I have an '04 KC, Off-road, Big tow w/ 315/70/17 BFGs. Just picked up a '76 SantaFe 17' single axle TT. Haven't hit the scales with it yet, but going from Seattle to Spokane I was averaging less than 10 mpg. I was in a hurry & doing 70 most of the time - truck pulled like a champ! Just wondering if a tune-up, oil change, & keeping it around 60 will increase the MPGs significantly. What are you guys averaging with yours? Thanks for any info!

I'd have to see a picture of the TT but it's mostly the height...that big flat front wall (and terrain) that kills mileage and not so much the weight. Once weight is moving..it's moving. It's the resistance to the wind you're pulling it through that's the MPG killer. I have an 08 longbed PRO4X and I get between 7 and 11 MPG (depending on terrain) and I'm hauling a 32', 8500 LB TT. So yeah, terrain and pulling that tall sail are what kills it. There really is no "tune-up" on these trucks other than an oil change and maybe an air filter. You can try it...it certainly can't hurt. Good luck and enjoy the TT!

slowing down is going to be your only help with mpg and towing. I do not even check mileage when towing, even my pop up anymore, its too depressing!

Thanks a lot, guys! I will post some pics when I snap a few. After some more research I'm starting to understand it's the nature of towing. I really think that if I eased up on the throttle & made sure the Titan is at peak performance, I will see an improvement. Titan has 71k+ on her so I think fluid, plugs, & filter changes are in order. Just wanted to know if I was in the minority or not.

Thanks a lot, guys! I will post some pics when I snap a few. After some more research I'm starting to understand it's the nature of towing. I really think that if I eased up on the throttle & made sure the Titan is at peak performance, I will see an improvement. Titan has 71k+ on her so I think fluid, plugs, & filter changes are in order. Just wanted to know if I was in the minority or not.

You can leave the plugs out of the equation. They're 105k mile NGKs so they're still fine. Slowing down a bit helps...you may get another MPG or 2 going from 75 to 65 but again, you'll find, as you said, it's the nature of towing. All the fluid changes in the world won't change physics but is always a great idea...especially if it's a used vehicle. You'll also find that everyone experiences will differ as will their vehicles so remember that the numbers we may post here are just estimates and maybe you can get them much better. If you do, be sure to let us in on your secrets..lol.

i pull a 12' steel enclosed double axle trailer with tools that i can stand up in and then have a 10' enclosed single axle trailer that is only 5' tall and weighs less and still get same mpg.. its all about that front of the trailer that is catching wind.. unless your pulling a flat car hauler you aren't going to see much difference other then slowing down.. then you have to figure out which is more important.. time or fuel costs?

Yeah wind resistance is key. Hence why vehicles are shaped the way they are...

Plus doing 70 towing? Deff slow it down. I'm all for showing off power..but a swift move, strong cross wind, heavy braking you're in less control with higher speeds.

Anywho, changing the fluids and such won't make much of a difference MPG wise. Changing the coolant may help depending on how old it is, keeping it cooler which in return is less ware/n/tear on the motor.

If you are worried about MPG you shoulda got an oil burner. Plain and simple.

70mph definitely chews through gas FAST.... I found 60-65 MPH to be the best compromise... I chewed through a full tank in barely over 105 miles while ripping the TT through Wyoming at 75-80mph against headwinds and barely rolled it into the nearest gas station with only 2.5 gallons left in the reserve... In case you don't feel like getting the calculator out, if that gas station happened to be just 13 miles further, I would've never made it....

So, yea, slow it down to 60-65 mph if you want any decent MPG at all... - hehe :D

If you ever see these guys towing TTs and doing 5 MPH UNDER the speed limit in the right lane?...it's not because they don't have enough power, it's probably because the driver isn't new at this and knows his shyt.

I tow a 26 feet tt that weighs 7,000 #. i get about 10 to 12 mpg. I usually run about 60 mph and get about 250 miles per tank

I tow a 26 feet tt that weighs 7,000 #. i get about 10 to 12 mpg. I usually run about 60 mph and get about 250 miles per tank

I'm lucky to get 13 or 14 NOT towing. I think your math is off or you have an oddball truck..lol. 250 miles per a 28 gal. tank is closer to 8/9 MPG...which is about right. I actually did decent and got about 348 miles to a tank...just about 9 MPG. Too bad they can't all be downhill trips both ways!

Thanks again, fellas! Don't know if an oil burner really does any better either. Did some more research & saw more of the same. Wouldn't trade the T anyway! Hitting the road today or tomorrow & really excited! I will keep my foot out of it & snap plenty of pics!

oil burner will always be better regardless. The Titan is base level pickup. Along with the F150, Ram 1500, ect.. Not saying the T can't do it, but over the long run you're just putting more stress on them parts not designed for such abuse. Oil burners are ment for towing - Lack of damage to the motor and the suspension of the overall truck is built for heavy loads.

Plus the amount of power these new trucks put out (650lbs tq) will out tow anything the T can while maintaing the upper MPG, esp up them mountain hills.

But if for just the seasonal 1 to 4 trips a year won't be hard on the T. It's just the constant towing/hauling.

Well made it back & had a great time! T did awesome - however it did develop a whine in the drivetrain. Changed the oil & thought maybe the rear diff was whining, but replaced the lube & no difference. Although it did smell stinky & was very dark. As well as a bad passenger side seal...... again! Checked the tranny fluid & it is at good level & not disclolored. Didn't have time to check xfer case - is it possible it is whining? Seems to follow road speed not engine revs & will go away if I'm coasting. Any thoughts?

As for the oil burners - I'm not denying thier capability. They can tow way more than I will need. Just don't see a enough mpg difference to validate getting one. That & the cost for repair is significantly higher!

Pics are on the way........

Check your driveshaft. Worst case, the rear end is starting to fail. I would also suggest tires, but when you're coasting, the noise goes away thus telling me it's on a part that is stressed due to weight + power. Driveline is deff the suspect at this point..

The bearings going bad in a pinion seal can cause that a whine that's best heard at certain speeds while under acceleration... By the time you look at replacing a pinion seal, it pretty much might as well be a rebuild of the Transmission if it's a 2wd or the Transfer Case if it's 4x4.... The rear diff main pinion seal might do that too but I haven't ever had one go bad to know the symptoms...

I tow a 30 foot TT that weighs around 8200 lbs. I never tow over 60, truck tows great and handles good. I added firestone air bags that helped a lot.

I lose 1-2 MPG towing my flatbed 10x12 empty.