I did about 3200 miles worth of towing last week. Went from MA to Bowling Green, KY to pick up a C6 convertible. Then to Panama City Beach for some Spring Break action and then back to MA. The truck was pulling a 24' enclosed car hauler that probably weighs about 6000lbs without a car in it.

Mileage really wasn't what I expected it to be. The best that I saw before loading the car was 11.3 and the best after adding another 3200lbs was 10.2. I don't tow like Grandma so that probably has something to do with it. Here is a rundown from the notes that I was keeping -

Hauler with no car -

10 MPG - level 2 tune - running between 65-75 - some slow driving because of traffic/snow
9.1 MPG - level 1 tune - 70-80 MPH - getting into the hills of PA
10.9 MPG - level 3 tune - about 70-75 MPH
11.3 MPG - level 3 tune - 70-75 MPH
8.9 - level 2 - running at about 80 MPH most of the time

There were a few other tanks of fuel. The numbers are pretty much the same.

After the car was loaded (level 2 tune unless noted) -

9.0 MPG - 75-80 MPH
8.6 MPG - cruise set at 80 MPH 95% of the time
8.9 MPG - 80-85 MPH
9.6 MPG - 70-75 MPH
10.2 MPG - 70-75 MPH with the level 1 tune

I believe the RPMs were at about 2300 while doing about 75 MPH and 2500 or so at 80. I know that I can't expect the world at these speeds but I did exect a little higher. Especially while cruising at 70-75 MPH. I was thinking at least a solid 12-13.

All of the numbers above were calculated by hand and the tank was filled to the rim each time. I found the display to be off by about .5-.7 MPG (reads high) and the fuel used was off by about 2 gallons when it was time to stop (reads low).

I never saw the low fuel light at any point. The most I needed was 29 gallons. Does anyone know what point that comes on?

Here is what I got last November going from Bellingham WA to Billings MT. There are five mountain passes along this route and I was pulling a three horse trailer with tack room empty weight of approx 3500#, 1000# horse one way and empty the other:

To Montana:
11.3 mpg 65-75 mph
10.1 mpg 65-75 mph
10.6 mpg 70-80 mph
11.1 mpg 75-80 mph

Return to Washington:
9.6 mpg 80-90 mph
12.2 mpg 70-75 mph
13.2 mpg 65-75 mph

This was done before I installed my Edge w/ Attitude
All mpg is calculated as the DIC was consistantly 1.2 mpg low.
Since installing the Edge the DIC is within .2 of calculated mpg on level 1 and my mpg is better than stock. The towing season is coming up and I hope to get better mpg especially with the cost of fuel!

These numbers (mpg and weight) are consistent with what I am getting with the Predator tuner @ 40hp and 65hp settings.

Kinda disappointing ain't it?:(

Everything was great besides the mileage. As my buddy said "this truck just goes". It maintains speed with no problems and no downshifting. Absolutely awesome tow vehicle! I believe I read that another board member found that his best mileage was around 1800 RPMs. I can't drive at that speed but I will be putting a taller set of tires on soon. That will reduce the gear ratio so I wonder if it will help.

i use the 285es for towing, and still do not shift to much, but i do run a full stack, so power is not ussally a problem

on the last trip i pulled a enclosed four place trailer with sleds and full gear approx(6500lbs) and drove from whitefish MT to medicine hat AB on one tank,(shortbox) it was actually starting to run out as we were filling, gps showed 507km or `316miles, i was running around the 80mph for 1/3 the trip then the ford guys drove and slowed down to just over the 70mph mark, have their numbers if you want to hear it from them
http://pic3.picturetrail.com/VOL22/566829/847939/89164313.jpg


Everything was great besides the mileage. As my buddy said "this truck just goes". It maintains speed with no problems and no downshifting. Absolutely awesome tow vehicle! I believe I read that another board member found that his best mileage was around 1800 RPMs. I can't drive at that speed but I will be putting a taller set of tires on soon. That will reduce the gear ratio so I wonder if it will help.

Sure! I'd like to see what you have.

tbyrne, FW isn't running your average truck! Chipped, exhaust, WI, +++??? :cool: When he's not towing he's racing his truck! ):h Unfortunately it sounds like you and him suffer the same affliction: SPEED! One has to LTAO at these posts where guys are questioning their MPG's towing 8-10k lbs down the road at 70-80mph! ;)

About those tires. :rolleyes: Bumping up to taller tires will effectively change your gear ratio, but for the worse in towing respects. You can overcome this with enough power as FW illustrates, but the loss of effective power to the wheels is there. I'm going to be faced with the tire decision soon myself. I tow heavy with my dually so taller tires aren't much of an option. If you are only going to tow 10k lbs or less you can likely get by with taller tires, but I would definitely recommend upgrading your exhaust and removing the CAT if your truck has one. ;)

Oh yeah, my Granny would have passed you at 80+ and likely given you the finger! ):h She was a hoot, with a leadfoot to boot!

pt536, exhaust baby! You got the power going in, just need to get it out faster! Later. JJ :)

I think most of my performance mods are common (induction, exhaust and programming). There isn't alot available for the LLY yet so I haven't gone to crazy. I wouldn't mind this truck running after than my supercharged 8.1 Suburban did (13.93). I'll have a tranny and converter coming up from Suncoast this week. That will allow me to run some higher Edge settings and stack it with the Predator when I'm not towing (more power... I need more power!!! :) ).

I at least figured the mileage while running 70-75 would be better (maybe a solid 12?). I know the 75-80 stuff is my own fault.

As for the tires... I had to compromise. I have a 7-9" Cognito lift and 4.56 gears that was going to go on this truck along with a set of 37" tall tires. The more I thought about it the more I realized that it wouldn't be a good idea to lift the truck if I was going to be doing alot of towing. Seeing that I'm not lifting it I'm going with the 22s instead. I ran this combo on my Suburban.

I've has some older people (possibly 80 years old ++) pass me while towing in OK a few years ago. I was doing about 85 and when one very old looking lady passed me. She had to be doing 90+. The gentleman in the passenger's seat looked older than her. He was sound asleep (well, at least I hope he was sleeping :) ).