TACOMA towing MPG

[clmooring]

I have a 2005 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 and I am pulling a 1964 Airstream 19'.
I usually get around 18-19 MPG but pulling this camper I'm getting 9-10 MPG. It's dry weight is 2800 lbs and I drive 65-75 mph. Does this sound normal?

[Herbicidal]

Now I don't have a Tacoma, but I would say for the speeds you are driving, the answer is yes. You would see several mpg better if you kept your speed down to a max of 60 mph. There is some forumla that I can't seem to find right now that relates to the increase in wind resistance doubles for every 5 mph about 60, or some such thing. I found this little note out on the web: "...wind resistance rises exponentially (with the square of the increase in speed), so a vehicle requires four times as much power to push through the air at 80 mph as at 40 mph." This is basically what I was trying to say. Obviously fuel consumption increases accordingly.

I tow a 26' Outback travel trailer that has a camping weight of 5,620 lbs. Plus the front is pretty much shaped like a barn door with a slight rearward tilt. I'm typically right in the mpg range as you while pulling @ 62 mph.

Anyone else, please feel free to correct me if I have misstated the "formula" above.

[rwidman]

I had a Tacoma V6 pickup for several years. I got 24mpg non-towing and about 16 - 17mpg towing a 3,000 lb boat. I now have a Tundra V8 that gets about 15 mpg non-towing an 9 mpg towing a 7,000 lb boat.

I think your mileage is about what would be expected and I agree you should get better mileage if you slowed down. 75 mph is pretty fast to be towing a trailer.

BTW: Weigh that trailer and I'll bet it's a lot more than the listed "dry weight".

[j4x4ar3]

My 26' travel trailer is 5000# loaded. I average 10mpg and 8 in a heavy headwind. 20mpg when not towing.

[M-bird]

I get about 11 mpg towing an 18" steel diamondplate beavertail open trailer with a race car. total towing is just under 5000#. I'm pulling a good amount of weight, but wind resistance is nothing compaered to a camper.

[tomhole]

Originally Posted by clmooring

I have a 2005 Tacoma Double Cab 4x4 and I am pulling a 1964 Airstream 19'.
I usually get around 18-19 MPG but pulling this camper I'm getting 9-10 MPG. It's dry weight is 2800 lbs and I drive 65-75 mph. Does this sound normal?

2005 Tundra DC. I get 18 HWY, 14.5 CTY not towing. Towing a 3100 lbs pop up tent camper, I got 12.5 HWY. Towing a 5,000 lbs travel trailer, I got 10.2 HWY.

Sounds like you're in the ballpark.

TOm

[rogersja63]

Originally Posted by tomhole

2005 Tundra DC. I get 18 HWY, 14.5 CTY not towing. Towing a 3100 lbs pop up tent camper, I got 12.5 HWY. Towing a 5,000 lbs travel trailer, I got 10.2 HWY.

Sounds like you're in the ballpark.

TOm

What everyone else says. I'm getting about the same as you with my 05 Access Cab Tacoma.

[KamperBob]

I have an '04 V6 auto 4WD xCab. I have towed two different campers with it. Early this year I was pulling a 16' Scamp (2000-2500#) and got around 16 mpg. Now I have a 19' Scamp (3000#) and now get just under 15 mpg. I drive 60-65 mph on interstates, and 50-55 mph on highways.

One trick I found useful. I had a fiberglass cap. Leaving the lid up made a nice poor mans deflector. I could actually feel the 16' pull a little easier. (Moot point with my 19' as it's a fifth wheel hence not cap friendly.)

The cap-lid-up trick might help with Air Stream or other campers. Why? My understanding is that once the truck cab pushes air up over it, the cap keeps it up smoothly, then the deflector helps it blend into the slipstream of the camper better. With the lid down the air going over the cap wants to drop immediately behind the truck. Then the camper leading edge has to lift that air back up again. That's my understanding anway.

Happy trails,
-Bob

[tnmeyer]

I have an 05 Tacoma DC V6 and pull a 24' travel trailer that loaded, weighs in at about 5000 lbs. I consistently get 11-11.5 mpg towing around Wash state. That inlcudes mt. passes and the use of A/C. I also run premium when towing, and keep the speed around 60.

When not towing, I get about 16.5 mpg, but that's no hiway driving, and running on regular.

[Jim Swantko]

Originally Posted by M-bird

I get about 11 mpg towing an 18" steel diamondplate beavertail open trailer with a race car. total towing is just under 5000#. I'm pulling a good amount of weight, but wind resistance is nothing compaered to a camper.

That's about what I got towing my car on an open trailer too... pulls great however!

[Michigan Steve]

Originally Posted by j4x4ar3

My 26' travel trailer is 5000# loaded. I average 10mpg and 8 in a heavy headwind. 20mpg when not towing.

I am trying to make up my mind on my next truck, I pull 5,000lb cargo trailer 20,000 miles per year. I want the reliability of the Toyota. The Tacoma is rated up to 6,500lbs, however, towing as much as I do I have my doubts it is up to the task.

I see you pull the same weight as I do, would you buy the same truck again?

Thanks Michigan Steve

[j4x4ar3]

Originally Posted by Michigan Steve

I am trying to make up my mind on my next truck, I pull 5,000lb cargo trailer 20,000 miles per year. I want the reliability of the Toyota. The Tacoma is rated up to 6,500lbs, however, towing as much as I do I have my doubts it is up to the task.

I see you pull the same weight as I do, would you buy the same truck again?

Thanks Michigan Steve

Sorry Steve.. I haven't been in the towing forum for a while and didn't see your post. In answer to your question though YES I would buy this truck again in a heartbeat. I've been very impressed with the ability of the new Tacoma and it does very well with my trailer. Keep in mind though all trailers tow a little differently depending on how they're balanced and such. However that said I only tow maybe 2000 miles a year and the rest are daily driver miles. With as much as you're towing... ugg I hate to say it.. but Ford F150 with all the extra tow options would probably be better for you. Unless of course you wait for the 2007 Tundra. My biggest issue with a full size truck though is daily driver use and MPG as well as parking the sucker in those small grocery store stalls. My truck is great for me and my needs but it's definitely not a work truck for extended hauling.

[Michigan Steve]

Originally Posted by j4x4ar3

Sorry Steve.. I haven't been in the towing forum for a while and didn't see your post. In answer to your question though YES I would buy this truck again in a heartbeat. I've been very impressed with the ability of the new Tacoma and it does very well with my trailer. Keep in mind though all trailers tow a little differently depending on how they're balanced and such. However that said I only tow maybe 2000 miles a year and the rest are daily driver miles. With as much as you're towing... ugg I hate to say it.. but Ford F150 with all the extra tow options would probably be better for you. Unless of course you wait for the 2007 Tundra. My biggest issue with a full size truck though is daily driver use and MPG as well as parking the sucker in those small grocery store stalls. My truck is great for me and my needs but it's definitely not a work truck for extended hauling.

Thanks for your information, I can see that the Tocoma is not suited for the miles I haul. The current Chevy I tow with has done alright, however, the transmission is starting to show signs of trouble at only 24,000 miles

Next week I leave for a 1,200 mile two day trip and will finish my lease at 30,000 miles which should be about March. I will problably buy a used 3/4 ton truck, the towing milage won't be that much difference than I get now.

I would sure like to have the Toyota quality but they just don't make a truck for my use.

thanks again