Will A Four REALLY Do It?

[SteveH]

Ok, we've had all sort of threads about fuel mileage pulling trailers, and it seems clear the small four cyclinder cars/trucks get the best mileage. Since I'm considering getting rid of my Dodge truck, AKA "The Gas Guzzler", I would like to know about your four cylinder vehicle, and specifically how well it pulls your teardrop? Please tell us the type of vehicle you use, type transmission, your fuel mileage, and how well it pulls your teardrop. By how well it pulls, I don't mean will it make it around the block, but how well does it pull it down the highway in real world conditions, at real world speeds (the 70 mph speed limit). All four cylinder inputs are appreciated.

Thanks,

[oklahomajewel]

GOOD question Steve. I'd love to know too.

I don't have mine built enough to tow yet, and don't even have the hitch on my car yet! yikes! But soon.
I have a 2001 Honda Accord 4 cyl and when I went in recently for my 90k checkup , and a new timing belt, I had a trans cooler put on. It cost me $250, more than I thought but they put a genuine Honda one and not a cheaper one. That's okay.... and he said if I'm pulling, even with the trans cooler, to get my tranny serviced every 15K . Still cheaper than buying a new transmission or a new car!!!

Julie

[sftiggee]

I have a 4 banger.

A 2000 VW new Beetle diesel. 1.9 cylinder, 90 hp. I tow a camp-inn with it just fine in real world conditions. I have driven to MN from CA a few times and each time once i was out of the mountains I'd throw the car in cruise control at 75mph (the speed limit out there) and let it go. I average 25-28 mpg while towing, 35-38mpg when not towing. It's an automatice tranny. the diesel has the torque to do it.

the great thing about tears is that you dont' need a pickup to tow it, so check your options well. I know a few folks here use vw diesels like me, and PT cruisers, hondas, toyotas, etc.

[GeorgeT]

2000 Honda CRV. 4 cylinder, 146 hp, 5 speed automatic. Not a lot of torque as is the nature of most Hondas, but yet I have no problem pulling my camper down the highway at 65 to 70 mph. I didn't lock it out of 5th all the way to Inks Lake just let the transmission do its thing. As you know its hill country. It did kick down to 4th more than when not pulling but still it wasn't so bad and I didn't see any signs of overheating or anything that would cause me to worry. I did install an aftermarket tranny cooler just in case even though I heard I didn't need one with the CRV. Knocked the gas mileage down from 26-27 highway to 18-19 mpg. There was a headwind so don't know if it will get better mileage or not. Probably a little better. The square shape and pop up top of my camper is working against me a bit but with yours being a lot more aerodynamic you'd probably do better. So it was definitely working a little harder but I had the trunk area loaded with food and stuff and 3 passengers. Next time I go there will be a couple of kayaks on top. I don't think there will be any problem with that judging from the performance pulling without the kayaks. The newer Honda CRVs have a little more horsepower, 160 hp I think, little more torque and towing capacity and gets about a mile per gallon better mileage. It ought to work just fine.

[Steve_Cox]

2006 Honda CR-V, 2 wheel drive, 156-horsepower, 2.4-liter, 5 speed automatic. No problems with 1220 lb Teardrop + all the other camping stuff in the back. Best milage 18-19 when I drive under 70 mph. Keeping up with I-95 traffic 70-80 + mph, milage drops to 14 -16. At the higher speeds over 70 get some downshifting out of overdrive on inclines.

[pgwilli]

We just got done cleaning up after the Spring Fling in Packwood, WA. On the way down from Marysville we drove the 150 miles, 1/2 on the highway and 1/2 on winding mountain roads. No problem pulling the tear and even passing the slower cars and trucks on hills. On the way home we took the longer route that included more highway.

We averaged 22.5 mpg. Our car is a 2005 Subaru Outback - 168 HP, 4 speed automatic.

Our Teardrop is a Hunter Fat Shadow with electric brakes. Spec weight is 800#+ options like foam padding, silverware drawer, deep cycle battery, fan, heater. Add to that a big easy-up, coolers, chairs, dutch ovens, DO table, clothes, bedding, dogs, collapsing dog run, food, etc.. I wouldn't be surprised if it weighted over 1200#.

We're very happy with the Subi's performance.

