Fuel economy and temps while towing

[RamFP620]

Hoping this is the right place for this post.

Temperature wise, I've had couple instances where engine temp will sit around 220 which then drives up oil temp to near 244. Temps will sit there and then drop to around 210-212 for engine and then stay that way for the rest of the trip and maybe one more climb to 220. Since I've had the truck, engine temp has always stayed around 212 while towing with oil temp around 237.

Also, it seems my fuel economy is not what I've gotten used to. On average, I burn a 1/4 tank an hour so a 2ish hour trip burns about 1/2 tank. This last trip that was 2hrs round trip, I burned almost 3/4 tank. When I tow, I stick to around 65 mph and it's all flat land.

Maybe I'm over thinking this, but it seems I'm seeing different performance while towing than what I've been used to.

 

[FullForceRam]

My temps when towing (7x14'ft enclosed tandem axles with about 4500lbs in tow) are slightly lower than yours. My most recent trip on a 240 mile round trip road excursion was 95% flat-ish with 1 small/moderate hill, averaging about 15.5MPG going about 65mph on freeway.

It would all depend on some factors. Stock truck? gas or diesel? lifted? stock or oversize tires? what kind of trailer were you towing? (utility/open, enclosed, 5th wheel, etc) What was the ambient temperature like? any headwinds?

 

[Omar Badran]

Ah yes...it would be helpful for that info
100% stock.2017 1500 crew cab 5.7L with 3.92 diff pulling ~7000 lbs boat & full passenger load so I know the truck itself is near 6900 lbs.
Ambient temp low 80s. I've towed in 90 degree weather and haven't seen this behavior.

 

[RLJ10X]

We don't know what engine, transmission, rear end gears, year, bought used? Mileage?

 

[62Blazer]

Personally I think you are over thinking the situation when talking about the difference between 210 vs. 220 for a short period of time. The slight increase in engine temp and more fuel consumption could indicate more of a load on the truck. Between the time you used 1/2 tank of gas versus 3/4 tank of gas was it on the exact same trip (exact same roads) and were the weather conditions exactly the same?

I spent years in a previous job performing certified/industry recognized fuel economy testing. Can't count how many people selling "snake oils" and other crazy devices came to us claiming all types of fuel economy gains and wanted to verify the results. When you looked at their tests they drove a truck 200 miles in one direction stock and recorded the fuel used, then installed their device and turned around and drove the same route back and used less fuel. The thing they failed to realize is that driving the first 200 miles was uphill on average with a headwind, and when they turned around it was downhill on average with a tailwind......of course you will use less fuel in those conditions and it had nothing to do with their magic device.

 

[CamperMike]

RamFP620 those temps are somewhat normal from what I've seen... going up hill will cause oil temps and to a lesser extent coolant to get even a bit higher. However, if coolant starts approaching 235-240 I'd slow down... it won't set off the high-temp light till like 248 IIRC but... mine was in the upper 230s coolant and 260s oil driving thru WV mountains with my travel trailer.(gauges show above 1/2 but NOT overheat at those temps).. and that was enough to cause the head gasket to give up and start leaking coolant externally. Now... it shouldn't have done that so it was probably already weakened by something... but I know I will be slowing down more aggressively to keep those temps down in the future.

 

[Loudram]

I just finished towing my trailer back home. I didn't pay attention to the exact temps, I just remember everything was in the middle, no high temps. As far as mpg, I get about 9 to 10 on average towing.

2019 1500 classic 5.7/ 3.92 all stock.
2021 Spirit Ultra-lite travel trailer. 7k loaded 29'3" long.

 

[cableguy_hd]

2012 1500 with 3.92 rear and when I tow my 6k empty camper usually I stayed @ 204 coolant and 225 ish oil. That was a relatively flat tow. I just got a 7500k empty camper so I’ll compare the 2 and see what differences I notice

 

[Gordo2212]

Hoping this is the right place for this post.

Temperature wise, I've had couple instances where engine temp will sit around 220 which then drives up oil temp to near 244. Temps will sit there and then drop to around 210-212 for engine and then stay that way for the rest of the trip and maybe one more climb to 220. Since I've had the truck, engine temp has always stayed around 212 while towing with oil temp around 237.

Also, it seems my fuel economy is not what I've gotten used to. On average, I burn a 1/4 tank an hour so a 2ish hour trip burns about 1/2 tank. This last trip that was 2hrs round trip, I burned almost 3/4 tank. When I tow, I stick to around 65 mph and it's all flat land.

Maybe I'm over thinking this, but it seems I'm seeing different performance while towing than what I've been used to.

I’ve noticed much better performance on my 6.4l 3500 towing with 89 octane gas as opposed to 87 in terms of mpg. Those temps seem totally fine, the engine is designed to ebb and flow the cooling systems based on real time temps. I’ll see temps rise and drop when both going up and down hills and on flat land.

 

[RamFP620]

Thanks everyone for the feedback.

 

[Goblue]

I just finished towing my trailer back home. I didn't pay attention to the exact temps, I just remember everything was in the middle, no high temps. As far as mpg, I get about 9 to 10 on average towing.

2019 1500 classic 5.7/ 3.92 all stock.
2021 Spirit Ultra-lite travel trailer. 7k loaded 29'3" long.

I just got a ‘22 1500, 5.7 with 3.92. Pulling a TT that weighs 5000 dry. I’m hoping it will go smoothly as well. Seeing your post makes me feel better about it. Thanks

 

[Loudram]

I just got a ‘22 1500, 5.7 with 3.92. Pulling a TT that weighs 5000 dry. I’m hoping it will go smoothly as well. Seeing your post makes me feel better about it. Thanks

Based on that info you are well within the safe range. Just remember if the 5k weight is the dry weight you'll most likely be around 6k loaded which is still well within your limits.

Just watch your tongue weight and payload. You'll be over that long before your over your tow rating. Know all your weights especially your tongue weight. Get your trailer and tongue weighed when the trailer is loaded. Do not go by dry weight or gross weight. Use your actual loaded weight.

And that post you quoted is my old truck. I now have a '22 1500 with a 3.21 rear towing the same trailer and it tows just as smooth, no temp or handling issues.