What should I expect in MPG while towing my RV

[1 MEAN66]

I have NOT pulled with my Ram as of yet. It was bought to replace my rusty Dakota with I did pull with. But what I pulled was our 66 Satellite on a 16ft steel deck car trailer (6000 lb for those two together). The Ram will see no more winters and the Dakota saw all of them during the 22 years I owned it. It was two wheel drive,4.7, 5 speed manual, 3.55's Got 15mpg from Albany NY to Canton NY going through the Adirondack Mts. Not only was it a stick (where I could choose the gear "I" wanted when "I" wanted it, but the roof of the car on the trailer was no higher than the cab of the truck. I got my Ram (16, 1500, Reg Cab, 6sp auto,3.55's, 5.7) to pull what I have. What ever it gets is what it gets (hoping to get the same 13-15, but from what is said here- doesn't look good). Anyway here is something learned: speed does not always get you there faster! depending on the distance your total time will be close to the same. 675-700 miles @ 65 mph and 9mpg+ 3 stops to fill and go. vs same distance @ 58 mph with maybe 13 mpg would be longer drive time but 1 less stop. Not only that but it will be easier on the vehicle. ??? All I know is because of all those out there that want "automatics" I could not get (because no one could order a 5.7 with a speed manual!!

 

[irakozak1]

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

We get 7-9 mpg

 

[redvetram]

Depends a lot on your gear ratio in your truck.

3.21

 

[OldManEdge]

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!
It's a camper trailer, 28ft long. RAM = 3.21 Rear axle ratio. 18inch rims, 275/65R18 BSW AS LRR Tires...? 8 Speed Auto 8HP75 TRANS. GVW Rating 7,100#.
Thank you!

Well... 3-hour drive there and 3 back. I just got back from towing the camper. Going 62-65MPH, Into the headwind I got 8MPG, coming back 9MPG. All pretty flat roads too.

 

[Summit1]

Consider the old and true adage: "Feet don't matter, but pounds do." Also consider that any trailer or 5th Wheel/Gooseneck will present serious (wind) drag. Increased vehicle speed will increase fuel consumption (not a linear function). Much above 65 MPH, even on flat terrain, will really suck up the fuel.

 

[Tulecreeper]

Consider the old and true adage: "Feet don't matter, but pounds do." Also consider that any trailer or 5th Wheel/Gooseneck will present serious (wind) drag. Increased vehicle speed will increase fuel consumption (not a linear function). Much above 65 MPH, even on flat terrain, will really suck up the fuel.

And will not get you to your destination appreciably faster...and is dangerous.

 

[Gary Fields]

My truck does not seem to care about the trailer weight, just aerodynamics. With just a flat utility trailer empty it will get 15-16. If I put the ramp on it to make it like a huge sail in the back we're down to 12. Virtually anything else from 2 Waverunners to a large U-Haul will drop it to 12, maybe 10 if you drive fast with a load. Makes calculating fuel stops easy. Distance divided by 10 is your range.

 

[Jerrybob]

I have a 2019 Tradesman with 5.7 hemi....3.92 rear.....8 speed trans....MDS.....4x4....crew cab.....tow package.....and hard tonneau cover. We pull a 17ft Casita.....about 3100 lbs fully loaded. I do not use a WD system.....don't need it....no sag. We just returned from a 2029 mile trip through Wash.....Oregon....Idaho and Montana. 60% two lane roads and hills/mountains......speed around 50 to 55.....40% highway......speed around 62 to 65. I averaged 16.8 mpg for the entire trip. Truck and trailer performed great! Best riding tow rig I've ever owned. My truck is rated for 11,600 lbs towing. I also tow a car trailer with tractors, carriages and cars at times. Love the truck. On this trip.....pulling some steep grades.....I watched my temps........hardly even moved......truck took hills at 50mph with no problem.

 

[OldManEdge]

I have a 2019 Tradesman with 5.7 hemi....3.92 rear.....8 speed trans....MDS.....4x4....crew cab.....tow package.....and hard tonneau cover. We pull a 17ft Casita.....about 3100 lbs fully loaded. I do not use a WD system.....don't need it....no sag. We just returned from a 2029 mile trip through Wash.....Oregon....Idaho and Montana. 60% two lane roads and hills/mountains......speed around 50 to 55.....40% highway......speed around 62 to 65. I averaged 16.8 mpg for the entire trip. Truck and trailer performed great! Best riding tow rig I've ever owned. My truck is rated for 11,600 lbs towing. I also tow a car trailer with tractors, carriages and cars at times. Love the truck. On this trip.....pulling some steep grades.....I watched my temps........hardly even moved......truck took hills at 50mph with no problem.

WOW! Impressive! The last trip I just did here in Michigan I got 10mpg. Going 63(ish). I just wished I didn't have the "E-torque" crap.

 

[Jerrybob]

WOW! Impressive! The last trip I just did here in Michigan I got 10mpg. Going 63(ish). I just wished I didn't have the "E-torque" crap.

No e-torque here.....I've been very impressed with my Ram.....the truck before.....a Chevy 2500 with the Vortec 6.0 was lucky to get 10mpg pulling the same trailer. The Ram does a better job in every category and rides so smooth.