Towing

[Greentrucker]

My truck is a '09 Sierra with the 4.8L, I bought a trailer well within the weight limits. The problem is it sucks tons of fuel when towing, its not super bad but its a noticable difference. I dropped my speed when towing (for safety as well as fuel economy) and I plan to switch to synthetic oil(s) and upgrade my spark plugs and wires in the hopes that it will help increase my fuel economy. Before i do all this I would like some opinions as to whether or not this might help or if I am wasting my money and any ideas as to anything else I might try?

P.s. I know I won't get as good of milage towing a trailer just looking for a bit of a "boost" short of getting a bigger truck.

Thanks in advance.

 

[bandaid]

mileage

My experience with synthetic oils and mileage increase is you get about 1.5 mpg better non-towing. It will increase the number of miles between oil changes, but isit enough to warrant the additional cost of the oil?

The main problem you face is with not enough torque fromthe engine to give the grunt necessary to haul your trailer. Changing the rear end gear ratio may help, but I would not go lower than a 3.7 ratio. Some may say go to 4.11, but youwill really suffer mileage wise at high speed.

Short answer to your initial questions about plugs and wires. Keeping your engine in optimum tune will always help efficiency. Also proper tire inflation.

The long answer to your question, yes, depending on the size and weight of the trailer you are pulling, you may need to upgrade the truck!

bandaid

 

[happy 2011]

well my 2 cents.
Unless your towing all the time then live with it becaues you will spend more trying to get better milage then it's worth in return.

Remember your turning off over drive when towing (or you should be) that alone will make a big diffence.

I tow my boat alot. I lose 5 to 6 mpg so what it tows nice.