How fast were you driving while towing when traffic permitted?

 

On the way to Tunica I stayed at about 57 MPG. On the way back, my wife was in a hurry and wanted me to speed it up a little, so I took it up to about 65MPH. The traffic got heavy real quick and I noticed that the MPG had dropped so I slowed down to about 57 MPH, I'm guessing I didn't go more than 25 - 35 miles at 65 MPH. Then we got into the stop and go just south of Effingham, IL.

One thing I enjoyed about going 57 MPH was that I wasn't constantly changing lanes to pass. It did make for a more relaxing drive.

 

How did it handle the camper with the 3.55 ratio? I had to take the 3.55 due to time constraints as I had to buy a truck before the 1st of the year, I wanted the 3.73 because I am going to tow a similar camper that you have.
My concerns are if it has enough power towing the camper up a long grade, my 2006 with the 5.4 and 4sp auto and 3.73 was always down shifting while going up the grade then the tach would sit at 3800 rpm all the way up the grade, I hear that the 6sp helped that problem alot.

 

I think it towed the camper just fine. The truck never strained a bit. But, to be honest, between Danville, IN and Tunica, MS there isn't much in the way of mountainous terrain. There are a few hills and valleys though. And I do not remember the vehicle downshifting at all. It probably did but it is so smooth, I never noticed it. The truck has much more than enough power to handle my camper and then some. I think if you got the 3.73, it would show in your gas mileage. I think the 3.55 is just about right for my camper and anything else I may do with it. If my camper wasn't an "ultra lite" or a larger trailer, I would probably get the 3.73. But, it would be a waste for me.

Bottom line: The 3.5L, 3.55, twin turbo is more than enough to tow up to 7,200 lbs without blowing anything up. It is a comfy truck that handles pulling a travel trailer with ease. I have no regrets. In fact, I'm very happy with my purchase. I only wish I got better MPG while towing. I may after I get a few more miles on it.

I hope to go to Las Vegas in the future and will find out how it tows in the mountains. I'm not worried about it, just anxious to do it.

 

I get the same mpg with the EB towing as I did with every V8....average around 10mpg
Towing up here in the Rockies is completely different and the EB tows incredibly well.
I would gladly give up more mpg towing just for it's ability....

 

I think thats the missed point with this engine. Its the capability.

 

Yep, I think that is the main point I have been trying to make, it is a very capable truck for use by the ordinary P/U truck user. Fuel mileage is a secondary concern but one that is a conversation starter.

 

Welllllll, I've got about 5,500 miles on her now. I'm still very impressed with the vehicle in general. HOWEVER, I'm a little disappointed in the gas mileage. We took a little trip this weekend from here (Danville, IN) to Davenport & Amana Colonies, IA. On the way there we had a very strong headwind and I only got about 16 MPG. On the way back, we has a little sidewinds and we only got a little less than 18 MPG. Not good!!!!! I drove the posted speed limits +2 or 3.

There is just tooooo many good things to say about the vehicle that override the one bad. So the bottom line, I'm impressed with the vehicle and am happy, very happy with it.

Now, if we could only control gas prices, I'd be a very happy camper.

Speaking of camping, we will be taking our first camping trip of the season in April . It will be interesting to see what the mileage will be with the 4,000+ pound travel trailer attached.

 

So far , my impression of my new 2012 has been roughly the same ---

just returned from a trip from OKC to San Antonio (about 500 miles) -- conditions were windy on the way there, and , as another slap in the face, had a headwind on the way back.

When i got home , my RT average was about 17.5 (2wd EB, Screw model with 3:15 rear gears) --- being 2wd and with the 3:15's, i was expecting better

Another guy with a similar truck and i were chit chatting at the gas station and we both agreed that 18 mpg or so was better than our old 5.4's would have gotten, but its still a far cry from 22 mpg.

Texas speed limits are generally around 75 , so much of this trip was spent at 75-80 mph --- any slower in parts of Texas and it feels dangerous , as guys in hillbilly trucks with body lifts and straight pipes will blow by at 90mph with regularity - LOL

 

Wait you got 17.5 doing 75-80mph and you dont' think tha'ts good enough? Really?

It is a well known fact that as you get above 70mph, your mileage is going to drop like a rock as you go faster. I would be pleased as hell to get 17.5 at that speed.

Also keep in mind winter blend gas sucks and you will generally lose a couple MPG during these months. Hopefully in the next few weeks or month that will change and you will see improvements there as well.

I've got a FX2 3.55 EB and made the trip across west Texas from Austin all the way to San Diego and back over the holidays. On I-10 going west to El Paso has a 80mph speed limit for a LARGE portion of that drive. I kept it at about 82 for those 6 hours or so and got about 17mpg. A 6,000lb brick doing 80 down the freeway getting 17mpg is pretty damn good.

 

Last time I made that drive I got 12 mpg!

 

I didn't know they had winter blend gas for the Texas market --- i guess it makes sense to keep it the same across the board to avoid confusion though ---
My disappointment in 17.5 mpg was due to direct comparison with my '05 F-150, also a 2wd, with a 5.4l and 3:73's , which routinely knocked down 16mpg on similar drives. The crew cab is admittedly a bit heavier than my old SuperCab though
Truthfully, i was hoping for 19 or 20 given the new trucks tall rearend ratio--maybe that was optimistic thinking and i was also told the EB gets better performance all the way around when it is "broken in" --- (it should be by now)