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Old 12-28-2016, 05:06 PM   #1
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Gas Mileage hit

I know it will be based on the size of the dinghy. But I was wondering what kind of hit to gas mileage will I take in my Vegas by dinghy towing?

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Old 12-28-2016, 05:16 PM   #2
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I have not noticed any difference in gas mileage. Probably in part due to the fact that I tow almost all the time. The few times that I have not towed for an appreciable part of a tank full the gas mileage didn't change.

I tow a Subaru Sedan.
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Old 12-28-2016, 05:21 PM   #3
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We've towed and not towed in our Axis 24.1: You'll get more difference in mpg based on speed than tow or not.

If you think about it your mpg at highway speeds is more about wind resistance than rolling and since the toad is blocked by a brick it contributes a negligible amount to wind resistance.
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Old 12-28-2016, 05:38 PM   #4
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I've only towed my Jeep one time since getting it. I lost one mpg in the 200 round trip. But the trip was with high winds for the first 80 miles and an additional 20 miles up a good grade mountain.

As the others have said I contribute the loss to the wind and grade.

Jerry
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Old 12-28-2016, 07:59 PM   #5
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We have a Vegas 25-2 and tow a 2013 Equinox. The only difference I've seen in gas mileage was on our trip to Mt Rushmore in South Dakota. The winds were horrendous the last 100 miles much of which were head winds. Bad news for gas mileage.
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Old 12-28-2016, 09:18 PM   #6
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A little reverse engineering can give a rough estimate. A compact motorhome will use around 100 HP to cruise at highway speed, and the rolling resistance of a 4,000-pound toad should be around 7 HP at same speed -- more or less depending on speed and tire quality (low-rolling-resistance versus standard).

For a motorhome that gets around 8-1/2 to 9 MPG, that extra load should represent about 1/2 MPG penalty. A lighter car would be proportionally less.

My guess is that most of us drive a little slower and more conservatively when towing (whether trailer or toad), which would make the difference less than 1/2 MPG.

Owners who pull Jeeps which have off-road tires probably take a greater hit because off-road tires generally have greater rolling resistance. The difference compared to modern low-rolling-resistance tires can be significant.
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Old 02-16-2017, 12:19 AM   #7
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Originally Posted by tenbear View Post
I have not noticed any difference in gas mileage. Probably in part due to the fact that I tow almost all the time. The few times that I have not towed for an appreciable part of a tank full the gas mileage didn't change.

I tow a Subaru Sedan.
We have an 09 MINT Forrester (Auto) and I have been told it is IMPOSSIBLE to flat tow? anyone know of a Subby you can flat tow? Love our Subbies in North Ontario!
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Old 02-16-2017, 12:30 AM   #8
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Haven't towed a vehicle, but have towed an enclosed trailer hauling a Gold Wing Trike. Zero difference in mileage. But I don't speed much!
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Old 02-16-2017, 12:31 AM   #9
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What the hell is a "SUBBY"?
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Old 02-16-2017, 12:49 AM   #10
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Originally Posted by Travelin' Texans
What the hell is a "SUBBY"?
I'm guessing a Subaru especially given he mentioned a Forester which is a Subaru SUV.
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Old 02-16-2017, 01:57 AM   #11
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We have an 09 MINT Forrester (Auto) and I have been told it is IMPOSSIBLE to flat tow? anyone know of a Subby you can flat tow? Love our Subbies in North Ontario!
AFAIK, any Subaru prior to 2016, with a manual transmission, can be towed 4 wheels down. I am not sure about the date. 2017 cannot be towed according to Subaru and AFAIK, the 2015 can be towed.

Only manual transmission Subarus can be towed. Mine is a 2010 and I have towed it many, many miles.
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Old 02-16-2017, 01:05 PM   #12
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Originally Posted by Jlaz View Post
We have an 09 MINT Forrester (Auto) and I have been told it is IMPOSSIBLE to flat tow? anyone know of a Subby you can flat tow? Love our Subbies in North Ontario!
They have to be manual transmission to flat tow. Jeep is one of the very few auto transmission that can be flat towed. We are also Jeep freeks
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Old 02-16-2017, 01:40 PM   #13
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our 300hp DP gets about 12.4avg mpg when not towing, or about
11.4avg mpg when towing our 2,500lb fiesta and tow bar.

1mpg difference in our situation...
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Old 02-16-2017, 04:07 PM   #14
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Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest View Post
They have to be manual transmission to flat tow. Jeep is one of the very few auto transmission that can be flat towed. We are also Jeep freeks

We owned and flat towed a Suzuki Grand Vitara for years. Loved it. Hook up the tow bar, put the transfer case in neutral and go. It was an auto transmission.
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Old 02-17-2017, 04:29 AM   #15
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Originally Posted by scrubjaysnest View Post
They have to be manual transmission to flat tow. Jeep is one of the very few auto transmission that can be flat towed. We are also Jeep freeks
love our HHR. one of the easiest flat tow automatics out there.
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Old 02-22-2017, 06:44 PM   #16
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Tow a Smart Car four down and do not see any difference in milage.

2016 Four Winds 31W
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Old 03-05-2017, 11:59 AM   #17
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To my disappointment, I don't seem to notice a difference in MPG no matter what I do. I have tried driving easy and tow and no tow but get the expected mileage either way. Never above 7.9 yet.

I now figure differences are so small there is no use thinking about it.

Of course, I do notice a difference between driving in mountains vs. flats and wind is a killer but the toad doesn't seem to be a big deal. Not a lot I can do to help! I have never towed in enough of similiar situations with a toad and then without that it would be a fair comparison.
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