GearheadGeek

... and sucking down A LOT more fuel (than the same truck driving empty on the highway).


There, I fixed both your logical and other errors. When I tow my Airstream with my 5.4L V8, I average 10-11 mpg (65-70 mph). Friends in my unit towing similar to heavier Airstreams with Ecoboost F150s get 12-13 mpg, and I'm sure much of that difference is due to the advantages of their 6-speed vs my 4-speed. However, while they're getting slightly better fuel mileage, they're enjoying VASTLY better power delivery over the RPM range, and spending a lot more time with the torque converter locked up in the highest available range (5th in tow-haul,*I believe.)

And, when they're deadheading with the cruise set at 70ish, they're seeing a little over 20 mpg while I see 17-18 on a really good day, and my per-tank averages when using the truck for everyday stuff tends more toward 14. So sure, an Ecoboost working hard is going to use a lot more fuel than an Ecoboost coasting along in overdrive carrying only its driver on the highway, but it doesn't use more fuel than a comparable gas engine doing similar work when it's towing.