Terrible MPG and terrible tank = not truly a viable option for towing long distance

[BigMF]

Hmm..something is not quite right with yours. I have a big ass Thule tub with full camping gears and a Kammok awning on the roof which I think is already heavier than yours. I also have Toyo open country at3 tires. My trip from Houston to Angel fire NM average 19.5.

Forgot to include 2 power stations one of themn is the heavy Bluetti AC180 and a 55lbs Goal zero refrigerator in back seat.

What speeds were you averaging on the highway? I do tend to drive on the speedier side which I know will have a detrimental effect on MPG. That being said, I've wondered for quite a while now if something is causing my particular vehicle to get lower MPG. However, I guarantee if I took it into the dealership and said "Hey, my milage is not where is should be" the first thing they'd say is "Well, we have no way of knowing if it's right unless you take all the aftermarket stuff off and go back to the original wheels and tires" and walk away.

 

[quattr0]

Mostly 70-75 on ECO. I used to get 20.4 when on stock tires with everything on the car (tub, fridge, awning, etc.) Once I switched to AT3 it drops to 19.x range. I think because the tire pressure Discount Tires sets at 38. I'm going to increase it to 40-42 before going to Austin tomorrow and see.

 

[BigMF]

Mostly 70-75 on ECO. I used to get 20.4 when on stock tires with everything on the car (tub, fridge, awning, etc.) Once I switched to AT3 it drops to 19.x range. I think because the tire pressure Discount Tires sets at 38. I'm going to increase it to 40-42 before going to Austin tomorrow and see.

Yeah, I'm generally in the "9 over whatever the speed limit is range". I have a trip coming up next weekend and I might try and bite the bullet (and my tongue) and drive at a more moderate pace to see what it does.

 

[ckrough]

Yeah, I'm generally in the "9 over whatever the speed limit is range". I have a trip coming up next weekend and I might try and bite the bullet (and my tongue) and drive at a more moderate pace to see what it does.

Give this a once-over as well

 

[quattr0]

Mostly 70-75 on ECO. I used to get 20.4 when on stock tires with everything on the car (tub, fridge, awning, etc.) Once I switched to AT3 it drops to 19.x range. I think because the tire pressure Discount Tires sets at 38. I'm going to increase it to 40-42 before going to Austin tomorrow and see.

So I've noticed the psi was set at 34 when checked first thing in the am. I increased it to 38 ish. When fully warmed up, they reach 42psi.

1. Trip to Austin was 18.4mpg, 70-75mph when permitted. It was quite windy with the Thule tub and awning, definitely didn't help.

2. This morning was driving around town. Weather was not as windy, with exact same hardware on the roof, I got 21.6 mpg.

so my guess is on your trip, it must be a very windy day?

 

[SadWheatFox]

Tank is definitely on the small side. In my old Xterra, I could make it from Denver to Moab barely and I do mean barely on a single tank of gas. In my LC, the miles till empty was clear I was going to come up about 40 miles short, so gas in Fruita. It's fine, but a little annoying to come up that short

 

[quattr0]

If you're going to keep the car and have the $ to spend, upgrading fuel tank is an option. Look up Long Range fuel tank.

 

[erhall55]

How about this for more fuel: 8 Gal 30L Gas Fuel Spare Tank Off-Road Wrangler Land Cruiser FJ Expedition Motocross OHV

 

[Roonie]

Man I just went 250 miles in a head wind towing a small aluminum trailer that is 500 lbs and I averaged 10 mpg. Worst yet. I have 15k on the odometer. I had to fill up after 150 miles and put 15.5 gallons in. crazy.....

 

[ultane]

Man I just went 250 miles in a head wind towing a small aluminum trailer that is 500 lbs and I averaged 10 mpg. Worst yet. I have 15k on the odometer. I had to fill up after 150 miles and put 15.5 gallons in. crazy.....

How fast were you driving into the headwind?

 

[BigMF]

How about this for more fuel: 8 Gal 30L Gas Fuel Spare Tank Off-Road Wrangler Land Cruiser FJ Expedition Motocross OHV

I did have a 2.5 Gal Rotopax clone that I ended up using twice on my trip to Big Bend. I bought another to come to a total of 5 gallons.

