I took about a 3 hour trip today hauling my 7x14 trailer that weights about 3000 pounds. The Ecoboost pulled it easily, even the steep hills I was able to pull in 4th easily. I averaged about 12.5 mpg for the trip, several steep hills both directions and generally up and down small hills most of the way. Does this MPG seem normal? I'm guessing that isn't bad for the terrain.

 

There is a lot of missing information here. 3,000 is a pretty light load. But,
* how fast were you towing
* what is the frontal area of your trailer; air resistance is everything
* wind/temperature conditions
* terrain; (you gave some info there)
* driving style

On flat ground, @ 60 mph, towing a 5,500 lb full size RV trailer; no wind, I get 11.5 mpg with my Ecoboost with 3.73's. It goes down from there. I almost always average 11.0 on my 3 to 4 thousand mile trips.

The biggest factors are speed, wind resistance, and terrain. Every extra 5 mph in towing speed takes a LOT more fuel.

If you are concerned about your mileage, the best thing to do is slow down. I don't know how fast you tow so am not lecturing on that point.

Good luck. Be safe. Have fun.

 

55-65 mph most of the trip. The weather was mid 50's with heavy fog at times and moderate to heavy rain at times.

 

Mpg seems normal. Dropping to 4th to pull a grade with that little weight is not. I tow an 8k lb boat at 70. Hardly ever drops out of 6th unless on a good grade.

 

A couple of the hills were quite steep. This wasn't fairly flat interstate driving.

 

Must have been quite steep. I rarely see 4th gear. What is your rear axle ratio?

 

I see 4th while in the hills too (I've even seen 3rd on a huge grade) while using the cruise control. But that's pulling a 7700# enclosed TT with 3.73 gears.

 

I use cruise control a lot when towing. However, I have discovered that it uses a lot more fuel in hilly conditions. It holds back on downhills; sometimes downshifting to hold speed; then guns the heck out of it to maintain speed uphill. If you take cruise off, let your vehicle gain speed downhill (within safe limits); and let it bleed off speed uphill, you will get better fuel mileage. As much as 1 mpg better in my experience.

 

Yeah that's all accurate, especially on the down-hill decent. For ascending however, I actually prefer the CC as I always end up falling behind when using the manual pedal. Meaning I'll hit a grade and have missed the opportunity to get a run at it then have to put my foot down just to maintain speed. So in my case, the CC is a far better at the throttle than I am

 

I have 3.55 gears.