Towing a 25' RV with a Ram 1500 Part 2 - Driving 60 MPH vs 70 MPH | Mileage, Time and Thoughts

[@thereeldeelsteel]

When you factor in the additional stop and RV park costs, along with additional food etc, the fuel savings from driving slower are probably chewed if not more expensive.

[@Scavenger1320]

Definitely. I talk about that exact thing towards the end of the vid and it definitely made the trip more expensive. Add in how much less enjoyable it made the drive itself and it's not at all worth it and something I'll never do again.

[@disneymama78]

I am laughing so hard!!!! I felt your pain. I have made that drive from Dallas to Orlando so many times and I can't drive 60 mph and I am not even towing anything. My first stop is usually Dallas to Tallahassee and then on in to Orlando. I am thinking about getting a trailer so thanks for all the info on mileage. Keep doing what you are doing. Great video!

[@Scavenger1320]

We've made the stop at Tallaassee a lot too. When we're not towing we at least get to somewhere in the panhandle. We've also made the trip without stopping at all, but usually that's on the way back when we get to being just a few hours away and just want to get home. That's when not towing obviously lol. Good luck with getting a trailer if you decide to get one. If you've never been to Fort Wilderness it's a must do and a completely different disney experience. I appreciate the comment and thanks for watching!

[@disneymama78]

@@Scavenger1320 I've been to Fort Wilderness just without a trailer. That's why I want one. That will make being at Disney a lot cheaper per night. LOL. Thanks for sharing.

[@fs_dave]

Any time you spent in your truck and not on Disney property is money saved. LOL

[@Scavenger1320]

Ha, well the extra time spent in the truck just means we had to leave home earlier and get back later. If it took away disney time my wife would have made me give up on this test and vid or else kicked me out of the truck and driven herself lol.

[@brucedeleskey8540]

The reason for speed is thous tiers are all rated for 60 mph on camper tiers ten ply hevey duty the tiers get very hot 🔥 over 60 and thous tiers normally blow out very loud but if you don't believe it just drive 70 75 when it happens I garrenteed you will lean to keep it at 60

[@Scavenger1320]

This RV has the Goodyear Endurance tires which have an N speed rating that goes up to 87 mph. I also have a tire monitoring system so I can keep an eye on the exact tire pressures and tire temps at all times.

[@Lonewolf1961-s9z]

I tow a 30’ Transcend (hitch to bumper), which weighs 6200 dry weight, maybe 7,000 loaded. I drive in Florida, mostly flat. 2016 crew cab Big horn 5.7 Hemi 4x4. I average 9.5 mpg @ 65 mph. I use to tow a 24’ trailer and got 10.5 - 11 mpg.

[@thomaschen8674]

I have same trailer RAM1500 2020

[@XNightslayerx99]

How do you find it tows? Any after market mods to help the stability? I got a 2020 1500 I'm going to be towing a 30' transcend with 6505 dry about 7200 loaded high end

[@jesserevilla992]

Appreciate this vid and recall your first vid. Yes 60 does suck. Just think we went from Miami. FLA to Waxahachie,TX which is directly South of Dallas. Yet we drove 12 hour days and the Trucks sweet spot is 62-64 mph; but at times I was @ 68-71 mph more so with the on-slot of 18 wheelers and staying up with them or keeping them slightly behind me . What I will say; if you have a slight head wind of say 6 mph it will make a difference. On trips more then 400 miles in one direction; I have been happy to hang out @ 64 to 68 mph averaging 8.9-9.0 MPG’s and only using 87 octane. F150 2.7 10 spd Trans towing Grand Design 22mle / trailer, passengers & gear total 5,987 LBS….

