What should I expect in MPG while towing my RV

thipp said:

I recently towed a 28' 5,500 lb Travel trailer to Canada and back to Arizona. On the way there I was keeping up with the speed limits and got 5-8mpg. I checked with a performance shop in Canada to see if there was anything I could do to improve my mileage and the guy told me to stop driving with the speedometer and use the Tach instead. Apparently 5.7L Hemi's run optimally between 1500 and 2000 rpm. I drove using the Tach back to AZ. and got 9-13 mpg. Sometimes I was just maintaining the minimum speed limit, but the mpg difference was a fair payoff. My next step is to install and air diffuser to kick the airflow up and over the trailer to see if this adds 2-3 mpg. Stay tuned!

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That's neat to know, and yes please, let us know.....thanks!

Rodney Belair said:

I have a 2017 with 3.21 gears, I got 7 hauling a 30-footer with 2 slides. 3 adults and 2 big dogs!

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Yikes! Thanks for the heads up!

I get 10-11MPG on varied terrain keeping it around 65MPH
20' 4000# 8'x9'10" travel trailer.
2021 3.92 with tow package and oversized ridge grapplers
same road trip without the travel trailer gets me 17mpg

I read some of the other posts and can’t believe what sucky the mpg they are getting. I tow a 7000# (fully loaded) horse trailer with my 2019 1500 Classic 5.7 hemi and I get 11-14mpg. Rarely exceeding 55mph but often involving decent mountain climbs.

I towed a 25 foot camper with my 2017 Ram 1500 Sport (5.7L Hemi) across Canada last year from Eastern Ontario to British Columbia. I drove through hills, prairies, mountains - and averaged 23 L/100km (10.25mpg).

Depending on terrain and speed I get anything from 20 to 30 L/100km (12 to 8 mpg). The worst for me was traveling west across the prairies... flat slightly uphill road driving into the wind the whole way.

BTW I have a slightly heavy foot

I get more than double the fuel economy when not towing.

OldManEdge said:

I have a 2021 RAM 1500 5.7 V-8 HEMI. I recently purchase a RV Camper to tow with my RAM. I was wondering what sort of gas mileage would I expect to get while towing? The camper dry weight is 5,200lbs. Any ideas and/or recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Thank you!

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It depends on several things. Flat or Hilly, if it is windy outside headwind or tailwind, gear ratio in your truck. I hauled campers for a living for 5 years. On the average 9 - 13 mpg. Find your sweet spot while pulling the camper and stay there.

redvetram said:

I read some of the other posts and can’t believe what sucky the mpg they are getting. I tow a 7000# (fully loaded) horse trailer with my 2019 1500 Classic 5.7 hemi and I get 11-14mpg. Rarely exceeding 55mph but often involving decent mountain climbs.

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Depends a lot on your gear ratio in your truck.

As far as your WDH goes, a proper setup should have the truck and trailer as level as possible. Google your brand of WDH. Once on the factory site, upload your model number and other answers to any questions that may be asked. Follow the setup procedure and your homefree. It sounds difficult but take your time. Once learned you'll be able to fine-tune with ball angle and chain links. Enjoy your home away from home.

BTW, I tow a 9000-pound, 33-foot travel trailer with a 2010, 2500 Ram, 5.7, 6 speed with 4.10 gears, and a cap. The latter makes a difference. I see you have one. That helps with airflow. I get between 6-8 MPG but I haven't as of yet driven the tac. This year if we get on the road in time. I hate setting up in the dark.

doc 11 ACR said:

As far as your WDH goes, a proper setup should have the truck and trailer as level as possible. Google your brand of WDH. Once on the factory site, upload your model number and other answers to any questions that may be asked. Follow the setup procedure and your homefree. It sounds difficult but take your time. Once learned you'll be able to fine-tune with ball angle and chain links. Enjoy your home away from home.

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Thank you!

I have NOT pulled with my Ram as of yet. It was bought to replace my rusty Dakota with I did pull with. But what I pulled was our 66 Satellite on a 16ft steel deck car trailer (6000 lb for those two together). The Ram will see no more winters and the Dakota saw all of them during the 22 years I owned it. It was two wheel drive,4.7, 5 speed manual, 3.55's Got 15mpg from Albany NY to Canton NY going through the Adirondack Mts. Not only was it a stick (where I could choose the gear "I" wanted when "I" wanted it, but the roof of the car on the trailer was no higher than the cab of the truck. I got my Ram (16, 1500, Reg Cab, 6sp auto,3.55's, 5.7) to pull what I have. What ever it gets is what it gets (hoping to get the same 13-15, but from what is said here- doesn't look good). Anyway here is something learned: speed does not always get you there faster! depending on the distance your total time will be close to the same. 675-700 miles @ 65 mph and 9mpg+ 3 stops to fill and go. vs same distance @ 58 mph with maybe 13 mpg would be longer drive time but 1 less stop. Not only that but it will be easier on the vehicle. ??? All I know is because of all those out there that want "automatics" I could not get (because no one could order a 5.7 with a speed manual!!

