The worst fuelk economy I've gotten w/ either of my F-150's was 196m of 4wd locked one snowstorm and I topped it off at 21.3 gallons. But towing, never less than 10. 10-11 @ 75 average with the 4' gate and 11-12 without the gate. There is a huge difference in wind resistance between my low landscaping trailer with ATV's than a travel trailer w/ 8x10' frontal area. I have no doubt that towing a 5000 pound ttravel trailer at 75-80mph (if it could do it) my truck would get 5-6mpg.

Why do you doubt me? People above have towed light trailers and have get over 10mpg.

 

We rented an F250 once to tow a car ('67 Mustang). Extended cab 4x2, 5.4, 60k hard miles, it was a pretty early model, maybe a '99 or so. Trailer with car was probably about 4000lbs and the roof of the car was about equal in height to the top of cab. Got an average of about 11mpg on 400 miles on the interstates varying speeds between 60 and 75mph.

 

I have gotten as much as 20 mpg at 70 on the flats. Towing I have never gotten better than 10, throw in some hills and mpg falls to about 8. This is at 65-70 mph and 5500 lb. travel trailer. As far as only using an f250 to tow, it would depend on how much time you spend towing a trailer. I had a '99 f250 super duty with the v-10 and 4:30 gears. This thing would pass everything except a gas station. Never saw more than 8 mpg towing or 14 without a trailer. The pickup was much more stable, but I think that was more a case of the ten ply tires. I will replace the tires on my s/crew this spring with something heavier, be able to tow, and still get good gas mileage.

 

I think you would get a better perspective from considering the total combined gross towing weight, the engine size and the gear ratio with consideration to the landscape being traversed.
My setup is a 5400 lb truck empty, GCW of nearly 12,000 pulled by an 02 4.6 with 3.55 gears over level to meduim low rolling hills.
Summer mileage is 9 to 9.5.
Winter temps are worse at about 7.5 mpg but the power is a little higher. That has to be paid for because it dosn't come for free..
The trailer is an enclosed flat front 22' with race car and tools/parts.
The more you push the speed the worse the milage.

As a comment, I think the V10 mileage reply above is very good for the size of the truck and engine. It may not have to work as hard as mine.

 

03 Reg cab Flareside w/ soft tonneau 4.2 auto w/OD 3.55 255/70/16

not towing: about 15 mpg in town, 17-18 mpg hwy

towing 18' boat (about 3K lbs): 11-13 mpg mostly hwy, doing 65-70 mph.

can't complain...

 

98 Lariet, 4.6L, 4x4, 3.55, Towing Package.
Towed a 3K boat 600 miles from LA to GA, averaged 15.5 mpg. Unloaded on the way there got an unbelievable 18.2 MPG! Trust me, I calculated and recalculated. It's correct.

 

I have a hard time beliveing the "I get 15 mpg while towing 5k lbs" lines. I get between 9-10 mpg towing my 17' travel trailer that weighs 3k lbs loaded. Truck is an 02 5.4 supercrew 4x4.

I guess we all interperet how well these trucks tow differently, too. Some guys say their trucks tow 5k+ lbs without a problem. I wouldn't consider how my truck tows 3k lbs good. It won't hold overdrive at 65-70 mph. If I just turn OD off it does OK. I really would expect it to do better than it does. Maybe I have higher expectations because I've seen how amazing a Powerstroke tows 12k+ lbs!

 

I tow a travel trailer that weighs a little over 6500 lbs. loaded. My 2004 Screw with 5.4 averages between 7 (going 70+ MPH) - 8.5 (going 55-60 MPH) MPG towing. Unloaded, I get around 16 - 18.5 MPG.

 

He's towing a boat, which is far more aerodynamic than your travel trailer. Most of the reason for your poor mileage is because you're towing a box, not a streamlined boat. Your 3k travel trailer is putting far more load on your truck than a boat would. Add your Supercrew's heavier curbweight and drag and your mileage will suffer.

 

:o I owe everyone in this thread an apology. I complained about 7mpg while towing in my 2004 F150.

Recently I screamed at the dealership when I took the truck in for service at 20k miles.

It seems if you scream loud enough they listen. They re-programmed the fuel chip to a different version. After 2 recent 700 mile round trips the truck is averaging about 11.8 mpg towing the same loaded travel trailer.

This is unbelievable! The same truck - no shell - nothing changed at all.

The terrain was from Temecula California to Lake Havasu California. This trip is roughly about 40% flat, 40% rolling and about 20% long haul steep hills.
One steep and grueling leg is 20 miles long from Indio (sea level) to Chiraco Summit (4500'). Lots of semi's on this leg as well. So...lot's of passing and slowing down when you can't pass.

All of the travel including the grades was with the truck set on CRUISE at 60mph. AND....BY THE WAY.....with OVERDRIVE on ALL the way!

So...anyone else with crappy mileage might want to pay a visit to your dealership to discuss the fuel chip programming. There should be a sticker on the inside of the hood someplace that tells you the version and date of the chip program. At least there is on mine

 

Glad they finally listened. What they did is called reflashing your PCM. A few trucks not sure of exact dates have a TSB dealing with reflashing the pcm on trucks born during a certain time frame.

 

Hello I'm seeking advice I am going to tow a Pontiac g6 roughly 3000lbs, along with my bed full of stuff and car packed with stuff as well, were moving to California. I have a 05 f-150 xlt triton, my question is should I drive with the 4x4 on or just 4x2

 

Welcome to the site, but no need to resurrect a 9 year old post..

Just use 2wd. Unless you are towing thru snow, mud or sand the whole way..

Good luck and have a safe trip.

Mitch