Gas mileage

Just took a road trip with my 2008 tacoma sport dbl cab 4wd with the 4.0L engine. I was pulling a motorcycle trailer witha small v-nose. The weight was approx 3000- 3500 lbs. I towed in 4 (didn't use OD) and kept my speed at approx 60 -63 mph. I later checked my mpg and got 12 mpg on the tank. Does this sound correct considering all the info? I would have thought I would have got closer to 14-15 mpg towing this load? I do know that is a lot of headwall of a trailer of this size. The trailer is a single axle 7x10 with a small v-nose. Thank you in advance!

 

You added like 3/4 the weight of the vehicle in trailer and bike...I don't think 12 is too unreasonable. Wind and hills play a factor too....

 

What do you normally get for mileage empty?

 

I get about the same with my 2.7 5 speed pulling a 6x10 enclosed flat nose. I would have thought that the 4.0 would of gotten better than that too.

 

All small engines take a bit of a MPG hit when towing,even small V8s in half tons.12 to 13 would be about right.Leaving it out of overdrive probabaly helped you.Last year with my 4.0 I towed a large Uhaul trailer heavy loaded from WV to SC {1600 ft elevation to 700 ft elevation}pushing a light head wind and got 13 MPG keeping it out of overdrive.On the return trip with trailer unloaded with slight wind behind me but that big square front of the trailer catching a head wind running in overdrive I got 12 MPG.I get in low to mid 20s MPG running empty if I keep it under 70 MPH.

 

What do you normally get for mileage empty?
RichB.....I would normally get low 20's on the highway!