Gas mileage while towing

[Tjmutlow]

I have a 2018 2500 diesel. I am getting like 9 miles to gallon towing a 7k trailer. I am frustrated

 

[kurek]

Sounds about right, what did you expect?

 

[Zoe Saldana]

I have a 2018 2500 diesel. I am getting like 9 miles to gallon towing a 7k trailer. I am frustrated

It can get worse with a headwind.

 

[quickster2]

I get from 9 to 12 towing usually. Weight is generally less of a factor than frontal area. My single axle tall enclosed trailer (2900 total weight rating) gets the worst mileage due to frontal load. I get better mileage towing my 13k+ 25' gooseneck with the tractor and implements on it. With my truck camper usually 9.8 MPG. That's with 4:10 gears on my 6.4L 2500.

 

[averageguy]

That sounds about right for a 6.4 but not for the Cummins. Is it stock height and tires?

 

[GeometryFletch]

Why does more weight and less mpg stump people??

 

[Irishthreeper]

OP is getting the same mileage I get with a 6.4 w/4.10’s pulling 10k lbs. Doesn’t sound right to me.

 

[CamperMike]

It does sound low for a diesel. I get nearly that towing my rv with my gas truck. How fast are you towing?

 

[392DevilDog]

Interesting. GAS mileage while towing. I have a 2500 DIESEL.

Maybe that is the issue...ha...i will see myself out

 

[dhay13]

I'm not a diesel expert but that does sound low

 

[quickster2]

That sounds about right for a 6.4 but not for the Cummins. Is it stock height and tires?

Stock tire sizes & ride height. Mid-grade tier 1 fuel always. Michelin Defender LTX M/S at stock air pressures. I usually tow the gooseneck at 70 MPH. Trailer/boat tires are all rated at 75 or 81 MPH. Truck camper gets hauled at 75 MPH usually.

 

[crash68]

I'm not a diesel expert but that does sound low

something doesn't sound right, I do better than that with my EcoDiesel.
Winter blend fuel will cause the MPG to go down.
As mentioned before it's not so much the weight as it's the wind drag that hurts the mpg.

 

[RLJ10X]

75 mph.

You answered your own question. Make the same run at 65, and report back.

 

[Duane Smith]

I tow a 12K 5th wheel and have done the math myself, and getting 10-11 miles per gallon. Just wish they would put a 45 gallon tank on all diesel trucks. I get this in the mountains of Colorado or in the plains of Kansas... I do use the Tow/Hual mode, has anyone towed long distance with out using the Tow/Hual mode? Wonder if the shifting would be different and increase or decrease the milage.

 

[TorqueWagon]

I have a 2018 2500 diesel. I am getting like 9 miles to gallon towing a 7k trailer. I am frustrated

2007 6.7 Cummins towing 10,000lb travel trailer @ 75-80mph = 9.5 mpg hills, on flat =11mpg.

 

[Moose2]

I glance at the evic.......sometimes, but mostly I just fill the tank. HD truck that does anything I ask of it, except pay for fuel and wash itself. I got cars for gas mileage for trips that don’t require hauling or towing. I’ve been doing my part to rid this planet of the “fossil fuels” we are s‘posed to despise.........for 40+ years and we still ain’t run out. Vicious cycle. When I get to the top of the mountain and coast down the other side, I will report a good figure. Merry Christmas Everybody and hope for a better new year.

 

[Smokeybear01]

I get 12.7 towing a 14500# 5th whl with my 5.9l-seeing the earlier posts, I'm going to stick with it. Merry Christmas everyone!

 

[rntfrmme]

12k trailer, 60mph 12mpg, 65mph 10-11 mpg, 70 mph 8-9 mpg, strong tail wind over 15mpg, over 20k miles towing with 2018 ram 6.7. Mileage stays pretty consistent, your mileage may vary

 

[Ronald E Shelton]

I tow a 12K 5th wheel and have done the math myself, and getting 10-11 miles per gallon. Just wish they would put a 45 gallon tank on all diesel trucks. I get this in the mountains of Colorado or in the plains of Kansas... I do use the Tow/Hual mode, has anyone towed long distance with out using the Tow/Hual mode? Wonder if the shifting would be different and increase or decrease the milage.

I now have a 3500 CTD Mega Cab with 3.54 Rear Gears . . . .my typical mileage hauling a 7K TT delivers around 12.5-13.0 MPG.
I "always" use the Tow/Haul Mode and the Engine Brake.
Between my older 2500 CTD Mega Cab with 3.54 Rear Gears and my 3500 . . .I have driven close to 120K miles and 60K of that pulling the TT.
No regrets!

 

[tuckerdog1]

2016 2500 6.7 Long Bed. Tow a 35ft V nose bumper pull. Typical MPG 11-13. Worst ever was 9 MPG, and that was straight into a headwind. Keep speed around 65. Agree with some others, it's likely your speed. Even when not towing, my MPG drops a lot once I start getting to 70 & above.