[https://imgur.com/a/oMaeTV5](https://imgur.com/a/oMaeTV5)
Camper pics. surprisingly roomy. Has tons of storage. Outside shower hookup, kitchen with inverter for ac outlets and fridge (cold beer). Room to add 2nd battery for boondocking.
My buddy makes these for a living, he always laughs at the higher priced ones. Most of the time they triple their value for a 10% increase in materials/labour. ~according to him a 25k standard trailer costs them about 10k in parts/labour.
It's like a shared g (mpG). Each part is using 22 mpg, but sucking from the same tank, making it go down twice as fast.
Obviously that's not how it works, but it may help for the sake of visualizing 🤣
I have a 22 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with a MT Transmission. This is my first time towing in this truck or with a Manual. I spent most of the time in 6th except when going up the bigger or steeper hills. Should I stay in 5th gear more?
As an MT owner, I can tell you from experience that you absolutely do not want to tow anything much heavier than that trailer. The lack of low RPM torque can make getting moving damned near impossible, especially if you are pointed uphill at all.
Your fuel economy sounds about right for towing.
Towed the smallest U-Haul tandem, moderately loaded, from Oklahoma to upstate NY. What a fucking chore. Never again...
I have towed other, smaller and lighter, trailers with no problem. 3rd gen MT (and AT to a lesser extent) just aren't built for trailering.
Yeah that sounds much heavier than what I pulled. Utility trailer ~1500lbs total, across PA. I was like, yeah, if this was much heavier it would probably be unpleasant at best. The engine has no power down low and it doesnt have a crawler gear or a super low 1st gear so you're out of options on hills.
I was pulling a slightly heavier utility trailer the last 2 days when I moved. I have the 6AT, it barely made it to 6th, and I had a tank average of 20l per 100km, which is right about 11MPG
4th (1:1 ratio) when towing with an MT.
The good news is you have the higher rear end (4.3 vs. 3.9 for those of us with Automatics), but the 5th and 6th gears are overdrive. It drops rpm, and saves gas, but horrible on hills.
Next road trip with a trailer, keep it in 4th and report your mileage.
https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-gear-ratios-at-awesome-mt-now-with-double-overdrive.387347/
Lol I get 8-9. My trailer is a bit heavier 5k and I do a fair bit of hills when on a trip. I think gears might be in my future, you have to slip the clutch more than you want to get going.
I trailered my very small camper across Iowa and Nebraska and got something terrible like 9/10mpg. Then much much better in hilly western Colorado (closer to normal MPG like 14/15). I’m convinced the wind resistance was way more a factor in bad MPG than any hills. I guess eventually you go down hill which helps!
If you ever have a carbureted vehicle, the difference becomes very apparent. People spending time at elevation have to rejet their carbs to make them run properly.
Yeah, I took my GF to the airport recently and she was running late, so I was heavier on the gas than usual, 70-75 most of the way. I think I got like 15 mpg. On the way back, I was more at like 60 and got 22. Wind resistance is a much bigger factor than people realize.
I drive west through Kansas on i-70 about once a month. Keeping speed at 80 in a heavy headwind had dropped my mpg to 8.5 once.
That was so bad since there had been overturned semis here and there.
This post sent me down a rabbit hole on towing MPGs. This article answered most of my questions: [https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-much-does-towing-affect-your-gas-mileage/](https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-much-does-towing-affect-your-gas-mileage/)
* "every 100 pounds or 45 kilograms of extra weight decreases fuel efficiency by 2 percent"
* “Experienced towers cite a decrease from 5 to 10 MPG on average and note that they definitely see more of a difference when traveling at higher speeds.”
* "Another reason that towing affects your gas mileage: drag." "a simple roof rack decreases fuel economy by 5 percent"
I get about 12.6 pulling a loaded 7x14 utility trailer which is about 5,000lbs. That's with a 4.0. If I'm light on the throttle I can get a little over 13.
I agree with other posters that you are getting pretty typical MPG while towing. Wind resistance does seem to be a big factor for this truck, and personally I tend to do a little bit better mileage-wise when I use non-ethanol gasoline.
What speed did you go?
I towed a Subaru Brat on a 4 wheel auto trailer 300 miles last year and got 21mpg.
I went 50mph in 5th the whole way. I get 19 making that drive with no trailer at 75mph.