[@Scavenger1320]

I go through Waxahachie all the time when I go to the track in Ennis. Winds definitely make a difference. I like testing on trips like this one to the East since the winds aren't usually too bad and there's not much elevation change for more consistent results. Not sure if you've headed west towards Amarillo going through Wichita Falls, but the stretch from DFW to Amarillo has always been the worst for me. Seems there's always a decent head wind and with the increase in elevation, I'm always running in the 6 mpg range and stopping for gas every 180 miles or so. Although one time I went to Palo Duro Canyon out that way for a weekend, and while I was in the 6.x range heading out there, on the way back I was almost hitting 12 mpg! I've only ever hit 12 mpg towing the RV one other time before, and that was when I was heading back up to DFW from Austin and had a strong direct tailwind the entire drive, I think I was around 12.5 and it was the best I've ever had towing this RV, but if I remember right, it was around 20-25 mph sustained winds.

[@davevaught9023]

Hi Chris, Dave from Buffalo N.Y. I also tow with a 21 Ram 1500 HEMI And a 5600 lb Jayco 24RBS with the fastwaytrailer 4 way bars My best advice I can give you is GOODYEAR ENDURANCE tires! I've seen all those cheap chines tires fall apart at speed and destroy the wheel wells, wasn't very pretty.

[@Scavenger1320]

I'm 99.9% sure those are what's on my RV. I had to replace one a while back when I picked up a nail on the freeway. Tire held together while I got off to throw the spare on, but wasn't repairable. The damaged fender skirt you might have noticed didn't have anything to do with tires. On the Ram I'm running Michelin Defenders, which I love compared to the Goodyear Wrangler SR-A that came on it from the factory. Tires definitely make a big difference and is great advice for sure.

[@artillerybuff2000]

Hi Chris. I traded my beloved Ram 3500 Diesel Dually 4WD and 5th wheel RV so I could get a motorhome. Now I can tow the car to the races and stay in style. No more sleeping in the truck!

[@Scavenger1320]

Livin my dream! Lol One day I'll get that Dynamax Isata I want so that I can do the same

[@mark_osborne]

Very good video, love the data ! For 20 plus years I've pulled a tractor around to the County fairs (tractor pulling) with a 1997 F250, 460 gas, and the subject of fuel economy has often come up. The sweet spot for me is 62 mph. I'm pulling between 11,000 and 15,000 lbs, depending. I can count on 9 mpg if I hold 62. The one thing I'll add to your critique is "stone chips". When you drive slower than the "masses" you run the risk of a busted windshield from trucks (especially) tossing stones - especially construction trucks that hit a bump ahead of you and dislodge debris, and when I see one coming from behind, I'll often break my own 62 mph rule just to stay ahead

[@Scavenger1320]

Forgot about the stone chip issue. That was something I had to deal with on the trip, especially in areas where there was a lot of construction and debris on the roads. It became a decision of whether to break my 60 mph test pace to get past them or slow down even more to put more separation. This case came down to how fast the other truck was going and if I could pass them up quickly, but already being the slowest vehicle on the road I usually just slowed down since they would just end up passing me up later. Now in my normal driving when I'm not running a test like this, I'll usually pass them up and if I have to go an extra 2-3 mph to stay in front of them then I will. Thanks for the info and for watching!

[@mark_osborne]

@@Scavenger1320 Spot on !

[@JohnSmith-ev1sm]

Nice test. I live in Canada, truckers are governed around 60-ish mph (just over 100 km/h) and on the freeways I travel, it's far more relaxing to travel at 103/62 mph than 110+. Why? Because in order to travel faster you run into people ahead of you going slightly slower which requires slowing down, speeding up to pass, cursing the guys who don't let you in their lane, stressing etc etc. When there is never anybody in front of you to worry about (they're going the same speed or a tiny bit faster) you just cruise and smile; your engine holds one speed and isn't downshifting (wasting more fuel!) to make a bit of passing power. So yeah, location dependent. You didn't mention it, but tires make a difference especially in a test like this. Got to make sure your all your tires are inflated properly too. I never travel more than a few hours per day and generally stay close to home so I might be more inclined to travel faster if I had a lot further to go. I aim for a stress free travel day whenever possible.

