Ram 1500 2013 5.7 bad towing mpg

[winogak]

I have a ram 1500 2013 5.7 when towing a 7x12 x8 ft height i get 8.7 mpg but there multiples factors

6 speed trans might be the biggest issue

I only check via the cluster my consumption

I currently have manifold leak giving me a code that combustion is to lean rich oxygen wonder if that make trow more gas but truck is very noisy

Front is raised max settings with bilstein 5100 so about 2.8 lift
Rear has a big spacer with with tufftruck XHD coil giving a lift about 1 to 1.5 higher than front

I have a backrack with a light going upward but dont think would affect much the mpg even with the trailer

Truck also have 2in wheel spacers
i know its mostly all bad for mpg but looking for a mod of any kind that could help or anything thanks!
With 285/65/20 tires geolandar g015

 

[mtofell]

How heavy is the trailer, what type of terrain and what speed? These trucks eat gas on hills and when you have your foot in it. 8.7 isn't all that surprising if some of the unknowns I asked are leaning towards the unfavorable end.

 

[06 Dodge]

Based on what you wrote the 2.8 lift along with tires are eating into your fuel mileage.

 

[winogak]

Mostly flat terrain highway driving 55 mph

 

[dhay13]

Your lift and tire/wheel selection definitely aren't helping you but you are pulling a big sail behind you. I had a 2007 1500 with a 4.7 and towing a 14x7 enclosed trailer that weighed about 4000-4500lbs from Pittsburgh to Indy I got about 8.5 MPG.
Then I towed my son's 7500lb TT with my 2013 1500 with 3.55's and got about 7.5.
Sounds like you are about in the ballpark for what you should be seeing.

 

[tron67j]

The biggest gains would come from lowering your truck, getting narrower tires, and removing spacers. Obviously not what you want to do. You mention your transmission, is it slipping? Changing that is not going to be worth the cost and effort by a long shot. Gearing makes a little more of an impact but also not worth it; higher gears would get better mileage but make towing worse.

First, what is weight of trailer of the fully loaded trailer, already asked above? What is the weight of the truck fully loaded? Weight is your enemy, the more you carry and drag behind you, the worse or mpg gets. Get excess weight out of truck if possible.

Check your mpg by setting trip odometer to zero each time you fill up and manually calculate mpg. Computer isn't very accurate. Also, get error code fixed, make sure air filter is clean, might make sense to put a good set of spark plugs in.

You have made even more of a billboard out of your truck than what we all already deal with, just enjoy your ride and don't worry about mpg.

 

[jws123]

Also fix your exhaust manifold its not helping.

 

[DILLIGAF]

Towing with a grocery getter usually yields horrible MPG . That POS 6 speed isnt helping you ! and you leveled it with 5100s.

There's nothing you can do. live with it.

 

[nlambert182]

That's not terrible mpg considering what you've done to the truck.

If you want the best towing experience, leave the truck stock. All of the doodads you slapped on might make it look the way you want but you sacrificed towing for looks.

 

[2003F350]

The single biggest issue is going to be your manifold leak causing a lean condition - that means your truck is adding extra fuel that it really doesn't need to. Get that fixed first, it will definitely help your unloaded mileage, and MAY help somewhat with your towing mileage.

Everything else you've done hasn't helped you, but unless you take out the level, put on light, narrow tires, and drive it easy, you're otherwise in the ballpark for towing basically any enclosed trailer. They're big sails, with relatively large frontal areas that drastically increase drag. Increased drag means lower mileage, period.

 

[turkeybird56]

I get 12 ish mpg with my 1st year Gen 5, 2019 Bighorn. 5.7 L no e torque. Towing 2150 lb stock trailer loaded 4000 - 5000 lbs hay. 3:21 rear all stock crept for AT tires and AEM air filter. So OP getting yer mileage with lifted truck and tires etc U doing good.

OP make sure using tow haul mode also.

 

[ramffml]

I get between 9 and 12 on flat roads depending on speed (63 to 68 ish) and head or tail wind. 6000 pounds dual axle RV.

But I'm also very conservative on passing or getting up to speed, my rpms very rarely exceed 3700 before upshifting, on the freeway I sit at about 2200 IIRC.

I don't think your transmission is going to be the biggest issue unless you're constantly going through the gears, on the freeway if your RPMs are similar to mine then it won't matter much how many gears you have, 6th gear for me is "direct drive", or 1 to 1, and with the 3.21 that puts me in the 2200 territory.