Long haul towing ?

homebrew · Oct 21, 2014

Making preps to make a 3500 mile road trip. I have a 14 express 5.7 QC 4x4 with 3.55s. I'll be towing a 1200# utility trailer with at most 1000#s on it. Looking for suggestions to maximize economy and guesstamet of mpg? Currently empty getting 22hwy mpg cruise control at 60. I'm running a canned tune currently.

Rotzilla · Oct 21, 2014

Maximum tire pressure, based on previous experience about 9.5 mpg.

NHguy · Oct 21, 2014

Maximize tire pressure and stay around 60mph.
If its an open trailer, pack the cargo low if possible, and I would guess low to mid teens for mpg's.
Enclosed trailer 10+.
The more hills the worse it will be.

Grad12 · Oct 21, 2014

Tire pressure at max. Slow on the accel, let go of the gas and coast to stops. Let your trailer push you down hills.

PippinAin'tEasy · Oct 21, 2014

Tow/Haul mode (if equipped). Keeps the rpm's in the sweet spot so no lugging and wasted fuel. Ditto the above suggestions.

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14hemiexpress · Oct 21, 2014

2200lbs I bet you hardly even knowtice it, 17-18 mpg and same rules apply to getting good gas mileage with out a trailer, slow accleration use recomended tire pressure out front and a little extra in the rear. Get little extra speed before you hit the hills and take it easy going up them. Go a reasonable speed 80mph is going to kill the fuel. Try to be 60-70 and just take it easy.

Andy578 · Oct 21, 2014

you won't even notice the trailer. my car trailer empty is 2200lbs and i forget it's there

homebrew · Oct 21, 2014

I have tow/haul but haven't used it, do I keep it engaged the whole time? I have an open trailer. I believe all that I will be hauling will be below the top of the truck bed and covered in a tarp hoping that will reduce drag.

regularcab2500 · Oct 21, 2014

homebrew said:
I have tow/haul but haven't used it, do I keep it engaged the whole time? I have an open trailer. I believe all that I will be hauling will be below the top of the truck bed and covered in a tarp hoping that will reduce drag.

yes use it all the time it will save your tranny at the cost of a couple mpgs...but dont cruise control it up any big hills in tow haul or it will downshift hard and hold the lower gear seemingly way too long

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TRCM · Oct 21, 2014

regularcab2500 said:
yes use it all the time it will save your tranny at the cost of a couple mpgs...but dont cruise control it up any big hills in tow haul or it will downshift hard and hold the lower gear seemingly way too long

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Read the owners manual.

It says to use the tow/haul when towing only if the trans is hunting for gears.

Straight out of the owners manual:

When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
press the TOW/HAUL switch to select TOW/
HAUL mode.

Andy578 · Oct 21, 2014

i don't use tow/haul for light loads. with my car trailer empty the truck feels and shifts as if there's nothing there so tow/haul isn't needed and will actually just hurt fuel economy for no reason. i do have the 8 speed and 3.92 so it could be a bit different for you and you'll just need to feel it out, basically if you can feel the truck working harder or shifting too much put in tow/haul and judge the difference

regularcab2500 · Oct 21, 2014

TRCM said:
Read the owners manual.

It says to use the tow/haul when towing only if the trans is hunting for gears.

Straight out of the owners manual:

When to Use TOW/HAUL Mode
When driving in hilly areas, towing a trailer, carrying a
heavy load, etc., and frequent transmission shifting occurs,
press the TOW/HAUL switch to select TOW/
HAUL mode.

i was towing with a 1500 4.7 and the 545rfe lol the only time it didnt hunt was flat land where there was no need for it

i also have to say i havent towed with my 3/4 ton yet but i look forward to getting to use it often one day

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chipdudeman · Oct 23, 2014

When I had my 1500 Outdoorsman, I towed an 6x10 enclosed with 2800 lbs in it. I averaged 14 MPG through the Rockies at 100 km/hr. I didnt try to keep pace up hills and let it coast down hills....... let gravity do its thing.

Long haul towing ?

homebrew

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Rotzilla

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NHguy

Junior Member

Grad12

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PippinAin'tEasy

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14hemiexpress

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Andy578

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homebrew

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regularcab2500

Senior Member

TRCM

USN, Retired

Andy578

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regularcab2500

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chipdudeman

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