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Towing Vs. Highway Driving

R

rickkane

GUEST
I am currently driving a Ford f150 5.4 Supercab. I tow a 20' enclosed trailer hauling a jr. dragster and associated junk to the race track. The trailer fully loaded weighs about 4200 lbs. My Ford doesn't handle the load very well. I also drive 41,000 miles a year commuting to work. I was going to buy a new powerstroke diesel until i drove an Avalanche. I was hooked on the spot. Now I need to figure out which one to get. I would like to get a 2500 but I'm worried about highway mileage while commuting. I don't care about towing mileage. Can someone tell me realistically what kind of mileage to expect from a 1500 and a 2500? Whichever one I get it will probably be 2wd. I plan on getting the truck about the middle of August.
 
I own the 5.3 liter version of the AV and I tow every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday an enclosed trailer 6 by 12 that weighs about 5000 lbs.

My Avalanche handles the load very well and gets about 12 mpg towing. Interstate travel without the trailer is about 17 mpg.

I ditched my 2001 Dodge ram Quad cab 1500 for this AV and don't regret it one bit....In fact I think im in love with my Chevy!!
 
I have a 1500 4x4 and get between 17 - 18.25 mpg on the freeway, with light traffic and using cruise control. Here is a link to discussions on gas mileage
 
As you can see, I have 2500 4x4 w/ 4.10 gears and live in the hot, flat, empty land of Texas. It don't get no worse than this for empty mileage. I get 12 and change for empty highway while driving no less than 75 up to about 80 or so. BTW, the speed limit in OK is 75 on the roads I drive, and at 80 I am not the fastest on the road by far. In TX on Hwy-75 between Dallas and OK, the normal traffic flow is 75-80 and I only try to keep up.

I keep records of all gas purchases. As I recall I still get the same 12 or maybe my normal city figure of 11 while pulling 3000 pounds of boat. If my wife gets her way and I buy the 7600 pound trailer, we'll see what happens to mpg then. Good luck and buy the truck you WANT! I think that's the best way to enjoy life. Take care....
 
Welcome!

There are mileage advantages to the 1500 (5.3L) and IMHO, it'll pull your trailer just fine. However... the 2500 (8.1L) will pull it REALLY well for a little worse mileage.

There are probably half a dozen threads on here for 2500 vs 1500 for towing/hauling/mileage/etc... do a search for topics that interest you!

Whichever one you decide will be better for you, you will LOVE the Av! :)
 
:B:Just got back from a trip from Albuquerque to Rye, Co in my 2002 2500 4X4 8.1 liter and averaged a whopping 15.3 MPG. That to me is awsome considering the wind and the hills. Just wanted to report the good news. This was my first time recording my mileage on the highway.
 
normanmc said:
:B:Just got back from a trip from Albuquerque to Rye, Co in my 2002 2500 4X4 8.1 liter and averaged a whopping 15.3 MPG.
Click to expand...

Normanmc - what rear do you have 3.73 or 4.10, what type of fuel do you use (regular.... super), and what was your average speed?

thanks
 
2500/3.73 - 3 adults on board, bed filled with luggage, but not towing (this time). Just returned from 1500 mile round trip to the Great Smokey Mountains of NC. Mileage for trip was 15.3. Will be making the same trip in late August with 30ft travel trailer in tow. Will report mileage after that trip.
 
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