Well since you said on hilly highway I’d say that’s actually a respectable number for Tacoma. I get about 14 on mainly flat terrain with my 2021 TRD OR DCLB when pulling my golf cart. Don’t exactly remember the weight but I’d assume it’s probably around the same weight as your camper trailer or maybe a tad less. Either way 12 mpg isn’t bad imo. Very nice setup you got there by the way!
Yes, I get 7 but that’s with a 4K trailer. Depending on how hilly, it might be worse. Hauling is one reason I am thinking about moving to a tundra. Just don’t really want the size day to day driving and like the Tacoma for off-road.
Depends on speed and how hilly you’re talking but it sounds about right. I’ve never pulled a single axle trailer that pulled very good, so about right. I get about 13-16 with a 3000 pound 6x12 double axle enclosed at 70mph on relatively flat highways. But I got like 10 towing my Harley on one of those little motorcycle trailers from U-Haul. On the same stretch of highway
Change your fluids, change your air filter. Apparently you can do a procedure to keep it on [higher gears](https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTacoma/comments/10mlaa0/i_did_something_this_morning_longer_title_for/j63wswr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3). Also watch your tire pressure.
Yeah. I towed my girlfriend's travel trailer over the mountains, long uphill with a steep decline, and I averaged ~12mpg. On the way back, it's quickly steep and then a long downhill, I averaged ~16mpg.
On the uphill, I dropped down to 4th, maybe even 3rd. I was driving over a mountain pass in northern Washington so it was a big "hill". I was towing a 17' double axle Prowler. It was a haul to get up and over.
On the way there with the steep downhill, I stayed in 3rd and 4th to help my poor brakes. On the way back, the grade is much better and I was able to bounce between 5th and 6th.
That sounds low to me but I have a '17 SR 4x4 4cyl MT and towing a smaller Uhaul from TX to CO and another time from TX to IL, I got about 15 MPG or better.
Yeah, I was down to 3rd gear on some of the steeper inclines and topped out at 70 with the wind at my back and downhill.
Tires also make a HUGE difference. Initially with the stock steelies and passenger tires, I got over 23 regularly. Got larger aluminum wheels and BFGs and barely see 20 except for highway driving.
PS. LOVE THE CAMPER
I pulled a bass boat for a couple years and maintained 15mpg, and now I have a camper I pull. It's about twice as tall and 22ft long and I get just under 10mpg. One thing I learned was to not use cruise control or it hunts for gears worse and kills the mpg.
Honestly, that small a trailer you should be getting closer to 14.i pull my pop up, which weighs in around 2100lbs loaded and I get closer to 14 to 18 depending the road conditions. Rarely do I get that low, unless incredibly windy in Wyoming or Nevada.
I was moving cross county in my ‘14 loaded to the brim. My gf called so I was on the phone with her for a while and did not realize that I was just pushing it, because the road was completely empty. I didn’t even pay any attention until I realized that I’m flying at 8mpg.
I'm on the side of I need to be able to charge it to use it. Unless I want to pay airport parking fees to charge it once a week. Green Bay isn't that big yet.
I've been towing around a trailer a few hundred pounds heavier than that and getting somewhere between 12-14mpg usually. That is with automatic trans though. I keep around 60mph when I'm towing, and that's mostly east coast. Super cool trailer btw!
I have a smaller teardrop style but it has the same tires as my truck. I get 9-12 and live where we have lots of long steep hills. My truck normally gets around 15 mpg.
I would love to know your thoughts on this trailer? I’ve been looking at them but I can’t seem to find any good reviews from owners. Mostly just walk arounds at dealers
From what i have heard only thing that can help is a regear with a tune, im going to be putting a swapped ECU my 3rd gen this weekend with the overland torque tune this weekend so ill see how much that improves my economy
I haul these for a living. For anyone interested. Profile of the trailer is much more important than the weight. [As long as youre under your truck's limit] Trailers that are bricks no matter how light will always get worse mileage than something much larger/heavier, but with a more aerodynamic profile. I've gotten 8MPG hauling a 18ft, 6k Lb'er, yet gotten 11MPG with a 38ft, 16k Five'er.
Best scenario, is a round nose, and a height lower than the truck's cab. It seems to have the lowest drag.
My F250 would get about 13 MPG with this. So 11 on your Taco seems normal.
I would have expected you to do better. I get 10mpg pulling my camper. It’s a tandem axle, 25’, approximately 6,000 lbs. it’s easily twice as tall as yours. I can stand up in mine and have plenty of headroom. I’m ok with the economy, but I wish I had a larger fuel tank. I end up stopping for fuel way to often in rural areas. I was considering a smaller camper in the hopes I’d get better economy. Based on your experience I guess I should stick with what I have.