[@Scavenger1320]

For tires I have Michelin LTX Defenders and keep them about 40 psi. This is where people can vary, because when there is never anybody in front of me to worry about and I'm just cruising, but only at 60 mph, there was definitely no smiling and as I said in this vid, it was one of my most stressful drives ever. But also, when I'm driving more 'my' speed, I don't worry about maintaining an exact speed like 70 or whatever it may be. In my typical towing drive I just cruise at a comfortable speed and will adjust depending on traffic, so if I might come up to someone cruising along at 68, I'll just coast down to their speed and hang back. If someone is going too slow for me, I try to do the 'trucker' pass where I just keep going my speed without downshifting, and since I really only do that when they're going much slower, I don't hold up traffic much when I do that. So really, those fuel wasting cursing moments you talk about don't happen. I leave those moments for when I'm not towing anything or in my Challenger lol.

[@GeroldHarbin-oj2zr]

Lawd, have mercy, that is one long trip! 😊 I'm sure it was fun though! 👍🏾

[@Scavenger1320]

Going slow makes it seem so much longer too, but I've been on even longer trips before and they usually are fun. That's why we still have the RV! Thanks for watching!

[@Plumbtired]

I pull a 40’ fifth wheel with my 2018 RAM 2500 Bighorn. 70 is where I stay. Plus I set my transmission to not go above 4th gear. Same mileage as you. Also the extra time and cost would make me nutso.

[@Lee-j9s7i]

great video sir.. I was wondering if you have done anything to the rear suspension other than stock.. I have the same camper but looking for a truck.. like your setup.

[@Scavenger1320]

Front and rear suspension on my truck is still 100% factory original stock. In fact pretty much everything on my Ram is still stock, I haven’t even modded the air intake which is unusual for me lol. It’s at 136K miles on it now and still going strong. I do however use an Equalizer weight distribution and anti-sway hitch, which I highly recommend and makes a huge difference.

[@Lee-j9s7i]

thank you for the feedback.. I've never had a truck with the coil springs just leaf but I really like the ram 1500.. thank you again and awesome job on your videos

[@adrianhughes5693]

Thanks for sharing your point pf view, My only comment is around safety for yourself and family and others on the road , sure we could all kick the ball around on fuel economy but at the end of the day the only thing that really matters is getting from point A to B and Back again safely and after 25 year years of retrieving wrecks Here in New Zealand I dont feel doing 75mph/ 120kph towing anything is ideal here we have a limit of 90kph while towing and yes sometimes we creep up to 100kph but I've learnt to deal with the long trips and relax and to be honest seen a whole lot more along the way.

[@juice_whoranit]

Just ran across this video after watching the previous towing vids. Thanks for all the info, I just got a 15 big horn

[@Scavenger1320]

Thanks for watching!

[@shaunhilliard2418]

Crazy only passing 5 vehicles in that far of a travel!

[@Scavenger1320]

For sure. It wasn't even a stat I was thinking about tracking, but after a couple hundred miles I started realizing I hadn't passed anyone up and began paying attention to it.

[@codyfarmer1]

How is the sway with that setup? And how does it handle hills? Also do you add any air to your rear tires when towing?

[@Scavenger1320]

With the Equalizer there's almost no sway at all. There's times when the trailer wants to start to sway a little, either from a bump in the road or a passing semi, but you can practically feel the equalizer do its thing and tame it down almost immediately. Before I got it I had a trip where there were 20+ mph sustained winds and it was one of my scariest drives ever, after I got it I had another trip with the same and even worse winds and it was such a drastic difference that I always tell everyone the Equalizer is a must have, especially if they're towing with a half-ton. Hills are no problem at all either. The 5.7 Hemi has more than enough power to handle them, although I do wish I had 3.92 gears instead of the 3.21 my truck came with. I've taken trips up into Moab and through the Black Hills of South Dakota and never had any problems going up and down steep inclines. I even drove up and down on a 10% incline that is the entrance road to Palo Duro Canyon in Texas and my truck didn't even hardly break a sweat. I usually don't add any air to my rear tires, I just keep them at about 38 psi, so when they get heated up during long drives they don't go above 40. I've tried airing them up before to test it out and found that when the tires go above 40 psi, they feel a bit, um, "squirelly", not really sure how to describe it. It's like they don't feel as planted on the ground and want to bounce around more.

