I curently drive a 02 chev 1/2 ton 4x4 with an automaitc and a 5.3. We have a large pop-up camper and get about 15-16mpg pulling it. My question is if we upgrade to a camper like the one pictures how bad am i giong to drop my gas mileage? I really would like to upgrade but i don't want to get a camper so big that my truck gets 5-6MPG. With my budget that would pretty much render it usless to us. I was just wondering if any of you guys camp and have a similar truck and camper set-up that might be able to tell aprocimetly what i might be able to expect for MPG
Camper towing Question
- Thread starter mikes99ss
- Start date
I pull one slightly smaller than that. I believe the gross on it is 4,800. I average about 8-9 miles to the gallon on the freeway running between 65 and 70 mph, 2,200 to 2,300 rpm. I had a 2003 Suburban, same motor and now pull it with a 2007. Both are about the same. I actually think I did a little better with the 2003.
Ditto for me, pulling a 30' Laredo fifth wheel. Right around 9 mpg.
looks about the same as a 4place enclose steel and when I pulled my buds steel 4 place with 4 sleds I got 9.8 average and mos def knew it was back there pulling with my old 05 z71 doing around 70 to 75.but on a side note if you are concerned about gas better put on the breaks now and Waite to see what is going to happen there is talk about gas getting over 4 bucks in the not so distant future
polarisrider1
New member
Not to be rude, but if you must ask than the rule of thumb is "you can't afford." Especially if you are making payments on the upgrade trailer. Find a park you can leave it at and call it good if you need all that space.
Same for me pulling a 30' travel trailer, but I only get about 12-13 mpg when not pulling anything.
I pulled a couple different travel trailers for many years.
28' 1979 (8,000 loaded). pulled many times to Florida, Baltimore MD, and to the Yoop with a GMC Safari mini van. 7-8 mpg.
27' 1999 (5,000 loaded). same desitnations, pulled with the Safari as well as a 1/2 ton Chevy truck. 7-8 mpg. Pulling a large fiberglass boat (2,000lbs) made no difference.
Also had a 27' class C gasoline motorhome. same 7-8 mpg.
Mileage would drop to 6 if I were driving against a headwind or primarily uphill. It would increase to 9-10 if it were the opposite. The 7-8 was a good average on a 1000 mile or more trip.
Seems that gas engines all ran about the same for me as far as consumption.
28' 1979 (8,000 loaded). pulled many times to Florida, Baltimore MD, and to the Yoop with a GMC Safari mini van. 7-8 mpg.
27' 1999 (5,000 loaded). same desitnations, pulled with the Safari as well as a 1/2 ton Chevy truck. 7-8 mpg. Pulling a large fiberglass boat (2,000lbs) made no difference.
Also had a 27' class C gasoline motorhome. same 7-8 mpg.
Mileage would drop to 6 if I were driving against a headwind or primarily uphill. It would increase to 9-10 if it were the opposite. The 7-8 was a good average on a 1000 mile or more trip.
Seems that gas engines all ran about the same for me as far as consumption.
I pull a 38 foot Montana fifth wheel with my 06 Dmax and at 65 on the freeway I can get between 10 and 12 mph depending on wind. Last year on the way to the Hodag going north on hwy 45 I got 14.8 running at 55 mph. Empty I can get between 18 and 23 depending on speed which equals rpm. Running at 1500 rpm is my best mileage with the diesel.
slayinbucks
New member
I had a 30ft Coachmen around 6300lbs and first pulled with a 2002 dodge dakota. Got around 9to 10 mpg. Then got a 2006 ram and got around the same. I currently have another 2002 dakota and still get the same.