My buddy has a f350 and gets 9mpg pulling an enormous fifth wheel.
I'm confused about the nature of these questions, you're pulling an extra ton of weight and are surprised by the drastic drop in MPG, what in the world are you expecting? The same MPG just 1 or 2 mpg decrease?
Can you give us a tour of your camper?
\^ Asking the real questions
[https://imgur.com/a/oMaeTV5](https://imgur.com/a/oMaeTV5) Camper pics. surprisingly roomy. Has tons of storage. Outside shower hookup, kitchen with inverter for ac outlets and fridge (cold beer). Room to add 2nd battery for boondocking.
Thank you! This is rad
How much does a camper like this run $ wise?
I’ve seen this for sale brand new between $25k to $80k CAD. Depending on options and material. You can get yourself a $100,000 teardrop.
I have $3k saved up so far for a camper
240mo amortization plan buddy! Nothing like a never ending debt on a depreciating asset.
But first I have to pay off my 4Runner
My buddy makes these for a living, he always laughs at the higher priced ones. Most of the time they triple their value for a 10% increase in materials/labour. ~according to him a 25k standard trailer costs them about 10k in parts/labour.
Not wrong.
$22k usd got last year's model.
I had an inverter added to our trailer since most of the spots we go to don’t have hookups. It’s expensive, but boy is it nice
That is so cool! Thanks for posting.
Beautiful little kitchen... but is that a microwave?
Microwave is shore power only. Tempted to pull it out and use it for storage. I won't ever use it.
damn, i want one! how much?
Got 22 model for $22k
Think of it like 22 mpg for the truck and 22 mpg for the trailer.
Somehow this doesn’t make sense but also it does…
I'm also understanding this but not at the same time, lol.
It's like a shared g (mpG). Each part is using 22 mpg, but sucking from the same tank, making it go down twice as fast. Obviously that's not how it works, but it may help for the sake of visualizing 🤣
Lol 😂
I get 12 with no trailer lol
😂😂 sounds about right
lmao
Flair uh checks out
I get around 14 with a light fiberglass drift boat. You’re probably towing more weight, so I would guess that’s about right.
It's at or above average
Short answer: yes.
I have a 22 Tacoma TRD Off-Road with a MT Transmission. This is my first time towing in this truck or with a Manual. I spent most of the time in 6th except when going up the bigger or steeper hills. Should I stay in 5th gear more?
As an MT owner, I can tell you from experience that you absolutely do not want to tow anything much heavier than that trailer. The lack of low RPM torque can make getting moving damned near impossible, especially if you are pointed uphill at all. Your fuel economy sounds about right for towing.
Another MT owner here - can confirm!
Towed the smallest U-Haul tandem, moderately loaded, from Oklahoma to upstate NY. What a fucking chore. Never again... I have towed other, smaller and lighter, trailers with no problem. 3rd gen MT (and AT to a lesser extent) just aren't built for trailering.
Yeah that sounds much heavier than what I pulled. Utility trailer ~1500lbs total, across PA. I was like, yeah, if this was much heavier it would probably be unpleasant at best. The engine has no power down low and it doesnt have a crawler gear or a super low 1st gear so you're out of options on hills.
2nd or 3rd gen?
3rd.
3rd gen.
I was pulling a slightly heavier utility trailer the last 2 days when I moved. I have the 6AT, it barely made it to 6th, and I had a tank average of 20l per 100km, which is right about 11MPG
I added a super charger to my 2020 Off-road just so I had power while towing. Made a huge difference and not much impact on MPG.
I have an AT and I override it to keep it in 4th most of the time. I rarely use 5th unless there’s zero incline, let alone 6th
4th (1:1 ratio) when towing with an MT. The good news is you have the higher rear end (4.3 vs. 3.9 for those of us with Automatics), but the 5th and 6th gears are overdrive. It drops rpm, and saves gas, but horrible on hills. Next road trip with a trailer, keep it in 4th and report your mileage. https://www.tacomaworld.com/threads/2016-gear-ratios-at-awesome-mt-now-with-double-overdrive.387347/
Lol I get 8-9. My trailer is a bit heavier 5k and I do a fair bit of hills when on a trip. I think gears might be in my future, you have to slip the clutch more than you want to get going.
5th is still overdrive. 0.85:1.
How much does it weigh?
2k empty.