[@codyfarmer1]

@@Scavenger1320 thanks for the info. Much appreciated.

[@carlklein3806]

Have 2019 1500 Ram, but with a 9.2 axle. I keep my speed between 60 to 65 mph. Drive from Michigan to Alaska and back to Florida. Overall did about 19000 miles. Pulled a 31 ft Coachman with an awful Camco equalizing hitch. Averaged about 9 to 10 mpg. Driving through gas stations an adventure. Great truck, but on interstates with pink concrete, which are not very smooth or level, the truck front end would actually bounce. Scary! Made it ok. Was not affected by passing vehicles. Made it ok but it cured me of taking a big trailer long distances. Taught me RV dealers are evil.

[@Scavenger1320]

Not a fan of RV dealers either lol. I've been really happy with my 25 footer and I have no desire to try anything longer. I feel like what i have is right in that sweet spot for a half ton truck. I am jealous of your Alaska trip. I'm actually from Michigan and been to Florida more times than I can count, but my dream road trip has always been going from Key West all the way up to Alaska.

[@vladimus9749]

All depends on your rig. Mine (6.0 vortec+32 foot TT) loved going 59 mph. Yes it felt very slow, but saved so much gas that we'd stop less and make it up. We'd be hungry and have to use the bathroom but still had too much gas to justify stopping lol.

[@bobmartens1089]

I have a 14, 5.0, F150 SC 355 gears. Tow a 24 foot tt and get 12mpg cnd on my long trips to AZ at about 63 mph. Stopping and driving management is way safer at lower speeds.

[@smokn05]

Well, since you took a different route, I think you should do the trip all over again at 60mph. Lol. For science! 😂

[@Scavenger1320]

Hey, it was only like 15-20% different route lol. Someone is gonna have to sponsor me and pay me to do that kind of drive again!

[@tongueslicer0276]

What stuff do you have done to tow almost 12.500lbs? I'm looking at a 2017 1500 Bighorn with the 3.21 ratio and it's only rated for roughly 8000lbs to tow. I don't plan on towing as much as you but I want an enclosed trailer and going to tow my subaru to tracks once in awhile

[@Scavenger1320]

The 12,500 pound number is for the entire setup going down the road, so that includes my truck itself, which accounts for about 5500 pounds of that. Leaving 7000 pounds between the trailer, payload in the truck and passengers including myself. An enclosed trailer with a car shouldn't be an issue, I'd just probably not go over a 20' trailer. I towed my 2020 Dodge Challenger in a 20' enclosed with this truck on basically the same route as this vid and it handled it fine. Mileage still sucks though. Most of the time I tow my Challenger to races, I just use an open trailer, the aerodynamics are so much better I get a LOT higher mileage towing it that way. Oh, and my Ram is completely stock. I added the Tonneau cover to it and that's about it.

[@RonRussell-vu7mx]

Hi Chris. I have a 2018 RAM 1500 Laramie crew cab with 5’7” bed. I have the 5.7 with the 3.92 rearend and trailer brake. My problem is I don’t seem to have enough payload to tow a trailer similar to what you towed. Am I missing something?

[@Scavenger1320]

Looks like your Ram with the only difference being the 3.92 gear vs my 3.21 still has the exact same payload rating as mine, which is 1680, unless you have a 4x4 then you're down to 1520. I know my trailer's tongue weight is spec'd at about 750 pounds. To be safe I round that to 800. That leaves 880. Take away another 500 for me and my family and now I have 380 pounds for everything else. We try to keep items inside the cab to a minimum, mostly just food and drinks to last the driving portion so there's not much weight there. I don't usually fill up the bed with too much cargo either, probably around 200 pounds, but definitely not 380. So not a ton of room to play with there but still within manufacturer ratings. I know there's variances in the trailer tongue weight and it also depends on how you load your trailer up, but I'd like to think I do a pretty good job of spreading weight around the entire trailer and not going too front, or back, heavy.

