My MPG Experience Pulling A Trailer

For the sake of posterity and those who may search looking for answers at a future date, I figured I'd share my recent experience with MPGs towing my toys from MN to AZ and back.

2014 TRD Sport DCLB 6 cyl. auto. 15,000 on the clock when I started the trip. I had a light-weight aluminum topper to keep our suitcases dry, but really not much weight in the bed. The trailer was an aluminum 6x10 utility trailer that weighs in at 500 lbs. On the trailer I had a 2012 Polaris Sportsman 500 HO atv at 696 lbs and a 2015 Honda CRF250L weighing 320 lbs. I would estimate that I added 100 lbs extra in tie-downs, reinforcement, spare tire, tongue jack, etc. So, total weight being pulled was approximately 1,616 lbs.

I'm a conservative driver, but I do like to keep it at the speed limit. I tried using the cruise control, but gave up pretty quickly because of the constant hunting and downshifting. As much as I could, I kept the RPMs as near 2k, with occasional jumps to 3k to climb hills.

Total miles driven = 3,750. Gallons of gas burned = 299.04. Total MPG = 12.54.

MPGs going to AZ (through Kansas and CO) were 12.696 and coming back (through NM and TX) were 12.366.

And there you have it.

 

I should add: I keep track of my mileage using Fuelly. I average 16.4 on an everyday basis. My best tank ever was 20.1.

 

I recently pulled my snow bear single-atv trailer and 2009 Kawasaki Brute Force 650 (~1200 lbs total) on a 400+ mile road trip and was appalled at how difficult it seemed for my 2015. Would immediately lose speed at the slightest of inclines and I would be surprised if I got 10 mpg... for that little weight. I can't imagine towing anything near the tow capacity (6500#) for long distances. Maybe I am just spoiled since I usually tow/haul with my 2007 Tundra.

 

I used to tow a 5k+ travel trailer in my 06 and got about 10 mpg. Weird you did so poorly with such a light load.

 

I guess most people probably don't buy these trucks to haul/tow. I always tow with my Tundra, but I thought the Tacoma would tow that little trailer and fourwheeler like it wasn't even back there. Lesson learned I guess.

 

I tow a Starcraft 34RT towed about 6 thousand miles and know when you go 200 miles its time to gas up!! 218 and you will be hung out to dry thank goodness for some gas in the old generator. Trailer is about 22 feet weight loaded about 4500lbs and toes like a dream with a properly adjusted weight distributed hitch and a few Chevy leafs in the crap stock leaf pack.

 

Yeah, that 200 mile barrier is a pain. Especially when you're out in the middle of nowhere. We were driving through central Nevada several years ago and had to drive 50 miles out of the way to make the gas work. Went over Montgomery Pass (which is only about a 6 mile stretch with a high grade) and could see the gas needle slip down.