ECOBOOST towing mpg
11-30-2014, 08:59 PM
#41
haha!
11-30-2014, 08:59 PM
#42
Okay, and thanks for the tip - but I'm actually a very humble guy who very graciously accepts tips and help from my buddies, and in turn I'm glad to help my friends whenever I can.
I'm a strong advocate for not towing above the rated limits of a truck, and have tried to give my advice here on the forum to help members figure out their truck's limits.
Along those lines, I want to tow with my own truck within its limits, and I take care to do that. That includes not only the truck's weight and pulling rated limits, but the limits of stuff like my tires, as well as other limits - such as speed limits.
Sorry you think I'm an egotistical jerk for thinking I can tow safely at the speed limit, but I won't run over you - I'm always on the lookout for slower drivers, but down here in FL they're usually in the left lane. But when my truck can tow safely at the speed limit without exceeding any rated limits of the truck, I don't have any problem running along with all the other traffic that's cruising right along at the speed limit, and you can do that very safely with proper interval with other vehicles, and other factors such as weather, traffic, etc. I've been towing my track vehicles to events and cross-country moves for more than 40 years with no problems. Maybe I've just been lucky so far - but I'm always concerned about the potential of problems while towing, and I think I'm pretty well prepared to deal with flat/shredded trailer tires, as well as other mechanical problems.
Back to the original topic of this thread, just as twowheelguy said about the KE increasing exponentially as the velocity increases, the drag of your rig also increases in the ratio of the velocity squared.
As your speed increases, the drag and power required increase exponentially, and your fuel economy decreases. You can make a decision as to whether you want to save a few $$$ on gas, or a couple hours of time - which may involve the cost of an overnight stay canceling out better mpg. When I towed 750 miles home from my last track event I was pretty much able to run whatever the speed limit was, except through a couple urban areas like Atlanta and Jacksonville where traffic slowed to a little below the speed limit.
If I ran 70 mph the entire way (impossible with urban areas and pit stops for gas and food) it would have taken around 10:40 non-stop. I think it took me about 13 hours with stops, lower speed limits, and traffic - and I did it in one day. I love the comfort of my F150!!!
If I ran 60 it would take 12:30 non-stop, or with that requiring an additional pit stop, probably at least 15:30 - i.e., 2-1/2 hours longer that it actually took me.
I don't do any mathematical calculations before a trip, but I knew that going slower would take me a lot longer - probably longer than I care to do in one day.
I'm retired like some of the others of you, and can take my time and spend another night in a motel, but for a few dollars more in gas I was able to get home in one day on that trip by running at the speed limit rather than 10 or 15 mph below.
Bottom line:
I'm a strong advocate for not towing above the rated limits of a truck, and have tried to give my advice here on the forum to help members figure out their truck's limits.
Along those lines, I want to tow with my own truck within its limits, and I take care to do that. That includes not only the truck's weight and pulling rated limits, but the limits of stuff like my tires, as well as other limits - such as speed limits.
Sorry you think I'm an egotistical jerk for thinking I can tow safely at the speed limit, but I won't run over you - I'm always on the lookout for slower drivers, but down here in FL they're usually in the left lane. But when my truck can tow safely at the speed limit without exceeding any rated limits of the truck, I don't have any problem running along with all the other traffic that's cruising right along at the speed limit, and you can do that very safely with proper interval with other vehicles, and other factors such as weather, traffic, etc. I've been towing my track vehicles to events and cross-country moves for more than 40 years with no problems. Maybe I've just been lucky so far - but I'm always concerned about the potential of problems while towing, and I think I'm pretty well prepared to deal with flat/shredded trailer tires, as well as other mechanical problems.
Back to the original topic of this thread, just as twowheelguy said about the KE increasing exponentially as the velocity increases, the drag of your rig also increases in the ratio of the velocity squared.
As your speed increases, the drag and power required increase exponentially, and your fuel economy decreases. You can make a decision as to whether you want to save a few $$$ on gas, or a couple hours of time - which may involve the cost of an overnight stay canceling out better mpg. When I towed 750 miles home from my last track event I was pretty much able to run whatever the speed limit was, except through a couple urban areas like Atlanta and Jacksonville where traffic slowed to a little below the speed limit.
