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Old 04-22-2010, 09:58 PM   #1
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Gas mileage when towing

I have been reading the posts on towing and mileage. Just for information. I have just returned from a trip to Napa Valley Ca. from Vancouver Island. I was towing a 17B with a Ford Escape V6 automatic (overdrive turned off) and I kept the revs at around 3000 (as much as I could anyway). I was running with around half a tank of fresh water and no grey or black in the tanks. (The weight of my Escape Trailer was 2600 pounds) My overall gas mileage was 17.4miles per Imperial gallon (which is around 14.2miles per American gallon). My cruising speed on the I 5 was usually 100 and I didn't push it through the mountains. My total mileage was 4322 kilometres (2685.6 miles). The cost of gas for the round trip was $591.70 (dollar was almost at par). I am somewhat astounded at the better mileage that larger tow vehicles seem to be getting as reported in the forum, and I'm wondering if a larger engine, working less, would give me better mpg. Any ideas??
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Old 04-25-2010, 01:55 PM   #2
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

City driving in my Rav4, 6 cyl: 9.5 l/100km = 14.5 mpg
Towing Escape 17b: 15.5 l/100 km = 25 mpg
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Old 04-25-2010, 07:44 PM   #3
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Re: Gas mileage when towing


Ron,

Best check your math.

baglo
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Old 04-26-2010, 06:16 PM   #4
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by ronstew
City driving in my Rav4, 6 cyl: 9.5 l/100km = 14.5 mpg
Towing Escape 17b: 15.5 l/100 km = 25 mpg
Metric converter says 15.5 litre / 100k = 15.7 mpg ( US ) or 18.1 mpg ( Imp )
9.5 litres / 100 k = 24 mpg ( US ) or 29 mpg ( Imp )

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Old 04-27-2010, 12:45 PM   #5
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Hi: All... I shudder to think about MPG on this trip. 5% grades for 5 miles or more and our V6 power plant is wheezing. Couple that with 87 octane 10% ethanol and its second gear grades. Hello from West Virginia... HokieEscape where are you Alf
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Old 04-27-2010, 08:15 PM   #6
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by escape artist
Hi: All... I shudder to think about MPG on this trip. 5% grades for 5 miles or more and our V6 power plant is wheezing. Couple that with 87 octane 10% ethanol and its second gear grades. Hello from West Virginia... HokieEscape where are you Alf
escape artist N.S. of Lake Erie
Alf and Maryanne caught up with me this afternoon in Blacksburg. Felt like old friends getting together! Then we were joined by Ian and Jenny (Houdini) from Vermont for dinner (they are making their way up the Blue Ridge Parkway). We talked non-stop Escape and had a great time. One of them will post a picture when they get Internet access. A little Escape get together on the East Coast. Thanks guys!
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Old 04-28-2010, 06:51 AM   #7
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Sounds like a great bit of fun Dan. I woulda sure liked to have been there. I did fortunately get to meet Ian & Jenny, but sure would like to meet the rest of you.
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Old 04-28-2010, 11:57 AM   #8
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Yep, we talked about you : - ) Nose itching?? They wanted to see where you'd cut the hole in the roof of Hokie, and the Canadian Tire Telescope I used to repair it :-)
We were wishing you could have been with us too. One day.........
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Old 05-03-2010, 09:50 PM   #9
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Hi All - just sharing some fuel economy numbers. We picked up our 5.0 last weekend and checked the economy on the return trip towing the trailer. We tow with Ford Ranger, 2WD, 3.55 axle, 4.0L V6, 5 speed OD trans. We towed the unit with OD off, and fresh water tank full, oh, and the tailgate was still on ( forgot to remove ) before we left. We towed mostly at 100KPH in 4th gear. When towing up the Coguihalla (I hope the spelling is correct), we towed in 3rd gear in the real steep spots at about 3000RPM which resulted in speed of about 70KPH. So here are the results:

Chilliwack to Merritt = 17.7 IMP MPG
Merritt to Revelstoke = 19.3 MPG
Revelstoke to Radium = 19.4 MPG
Radium to Calgary = 20.0 MPG

Overall for this trip average was 19.2 MPG.... When I do unloaded highway travel we normally get 27 MPG..
I think this is pretty good fuel economy for towing about 3000lbs. Trailer towed beautifully, straight and true. There is a great Prov Park (Kekuli) just south of Vernon(nice views of the Lake below).

Loving the trailer so far.. Next Trip = June (Wyoming) looking forward to cheaper gas prices.

Hope this info helps those looking to purchase the Ranger.

