma V-6 and am only getting 13 to 14 at 60 mph. Could I get better mileage with a larger truck? ------------- Tanager |
Replies:
Posted By: CharlieM
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 10:07pm
|
The preponderance of experience seems to point to similar MPG +/-1 regardless of what the TV is. The major factor in towing MPG is the wind resistance of the trailer and TV frontal area. It takes a certain amount of horsepower to maintain a given speed with given wind/road conditions and the size of the engine has only a secondary effect. Bigger engines just cost more and drink more gas when not towing.
------------- Charlie Northern Colorado OLD: 2013 RP-172, 2010 Honda Pilot 3.5L 4WD PRESENT: 2014 Camplite 21RBS, 2013 Supercharged Tacoma 4L V6 4WD |
Posted By: kylekai
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 11:07pm
I have a 2011 Silverado 2500 HD extended cab long bed 4WD diesel and tow a 2015 179, however, I've only had the rPod a week and haven't taken it camping yet. I plan to by the end of the month and I'll try and remember to post my mileage then. When empty it gets close to 20 MPG on the highway. ------------- |
Posted By: Jdub
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 11:08pm
Yeah when I went from a 1997 suburban to a 2014 tacoma i expected some real gas savings......not.
|
Posted By: pkelly251
Date Posted: 10 Sep 2014 at 11:48pm
|
I tow a 177 with a 2011 Jeep Liberty V6 4wd. Not towing I get 18-20/ gallon. Towing I get only 10-11/gal. Prior to getting my Rpod, I had read the boards here and knew I wouldn't likely get much better than that. The advice seemed to be that you improve mileage the most by a lighter foot on the gass. 55 mph vs. 65. If anyone has advice on other improvements I would love to hear them. ------------- Pat Rpod 177 & and Jeep Liberty |
Posted By: furpod
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 8:31am
|
If you are really getting 13-14 when towing, you are doing 30% better than anyone else, Be Happy.
------------- |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 8:41am
|
Many people overstate their "towing" MPG simply because they are reporting their "trip" MPG. Their reported figure includes not only the miles during towing, but the miles driven while their pod is left at the campground while the TV is being driven without it. Using this logic, my Avalanche got 16.7 MPG on my last camping adventure. Often times it is difficult to isolate the towing MPG from the total trip MPG. ------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 9:34am
|
We have 2015 Silverado 1500 4x4 with 5.3 gasser pulling a 179 with two bikes on the rear of the pickup and approx. 150 lbs of stough in the pickup bed. We recently drove to Yellowstone, put 4000 miles on the truck with an average of 13.3 miles a gallon(expressway towing 65 - 70 mph), this includes side trips. Our milage was better going east. ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD) 
|
Posted By: retireclose
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 9:35am
|
Sorry 2014 Silverado ------------- Gary and Jill Winters Bella Golden Retriever 2014 Silverado 1500 2015 R-Pod 179 -(SOLD)
|
Posted By: HuronSailor
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 9:43am
|
2008 Silverado 1500, 5.3L 4X4. 16.5 MPG normally. 12 MPG when towing between 60-65, on average. At 70 it drops to 10 MPG. With a strong crosswind in the mountains it drops to 9 MPG. Sounds like you're doing OK to me.
I have a friend who claims he gets over 20 MPG towing his 30' RV with his gas powered Dodge pickup. I call BS. ------------- .: Mark & Beth :: Silverado 5.3L :: 2018 rPod 180 :. |
Posted By: Craneman
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 9:46am
|
We towed ours with a 2006 Chevy pickup v/6 and got 9.8 mpg towing,right at 20 not towing. Now towing with a 2011 f150 ford pickup, ecoboost best we can get towing is 10mpg, but the power is amazing. 20 mpg not towing? Moe ------------- Jo and Gary, 2010-174,2011 F150 
Jo and Gary 2010 174 2011 Ford 150 |
Posted By: WillThrill
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 11:51am
|
We have a 2005 GMC Envoy XL with the straight 6 cylinder engine. When not towing, we get 16-18 mpg. When towing the 177, we get 11 on moderately flat ground and 8-10 in hilly/mountainous areas. And that's strictly when we're actually towing.
From my experience, speed when towing is what destroys your mileage. Going 65 mph drops our mileage by around 20%. Going 55 instead of 60 improves our mileage by about 10%; I've never tried 50 mph. But my wife isn't very patient, so we compromise and travel at 60 mph on the highway. 