If I ran 70 mph the entire way (impossible with urban areas and pit stops for gas and food) it would have taken around 10:40 non-stop. I think it took me about 13 hours with stops, lower speed limits, and traffic - and I did it in one day. I love the comfort of my F150!!!
If I ran 60 it would take 12:30 non-stop, or with that requiring an additional pit stop, probably at least 15:30 - i.e., 2-1/2 hours longer that it actually took me.
I don't do any mathematical calculations before a trip, but I knew that going slower would take me a lot longer - probably longer than I care to do in one day.
I'm retired like some of the others of you, and can take my time and spend another night in a motel, but for a few dollars more in gas I was able to get home in one day on that trip by running at the speed limit rather than 10 or 15 mph below.
Bottom line:
fuel economy will definitely decrease with an increase in speed
don't exceed any limits of your truck
pay attention to speed limits, and adjust as weather/environmental conditions require
don't exceed your own comfort level - if you don't like running at the speed limit, get in the right lane and drive at your own limit
.
don't exceed any limits of your truck
pay attention to speed limits, and adjust as weather/environmental conditions require
don't exceed your own comfort level - if you don't like running at the speed limit, get in the right lane and drive at your own limit
Last edited by KR Kodi; 11-30-2014 at 09:02 PM.
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Ricktwuhk (12-01-2014)
11-30-2014, 09:43 PM
#44
If that is for me, no - I like my Goodyear Marathon ST tires.
As I mentioned, Goodyear says they are good up to 75 mph with an additional 10 psi of pressure, so I'm very comfortable towing up to that speed on them. I'm hardly ever above 70 except perhaps when passing I'll scoot up to a max of 75 to get around slower traffic quickly.
It's nice to know that the manufacturer of my tires tells me it's okay to run them up to 75 mph.
I do have tire pressure sensors in my trailer tires, with a readout of tire pressures and temperatures always in display.
Read all about Goodyear's info on the Marathon ST trailer tires in the bulletin linked below:
https://www.tirerack.com/images/tire...plications.pdf
.
Last edited by KR Kodi; 11-30-2014 at 09:51 PM. Reason: Added picture
12-01-2014, 10:12 AM
#45
Senior Member
Energy consumed due to drag increases at the third power of velocity. On divided highway I usually tow at 95 km/hr (15 km/hr under the speed limit). On two lane two way highways I sacrifice a little and speed up to 100 km/hr - the speed limit. Doesn't matter what engine or vehicle you have speed kill fuel economy.
12-01-2014, 10:26 AM
#46
Senior Member
It always amazes me when people don't track their MPG at different speeds in a vehicle to see the impact on MPG. I had a '98 Explorer that I drove 20 miles to work, 18 of that highway. There was a noticeable MPG difference driving at different speeds. With no instant MPG guage or MPG graph I drove a week at 70 MPH then filled the tank. Then a week at 65, then a week at 60. I settled on driving around 63 MPH to work. Took me 20 minutes including traffic lights on the local road. Driving 7 miles an hour faster would have saved me 2 minutes. I saved noticeable money by driving 63.
With instant MPG and MPG graphs, you can set the cruise and watch and learn.
That said, as KR Kodi points out, on a long drive you have to balance cost vs. time and the other costs associated with a longer trip like a overnight stay. I will be driving 1,200 miles soon and already did the math - 20 hours at 60, 17+ hours at 70. We are rotating drivers and plan on driving overnight and going 70 to get there 3 hours sooner and enjoy more of that day. That's the plan...
With instant MPG and MPG graphs, you can set the cruise and watch and learn.
That said, as KR Kodi points out, on a long drive you have to balance cost vs. time and the other costs associated with a longer trip like a overnight stay. I will be driving 1,200 miles soon and already did the math - 20 hours at 60, 17+ hours at 70. We are rotating drivers and plan on driving overnight and going 70 to get there 3 hours sooner and enjoy more of that day. That's the plan...