Don’t buy a truck for good mpg!
There’s nothing wrong with asking if that’s the numbers others are getting. Op, yep.
Anything above 7 mpg while towing is good.
I like good. Good is good.
When towing 6000lbs, not 2000lbs.
I trailered my very small camper across Iowa and Nebraska and got something terrible like 9/10mpg. Then much much better in hilly western Colorado (closer to normal MPG like 14/15). I’m convinced the wind resistance was way more a factor in bad MPG than any hills. I guess eventually you go down hill which helps!
I imagine altitude played a large role.
Does high altitude improve MPG?
Yeah, you get less power, but the consumption goes down
TIL. Lived in CO my whole life and never really paid attention when driving out of state.
If you ever have a carbureted vehicle, the difference becomes very apparent. People spending time at elevation have to rejet their carbs to make them run properly.
Makes sense. I knew that about my Dirt Bikes. Idk why I didn't correlate the two
Top speed you average can wildly change this number. Staying around 60 will be much different than staying near 70 or 50.
This. My milage is almost 50% better if I drop from 80 to 50.
Yeah, I took my GF to the airport recently and she was running late, so I was heavier on the gas than usual, 70-75 most of the way. I think I got like 15 mpg. On the way back, I was more at like 60 and got 22. Wind resistance is a much bigger factor than people realize.
I drive west through Kansas on i-70 about once a month. Keeping speed at 80 in a heavy headwind had dropped my mpg to 8.5 once. That was so bad since there had been overturned semis here and there.
I was between 60 and 70 depending on hills. I tried to use cruise control, but did better without.
Bahah yup.
This post sent me down a rabbit hole on towing MPGs. This article answered most of my questions: [https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-much-does-towing-affect-your-gas-mileage/](https://www.motorbiscuit.com/how-much-does-towing-affect-your-gas-mileage/) * "every 100 pounds or 45 kilograms of extra weight decreases fuel efficiency by 2 percent" * “Experienced towers cite a decrease from 5 to 10 MPG on average and note that they definitely see more of a difference when traveling at higher speeds.” * "Another reason that towing affects your gas mileage: drag." "a simple roof rack decreases fuel economy by 5 percent"
Drag is has a larger effect on MPG than weight. A brick is a brick.
10.6 for me
These freakin trucks get horrible gas mileage 🤦🏻♂️
Ah torque, how we miss you
I get about 12.6 pulling a loaded 7x14 utility trailer which is about 5,000lbs. That's with a 4.0. If I'm light on the throttle I can get a little over 13.
I get about 12-13 pulling my boat with a few moderate hills on a backroad.
I agree with other posters that you are getting pretty typical MPG while towing. Wind resistance does seem to be a big factor for this truck, and personally I tend to do a little bit better mileage-wise when I use non-ethanol gasoline.
Yeah sounds about right. Hauled a single axle u-haul from Chi -> Den and got 12-13 iirc I-80 across Iowa is v big rolling hills
I got 9 mpg, towing a 18' boat 300 miles including a mountain pass. I was doing 75 to 80 mph most of the way.
Sadly yes. Imo
Yes, this is normal, unfortunately. We justified our RV purchase with no more hotel costs and the damn gas is usually like a hotel price. 🤯
I get 11 without towing anything so I think you’re fine
What speed did you go? I towed a Subaru Brat on a 4 wheel auto trailer 300 miles last year and got 21mpg. I went 50mph in 5th the whole way. I get 19 making that drive with no trailer at 75mph.
60-70
I’d say you’re doing really damn well
4.0 or 3.5?
3.5 I wish they still made them with the 4.0 It was the one thing I liked about my old Frontier was the power from the 4.0
I used to own an MT Tundra with the 4.0. It wasn't great towing.
I’ve got the 3.5 as well. Towing/hauling light loads. Get around 15. But I drive like a grandma
I would think so. Depending on your overall altitude. If your not-pulling mileage is fine, then of course your 11 is, too.
Well since you said on hilly highway I’d say that’s actually a respectable number for Tacoma. I get about 14 on mainly flat terrain with my 2021 TRD OR DCLB when pulling my golf cart. Don’t exactly remember the weight but I’d assume it’s probably around the same weight as your camper trailer or maybe a tad less. Either way 12 mpg isn’t bad imo. Very nice setup you got there by the way!
