Fuel Consumption towing a Caravan ( down under)

[Aussie-John]

Hello All,

So I have a 2018, Laramie 1500 and just purchased a Caravan and brought it home from the dealer.

Normally I am getting around the 11 Litres to the 100ks. Towing this van that weighs 2.2Tonne, that went up to 24L to the 100ks. Meaning I will get just over 300kms to a full tank!

Anyone else have similar experiences?

Cheers
J

 

[crash68]

When towing with a gasser that about right in the ballpark (24L/100km = 9.8 mpg) It's not so much the weight that kills the fuel economy but the wind drag.
Going from towing my 17' boat to a 24' enclosed car hauler trailer (empty), both weight about 3K lbs (1.4 metric tons), I loose about 4 mpg with the car hauler behind the truck. This is behind my EcoDiesel, fuel economy will be worse behind a gasser.

 

[ramffml]

Hello All,

So I have a 2018, Laramie 1500 and just purchased a Caravan and brought it home from the dealer.

Normally I am getting around the 11 Litres to the 100ks. Towing this van that weighs 2.2Tonne, that went up to 24L to the 100ks. Meaning I will get just over 300kms to a full tank!

Anyone else have similar experiences?

Cheers
J

Sounds about right. I get anywhere from 8 to 11 mpg while towing depending on wind.

 

[cdn cj]

Here’s my mileage tracker app. for the last 2 years. Approximately same size trailer.
You can tell when towing season is.
( just about to start again next weekend too)

 

[MoparFin]

Just towed my 28' camper, which is about 6k, 170 miles from PA to Cape May NJ. Got about 16 mpg. Truck is an 18 quad cab, 4x4, v6 with 3.55s.

 

[ramffml]

Just towed my 28' camper, which is about 6k, 170 miles from PA to Cape May NJ. Got about 16 mpg. Truck is an 18 quad cab, 4x4, v6 with 3.55s.

You towed a 28' camper with a v6 and got 16 mpg? Something sounds wrong there, was that hand calculated? If so, that's impressive. If not, check your trucks computer for possible psychoactive substances.

 

[crash68]

Just towed my 28' camper, which is about 6k, 170 miles from PA to Cape May NJ. Got about 16 mpg. Truck is an 18 quad cab, 4x4, v6 with 3.55s.

That a good 1000' drop in elevation. Now tow that trailer back up to PA, I guessing you'll be under 10, probably more like 8 mpg.
@ramffml ^^^ this

 

[MoparFin]

You towed a 28' camper with a v6 and got 16 mpg? Something sounds wrong there, was that hand calculated? If so, that's impressive. If not, check your trucks computer for possible psychoactive substances.

Hand calculated. I don't trust computers.

I only go about 60-65 on the highway. get a good run going before any big uphill's. Take it easy and it'll get good mileage. Had a Chevy 1500 towing a MUCH larger trailer fly past me, could hear his engine screaming and we were on flat ground. I was just cruising along. LOL no need to rush.

 

[MoparFin]

That a good 1000' in elevation drop in elevation. Now tow that trailer back up to PA, I guessing you'll be under 10, probably more like 8 mpg.
@ramffml ^^^ this

I went from PA to Finger Lakes NY and got about 14 mpg. Through the Poconos.

 

[crash68]

I went from PA to Finger Lakes NY and got about 14 mpg. Through the Poconos.

That only drops between 100' - 400' depend on which lake you goto, his trek was a lot more down hill. Going over the mountains, the back side makes up for the climb.
I get better fuel economy driving back south from the UP in Michigan that driving north up there, there's less than 400' change of elevation.