Towing with New 3.0

[Vito98]

Just upgraded 2019 gas AT4 to a 2024 3.0 diesel a week ago. Getting ready to leave Baton Rouge for an elk hunt in Montana. Pulling a small utility trailer with a side by side on it. Do I need to use tow/haul all the way, or just in the “hills”??? What’s gas mileage gonna be like?
Thanks in advance for any advice.

 

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[Wakinvol]

I hauled my sxs (Honda Pioneer) from SE Tennessee to the TN mountains at the Kentucky line. Going up I ran about 80mph and got around 13.5-14 mpg. Coming back I drove the speed limit and got between 18-20mpg.

Conversely I hauled the same sxs on a single axel trailer to west TN and back with my old Trail Boss with the 6.2, at 80ish mph and got 9mpg. The diesel is definitely better but speed kills either when it comes to mpg’s.

 

[Vito98]

Wakinvol
Thank you for the quick reply. One more question. Did you use tow/haul mode?

 

[Wakinvol]

Wakinvol
Thank you for the quick reply. One more question. Did you use tow/haul mode?

I did not. I have but normally don’t.

 

[TX_Critter]

You just have to feel it out, if the transmission is staying happy in a gear and not shifting too much you are probably fine to go without tow/haul. Keep in mind tow/haul mode also engages the exhaust brake but it sounds like your trailer is light enough to not worry about that.

 

[Cobra03]

I have a 20, but use tow mode for 29’ camper , also pull a golf cart separate sometimes , don’t use it , like the previous post feel it out, but yea definitely do speed limit , big gain on gas mileage, live in Gretna, GEAUX

 

[TX_Critter]

Sorry missed the gas mileage question before, towing my 21' center console bay boat I was seeing 16ish MPG at highway speed but it improves dramatically if you slow down a little (I definitely use tow / haul mode for that). Towing a single Jet Ski barely saw any difference in MPG from regular driving (probably 20-22ish) but haven't taken it very far, I don't bother with tow / haul for it.

 

[Vito98]

Here’s my update; Just got back from the trip to Montana pulling a utility trailer loaded with side by side. Averaged 15.5 mpg for the trip. Didn’t need tow mode, never really strained above normal on the climbs. Did however use a sh&$tpot full of DEF going up and about 2/3 amount on way back. Somewhere about 12.5 gal for the 4k mile trip. Love this truck!!

 

[TX_Critter]

Yeah I’ve noticed mine using way more DEF towing, also the DEF range projection is less than reliable so I have started keeping a spare box on hand when I am making long tows.