Jane S said:

10 MPG and less. The weight is less important than the size of the sail you are pulling.


Headwind in TX 8 mpg.

Tail wind in TX 30 mpg

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We get 7-9 mpg

Brent 1955 said:

Depends a lot on your gear ratio in your truck.

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3.21

OldManEdge said:

I have a 2021 RAM 1500 5.7 V-8 HEMI. I recently purchase a RV Camper to tow with my RAM. I was wondering what sort of gas mileage would I expect to get while towing? The camper dry weight is 5,200lbs. Any ideas and/or recommendations are greatly appreciated!
It's a camper trailer, 28ft long. RAM = 3.21 Rear axle ratio. 18inch rims, 275/65R18 BSW AS LRR Tires...? 8 Speed Auto 8HP75 TRANS. GVW Rating 7,100#.
Thank you!

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Well... 3-hour drive there and 3 back. I just got back from towing the camper. Going 62-65MPH, Into the headwind I got 8MPG, coming back 9MPG. All pretty flat roads too.

Consider the old and true adage: "Feet don't matter, but pounds do." Also consider that any trailer or 5th Wheel/Gooseneck will present serious (wind) drag. Increased vehicle speed will increase fuel consumption (not a linear function). Much above 65 MPH, even on flat terrain, will really suck up the fuel.

Summit1 said:

Consider the old and true adage: "Feet don't matter, but pounds do." Also consider that any trailer or 5th Wheel/Gooseneck will present serious (wind) drag. Increased vehicle speed will increase fuel consumption (not a linear function). Much above 65 MPH, even on flat terrain, will really suck up the fuel.

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And will not get you to your destination appreciably faster...and is dangerous.

I have a 2019 Tradesman with 5.7 hemi....3.92 rear.....8 speed trans....MDS.....4x4....crew cab.....tow package.....and hard tonneau cover. We pull a 17ft Casita.....about 3100 lbs fully loaded. I do not use a WD system.....don't need it....no sag. We just returned from a 2029 mile trip through Wash.....Oregon....Idaho and Montana. 60% two lane roads and hills/mountains......speed around 50 to 55.....40% highway......speed around 62 to 65. I averaged 16.8 mpg for the entire trip. Truck and trailer performed great! Best riding tow rig I've ever owned. My truck is rated for 11,600 lbs towing. I also tow a car trailer with tractors, carriages and cars at times. Love the truck. On this trip.....pulling some steep grades.....I watched my temps........hardly even moved......truck took hills at 50mph with no problem.

Jerrybob said:

I have a 2019 Tradesman with 5.7 hemi....3.92 rear.....8 speed trans....MDS.....4x4....crew cab.....tow package.....and hard tonneau cover. We pull a 17ft Casita.....about 3100 lbs fully loaded. I do not use a WD system.....don't need it....no sag. We just returned from a 2029 mile trip through Wash.....Oregon....Idaho and Montana. 60% two lane roads and hills/mountains......speed around 50 to 55.....40% highway......speed around 62 to 65. I averaged 16.8 mpg for the entire trip. Truck and trailer performed great! Best riding tow rig I've ever owned. My truck is rated for 11,600 lbs towing. I also tow a car trailer with tractors, carriages and cars at times. Love the truck. On this trip.....pulling some steep grades.....I watched my temps........hardly even moved......truck took hills at 50mph with no problem.

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WOW! Impressive! The last trip I just did here in Michigan I got 10mpg. Going 63(ish). I just wished I didn't have the "E-torque" crap.

OldManEdge said:

WOW! Impressive! The last trip I just did here in Michigan I got 10mpg. Going 63(ish). I just wished I didn't have the "E-torque" crap.

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No e-torque here.....I've been very impressed with my Ram.....the truck before.....a Chevy 2500 with the Vortec 6.0 was lucky to get 10mpg pulling the same trailer. The Ram does a better job in every category and rides so smooth.