What should I expect in MPG while towing my RV

[Jane S]

I have a 2021 RAM 1500 5.7 V-8 HEMI. I recently purchase a RV Camper to tow with my RAM. I was wondering what sort of gas mileage would I expect to get while towing? The camper dry weight is 5,200lbs. Any ideas and/or recommendations are greatly appreciated!
Thank

you!

10 MPG and less. The weight is less important than the size of the sail you are pulling.


Headwind in TX 8 mpg.

Tail wind in TX 30 mpg

 

[Riccochet]

10 MPG and less. The weight is less important than the size of the sail you are pulling.


Headwind in TX 8 mpg.

Tail wind in TX 30 mpg

This. The size/shape has more to do with fuel economy than the weight.

A 4000# 20' box trailer is going to get far worse fuel economy than a 4000# 20' bass boat.

 

[OldManEdge]

That is my experience. With 4ndifferent trucks with three different engines and two different brands towingntwo different travel trailers...all gas engines. All got around 7.5 to 8 MPG given level ground and light winds. It goes down from there. On any trip, gas for the truck is always our biggest expense.

That is what I am worried about too.... the gas expense. We are thinking about a trip from Michigan to Texas (1,400 miles), but at 7 or 8 MPG...? With the current "unknowns" out there, gas prices, will rethink this one.

 

[turkeybird56]

Probably in the 10 - 12 MPG range. If you push the speed past 70, expect it to drop pretty quick from there.

RIGHT here exactly. I have a stock trailer when full with hay I am pushing 6-7K of weight, and get above mileage. Try to stay at 65 mph, 70 and above lousy, 65 mph sweet spot. U may want to insure U have a WDH properly dialed in also if U R going any distance.

 

[OldManEdge]

"WDH properly dialed" The camper place supposedly dialed it all in. I am not so sure. Is there a way to check or tune it in myself?
Thank you!

 

[runamuck]

your trailer is 4-500# heavier than mine was..6000# 28' but I usually got 8.5-10 towing it at 68-70. similar tow vehicle: '19 laramie 1500 ccsb 4x4 3.92 rear end ORP e-locker 33 gal. 5.7L 20" Falken Wildpeak AT3. only used regular except a few tanks when towing 100* temps I would put midgrade. great truck trans always cool . always used tow/haul.

 

[turkeybird56]

"WDH properly dialed" The camper place supposedly dialed it all in. I am not so sure. Is there a way to check or tune it in myself?
Thank you!

Weight Distribution Hitch. There are several decent ones out there, and if U R on a trip, U definitely need one. There are numerous threads on towing and loading and setting up the hitches, listening to the clown sales guy is not a place I would listen too. Also CAT scales, weighing load and such, all part of that equation.

Somebody who regularly uses hitches and tows a lot needs to chime in, as I am only local, and do not use a WDH, not going that far, like a monster trip. ALSO, your trailer should have electric brakes. I hope you have the TT controls installed on your truck also.

ADDED: I am not the expert on this, a lot of other folks on here tow all the time and can help you out better,.

 

[OldManEdge]

Weight Distribution Hitch. There are several decent ones out there, and if U R on a trip, U definitely need one. There are numerous threads on towing and loading and setting up the hitches, listening to the clown sales guy is not a place I would listen too. Also CAT scales, weighing load and such, all part of that equation.

Somebody who regularly uses hitches and tows a lot needs to chime in, as I am only local, and do not use a WDH, not going that far, like a monster trip. ALSO, your trailer should have electric brakes. I hope you have the TT controls installed on your truck also.

ADDED: I am not the expert on this, a lot of other folks on here tow all the time and can help you out better,.

Yes I have both WDH Hitch and Electric Brakes set up in my RAM. They just never told me how to set up either one.

 

[Riccochet]

Yes I have both WDH Hitch and Electric Brakes set up in my RAM. They just never told me how to set up either one.

Brakes are easy if you have an OEM trailer brake controller. Go in to your EVIC and set it to heavy electric. Set the gain around 5. Then drive at about 20 mph. While coasting use the slider to fully engage the trailer brakes. If the wheels lock up decrease the gain until they don't. If they don't lock up increase the gain until they almost do. Boom, you're done, brakes set.

As for the WDH setup you'll need to hit a CAT scale. Weigh 3 times. Once while fully hooked up with the WDH, once while hooked up with the WDH spring bars removed (ball only), and once truck only. Do not unhook or mess with anything while on the scale. Do all your hooking and unhooking in the parking lot.

This is going to tell you 3 things.

1st weigh: weight being transferred by your WDH
2nd weigh: tongue weight of your trailer and how much weight is being removed from your steer axle
3rd weigh: unloaded axle weights of your truck

Goal here is to adjust the WDH so that your steer axle weight is as close a possible to matching in 1 and 3.

 

[crash68]

As for the WDH setup you'll need to hit a CAT scale. Weigh 3 times. Once while fully hooked up with the WDH, once while hooked up with the WDH spring bars removed (ball only), and once truck only. Do not unhook or mess with anything while on the scale. Do all your hooking and unhooking in the parking lot.

This is going to tell you 3 things.

1st weigh: weight being transferred by your WDH
2nd weigh: tongue weight of your trailer and how much weight is being removed from your steer axle
3rd weigh: unloaded axle weights of your truck

Just the first and third options for adjusting the WDH, the second time with the WDH unhooked is if you want to see the difference on paper the WDH makes instead of calculating it.

"WDH properly dialed" The camper place supposedly dialed it all in.

your not the first person the RV salesperson lied to about this. Probably the main reason why people end up "white knuckle" towing. A properly loaded trailer and WDH you can tow with one hand on the wheel and the cruise control set.
Weighing the truck and trailer fully loaded is key. Ideally replace the weight lost on the front axle and make sure the rear axle weighs more than the front with the WDH adjusted.