I am just 40 minutes from the border so may investigate that avenue. Thanks for the information.
What are you towing with yours ????
- Thread starter kenmyfam
- Start date
AV8ER
Member
- Apr 19, 2012
- 260
Went on a camping/atv trip this week and my dad decided to take the tb instead of the avalanche due to fuel economy. Total trailer weight was around 3k plus the rear area filled almost to the roof. Has the 3.73 gears and towing with a mix of drive and 3rd ranging from 65-70 got about 12 mpg. Less than i was expecting but still better than 10 in the Avalanche.
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AV8ER said:
They are not known for their economy when towing !!!!!
Look everyone................ No Snow in the photograph
I had a V10 Excursion before the TB. I expect the towing mileage to be about the same at 10-12. But the non towing mileage is better, so that helps some. I really wanted an ECOboost or something like that but did not want to spend the bucks. wish there was a 20mpg tow machine that could handle up to 5000 pounds. I have been told that a VW Jetta TDI will do it and get over 20, as they are used a lot in Europe to tow trailers.
Alansd said:
Its why I am looking at the Tahoe/Yukon/Sierra/Silverado Hybrid. 20-22 MPG, and upper teens when towing.
- Nov 18, 2011
- 1,444
TollKeeper said:
Having owned a Tahoe, Avalanche, and a Silverado I can tell you, don't get too excited about great towing MPG's on any model. It doesn't happen. First thing to remember, any of the hybrids have a greatly reduced max towing amount. Second, with the torque required while towing the Tahoe Hybrid will be running the 6.0l engine pretty much full time at full power. It gets the same towing MPG as the standard Tahoe, but costs more. The only thing the Hybrid does better than the standard Tahoe is improved MPG's on the highway. I have read reports of a whopping 24 mpg at highway speeds. Compare this to my standard Tahoe 5.3l with the 6 speed transmission, I could get 21-22 mpg's on the highway if I try. Pulling a crappy u-haul trailer I was able to get about 15 mpg's on the highway. Plus, the regular Tahoe has a bunch of options that the Hybrid doesn't get. The options are removed from the Hybrid for weight savings.
Honestly, the wife and I absolutely loved the Tahoe. If we hadn't required a truck bed we would probably still have it. It seems to be the best combination of day to day use, travel, towing, hauling vehicle we have ever owned.I also have to say, MPG is always effected by how and where you are driving. If MPG's are that important to you then do everything you can to maximize it..... which includes driving slower!
Mark20
Member
- Dec 6, 2011
- 1,630
I completely agree with Ghoster.
I am part of a pretty large camping group and all of us fall in the range of 10 - 13 MPG with tow vehicle sized to the trailer. This is across GM, Ford, Dodge and Toyota from pop-ups to large campers. A couple with fifth wheel campers are barely hitting 10 MPG but they have greater weight and frontal area.
I am part of a pretty large camping group and all of us fall in the range of 10 - 13 MPG with tow vehicle sized to the trailer. This is across GM, Ford, Dodge and Toyota from pop-ups to large campers. A couple with fifth wheel campers are barely hitting 10 MPG but they have greater weight and frontal area.
- Nov 18, 2011
- 1,444
Mark20 said:
I forgot to even address the obvious part! Thank you! Make sure what you are pulling is NOT right at the maximum limit of the tow vehicle. It just works out better on many many levels. I pull around a small cargo trailer that is around 4000 lbs with my Silverado. I get 16 to 17 MPG's pulling it all day long. If I was pulling a less aerodynamic 6000 lb Trailer I would be getting 13 to 14 MPG's. If I take it to the max and put 9500 lbs back there I would be lucky to get above 10mpg's.
I will say that my Excursion V10 towed like a dream and was super comfortable. Just way to damn big as a daily driver. I only hope the TB is as reliable for us. I had the EXC for 7 years and only did front brakes and tires.
towed a small tractor, landscaping box, and 4 wheeler on a 19ft dual axle utility trailer. 110 mile trip, bout 7 mpg. left it in 3rd. did pretty good for going into a head wind. 1st time I have towed something that heavy with our envoy. had installed a brake controller from a previous trailblazer I had so hookup took about 10 minutes.
DocBrown
Member
- Dec 8, 2011
- 501
Mark20 said:
Exactly. Peruse rv.net. Anyone towing travel trailers bigger than 18 ft isn't getting much better than 10 mpg. That seems to be about the average. Some of those that are, are trying to run in OD and they are simply killing their transmissions in exchange for saving a few dollars on gas. I used to get 12 on the TB towing a 17 ft hybrid trailer that was 3500#. When I got the current hybrid at 4700#, the towing mileage went down to 9 mpg.
