Towing mpg

Tim Huey · September 21, 2019

I would like to know the mpg you guys get towing a travel trailer up to 7000lbs. I recently upgraded from a 09 z71 to a 19 custom 2wd 5.3. Haven't had the chance to tow my travel trailer yet, wanna know if mpg is better or the same. 200 mptank lol.

batman900 · September 21, 2019

Not exactly the same but close, I towed an enclosed horse trailer loaded with furniture which equaled to around 5000lbs and ran 70-75mph through hilly Oklahoma 70 miles each way. I averaged 10-11mpg. Given the fuel capacity I would have gotten a little over 200 mptank but it would have been pretty low at the 200 mark.

greatmizzou · September 21, 2019

Sounds about right. Everything Ive read about gas towing is in line with gas 8-9 mpg average

200mptank isn't terrible but its a huge pain in the rear when you have to plan gas fill ups so often.

You have a 24gallon tank? Just remember your dead in the water at about 225-230 miles, so if you miss that 200mile fuel up you can get stranded real easy

wizard4878 · September 21, 2019

I have a 6'x12' enclosed trailer, normally loaded to about 3500lbs , my 2005 would get about 12 mpg and the 2019 got 15 on the same trip if that helps any

Z71-K9 · September 22, 2019

I have '19 AT4 crew cab 6.2L. Towed my 32 ft camper (6000 lbs)to Indy on Memorial Day. I kept my speed down to 63mph. I averaged 11.7mpg. Pretty awesome for me.

cmysstailights · September 22, 2019

15 2500 6.0, fully loaded bike rack, family, golf cart and 39ft trailer. I got 7 mpg at 60 mph going upstate ny to lake george on e85. Im estimating payload was at 2700lbs and trailer weighed at or over 10k lbs.

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Ezekiel2517 · September 23, 2019

Maiden voyage with my new 2019 LTZ 6.2 Max Tow netted me 8mpg pulling a 26ft, 5900 lb RV. Traffic was bad in the way out and had a really bad headwind on the way home. I suspect I can get 10 on a better day and once I break it in.

But it pulled like a beast. The 10speed is awesome with the 6.2.

My old 2014 5.3 3.42 could do up to 12 towing with no winds on flat ground after diablo tune .

greatmizzou · September 30, 2019

I blew my transmission on vacation

I got a UHAUL 2020 1500 single cab 8' bed and omg it pulls so much better then my 02' 1500 5.3. I need to check what engine is in it...i suspect its not the 5.3 either Lol

4,000lb camper got 11mpg doing 60-70mph flat land

TXGREEK · September 30, 2019

I blew my transmission on vacation [emoji24]

I got a UHAUL 2020 1500 single cab 8' bed and omg it pulls so much better then my 02' 1500 5.3. I need to check what engine is in it...i suspect its not the 5.3 either Lol

4,000lb camper got 11mpg doing 60-70mph flat land

It’s cause of the higher HP, Torque and added transmission gears.

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BigBadSierra · September 30, 2019

Loaded question.

As others it should be around 10mpg but I've seen it drop to 8mpg with bad head winds.

So many factors to deal with when towing for sure.

Jack D · October 29, 2019

Towing 29' camper (6,000-6,500 lbs.) with fully-loaded truck (camping/towing gear, 3 adults, 2 cats). LTZ Premium with 6.2/10-speed and Max Towing with 3.42 gears. In five trips of mixed driving, the truck consistently got between 11.2-12.3 mpg. All five trips consisted of a mix of stop & go traffic through large congested areas, rolling hills, and some sections of 55-65 mph highway mixed in - not the best conditions for good mileage. The truck still has less than 4k on the odometer, so I would imagine towing mileage will get slightly better once it gets fully broken in.

Zrouge1 · October 29, 2019

With my single axle 22’ travel trailer which is 3000lbs dry, and I figure 1600lbs worth of gear and people I am averaging 11mpg. That’s mostly interstate at 70-75 mph, and pretty hilly, that’s based on two 200 mile round trips, with 70 miles of a bad head wind. So a little better than I expected, and I think with some more miles it might go up a hair.

TXGREEK · October 29, 2019

Towing 29' camper (6,000-6,500 lbs.) with fully-loaded truck (camping/towing gear, 3 adults, 2 cats). LTZ Premium with 6.2/10-speed and Max Towing with 3.42 gears. In five trips of mixed driving, the truck consistently got between 11.2-12.3 mpg. All five trips consisted of a mix of stop & go traffic through large congested areas, rolling hills, and some sections of 55-65 mph highway mixed in - not the best conditions for good mileage. The truck still has less than 4k on the odometer, so I would imagine towing mileage will get slightly better once it gets fully broken in.

That’s insane, my 2014 5.3 with 3.42 got 4 mpg’s. It was the worst pickup I’ve ever had, horrible all around mpg’s.

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FishinJ · October 30, 2019

Towed the boat to the keys. Top acts like a sail. Approx 4.5 hour drive with a little instate around 75. Fully loaded and fueled (boat holds 80 gals), 5 dive tanks and all gear, all fishing gear. Got 10 - 11 mpg which is the same as my 2015 got.

Bobv07662 · November 6, 2019

Past weekend 200 mile round trip towing 3500 lb open car trailer with my 19 RST 2wd 5.3 8 speed. Used the "Trailer Mode" entire time, overall 15.9 mpg. As a comparison the truck gets 22mpg on the same route without the trailer. The Trailer Mode is a great feature.