[@pathunter7003]

@@Scavenger1320 don’t forget to add the weight of that wdh hitch also. It all adds up, maybe a rubber bed mat, tonneau cover, even a full set of front and rear floor mats@ 15-20lbs

[@ronaldareyes9899]

Sounds 👍 Awesome.

[@1ozzzy]

I have the same truck, trailer is a bit heavier. I don't tow over 100kmh, usually stay at 90kmh. People can pass if they want.

[@mikeb9245]

I have a 2019 longhorn 1500, looking at a 25' Rinker 6250lb dry + trailer weight. What's your opinion on towing the boat with it a few times a year probably no longer than 200 miles one way?

[@Scavenger1320]

Short trips like that and that size boat I honestly wouldn't hesitate at all in towing it with my 2017. Weight looks to be in limits, plus a boat is a lot more aerodynamic than a huge RV trailer so the truck won't be working as hard to keep it moving. I tow my car to races a lot on an open trailer and even though the weights are pretty close to my RV, I get way better mileage just because of how much more aerodynamic my car is behind my truck than the RV. The only concern I would have is the tongue weight. With my RV I have to use a weight distribution hitch. When I'm towing my car I can get by without one and my truck doesn't squat that much.

[@larrywiddis470]

I'm one of the few in California that holds to 55 when the trailer is in tow and 60 is my max out of state. VERY FEW.

[@akita989]

crazy i have a rebel just went on a 3 hour trip with our 30 ft i drive about 65 and got a avg of 10.7mpg on the way there and 9.8 going 70 on the way home.

[@majorwayne9866]

With as much towing with a Ram as you do, did you add anything like a transmission oil cooler?

[@Scavenger1320]

Nope, the entire powertrain is still factory stock. But also I’m almost certain these trucks, at least 2016s and newer, already have a transmission cooler that’s integrated with the condenser that comes standard

[@kingsnake57]

It would really bug you to pull your trailer in California. In California, the maximum speed limit for vehicles towing trailers is 55 miles per hour (mph) on most highways, unless otherwise posted.

[@Scavenger1320]

Half the stuff California does bugs me lol. Actually it wouldn't be that bad though, it's more about just being the slowest one out there and getting passed by every other RV'er on the road that gets to me. When I'm on smaller highways and roads with lower speed limits I have no problem. So if I ever make my way out there it won't bug me that much if I'm around other RV'ers that are going along at the same speed.

[@outfitr9703]

I had almost the exact truck only a 2011 with a 5 speed. 5000# enclosed cargo trailer .I'm in the process of upgrading to a Chevy 2500hd gas. Maybe if the Ram had an 8 speed I would have kept it. It did ok, motor had plenty of power if it was at the correct rpm but the 5 speed over-revved all the time. Also the steering was not great. Looking forward to a larger margin of safety and capability.

[@Scavenger1320]

Definitely a lot of improvements in my 2017 vs a 2011 Ram, the 8 speed transmission I have being one of the best ones for sure. Not sure what steering differences there might be between the years but in mine I'm happy with my steering, at least I don't have any issues with it that would make me want to do something about it. Going to a 3/4 ton definitely gives you a lot more capability, thats for sure.

[@brianbelliveau5551]

Dude that funny as hell my wife would rather fly than drive I’m the opposite but I do get better mileage going 60-65 but I’m 70 years old and I’m not in a hurry but I’m pulling a bigger trailer I want to pull it to Texas my lives in Denton Texas so if I can talk her into it going I will be safe and happy camping

[@CrazyPetez]

You need a bigger pickup, like a three quarter ton, say a 3500, or F250. You’re crazy to pull those heavy loads with a half ton pickup.

[@Scavenger1320]

Says the guy who literally has 'crazy' in his username lol

[@CrazyPetez]

@@Scavenger1320 LOL. My name has nothing to do with my knowledge. Your truck is insufficient for the load you’re placing on it.