To get an idea of what towing a big box down the road is like for your truck, pick up a 4x4 sheet of plywood, hold it up in front of you and run into the wind. not so easy.
I towed a small tractor, landscaping box, and 4 wheeler on a 19ft dual axle utility trailer. 110 mile trip, bout 7 mpg. left it in 3rd. did pretty good for going into a head wind. 1st time I have towed something that heavy with our envoy. had installed a brake controller from a previous trailblazer I had so hookup took about 10 minutes. sorry for double quote. couldn't get picture to upload under previous quote and couldn't figure out how to delete.View attachment 33717
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I'm going to do a 250 mile tow this weekend. I expect I will use 3rd when on side roads but overdrive when on the highway..any reason no to do that on the flats?
Alansd said:
The first year we had our TT I did this and got 10-12 mpg. After that, I towed in 3rd all the time and am getting 12-13.
jfkmk said:
man that is a surprise...better mileage in 3rd than drive: I will try that next week. I woulda thought it would be better the other way, which is why i did it like that...
Alansd said:
My personal opinion is stay in 3rd and have an additional tranny cooler. Even a few bucks savings on gas is nothing compared to a replacement tranny. We are at 5,000 lb with the travel trailer and the bells and whistles. We have a seasonal lot so we take it in spring and bring it home for the winter in late fall. Other than that we may pick it up and take it elsewhere for a week or 2 over the summer. That's it really. The boat weights in at around 3,500 lb and I use 3rd for that as well. As previously stated there is little to no difference in fuel consumption.
Good Luck and enjoy your Airstream.
Alansd said:
When I towed in drive, it would start to bog down then sometimes downshift 2 gears. When I tow in 3 it almost never downshifts to 2. I know it sounds counterintuitive but I really do get better mileage in 3. Seems to have just a little more power too. I should mention that I tow at 60-65 mph.
Alansd said:
Air streams are one of the most beautiful tt's out there. I wish I could have been able to afford one, or have been lucky enough to find a decent one used.
They are out there...you just have to keep hitting CraigsList. Go to AIRFORUMS.com to learn more than you ever wanted to know about buying and fixing up one .
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
sawicksted
Member
- Dec 7, 2011
- 366
It's a 1992 18' TT that I think weighs in at about 3400lbs. The TB has no problem with it. I use a weight distribution kit and I have an electronic break controller too. I also have a 8' x 4' utility trailer...
[sharedmedia=gallery:images:170]
[sharedmedia=gallery:images:170]
sawicksted
Member
- Dec 7, 2011
- 366
This is what I started with...Kinda miss the little trailer but I like the bathroom facilities in the latest one.
You could push / pull this little gem by hand and with the corner jacks down it was as stable as one could hope for. It didn't even make the TB flinch.
[sharedmedia=gallery:images:180]
You could push / pull this little gem by hand and with the corner jacks down it was as stable as one could hope for. It didn't even make the TB flinch.
[sharedmedia=gallery:images:180]
sawicksted
Member
- Dec 7, 2011
- 366
- Nov 18, 2011
- 1,444
If I were allowed I would have one this size to play with. However, with my wife, the interior of whatever TT I get will have to be able to compete with the Ritz.sawicksted said:
Just picked up my 2014 Forest River Flagstaff 625D yesterday.Towed great on I-80/88 from Des Moines, IA to St Charles, IL.Attachments
SirRobin53
Member
- Apr 27, 2014
- 118
SBUBandit
Member
- Dec 5, 2011
- 597
As far as brake upgrades, probably the most popular two upgrades are switching to EXT front brakes, and Slotted/drilled rotors. The long wheelbase TB had slightly bigger front rotors, however you need 17" wheels to fit over them. I see you have 16' wheels, so thats out unless you want the additional cost of new wheels. I have BrakeMotive cross drilled/slotted rotors on mine (Brakemotive sells on ebay) and they were actually cheaper than new regular rotors. I love them.SirRobin53 said:
SirRobin53
Member
- Apr 27, 2014
- 118
HARDTRAILZ
Moderator
- Nov 18, 2011
- 49,665
SirRobin53
Member
- Apr 27, 2014
- 118
So should I feel a "seat-o-meter" diffrence? I have never had a car with "TOO GOOD" brakes. And my 96 silverado........... SHEESH. Its 5.7 vortec pulls great but it has no brakes at all. No idea how to help it. I think it borders on Dangerious 
(spellin) Oh well, a rant for another time
(spellin) Oh well, a rant for another time