The best mileage I've personally heard anyone getting was a guy pulling a Pod with a GMC 3500 diesel. He got 14 on the highway when towing, but his mileage remained practically the same even when he wasn't towing, so that doesn't seem like a good solution either. If you're getting 13 or better strictly when towing, be very happy. And remember, you didn't buy your Pod to improve your fuel efficiency; it improves your happiness factor.  ------------- "Not all those who wander are lost." Tolkien 2014 Hood River 177 2005 GMC Envoy XL |
Posted By: shroomer
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 4:50pm
|
The best I got with my Chevy V6 (std) was about 13 plus. I was towing on back roads, never went over 50 and never got past 3rd gear. Wind matters. A lot. ------------- Larry and Debbie w/Rosie the mutt. Old: '13 177, '06 Silverado V6 New: '15 Whitehawk 20MRB '14 Silverado V8 |
Posted By: Mountainrev
Date Posted: 11 Sep 2014 at 5:07pm
|
My maiden voyage with our 177 was a couple of weeks ago, towing 660 miles from Omaha to Colorado with a 2004 Durango (4.7 liter V-8). Averaged about 11 mpg, driving about 65 mph or a bit more, with a moderate cross- or headwind most of the way. Can't see myself driving much slower than that, so I'm prepared to grin and bear it (and pray for sub-$3/gallon gas to return!).
------------- 2014 177 2008 Jeep Grand Cherokee Turbodiesel "I lift my eyes to the hills." 
|
Posted By: Grayotter
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2014 at 10:27am
|
I tow my new 179 with a new All Wheel Drive Honda Ridgeline. About 1,500 miles on the Ridgeline. In hilly Calif. with headwinds I get around 12-13mpg. My last, current, trip I think I did better by leaving my cruise control on. ------------- Love2 1der |
Posted By: Sea pod
Date Posted: 12 Sep 2014 at 10:59pm
From central coast of California to Yellowstone and back..got 14 mpg towing 179 with 2001 f350 power stroke keeping it at 1900 rpms.....67 mph...pretty stoked, but a total of 3200 miles was still a lot of $. !!! Still beats a hotel room without a view driving a Prius...... !!!!!!! ------------- TV..ford 350 Co pilot....Noreen Navigator...rosie |
Posted By: Norsk1
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 12:28am
|
I just finished a 6515 mile trip to Alaska with a ford f150 eco-boost. The mileage was 12.3 mpg for the total trip where 12 days were just towing out of the I month trip. We were towing a 2010 172. Trailer did well but the Ford limped home. For the weight of the trailer it seems like we would have had better gas mileage. Also the speed limits were 50 to 60 miles per hour or lower.
Ron |
Posted By: Budward
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 6:47am
Please elaborate on the "Ford limped home" part. I've been curious about the different EcoBoost engine's performance and mileage, especially with the class action lawsuit about the 3.5L EcoBoost problems. Before I retired in June I put 30,000 miles on a Ford Ecoboost Escape AWD with the 1.6L engine. Very impressive performance for such a small engine. However gas mileage was never anywhere near what Ford claims, something like 32mpg. Never saw over 25 and even that was rare, usually around 22/23. ------------- 2014 179 Towed by a 2015 Ford Transit Diesel Supervised by a German/Aussie mix and a Labradoodle! |
Posted By: Sleepless
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 9:04am
|
So the 12.3 mpg is your total average for the entire month of which you were towing only 12 days? Did you ever check your mileage while towing only? Just curious.
------------- 2014 R-Pod 178 (OUR POD) 2009 Chevrolet Avalanche |
Posted By: Norsk1
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 12:00pm
|
The ford limped home in a mode where it shuts off air and reduces speed and shifting function. This started after entering Alaska at Tok. We drove in heavy rain from took to Denali. The ford started by acting like it was misfiring in 6th gear. I switched to premium fuel while in Alaska.
