Recs for better MPG pulling trailer?

[Stevereno]

My wife is getting around 22 MPG driving to/from work and errands around town (Houston area) in her Tahoe. No complaints about that at all. However, last weekend we took our new travel trailer out on its maiden voyage and averaged right at 10 MPG. We were on the highway most of the way and mostly flat terrain other than overpasses and such. The trailer's dry weight is about 5800 lbs and with cargo I am guessing we were probably at 6200 lbs or less. The Tahoe had plenty of power for the job, no issues with that. But it would be nice if we could do something that would give better fuel economy during towing. For the short trips where we are only travelling within an hour or two of the house it's no big deal, but when you start talking about longer trips it gets pretty expensive just to get there and back.

Her ride is a 2010 LS with the 5.3L V8, 2WD, 3:42 rear end plus HD towing package. Everything is stock to my knowledge (we just acquired it a few weeks ago).

What mods would you guys suggest and what kind of dollars are we talking for something that would give a reasonable improvement in towing MPG to where we could justify the expense?

 

[njracer]

I don't think you're going to be able to get much better mileage than that. The trailer's overall "size" is the mileage killing factor. I pull a 7x14 race trailer with my 11' Suburban and I avg about 9/10mpg. I'm also pulling substantially less weight than you.

The height and width of the trailer is the mpg killer.

 

[Parthery]

You are pushing a lot of drag that creates wind resistance.

I regularly pull a 6000+ lb 22' boat with both my '08 / 5.3 2wd and the '10/6.2/AWD. The best way to get better mileage is to slow down. If I pull the trailers at 60-65 on the interstate I can get close to 10. When I get up to 70, it drops to 7-8 mpg.

 

[Stevereno]

You guys might be right. The trailer is 28' x 8' and 11'4 at the highest point. The front is rounded to help with aerodynamics somewhat but there is only so much you can do to get around that. I was driving 60-65 MPH most of the time. Speed limit varied from 55-75 depending on which section of highway we were on. I didn't go over 65 much at all.

 

[redemn93]

ya thats a big ass trailer.

 

[Stresst]

Are you certain you are getting 22??

Honestly, pulling that weight you really need a HD pickup. These trucks are not made for this....JMHO

 

[Stevereno]

Are you certain you are getting 22??

Honestly, pulling that weight you really need a HD pickup. These trucks are not made for this....JMHO

100% certain? No. Just going by the trip computer for both values. But even if the trip computer is off, the values are still relative from a percentage standpoint.

HD pickup is a non-starter. I have a 90-mile roundtrip commute 5 days per week and my wife has zero interest in driving a pickup. The Tahoe has a rated towing capacity of 8500 lbs with the 3:42 rear end and HD towing package. It was the only realistic option for us to pull a travel trailer in the weight class we bought. HD pickup could be an option later possibly when I am retired or if I changed jobs and worked much closer to home but not practical at all right now.

 

[zzpw3x]

I have towed around 6000 lbs over 20,000 miles in the past 3 years. 10 MPG is all I get. I got a tune from Blackbear and saw no appreciable change in gas mileage (it did seem to pull better).

I've towed as low as 55 MPH and as fast as 65 MPH and still have not notice much of a difference. Trailer tires max out at 65 MPH so I tend to not go any faster than 65 for very long.

On flat land, you are going to get 10 MPG. In hilly terrain mine goes as low as 8 MPG.

 

[Stevereno]

I have towed around 6000 lbs over 20,000 miles in the past 3 years. 10 MPG is all I get. I got a tune from Blackbear and saw no appreciable change in gas mileage (it did seem to pull better).

I've towed as low as 55 MPH and as fast as 65 MPH and still have not notice much of a difference. Trailer tires max out at 65 MPH so I tend to not go any faster than 65 for very long.

On flat land, you are going to get 10 MPG. In hilly terrain mine goes as low as 8 MPG.

That's what I was afraid of but thought I would check here anyway.

Thanks.

