MPGs when towing heavy.

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ihatemybike
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MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by ihatemybike »

Got a few ideas in my head that would require me bringing both my vans on longer trips, one flat towing the other. As I'm in the planning stages, I'm looking at fuel cost and I'm curious as to what kind of mileage people get when towing heavy. Please let me know the MPG, weight towed, distance, and terrain (flat, hills, or mtns).
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86

afsigma21
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Re: MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by afsigma21 »

With my stock 95 towing a 3500 lb boat, I got 11-13 regularly towing on I75 through hilly KY. I took a bunch of 250 mile trips from Home to Lake Cumberland and back again. 250 miles each way. Was not a speed demon but always got me there.

Dont know what rear I had, but I would guess it was a 3:42.
____________________
1991 Astro CL 170k, then stolen and drove into a building, junked.
1995 Astro 110k sold for a truck, wish I hadnt.
Current, 1997 Safari, Explorer High Top Conversion, love my moneypit. "Humpty Dumpty"

Topic author
ihatemybike
I plan to be buried in my van
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Joined: Sun Jan 06, 2008 6:57 pm
Location: Elgin, IL

Re: MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by ihatemybike »

Was your 95 an AWD? In my experience, most of those seem to have 3.42, while the 2WD mostly seem to have 3.23.
Aaron

2005 Astro (Gandalf) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, 130k+ miles
1997 Astro (Grumpy - $250 Rally Van) - AWD, 4.3L, 3.42, LSD, 2" lift, 31" tires, 335k+ orig engine, $30 eBay fuel pump
Prev Astros:99,97,00,94,87,86
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SoCalli V8
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Re: MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by SoCalli V8 »

With my modded V8, 3,73`s , crusing at a constant (light foot) 70mph speed, towing 3000lbs + ......

It worked it out to 20.6 mpg, but I have some ecm mods.....
`86 V8 Lowered Cargo, extensively modified, shaved bald, wearing the shortest, sluttyest white primer dress....

A British Wanker living in So KarlyFornia.
My Astro tows my toys to Glamis sand dunes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jp2pqjQtpso
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afsigma21
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Re: MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by afsigma21 »

95 was 2wd

I would be shocked if it was a 3.23, but its possible. I was not as smart back then and just drove it, never looked into anything!
____________________
1991 Astro CL 170k, then stolen and drove into a building, junked.
1995 Astro 110k sold for a truck, wish I hadnt.
Current, 1997 Safari, Explorer High Top Conversion, love my moneypit. "Humpty Dumpty"

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Re: MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by Cobra »

SoCalli V8 wrote:With my modded V8, 3,73`s , crusing at a constant (light foot) 70mph speed, towing 3000lbs + ......

It worked it out to 20.6 mpg, but I have some ecm mods.....
i have to remember to ask about those ecm mods one day....
1998 GMC Safari AWD, BFGoodrich AllTerrain T/A
Jet performance tuner 91 octane preset, Jet under-drive pulleys
Rancho 999000 series shock, on-board controller to be installed later
DHC rock rails and skid plate Add-A-Leaf
G3500 front calipers
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11" drums
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Kidhauler
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Re: MPGs when towing heavy.

Post by Kidhauler »

With my 91 H.O. with the factory tow pack pulling a 24 foot 4500lbs travel trailer at 100kph it would get 14-15 mpg on fairly flat ground. If I hit any hills I slowed right down and always pulled in D not over drive.
1999 Safari Touring edition.
trailer tow pack with a 3:73 posi
Bucket bench seats, Rear heat, Rear Airconditioning.
teal green
300 000 kms
AirRide air bags in the rear to fix soft stock suspension.
Onboard aircompressor to make it all work nice.
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