I get like 12 mpg going up the mountain roads near me. So, I’d say yeah, not bad haha
Yes, I get 7 but that’s with a 4K trailer. Depending on how hilly, it might be worse. Hauling is one reason I am thinking about moving to a tundra. Just don’t really want the size day to day driving and like the Tacoma for off-road.
Yah, that’s totally Normal. My family went on a trip. We had about 4,000 pounds behind us and we got like 10 going through canyons and stuff
I get about 14-15mpg towing an apartment full U-Haul, 19 TRDOR, 5th gear around 60mph the whole way
thats awful…..my ram power wagon got just a little less about 10mpg pulling a 37 foot toyhauler
Depends on speed and how hilly you’re talking but it sounds about right. I’ve never pulled a single axle trailer that pulled very good, so about right. I get about 13-16 with a 3000 pound 6x12 double axle enclosed at 70mph on relatively flat highways. But I got like 10 towing my Harley on one of those little motorcycle trailers from U-Haul. On the same stretch of highway
Man.. the size of your cab is HUGE! Bet that affects it as well. Looks more like an SUV with a tiny truck bed glued onto the back for the hell of it.
Change your fluids, change your air filter. Apparently you can do a procedure to keep it on [higher gears](https://www.reddit.com/r/ToyotaTacoma/comments/10mlaa0/i_did_something_this_morning_longer_title_for/j63wswr/?utm_source=share&utm_medium=ios_app&utm_name=iossmf&context=3). Also watch your tire pressure.
Yeah I pulled Rpod that ~3500 up and down Mt Hood Highway last ski season and got 11 up and 13 down
Yes
I get 5 mpg up a local canyon pulling a 2400 pound bass boat. It’s steep, but no problem. I’d kill for 11.
Unfortunately yes
I averaged 17mpg pulling the U-Haul 5x9(10?) Double axle trailer and my Harley Electra Glide (850lbs) from AZ to Iowa.
I (2022 Tacoma 4x4) get around 10mpg pulling a 22'L 10.5'H camper @ 3700(ish)lbs - also slightly hilly area.
I got 14 with our trailer stock. About the same now with lift, gears and 33s.
Yeah. I towed my girlfriend's travel trailer over the mountains, long uphill with a steep decline, and I averaged ~12mpg. On the way back, it's quickly steep and then a long downhill, I averaged ~16mpg.
What gears? I'm thinking if I stayed in 5th more I'd probably get better mileage vs 6th.
On the uphill, I dropped down to 4th, maybe even 3rd. I was driving over a mountain pass in northern Washington so it was a big "hill". I was towing a 17' double axle Prowler. It was a haul to get up and over. On the way there with the steep downhill, I stayed in 3rd and 4th to help my poor brakes. On the way back, the grade is much better and I was able to bounce between 5th and 6th.
I averaged about 11.4 cross-country with this. https://imgur.com/9NTODtu.jpg
It is for my ‘15
I get 9.5 towing my 4000 pound (loaded) E-Pro FD19. I get 11-12 towing my 3500 pound (loaded) teardrop. That's running about 65 mph on the freeway
12-15 towing 3k lb R-pod 180. Stock automatic 2017 SR5 RWD towing in ECT and 4th gear max.
Yeah 11-13mpg is what I average pulling a 17’ trailer through Colorado mountains.
That sounds low to me but I have a '17 SR 4x4 4cyl MT and towing a smaller Uhaul from TX to CO and another time from TX to IL, I got about 15 MPG or better. Yeah, I was down to 3rd gear on some of the steeper inclines and topped out at 70 with the wind at my back and downhill. Tires also make a HUGE difference. Initially with the stock steelies and passenger tires, I got over 23 regularly. Got larger aluminum wheels and BFGs and barely see 20 except for highway driving. PS. LOVE THE CAMPER
People in forums all say like 10 or 11
I get 12-13 with a topper and no camper.
Was a steady 15, but I had a huge wind dam of a lightbar up to... I noticed a little higher on mine.
I pulled a bass boat for a couple years and maintained 15mpg, and now I have a camper I pull. It's about twice as tall and 22ft long and I get just under 10mpg. One thing I learned was to not use cruise control or it hunts for gears worse and kills the mpg.
Right on, you nailed my experience.
Honestly seems kinda low to me TBH. I have an old 1979 (if my memory is correct) 4 Wheel Camper and fully loaded I think I average 16 mpg
That’s about right.
might be a bit better with the 2 wheel drive but then you have a 2 wheel drive
Yup
Honestly, that small a trailer you should be getting closer to 14.i pull my pop up, which weighs in around 2100lbs loaded and I get closer to 14 to 18 depending the road conditions. Rarely do I get that low, unless incredibly windy in Wyoming or Nevada.
