8.2 MPG with 6.7

[JandC]

I reached a new low yesterday towing across Oklahoma. We were getting hit with a south-southwest wind of around 25-30mph and heading west on I-44, US69, then I-40. Started at 9.5mpg but by the end of the day our average was 8.2 on lie-of-meter. More of the same today.

[Tom S.]

Some people tend to underestimate the wind factor. It can really help save fuel if it's at your back, but head on it can kill mileage. If you were doing 65mph and the wind was 30mph, that was the same as doing 95mph from a resistance stand point. It's a wonder you were even getting 8.2mpg!

[steelpony5555]

Yeah I think wind affects the mpg more then weight.... seems like towing 5k or towing 15k the mpg is pretty close, but throw in a 15 mph wind and the mpg go in the sh......well you get the picture lol lol lol

[bethandkevin]

When I tow my brothers implement trailer with an expanded metal ramp that sticks up about seven feet, I get about the same as towing Hannah.

[jcurtis934]

Something to be said about all that frontal area behind you as well as all the different drags from stuff on the roof and stuff underneath monty. It's the price we pay to be able to enjoy the life we live. IF life were cyclic, we all would come back as montys in our next life and have to put up with whoever owned us! Now that's a scarey thought! John

[timandsusan]

Hope all your future travels are DOWN WIND! Have a great trip--but watch the fuel gauge.

[DQDick]

One thing that might make you feel better. We tow out to New Mexico and back every year and the first year I was upset because I only got 9.5 on the way out. Then I remembered it's generally up hill all the way. On the way back we got 14. Yesterday's wind was a bugger so you should be happy with what you got.

[MrRobinGrimes]

5ver is acting like a sea anchor. Start tacking back and forth across the highway to make it a sail. :^)

[JandC]

All good points. Tomorrow we head out from Amarillo to Ruidoso Downs, and of course predicted winds are staying out of the SW at anywhere from 15 to 22mph. Gaining a little elevation also, about 6,000 feet I think, so I may look back on 8mpg and think that was great! What's bad is my F350 only has the small fuel tank so I am looking for fuel every 150 - 175 miles. Don't like it to get under 1/4 of a tank.

[1retired06]

winds are a major factor, and clearly, if your 6.7 is like ours, your MPG suffered greatly.

[pineranch]

Traveled from Amarillo to Abq Friday, best I could do is 8.7. Abq to Moab Sunday better. Leaving Moab is going to suck some fuel.
Mike

[WeBeFulltime]

Turn around and go east?

[Fire5er]

That why they put air brakes on aircraft...wind has a great effect. As any pilot knows air speed and ground speed are usually different depending on winds. The higher the "air speed" the more wind resistance you will see. Wind resistance is the main cause of mileage decrease with speed. Of course it is not the only factor, but it is one of the main factors. This is why aerodynamic body shapes increase mileage in cars. The designers take drag coefficients in to consideration.
You will always get better mileage with a tail wind and worst mileage when driving into a head wind. The faster your "air speed" the more the aerodynamic drag your vehicle will encounter. Aerodynamic drag is the biggest factor in speed related mileage drops. There are also mechanical inefficiencies and friction losses, but aerodynamic drag is a big factor.
If you are driving at 65mph into a 20 mph headwind your "airspeed" is 85mph. If you are driving at 65mph with a 20mph tail wind your airspeed is only 45mph. Wind will make a huge difference in your mileage.

[timandsusan]

On my 2012 F250, I upgraded the 26 gal tank to 50 gal by Transfer Flow and it was install in the same place -- not in the bed. Also got my truck software changed for the 50 gallon tank at my Ford Dealer. Best upgrade I have ever done! Start each day with a full tank and just cruise!

[JandC]

Little less wind getting to Ruidoso. Running about my average of 63mph ended up with 9.3mpg. I was thrilled! These are the trips you do start thinking about changing out the tank for a bigger one.....but they aren't cheap.

[scattershot]

We got 13 on our last trip, but towing across New Mexico with a stiff headwind we got down to 7mpg. 7.3 Ford Superduty diesel.

[Farmhawk]

Just put a 50 gal Titan tank on my 2012 F350, it replaces the OEM tank, no transfer pumps to deal with. It is nice to see 900 miles to empty on the info center!

[scattershot]

Bet it hurts at the pump, though!

[Farmhawk]

Once a day or 2 to 3 times a day it's all the same. I get to pick fuel prices instead of being stuck needing to fill and paying premium prices.

[JandC]

Holy Cow! Ran from Tucson to Phoenix with hardly any wind and averaged 12.5 mpg! Something must be wrong with my truck.