[@Scavenger1320]

@@CrazyPetez then I guess Ram insufficiently rated their truck because everything is within manufacturer limits

[@CrazyPetez]

@@Scavenger1320 That’s very comforting, “Within the limits”. It’s your truck and your life. I wish you well.

[@Scavenger1320]

@@CrazyPetez well then educate me. How exactly is my truck insufficient? How much do you believe it can tow, if anything at all

[@patrickciarcia4100]

You have a great set up…👍🏻…🇺🇸

[@Scavenger1320]

Thanks!

[@brianbelliveau5551]

60 seems to be the magic number for milage and a lot more safer

[@richarddavis5542]

I can't imagine towing anything without a trailer brake (brake controller). Did I hear that you don't have one?

[@Scavenger1320]

I do not, honestly have never had a truck that had one or towed with one so I don’t even know what I’m missing. My next truck will have one for sure but I’ve honestly never had any situations or issues arise where I thought to myself I wish I had one, but again, don’t even know what kind of difference it makes. I’ve gone up and down steep inclines, had to come to quick stops, and once when I was towing my car on a different trailer even had to practically slam on the brakes to avoid hitting someone that drove out right in front of me.

[@PatrickReagan]

Did you use cruise control

[@Scavenger1320]

Not the entire time but yes for probably around half the drive.

[@skipwilliam5639]

spend the 200 and get the factory trailer brake switch

[@davep4610]

Interesting video. While saving 1.5 mpg does not sound like much, that is a 20 percent difference. Seems like if your engine has to work 20% harder then it will wear out faster if you tow a lot at the higher speeds. And regarding the comment about no brake controller, many states require trailer brakes (working) if the trailer is rated over 3,000 pounds. Yours is way over that. To recap, you are pushing the payload and trailer weights right to the limit, without trailer brakes, and you like running 70 mph. Sounds like a dangerous combination honestly.

[@rmccain99]

I average 63 mph and 11.5 close to 12 mpg.

[@samebert4344]

Most of those folks saying they drive that slow are probably from California like me. There you can’t exceed 55 while towing.

[@Scavenger1320]

I guess I’ll only be going 55 then if I ever make it out to California with my RV. Didn’t know that about cali but can’t say I’m surprised lol

[@SirAndrewll]

City driving completely messes up the mpg

[@cookingpunch]

my diesel RAM gets 13

[@donofchron4204]

That's a heavy 25 footer.. I have a 30ft trailer and it's only 4995 lbs.. how is 12000+ lbs possible on a 25 ft.. that's gotta be truck and trailer... And gear...

[@Scavenger1320]

yeah, that's the total weight of the entire setup including driver/passengers too. The first RV towing vid I did that I compared to here is where I pulled up onto a CAT scale during my drive to get the total weight.

[@Weak_juan]

60mph is too slow. Happy medium would have me traveling 65mph

[@fredde1702]

in europe you only allowed 50 mph :P

[@markbogacz8933]

2 hrs and 40 mins longer makes you take an extra day. Why. that is on,y an extra 1 hr and 20 mins per day. makes no sense

[@Scavenger1320]

Except it's not just on me, there's also my wife and 8 year old daughter. Fact is most people split up this trip into 3 days, so when we do it in 2 we're already pushing the limits, so yeah, an extra 1-2 hours puts it past the tipping point.

[@markbogacz8933]

ok that makes sense.

[@robo2901]

I fall asleep driving that slow. My time is more valuable than the minimal amount I save in gas. It's boring and ridiculous.

[@Scavenger1320]

So very boring lol. I definitely won't be doing it again.

[@Michaelmontana08]

No matter your experience, 70-75 is too fast.

[@adampecore6917]

Zero reason to pull a trailer at 70

[@Zachary-f7y]

One reason…If you want to fishtail

[@billyg4219]

😂seems like a big bitching session. Whats wrong with slowing down and smelling the roses.

[@Scavenger1320]

There weren't any roses to smell lol

[@chriswadlington2465]

Worthless video dude !

[@Scavenger1320]

Thanks for watching!

[@mikee7534]

Worthless comment dude !