Towing and Real World Gas Mileage

[jpod]

Contemplating getting a popup trailer or lightweight travel trailer (such as those made by Casita and Scamp).

As I reported in another thread, I recently towed about 1600lbs for about 140 miles and got about 13 miles per gallon. This is not so hot, especially when compared to larger SUVs and pickups that can tow more and (generally) get better gas mileage doing it.

I'm not really thinking of trading in Itachi'san for a Cadilac Escalade but I am curious about what sort of towing gas mileage others may be getting.

In another thread mszumins also requested feedback about towing a popup. I'm hoping there is someone out there who can give us some feedback.

Tks
JPO

[catsailr]

I frequently tow a trailer with 2 honda 4-wheelers. I don't know what the weight is but I would guess about 1200 pounds. I checked the mileage once and it was around 16. A lot of the larger SUV's might get better mileage when towing, but the CRV makes up for it when you're not towing. I guess the CRV had to work a lot harder when towing.

[mszumins]

how do you calculate the real world mpg?
when we went on our maiden voyage with the pop up (most likely over 1900# with 2 adults and 2 kids in the V) the computer was reporting 20mpg. are these not accurate?

[Badgerland]

how do you calculate the real world mpg?
when we went on our maiden voyage with the pop up (most likely over 1900# with 2 adults and 2 kids in the V) the computer was reporting 20mpg. are these not accurate?

No the readings are "close" but the way to find your most accurate gas mileage is to fill up to the first click off; this starts you at 0 miles. Drive until the low fuel light goes on and then fill up again only to the first click off. Divide the number of miles driven by the number of gallons used and this is the most accurate method of determining miles per gallon. It's best if you do this each and every time as you can then get a long term result. We are pushing 37,000 in our CRV and I have every tank logged in a notebook and the "average" of all those miles not taking into account city or hwy is 23.9mpg.

[08ColoCRV]

I, too, log all my fillups and calculate my actual gas mileage based on miles divided by gallons. I also keep track of what the onboard computer shows for MPG. I'm right at 9,000 miles on the odometer.

The actual calculated MPG averages 24.9 while the onboard computer has averaged 25.6. In other words, the computer is optimistic by about 3%.

Just another point of reference...

Rod
Loveland, Colorado

[GTCB-chris]

you think towing is bad, try four wheeling, it kills my gas milage, but what i do to increas it, and dont quote me on this it might just be a mental thing but i add a can of NOS Octane booster to my tank and my gas milage and performance increases alot, and NOS brand has Nitro Methane in it, which i love. but i love all nos probucts.

[RinconVTR]

you think towing is bad, try four wheeling, it kills my gas milage, but what i do to increas it, and dont quote me on this it might just be a mental thing but i add a can of NOS Octane booster to my tank and my gas milage and performance increases alot, and NOS brand has Nitro Methane in it, which i love. but i love all nos probucts.

FYI - About 1/2 each bottle of NOS Octane booster is Kerosine.

Only about 5% of each 12oz can is Nitromethane. That equates to a hair more than 1/2 oz. 1/2 oz added to 16 gallons of gas equals...well about nothing per gallon. LOL

But it does raise octane, but only about 5. And it does have some lubricants in it, which could help MPG if your monitoring it like a hawk.

Just food for thought.

Back on topic, towing 1800 & 2000lb loads, I also see similar results as the above. 14-15mpg.

[madmaxx]

towing just under 1500lbs boat on alunimum trailer 14" tires.

[madmaxx]

helps on ramps hurts on mpg

[CRV-H8er]

25, all the time, with my '98 auto:cool:

I've pulled a 500 pound trailer with 2 full-sized motorcycles on it before, still 25.