On our return we left Tok in a torrential down pour and soon hit road construction where mud and potholes were pretty bad. It was during this 20 mile stretch when the ford wrench indicator came on with a check engine light. We then went into the limp mode. Then on highway 37 in a heavy rain I was going to pass a small trailer and suv. The ford almost died and I realized how limited this mode is. After being home for 3 days in dry weather the wrench indicator left and the check engine light went away. I have an appointment Tuesday to check if anything can be found. I made a trip to town yesterday (200 miles)to pick up mu lab and all went well except for a little 6th gear misfire. Ron |
Posted By: Norsk1
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 12:17pm
|
Sleepless,
I did check while towing and it varied from 10.3 to 14. The times I was unhooked ranged from the 14 to 21. I didn't write down when I was towing and when I was unhooked but as I recall I was unhooked for 3 days in Denali when we entered the park. Then when we were in the Kenia I unhooked for 7 days while I fished and traveled to Seward for a day trip. Then 2 days in Valdez while I fished. The trip took 29 days. This is as accurate as I can be. It was overall a great trip. The trip was like driving through Glacier park everyday. Ron |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 6:20pm
|
Just got back from the pacific NW round up, trailer was unhooked 5 days, drove 65 miles without pod in tow. Here is how we did.
4386.8 km 21.12 L per 100 km 2725.8 m imp G 13.34 mpg us G 11.11 mpg How ever driving through the mountains and coastal highway is neither good for getting anywhere fast or getting good miles per gallon. The last leg of our trip was from Mount Robson BC to Edmonton AB, 456.8 km, 283.89m we could drive more or less normal highway speed we did 14.42m per imp G- 12m per us G and 19.68 L per 100 km. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Tanager
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 8:47pm
|
Thanks, everyone, for the comments. Much appreciated. Being new to the rPod, I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Happy travels! ------------- Tanager |
Posted By: Tanager
Date Posted: 14 Sep 2014 at 8:51pm
|
Thanks, everyone, for the posts. Much appreciated. Being new to the rPod, I wanted to make sure I wasn't missing something. Happy travels! ------------- Tanager |
Posted By: David and Danette
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2014 at 7:58am
------------- 2018 Vista Cruiser 19BFD (2018- 2012 Vibe 6503 (2014-2019) 2009 r-pod 171 (2009-2014) Middle Tn 2014 Ram 1500 Quad cab |
Posted By: marwayne
Date Posted: 15 Sep 2014 at 11:22am
|
I noticed a slight improvement, however I used to drive at 55 mph now with the nosejob I drove at 65 mph where ever I could. I also noticed that the pod is tracking o lot nicer behind the TV. ------------- If you want something done right, do it yourself. 2011 RP172, 2016 Tundra 5.7 Litre, Ltd. |
Posted By: Podster
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2014 at 11:05pm
|
I just towed a 178 ruffly 1,200 miles with a Ford Ranger 4.0 and got 12 mpg at 2500-2800 rpm, 60-65 mph. ------------- Cliff & Raelynn Ranger 4.0/178 (1/2 ton 5,800lb tow capacity) |
Posted By: mtbmitch
Date Posted: 29 Sep 2014 at 11:18pm
|
13,14 is fantastic for those of you. I think the only way to achieve better fuel milage is to convert to a Sprinter Van with a sportsmobile interior. ------------- enjoy the fresh air |
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2015 at 10:10pm
| I thought I would bring this thread alive. I am getting 13.5 to 15.5 depending on wind. If the wind is down or I am not pulling mountain grades I get 15-15.5 mpg @ 60 MPH . I tried running 56 but the truck likes 60 better due to the torque curve. At 60 that is 1600 RPM on a 2011 F150 5.0 2WD RCSB 3.55 gear ratio. This is with a full load of fresh water. |
Posted By: Leo B
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2015 at 10:29pm
|
That is some great mileage!! ------------- Leo & Melissa Bachand 2017 Ford F150 2021 Vista Cruiser 19 csk Previously owned 2015 Rpod 179 2010 Rpod 171 |
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 07 Jun 2015 at 10:45pm
|
Posted By: R-Pod'nFJ
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 6:16am
|
I'm completely happy with the mileage I got on our first trip. Normally when I'm not towing my combined city/hwy is around 18, and 20-21 on strictly hwy. I pulled our 179 through through some hilly terrain and when we got home from the last fillup I averaged almost 13mpg. If I was on flat terrain the whole way I have no doubt I would have been in the consistent 14mpg range, maybe even higher. I'm very happy with how my FJ pulls the 179. I use D4 without OD so at 60mph I was at about 2350-2400 RPM. ------------- 14 Cement Gray FJ Cruiser 15 R-Pod 179 71 Honda CB750 cafe racer project 71 Honda CB350 75 Honda XL350 81 KZ550 Ltd. street tracker project Scott & Kerri |
Posted By: Pooterpod
Date Posted: 08 Jun 2015 at 10:25am
|