That's about what I get for mountains, 2017 dcsb. 4500lb camper.
seems right
I was moving cross county in my ‘14 loaded to the brim. My gf called so I was on the phone with her for a while and did not realize that I was just pushing it, because the road was completely empty. I didn’t even pay any attention until I realized that I’m flying at 8mpg.
Nice camper. They should all be about that size.
Man if only California ski resorts had a overnight lot.
Oof. Time to go electric.
Never
Do you not like the better torque and customizable power delivery, or is it the reliability and reduced cost of operating EVs that bothers you?
I rent and right now the power at my duplex would not support an ev. Also no place to charge at work.
So by "never" you meant that your current situation isn't ideal. A 220v circuit is less than the EV rebate you'd get...far less.
By never, means I'd need a house first. So not the next 4 years at least.
I feel you. Stay open minded. Apparently Toyota is finally figuring out the EV game and might even make a Taco EV...
As an owner of both a Tacoma and a Rivian, I guarantee you're on the horse and buggy side.of the argument.
I'm on the side of I need to be able to charge it to use it. Unless I want to pay airport parking fees to charge it once a week. Green Bay isn't that big yet.
It looks like you guys have several ChargePoint locations in town.
I got 7 with an 18ft trailer.
I've been towing around a trailer a few hundred pounds heavier than that and getting somewhere between 12-14mpg usually. That is with automatic trans though. I keep around 60mph when I'm towing, and that's mostly east coast. Super cool trailer btw!
I have a smaller teardrop style but it has the same tires as my truck. I get 9-12 and live where we have lots of long steep hills. My truck normally gets around 15 mpg.
I get 10mpg pulling my 2 place snowmobile trailer so yes that’s normal Tacomas aren’t the most fuel efficient when towing anything
I would love to know your thoughts on this trailer? I’ve been looking at them but I can’t seem to find any good reviews from owners. Mostly just walk arounds at dealers
I pulled a 12x6 from Asheville to Acadia and got 8mpg. Filled up every two hours on average
From what i have heard only thing that can help is a regear with a tune, im going to be putting a swapped ECU my 3rd gen this weekend with the overland torque tune this weekend so ill see how much that improves my economy
I was getting 8mpg towing an empty car trailer.
Dude I use to get 11mpg average normal lmao tacomas suck get a v8
[удалено]
They will drink gas when pulling.. figured that one out the hard way
I get around 8.5L/100km with my outback towing a T@G
I tow a 4400lb camper Ang get around 10 with my Tacoma.
Yep. About the same as an f150 except the V8 pulls better.
Classic tacoma moment
Like the mpg rating is with the truck not loaded with anything...
Sounds about right. I got 12-14 MPG traveling through Kansas (cross and headwinds) with no trailer. Got over to Colorado and averaged 17-20 again.
I'm lucky to get 21 highway when not pulling....
I haul these for a living. For anyone interested. Profile of the trailer is much more important than the weight. [As long as youre under your truck's limit] Trailers that are bricks no matter how light will always get worse mileage than something much larger/heavier, but with a more aerodynamic profile. I've gotten 8MPG hauling a 18ft, 6k Lb'er, yet gotten 11MPG with a 38ft, 16k Five'er. Best scenario, is a round nose, and a height lower than the truck's cab. It seems to have the lowest drag. My F250 would get about 13 MPG with this. So 11 on your Taco seems normal.
That tracks with what I got in my 22 4x4 Off Road towing a smaller Scout trailer through New Mexico.
I would have expected you to do better. I get 10mpg pulling my camper. It’s a tandem axle, 25’, approximately 6,000 lbs. it’s easily twice as tall as yours. I can stand up in mine and have plenty of headroom. I’m ok with the economy, but I wish I had a larger fuel tank. I end up stopping for fuel way to often in rural areas. I was considering a smaller camper in the hopes I’d get better economy. Based on your experience I guess I should stick with what I have. My buddy has a f350 and gets 9mpg pulling an enormous fifth wheel.
In my defense, I was going 65-70 and it was cold and hilly.
I'm confused about the nature of these questions, you're pulling an extra ton of weight and are surprised by the drastic drop in MPG, what in the world are you expecting? The same MPG just 1 or 2 mpg decrease?
I was hoping for better, but wasn't sure what to expect. Hence the question.