 

[Roonie]

How fast were you driving into the headwind?

freeway driving so speed limit was 70 and I set the cruise control at 74.

 

[BigMF]

Man I just went 250 miles in a head wind towing a small aluminum trailer that is 500 lbs and I averaged 10 mpg. Worst yet. I have 15k on the odometer. I had to fill up after 150 miles and put 15.5 gallons in. crazy.....

I hear you brother!

I've got another trip coming up in September where I'll be pulling a small NoBo trailer similar to the one below all around and up and down the mountains of Colorado. I'll let you guys know how bad the MPG is when I get done. It weighs about 1100 pounds before adding water.

 

[ferrari1898]

Man I just went 250 miles in a head wind towing a small aluminum trailer that is 500 lbs and I averaged 10 mpg. Worst yet. I have 15k on the odometer. I had to fill up after 150 miles and put 15.5 gallons in. crazy.....

Our most recent trip for July 4th was Charlotte to Southwest Pennsylvania and we returned 12mpg while going 65-70mph with a 3500lb camper with several hundred pounds of gear for the week. I can only assume that to get 10mpg with only a small 500lb trailer either:

• Well Over the posted speed limit.
• A/T off road tires.
• Suspension Lift.
• 87 Octane Fuel.

If none of those apply you should probably have a dealer inspect things.

 

[Roonie]

Our most recent trip for July 4th was Charlotte to Southwest Pennsylvania and we returned 12mpg while going 65-70mph with a 3500lb camper with several hundred pounds of gear for the week. I can only assume that to get 10mpg with only a small 500lb trailer either:

• Well Over the posted speed limit.
• A/T off road tires.
• Suspension Lift.
• 87 Octane Fuel.

If none of those apply you should probably have a dealer inspect things.

speed limit 70 set cruise at 73/74.
AT tires are correct
no suspension lift all stock
I only use supreme fuel 93 octane and have since I bought it a year ago.

Pic of said trailer. It was a strong headwind. I assume you haven't experienced that yet in our brick's?

 

[RideWithYanu]

speed limit 70 set cruise at 73/74.
AT tires are correct
no suspension lift all stock
I only use supreme fuel 93 octane and have since I bought it a year ago.

Pic of said trailer

What’s the load rating on the tires? That has more impact than the tread pattern.
Cruising above 70mph (especially pulling a trailer) will definitely tank efficiency.

 

[Roonie]

What’s the load rating on the tires? That has more impact than the tread pattern.
Cruising above 70mph (especially pulling a trailer) will definitely tank efficiency.

They are Toyo open country AT3 E rated. they weigh about 56 pounds per tire. 275/70R18 stock suspension (stock tire on my first edition is 265/70R18)

edit... toyo web site says they are 52 lbs

 

[RideWithYanu]

They are Toyo open country AT3 E rated. they weigh about 56 pounds per tire. 275/70R18 stock suspension (stock tire on my first edition is 265/70R18)

Bingo. An e-rated tire is going to be an unfriendly choice for long-distance highway miles, if you care about fuel efficiency.

 

[ferrari1898]

speed limit 70 set cruise at 73/74.
AT tires are correct
no suspension lift all stock
I only use supreme fuel 93 octane and have since I bought it a year ago.

Pic of said trailer. It was a strong headwind. I assume you haven't experienced that yet in our brick's?

There have been others who have reported towing MPG in the single digits, but I am quite surprised such low fuel economy with such a small trailer. Obviously, the faster you go the your economy goes down. I tend to not go over 70mph while towing, but except for the ramp, that trailer is pretty aerodynamic.

I will say using cruiser control while towing I feel is convenient, but tends to burn more fuel. Again, I am towing 3000lb more, but in WV on some hills the cruise was fast to run some high RPMs w/ the turbo. Instead when I drive I will roll back a couple mph when going up the hill.

I have towed with the Toyota with a head wind, but it has never been for hours on end to make a significant impact to the mpg. The only thing I can guess (besides the head wind and A/T tires) is that the ramp is acting as a sail. Not that it would be a simple fix, but if the ramp was only as high as the side rails, you may see an improvement.

 

[Midwest Duo]

If the roof rack on my LCLC alone creates enough drag to affect mpg by 1-2 then that ramp has got be the anchor in your case. But then I add the disclaimer, “WTF do I know?”