[PaulC]

We use a 2004 Nissan 3.0l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual dual cab, 4wd pickup and find that it returns around 25-28mpg. I also have a 92 Toyota 2.8l diesel dual cab 4wd pickup that only gets around 20mpg when towing the TD.
Cheers
Paul

[Italia]

1997 2.4ltr Toyota Tacoma extended Cab Pickup pulling 5'x9' "Lonely Teardrop" approx. 1100 lbs. driving 60-70mph from Auburn, Ca to Orcutt,Ca 25mpg. When driving 75-80mph mileage drops to 20.5 mph.
When driving up long grades down shifting out of 5th to 4th to maintain RPM's is necessary, had to down shift to 3rd towards the top of San Marcos Pass(hwy154)on my last camping trip but was still able to top the pass at 65mph. I'm very happy with the way the truck pulls our Teardrop and satisfied with the economy as long I am crusing along in the slow lane doing the speed limit, We are planning a long haul up north soon, we will keep track of the mileage.

[billnut]

[asianflava]

We use a 2004 Nissan 3.0l turbo diesel, 5 speed manual dual cab, 4wd pickup and find that it returns around 25-28mpg. I also have a 92 Toyota 2.8l diesel dual cab 4wd pickup that only gets around 20mpg when towing the TD.
Cheers
Paul

Problem is, neither Nissan or Toyota offer ANY diesels here.

[asianflava]

Steve, we just got back from Inks Lake. I filled up in Cedar Park and we towed it to the park. We had a side trip (no trailer) to Marble Falls to buy the items that we forgot.

Most of the way I just put the automtic trans in "D" but on some of the rolling hills I turned the O/D off. I turned it back on when decending because I didn't need the engine braking.

We filled up in Cedar Park on the way home and got 7.887gal for the 152.5mi trip, comes out to 19.34mpg. The car is a 2001 2.4L 4-cyl Toyota Highlander. Typically in mixed city/hwy driving it gets between 24-25.

All the towing was done at or just below posted speed limits. The trailer was rock solid. I dropped the tire pressure for Cedar Hill to around 25 and I was still getting some clanking from the hitch. This time, the added weight of the aluminum calmed everything down, the hitch only clanked when I hit a big bump. I will probably bump up the pressure which will probably help the mileage.

If you do consider a Highlander, the newer 4-cyl has a little more torque and hp than our year, not much though. It is the same chassis as the Lexus RX which is based off the Camry sedan. It has a really nice ride for an SUV.

[PaulC]

Problem is, neither Nissan or Toyota offer ANY diesels here.

We must be following the "urpeen" trend with diesels as they have shown a 25% increase in new car sales over the last year down here. Not quick but economical everywhere, usually.
Cheers
Paul

[SteveH]

Everyone,

Thanks for all the information. I'm not really ready to trade yet...my truck is too new and I'd take a big hit on it, but I am trying to figure out which way to go. Still having a hard time convincing myself I would be happy with a four cylinder after driving V8's all my life.

Rocky,

Thanks for the info on the Toyota Highlander. When I do trade it will be for another pickup truck. I don't need more than two person seating and I do need the hauling capacity of the truck.

[Noob]

I think any of the larger ones ( don't want to sound like a V8 guy ... ) could do it. ( unless you live in co, ut, wa ... you get the idea. )

Here is a little VW tid-bit.

As first reported by Leftlane News in December — but ignored by the mainstream press until this weekend — new emissions regulations will force Volkswagen to drop all of its diesel passenger cars in the U.S. for 2007. On Sunday, the Detroit Free Press said VW will drop the hot-selling diesel versions of its Jetta, Golf and Beetle. The new U.S. limits for nitrogen oxide emissions are among the most stringent in the world, the report said. As noted in the original LLN report, VW won’t be able to offer diesel versions of these cars until scheduled redesigns. The VW Touareg will continue to be sold because it’s classified as a truck. VW plans to stockpile extra ‘06 model Jettas before the regulations come into effect.

[asianflava]

Rocky,

Thanks for the info on the Toyota Highlander. When I do trade it will be for another pickup truck. I don't need more than two person seating and I do need the hauling capacity of the truck.

I know what you mean, that's why it is her car.