2019 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn fuel issue

[shaft]

I have a 2109 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn
I normally get over 400 miles to a tank of gas
When hooked up to my cargo trailer ( loaded or unloaded ) my gas distance is cut in half
Can Anyone help me understand this or is it a problem with the truck

 

[Rlaf75]

I'm assuming it's an enclosed trailer? What size is it? Mpg's will always drop when you're towing or haulling weight

 

[Fast69Mopar]

I have a 2109 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn
I normally get over 400 miles to a tank of gas
When hooked up to my cargo trailer ( loaded or unloaded ) my gas distance is cut in half
Can Anyone help me understand this or is it a problem with the truck

Is this your first time pulling an open or enclosed trailer?

When you add a trailer to the combination you are altering the aerodynamics of the vehicle by basically adding a parachute to the back. Trucks have the aerodynamics of a pallet of bricks anyways and then we ask them to get great fuel economy. On top of that we toss a trailer out back and don't want to lose that much more in fuel mileage.

This is normal operation in my book. If you really want to get nerdy with the stats then start hand calculating the fuel mileage with miles ÷ gallons at each
fill-up. Then perform the same calculation after towing.

 

[crash68]

When hooked up to my cargo trailer ( loaded or unloaded ) my gas distance is cut in half
Can Anyone help me understand this or is it a problem with the truck

As others have mentioned, the extra weight and wind drag will reduce the fuel economy. Wind drag effects it more than weight.
I tow a 18' boat that's about 3200 lbs on the trailer, my fuel economy drops to about 20 mpg. When I hook up the 24' enclosed car hauler which is about 3K lbs the fuel economy drops to about 16 mpg. When pulling the big trailer that's 28' enclosed but is well into the 7000 lbs range I'll lose another 1-2 mpg.
If your wondering why I'm getting higher fuel economy numbers even while towing the problem is your engine has spark plugs and missing a turbo. Diesels torque curve is much lower in the rpm range. A Hemi peak torque is 410 ft/lbs at 4K RPMs, where as the EcoDiesel is 480 ft/lbs at 2K RPMs.

 

[PolarisCobra]

When I tow my snowmobile trailer, about 3000 pounds, I lose about 8 - 10 MPG. Doesn't matter if there are one or two snowmobiles in the trailer. It's all about wind resistance. If you go faster, mileage will drop off fast.

With my 6000 pound travel trailer, I get just a little less then the snowmobile trailer.

I would say what you are seeing is normal.

 

[Papa Red]

Welcome to the forum.

Red

 

[turkeybird56]

I have a 2109 Dodge Ram 1500 Big Horn
I normally get over 400 miles to a tank of gas
When hooked up to my cargo trailer ( loaded or unloaded ) my gas distance is cut in half
Can Anyone help me understand this or is it a problem with the truck

Yup about right with a gas motor. If u get 400 miles or more to tank U doing good.

Need trailer size. Weight empty, loaded. Enclosed,open,box plus yer truck level,trim and motor to get any more specific and where towing flat, hills combined.

 

[turkeybird56]

As others have mentioned, the extra weight and wind drag will reduce the fuel economy. Wind drag effects it more than weight.
I tow a 18' boat that's about 3200 lbs on the trailer, my fuel economy drops to about 20 mpg. When I hook up the 24' enclosed car hauler which is about 3K lbs the fuel economy drops to about 16 mpg. When pulling the big trailer that's 28' enclosed but is well into the 7000 lbs range I'll lose another 1-2 mpg.
If your wondering why I'm getting higher fuel economy numbers even while towing the problem is your engine has spark plugs and missing a turbo. Diesels torque curve is much lower in the rpm range. A Hemi peak torque is 410 ft/lbs at 4K RPMs, where as the EcoDiesel is 480 ft/lbs at 2K RPMs.

You’re cheating U got an ED lol.

 

[Harley Harrold]

 

[Joe w.]

Welcome

 

[Dusty]

Even when I load the ATV in the bed of the truck I lose about 3-4 MPG. Don't think it's the weight, either, just enough to affect air resistance.

Regards,
Dusty
2019 Ram 1500 Billet Silver Laramie Quad Cab 2WD, 5.7 Hemi, 8HP75, 3.21 axle, 33-gallon fuel tank, 18” wheels. Build Date: 3 June 2018. Now at 149573 miles.