Hey everyone. Did some towing this weekend. I tow a 5200 lb tow hauler with my 09 ram trx 4 CC 5.7L 3.92 rear and was shocked by the mileage I only got 7.9-8.8 MPG. I towed same toy hauler with my 06 2 wheel drive 5.7L 3.92 rear and averaged 11-12 MPG. I know my new ram is 4x4 and may weight more but has more power = less work right?? I was really shocked. The only thing I did to my 06 was intake, headers and programmer. Did those add ons make that much difference? Anyways had a blast playing on the dunes with the atv's.

 

Gas mileage will get better as the truck breaks in and becomes "looser".

 

It also makes a significant difference if you don't use the cruise control. Allowing the truck to slow down slightly during a hill climb will prevent downshifts and help with the milage.

 

Did you use the tow/haul mode?

How many miles are on the truck?

Driving conditions?

Octane?

I am just curious since I have a TRX-4 as well.

 

We just did our first tow. About 50 miles so not enough to get a good MPG rating however truck pulled our 6900 Lb nicely.

We use load leveler hitches but Im still going to get the airbags installed this week to help out further (just a little bit of squat to deal with)

I do HIGHLY recommend the Tekonsha P3!!We upgraded from the Prodigy on this truck and what a sweet little box! No adjustments really aside from Boost level but it does everything automatic! Sweet little box!

At the end of the month we're doing about a 2000 Mile run so I'll try and post some MPG's based on the MAX tow this truck can handle. We got about 7500 Km on the truck so break in should be ok to post.

I did however notice when Tow mode is on the "5" comes on automaticly so you don't have to downselect from D. Nice when your trying to pick RPMs for different terrain!

So far so good!

 

Yes tow haul mode on, 6,890 miles now, calm wind mild hills temp high 80's med humidity, 89 octane. Confused still as to why big difference between 06 and 09.

 

I would love to see the actual test that is done that they get the mileage rating from.

 

Yes, I am confused too. It seems like you should be getting better mileage.

 

I have 4000 miles on the truck.
Drive about 60 MPH
75 Deg F about 40-50% humidity.
Tow/Haul enabled with a 3000# boat
89 Octane with 10% Ethanol
I get about 15 MPG Highway only. If I use cruise control it would quickly drop to about 13MPG because of some small hills that would drop it out of the torque converter.

 

I tow close to 6500 lbs all week long, 50/50 highway /city and get a calculated 13 mpg
its lower than what I used to get with the dakota which was in the 8 or 9 mpg region.
My consumption improved slightly when i re-distributed the weight in the trailer to lessen the weight on the tongue by about .5 mpg. The truck is still under break in at 3500Km.