 

[Stein2088]

If you can avoid it don't fill up your clear "fresh" water tank until you get to where you are going. Also if you can drain your gray water before you head home... I agree with everyone the size is what is killing you but at the very least less weight = less wear on your car

 

[JennaBear]

What octane are you running?

 

[Stevereno]

If you can avoid it don't fill up your clear "fresh" water tank until you get to where you are going. Also if you can drain your gray water before you head home... I agree with everyone the size is what is killing you but at the very least less weight = less wear on your car

Yeah we didn't even use our fresh water tank (i.e. it was empty going up and coming back) as there was good clean water hookup available and we drained the gray water and black water tanks before leaving our site.


@JennaBear - we are running on regular gas, I believe it is 87 Octane.

 

[JennaBear]

You need a minimum of 89 with that engine, even on stock tuning. It is higher compression.

Sent from an ice cream sammich.

 

[Stevereno]

JennaBear - we have the 5.3L V8. Per Chevy, minimum octane of 87 or higher with up to 85% Ethanol is recommended for this engine. For the 6.2L engine, 91 octane or higher is recommended.

 

[JennaBear]

Actually, the compression on your 5.3 is 10:1, which is the same as LS1 and an LQ9. You need 89+, GM just doesn't want to tell customers that for fear of driving them away. Can you run 87, sure, but I am willing to bet you have pinging.

 

[Stevereno]

No pinging / knocking that I am aware of so far. But the majority of miles put on the vehicle are by my wife driving to/from work and running errands, etc. Will have to look into this a little further. Thanks for your input.

 

[JennaBear]

Most folks are like you, and do not realize that the 08+ 5.3Ls need a higher octane. The dealer would never tell you that you need it either. Your engine will run much better and you should see higher MPGs with good quality 89.

 

[blairian]

Most folks are like you, and do not realize that the 08+ 5.3Ls need a higher octane. The dealer would never tell you that you need it either. Your engine will run much better and you should see higher MPGs with good quality 89.

Well I learned something today. Figures that is what would happen when I listened to the dealership. I usually just go with the dealer recommendation, but after this tank of 87 runs through, I'll be sticking to 89. Might explain my somewhat sub-par mileage as well...

In relation to the thread, that is about what you can expect with a trailer. Sure, the weight isn't an issue for the truck to pull, but the simple addition of the drag will cause the mileage to drop drastically. Weight is kind of a secondary factor in this...lower the speed and you should see some improvement, but don't have high hopes.

When figuring your MPG, do it the old school method with a calculator and trip meter to get a more accurate figure. You might be surprised at what you're actually getting in relation to what the computer is saying.

 

[sparkie124]

Nailed that one. My old o7 would ping like mad whil trailering but not under normal driving. Always steped up the octane for towing trips. We just got an 09 with the 6.2 and the dealership said run 87. I told my wife that was fine for her 1/2 mile commute to work. I put an exhaust & volant intake and went for a floggin. It pings. I think we will run the 87 normally and step up to the 89 for trailering.

Jennabear, Are you coming to kc for tunes in the beginning of june. I thought I saw june 8-9? That really sucks. We will be at the ozarks for some boat races and I really want a tune. LAKE TRIP N TUNE?????
Will tune help with towing MPGs?

 

[JennaBear]

Nailed that one. My old o7 would ping like mad whil trailering but not under normal driving. Always steped up the octane for towing trips. We just got an 09 with the 6.2 and the dealership said run 87. I told my wife that was fine for her 1/2 mile commute to work. I put an exhaust & volant intake and went for a floggin. It pings. I think we will run the 87 normally and step up to the 89 for trailering.

Jennabear, Are you coming to kc for tunes in the beginning of june. I thought I saw june 8-9? That really sucks. We will be at the ozarks for some boat races and I really want a tune. LAKE TRIP N TUNE?????
Will tune help with towing MPGs?

Sadly, with the 6.2L you should be running 91+ due to the even higher compression. You might be able to get away with no pinging on good quality 89 though.

So long as enough deposits are received, Justin will be making the trip to KC for tuning. Provided you are using good quality fuel and have no underlying mechanical issues, you should definitely see some MPG gains.