squeezing out more mpg when towing

BAHAHAHAHA/ Sorry. Just laughing at the mileage. It's not as bad as the truck I take to work, though. I work with my neighbor, and we take his 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 to work every day. That thing gets 6-8 MPG EMPTY. I shudder to think what it gets when we are hauling materials or lumber! It's weird, though- I know people with the same truck that get way better mileage. It's probably because he treats his truck like shit. He damn near blew the engine the other day- 4 quarts low, and the sucker only takes 5. That thing was tickin' like a bomb!

 

Good tip!

Will install a Scangauge E on the Tacoma. Would like to have several of the features offered with this unit.

Thanks!

 

Installed a ScanGaugeE and the ABS light started flashing after one week of use. Called the folks I purchased the ScanGaugeE from, they sent a different cable for the the Taco and the ScanGauge works fine now.

Just got back from a 550 mile round trip towing the CampLite camper to Hunting Island SC. Most of the trip was on interstates @ 55MPH.

The Taco is turning 2500 RPM in 4th @ 55MPH and averaged 17MPG on interstates. The combined weight of the camper & camping gear/fire wood hauled is estimated @ 1900lbs total.

Ordered Red Line synthetic transmission/differential fluids to install next in the Taco.

Hunting Island SC:

 

A wing on top of a camper shell might help with the aerodynamics. Keep your tires at the correct PSI.

 

Agree, the rig needs something on the shell to help with aerodynamics.

Next MPG test, will tow the CampLite with Kayaks on the pickup shell/Thule rack, to see if that helps or hurts MPG.

During the last MPG test, ran trailer radial tires at max cold pressure of 50PSI, like always. Tested with the Taco tire pressures @ 39PSI cold. Max cold tire pressure is 44PSI & 03 Taco recommended cold tire pressure is 29PSI.

Another thing that was helpful, found gas @ $3.01 per gallon in SC!

Will see if two Kayaks help or hurt aerodynamics with Kayak bottoms pointing up:

 

Here is a thread that I posted a month or so back (http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/2nd-gen-tacomas/244036-our-fuel-mileage-while-towing.html) I kept my speed around 60 (speed limit in CA is 55 with a trailer) but the ride was terrible at 55. This speed worked out to about 2000rpm and I kept the transmission in "D" as much as I could, dropping down on hills or when the engine/trans starting searching for a gear.

Ray

 

Checked out your thread. That is good fuel economy for towing 4000lbs.

 

Aerodynamics can be a good thing and a bad thing. Boats are more aerodynamic than TT's. Someone earlier said that towing a TT is like towing a brick. That is a true statement. My best mpg was with about 500lbs of camping gear compared to an empty bed. My v6 topped out at 22mpg versus 19 when empty going 70-75mph.

 

Yep, found towing the camper with Kayaks on top of the shell gave 1MPG "better" fuel economy @ 55MPH on interstates.

http://www.tacomaworld.com/forum/towing/230200-towing-four-cylinder-2.html