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08-13-2013, 04:10 PM
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#1
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 30
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Surprisingly Bad Fuel Economy
Hi Folks,
I have a 2103 Toyota Tacoma V6 4WD (GCWR = 11,100, GVWR = 5450), and I am pulling a Kodiak 221RBSL (Dry 4616, normal kind of load for two people camping, so I am guessing up around 5600lbs - I try not to travel with anything in the tanks). Truck has a rated tow capacity of 6400lbs. I included the GCWR and GVWR as I know that calculating tow capacities is a complex thing .
The truck pulls OK all the way to 70mph, but seems happier around 60. I have a WDH and sway bar so handling is good. What has surprised me is that I am getting slightly less than 10mpg on a run, even less with a strong headwind (not surprising) where it drops to about 8.5mpg.
This seems low to me - I am not sure what I was expecting, but not this.
Any thoughts or comments? Anyone have a comparison of a similar set up?
I am getting the fuel stats from an OBD Reader as well as good old fashioned math. All numbers are US gallons.
Thanks,
Drew.
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08-13-2013, 04:16 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Join Date: May 2011
Posts: 1,707
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Quote:
Originally Posted by okdrew
Hi Folks,
I have a 2103 Toyota Tacoma V6 4WD (GCWR = 11,100, GVWR = 5450), and I am pulling a Kodiak 221RBSL (Dry 4616, normal kind of load for two people camping, so I am guessing up around 5600lbs - I try not to travel with anything in the tanks). Truck has a rated tow capacity of 6400lbs. I included the GCWR and GVWR as I know that calculating tow capacities is a complex thing .
The truck pulls OK all the way to 70mph, but seems happier around 60. I have a WDH and sway bar so handling is good. What has surprised me is that I am getting slightly less than 10mpg on a run, even less with a strong headwind (not surprising) where it drops to about 8.5mpg.
This seems low to me - I am not sure what I was expecting, but not this.
Any thoughts or comments? Anyone have a comparison of a similar set up?
I am getting the fuel stats from an OBD Reader as well as good old fashioned math. All numbers are US gallons.
Thanks,
Drew.
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I was going to make a "Back to the Future" comment about your 2103 Toyota, but I digress.
10 mpg Doesn't seem too terrible actually. Most of the guys I know pulling campers with a gasser get between 7 and 10 regardless of make/model/brand. Going by that, you're at the top of the spectrum. Guys with diesels get a little better, maybe 12 or 13 depending on their setup.
I am actually surprised that a 6-banger does that well. Usually they just don't have the torque that the V-8's do, and thus fuel economy suffers when towing.
cheers
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08-13-2013, 04:19 PM
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#3
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Senior Member
iRV2 No Limits Club
Join Date: Jun 2006
Location: Naples, Fl.
Posts: 1,303
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WOW. I get an honest 12.5 with my one ton dually and Cummins, towing a 8100 pounds of trailer.
A smaller trailer towing with a Ford Expedition, we got 5.
__________________
Camping Rig: 2006 Outback 27 RSDS--
2005 Dodge 3500 - Dually- Cummins
Full time since June 2006
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08-13-2013, 04:27 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2012
Location: Oregon
Posts: 6,596
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I'm guessing you live where it's flat. 10 mpg is real good for a truck that's maxed out on the tow rating. Try towing in the mtns for a while then you'll see 8.5 all the time. Problem with those small trucks is the small gas tank. Not much range when traveling.
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08-13-2013, 04:35 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Monaco Owners Club
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Angola State Prison - Murder
Posts: 4,230
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I think you're doing fine with a V6. Smaller engines get good mpg running lite, put a load on them and they suck . With my V10 pulling 12 tons, I get 8mpg.
__________________
John & Clare Lyon
2007 43.5' Monaco Dynasty Palace III (All Electric)
Towd: 2011 Chevy Equinox
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08-13-2013, 04:52 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Kitts Hill, OH
Posts: 2,252
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10 MPG sounds good for the amount of power those engines make.
__________________
(RVM#26) THE U-RV 94 F-700/24 foot U-haul box home built RV
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08-13-2013, 04:52 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Join Date: Apr 2012
Posts: 507
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Look at it like this. Your'e moving close to six tons, ten miles down the highway at 60-70mph for the cost of a couple or three cups of coffee.
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08-13-2013, 05:47 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 201
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I get 12 pulling a 12500 lb 5er. 2013 F250 crew cab 4x4 powerstroke diesel.
__________________
2013 F250 Super Crew, 4x4, powerstrke
2013 Sundance 3310 CL, Platinum
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08-13-2013, 06:06 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 4,232
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I'd say you're about right. Unless someone hand calculates, I wouldn't trust it.
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08-14-2013, 04:00 AM
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#10
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Member
Join Date: May 2013
Posts: 30
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Thanks to all for the posts and the examples. I guess the little Taco isn't doing so bad after all. I have been really surprised at how well it tows the trailer from both a power and handling perspective. As one poster mentioned the gas tank is a little one the small side which means frequent stops. Not the end of the world.
Drew.
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08-14-2013, 04:54 AM
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#11
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Senior Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 115
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We only pull a little 2500 lb EggCamper, but I now get better fuel economy pulling it with my small V8 Tundra (14 mpg), than I did when I used my V6 Chevy S-10, (12 - 13 mpg).
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08-14-2013, 08:08 AM
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#12
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Senior Member
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: Oswego IL
Posts: 2,381
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I sold off my 2001 6.0L (gas) Chevy 2500HD 4X4 SB since it would only get between 7 to 8 MPG on flat land towing my first 5er. Bought a new 2008 6.7L Cummins/Ram Diesel, now I get between 10 and 12 depending on wind and terrain towing my 5er. These are hand calculated fuel numbers.
Jim W.
__________________
Jim & Jill
Sold: 2010 318SAB Cougar:New: 2016 Cedar Creek 34RL. 2008 Dodge 6.7LCummins the original 6.7L engine, w/68RFE Auto
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08-14-2013, 12:54 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Join Date: Sep 2012
Posts: 338
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V6 needs to rev, higher rpms and more throttle can be worse than having 2 more cylinders with lower rpm and less throttle.
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08-14-2013, 02:20 PM
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#14
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Moderator Emeritus
Ford Super Duty Owner
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Bryan, TX when not traveling.
Posts: 22,942
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Sounds about normal for a smaller gasser towing.
Ken
__________________
Amateur Radio Operator (KE5DFR)|No Longer Full-Time! - 2023 Cougar 22MLS toted by 2022 F150, 3.5L EcoBoost Tow Max FX4 Lariat Travel with one Standard Schnauzer and one small Timneh African Gray Parrot, retired mechanical engineer
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