Gas mileage while towing. - AUSJEEPOFFROAD.COM Jeep News Australia and New Zealand

Sockeye · #1 07-07-2016

Gday friends. I'm sitting here way past Surat in the middle of the nowhere by the campfire and yet I got a 4g Telstra service. Spooky.

Anyway. I got 2003 grand Cherokee with 4.7 v8 and today while towing about 1.5 tons of a off road camper and the car full of gear I ended up with 20-21 liters per 100 km highway fuel consumption. Pretty horrible. That is in constant 4wd (I got 242 transfer case), larger tyres, lift and light bar with the rack on top.
Normally, the highway consumption is about 14-15 liters. The light bar and towing are new variables here so I am wondering if the above mileage is reasonable for the situation.

Thanks

Hoobz · #2 07-07-2016

From my experience you're suffering exactly like I would.

Your figures line up with mine.

I've never ever tried restraining myself from enjoying the right pedal for a whole tank, so I have no idea what I could get out of mine.

I'm averaging about 350km out of a tank at the moment, that's 21.5L per 100. Without towing.
It's been mostly driving to the bush, having fun, and driving home.

I got nearly the same economy when we towed the camp hack trailer through the Otways, but then I was a bit more restrained with the right pedal, plus there was a fair amount of open road. That trailer is light though, 600kg max.

FRANKIDOWNUNDER · #3 07-07-2016

I've got an old ZG with the straight 6 in it. Without the van I get about 15l / 100. Towing the van I get about 18 to 22 L /100. van weighs 1200Kg and I tow at around 85 to 90 Kph or about 2700 rpm. Your figures for a V8 seem close to what I'd expect. Petrol engines are always more thirsty than diesel ones but don't suffer from as many problems or as costly to repair. Half your luck being away now. Don't worry about fuel costs, just enjoy the trip, youré driving a Jeep remember.

Sockeye · #4 09-07-2016

Had to leave a bit earlier so just got home.

1000 km covered. 900 of them towing with the average mileage of 21-22 liters per 100 km. The rest km is driving across remote property in locked 4x4. Lots of mud that just started to dry out. Had to air down right away, but managed to stay out of trouble.

Once in the fields discovered a ripped front driveshaft CV boot. Not sure how long it was ruptured. Still made it home allright. I guess should just buy a rebuild kit and overhaul the end.

Broken phone lense visual effect.