Hybrid 4Runner towing & MPG report- 2000 lbs squaredrop trailer

[Peter_Offroad]

I put around 2000miles (and changed my engine oil), before I did my first towing. I then towed a roughly 2000lb squaredrop all over. Toured around northern NM and southern CO.

Went over 10,000 ft passes. Down washboard roads. Through mud roads, that several vehicles were stuck in (one was a sprinter van). And then 1400 miles across the plain states back home. I barely knew the trailer was back there. No problem with power up hills, overtaking etc.

I got about 20-21 mpg on journeys before towing. When towing I was down to around 15 mpg at highway speeds - 19mpg on canyon dirt roads in the mountains.

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[ggrant20]

That is awesome, sounds like an amazing trip! I can’t wait to get past the break-in and do our first one. How fast would you say you were cruising on the highway? Curious if the 15mpg is at a conservative 65 or up there 75+ like some people do.
Thanks for sharing!

 

[kinetic262]

I'm averaging about 12.5mpg towing a 4000 lb camper, with highway speeds around 55-70mph. I try hard to not go over 70mph when towing for a whole bunch of safety reasons.

 

[brumey]

I put around 2000miles (and changed my engine oil), before I did my first towing. I then towed a roughly 2000lb squaredrop all over. Toured around northern NM and southern CO.

Went over 10,000 ft passes. Down washboard roads. Through mud roads, that several vehicles were stuck in (one was a sprinter van). And then 1400 miles across the plain states back home. I barely knew the trailer was back there. No problem with power up hills, overtaking etc.

I got about 20-21 mpg on journeys before towing. When towing I was down to around 15 mpg at highway speeds - 19mpg on canyon dirt roads in the mountains.

I assume you stopped and helped the folk who were stuck in the Sprinter van, right? Or are they still there

 

[Peter_Offroad]

That is awesome, sounds like an amazing trip! I can’t wait to get past the break-in and do our first one. How fast would you say you were cruising on the highway? Curious if the 15mpg is at a conservative 65 or up there 75+ like some people do.
Thanks for sharing!

IMO wind resistance is the major factor. My trailer is not much taller than the truck, which helps. When I was going up the canyon and got ~19, it was a dirt road, I was not going much above 40 and generally slower. When I was on the highway, it was appropriate for the road conditions, let say.

 

[Peter_Offroad]

I assume you stopped and helped the folk who were stuck in the Sprinter van, right? Or are they still there

It was abandoned in the middle of the road - as was the other vehicle.

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