Ken (EGSKPN)..
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Old 05-03-2010, 11:18 PM   #10
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Hi Ken

We get within a couple of MPG the same as you towing a Escape 19 with a
Toyota Tacoma, 4.0 six automatic. Eileen and I have been to Kekuli Provincal
Park quite a few times and just love it, great view of the lake and a nice clean place.
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Old 05-03-2010, 11:37 PM   #11
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Hi Doug - yes it is nice, clean and quiet with great views. The Hosts seem to keep a good handle on stuff there. Only wish I did not have to push that shower button as many times as I did. Seems like 5 to 6 seconds is just not enough.

Ken (EGSKPN)
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Old 05-04-2010, 01:53 AM   #12
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Hi: EGSKPN... Those timed showers are a pain...but they sure keep the Teens from stayin' in to long. Glad to hear your intro. to the 5.0 was as expected and the 4.0 Ranger handled the hills "OK". Want to see lots of pic's. Alf Congrats Too!!!
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Old 05-04-2010, 04:30 AM   #13
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by EGSKPN
Hi Doug - yes it is nice, clean and quiet with great views. The Hosts seem to keep a good handle on stuff there. Only wish I did not have to push that shower button as many times as I did. Seems like 5 to 6 seconds is just not enough.

Ken (EGSKPN)
Isn't the 5.0 a wonderful thing? Congratulations, and welcome to the Club.
The best way to handle the 6 second shower is to take a shower in your 5.0's wonderful bath. If you're hooked up to water, the only 6 you have to worry about is 6 gallons of hot water before it turns cold!
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Old 05-04-2010, 09:37 AM   #14
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by D. Priestley
Hi Ken

We get within a couple of MPG the same as you towing a Escape 19 with a
Toyota Tacoma, 4.0 six automatic. Eileen and I have been to Kekuli Provincal
Park quite a few times and just love it, great view of the lake and a nice clean place.
Doug, are you towing in "Drive" or are you shifting down one (staying out of overdrive)?
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Old 05-04-2010, 12:34 PM   #15
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Where is Kekuli Provincal Park?
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Old 05-04-2010, 07:01 PM   #16
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by Geo
Where is Kekuli Provincal Park?
Geo
Just south of Vernon BC, 10 Minutes at best.
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Old 05-04-2010, 07:07 PM   #17
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Quote:
Originally Posted by Mike M.
Quote:
Originally Posted by D. Priestley
Hi Ken

We get within a couple of MPG the same as you towing a Escape 19 with a
Toyota Tacoma, 4.0 six automatic. Eileen and I have been to Kekuli Provincal
Park quite a few times and just love it, great view of the lake and a nice clean place.
Doug, are you towing in "Drive" or are you shifting down one (staying out of overdrive)?
I leave it in drive, the way I see it is the transmission can figure out when it needs to downshift
for climbing hills. I have always done this with every truck I have owned and never had any
problems with overheating the engine or transmission.

I do however downshift to 4th to help slow down on hills, don't want to over heat the brakes....
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Old 05-04-2010, 09:18 PM   #18
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Re: Gas mileage when towing



I leave it in drive, the way I see it is the transmission can figure out when it needs to downshift
for climbing hills. I have always done this with every truck I have owned and never had any
problems with overheating the engine or transmission.

I do however downshift to 4th to help slow down on hills, don't want to over heat the brakes....
[/quote]

I have the same truck and if the tranny is shifting between OD and 4th or if the torque converter is locking and unlocking in OD you should be in 4th. Every time it shifts it's heating up the oil and wearing the clutches. I do agree with shifting into 4th or 3rd for long downhills.
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Old 05-04-2010, 11:25 PM   #19
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

HI All - thanks for the nice comments. We look forward to crossing paths as we tour the countries, we will always keep an I out for other Escapes.

Kekuli is about 10KM south of Vernon, we spoke with the hosts and she said that from June forward they are sold out every day, but they use the overflow and give waiting campers first choice at opening sights. She suggested reservations are best. The views are gorgeous and the sites are very spacious. The marmots are fun too watch, they like to Sun Tan sitting on the decorative rocks, ah ( what a life ) i here their main diet is grass, so they keep their costs down too, living in the rain culverts helps as well.

Yes the Ranger seems to be good with the 4.0L,, but I may have to look at the new F150 with that new Eco Boost engine, I here it will be 350 to 400HP and 350 to 400FT lbs torque at very low RPM, WOW, would never know you have something in Tow.

Ken (EGSKPN)
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Old 05-05-2010, 01:01 AM   #20
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Re: Gas mileage when towing

Hi: All... We just tallied up the mileage for our 2000mi. trek to the Blue Ridge Mts. in Virginia. 17.65 mi. to a Canuck Gal. Here's a pic. from the top!!! Alf
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