home
Become a Member | Photo Gallery | Contact Us
The Antique Automobile Club of America discussion forum is a FREE online community for those interested in exchanging information about ALL antique, classic, and collectible automobiles. AACA membership IS NOT required to register. Explore, read, contribute, and enjoy!
Search

Participating Clubs
Sponsors








Topic Options
Rate This Topic
Hop to:
#539187 - 09/22/08 10:37 AM Towing vehicle
durant28 Offline
Member

Registered: 08/23/06
Posts: 119
Loc: Oviedo, Florida
I know this was covered quite some time ago, but of the big three today, Ford, Chevy/GMC and Dodge pickups, which one that is not a diesel has the best gas mileage when towing? I know Chevrolet advertises the best towing mileage, but does it get it?
_________________________
"A man is respected and honored not for his wealth, but for what he is, what he does, what he stands for." William C. Durant

Mike Linthicum
AACA, DMAC
1971 Triumph TR6
1928 Durant Model 65

Top
#539307 - 09/22/08 07:42 PM Re: Towing vehicle [Re: durant28]
Mark Shaw Offline
Member

Registered: 06/08/05
Posts: 1324
Loc: Vancouver, WA
I have a Silvarado 4X4 1/2 ton Z71 with the small v8 engine and get just under 20 mpg empty. The only modifications are a tonneau cover and a K&N filter in the factory housing.

I tow both open and enclosed trailers with the cars listed below and get about 12 mpg when towning either trailer. Note that I use the open trailer to haul the heavier truck & sedan.....

The biggest variable is starts & stops. More stops = lower mileage. I just takes lots more fuel to get the weight moving and much less to keep it rolling. Hills almost cancel out since you use more going up and less going down, but you will get overall lower mileage than on the flat.

Top
#540266 - 09/26/08 09:26 AM Re: Towing vehicle [Re: Mark Shaw]
Scott Marencic Offline
Member

Registered: 02/28/00
Posts: 74
Loc: Hershey, PA, USA
I have an '01 Chevy 2500HD with the 6.0L gas engine. I average 9.7 MPG with my open car hauler with a full size Buick on it. Running empty I get 10 city/15 highway. It's not bad running with a light load, but the 6.0L is definitely working if I'm pulling a loaded trailer up a decent grade.

I would consider an 8.1L gas chevy, if you can find one. I've driven a friend's '01 3500HD dually with the 8.1L gas motor on several occasions, one time pulling an enclosed 8.5'x22' trailer full of construction equipment (read : severely overloaded), and another time pulling a 7x20' dump trailer with a CAT skidsteer, welding generator rig and other equipment on it.

NEVER did it feel like the 8.1 was even working. Everything this truck does is effortless. It averaged between 9-10 MPG loaded.

I've heard some people have issues with the 8.1L motor, but the 3500 I referenced above has 125k loaded miles on the clock now and has had nothing but regular maintenance.
_________________________
Scott Marencic
LDPosse@juno.com
---------------------------------
'08 Suzuki Hayabusa 1340cc
'02 Trans Am WS6
'01 Chevy Silverado 2500HD 6.0L
'88 Colt Vista
'71 Buick Skylark 455

Top


Moderator:  Oldsfan 
Hershey Video

A DVD documenting the 2008 Hershey Fall Meet.
Makes A Great Gift!
Only $19.95
Last Pedal Car

The last of the special built pedal cars will be going up for sale at the RM Auctions in Scottsdale in January. Built by the renown restorer Fran Roxas, this "Dusey" is truly is another work of art.
SEMA

Go to SEMA Action Network for the most up-to-date legislative info related to our hobby.
Who's Online
9 registered (1939_buick, 89reattaLNTHREE, BigKev, CutNChop, danhar1960, Dave Mitchell), 31 Guests and 8 Spiders online.
Key: Admin, Global Mod, Mod
Forum Stats
27894 Members
92 Forums
122928 Topics
554080 Posts

Max Online: 479 @ 03/26/08 04:18 PM
Need Help?
Lost your password? Can't remember your username? Having registration problems? Answers to many of these problems can be FOUND HERE!