Ranger towing fuel mileage

[ctechbob]

4650 lbs 7’ wide RV 60mph we average around 15mpg. Sometimes more, sometimes less, but that’s what I budget for trips even East and West to the mountains. Not sure why folks are seeing 10mph at those speeds. I hand calculate, and have never seen less than 13 for any tank.

@Grumpaw and I have an extra foot of width to contend with.

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[brroberts]

Yes some trailers are 8 - 8 1/2 feet wide.
I tow at 60 as long as the road and conditions allow it. I never tow anything over 60.

 

[ctechbob]

Yes some trailers are 8 - 8 1/2 feet wide.
I tow at 60 as long as the road and conditions allow it. I never tow anything over 60.

That's why you do so well. Narrower trailer and lower speeds. I'm on the interstates quite a bit and run 70, and that just decimates the fuel.

 

[Tom_C]

Lucky you, i pull a lighter weight 5x8 with a zero turn on it and it drops me into the low teens

I did say it was empty. I towed up there with 4 kitchen cabinets and a big wheeled trash can (total about 300 pounds) my mileage was around 19-20.

It is very weird, an empty wire mesh trailer weighing 400 lbs empty still drags the mileage down by 2-3 MPG. Science. If, one wishes to believe science.

 

[Cmar]

If you would like a comparison my 3.2 litre i5 diesel ranger gets 17 litres/100 Km or ~13 US MPG when towing our 17 foot 2400 Kg Jayco dual axle off road caravan. This is travelling on Australian back roads and highways at around 100 - 110 Km /Hr or say 60-70 MPH. The same truck traveling the same roads, sans trailer, can do 8.8 L/100 Km or ~ 27 US MPG

 

[pbethel]

I did say it was empty. I towed up there with 4 kitchen cabinets and a big wheeled trash can (total about 300 pounds) my mileage was around 19-20.

It is very weird, an empty wire mesh trailer weighing 400 lbs empty still drags the mileage down by 2-3 MPG. Science. If, one wishes to believe science.

That mesh trailer is likely as much or more drag than a solid trailer.

 

[ccasanova22]

That's why you do so well. Narrower trailer and lower speeds. I'm on the interstates quite a bit and run 70, and that just decimates the fuel.

Towing at 70mph with wind and a tall, wide trailer single digits can easily be seen in the mountains. Slow down to 50-55mph and you’ll see a huge improvement in fuel consumption.

It’s more fun taking back roads anyway, if you are using the trailer for travel and not work.

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