Hybrid Towing MPG master thread

[djsnowtiger]

I'm thinking of getting a travel trailer for my 2025 AWD hybrid Mav w/ 4K tow, and would love to know what kind of trailer you've towed with your Marverick, how much it weighs, and what mpg you got towing it. Bonus points for frontal area. I've been able to find a few threads where people have mentioned individual setups, but I haven't found one thread that compiles a lot of this data so I'm hoping this will be it.

I'm currently considering a 13' Scamp, R Pod, or hard sided pop up like a Chalet in the 2000 lb range, but I'm curious about people's experiences with all kinds of trailers.

Sponsored

 

[Escapologist]

It's gonna be less about weight, and more about aerodynamics or the lack thereof.

 

[Krazor8]

Before I say this, im gonna state i do not condone this- it have a 2025 xlt fwd hybrid, bought a mini excavator( steal of a deal), weight of excavtor was 3500, weight if stealer was 1200, drove about 50 miles from where I picked it up, mpg in tow haul mode was was 13 mpg at a constant 55, road is highway but not very smooth, has allot of was board areas, and up hill down hill sections(not huge, just enough to
Know they are there), my mileage on that road unloaded is abour 32 mpg

 

[tlhmav]

I'm thinking of getting a travel trailer for my 2025 AWD hybrid Mav w/ 4K tow, and would love to know what you've towed with your Marverick, how much it weighs, and what mpg you got towing it. I've been able to find a few threads where people have mentioned individual setups, but I haven't found one thread that compiles a lot of this data so I'm hoping this will be it. Thanks for playing!

Went from close to 40 mpg to 13.9 on 1200 mile trip with a travel trailer.Weight was 3400 loaded the gas mileage drop is the parachute effect from trailer not the weight.

 

[SaltyGoose]

2025 AWD with 4K tow package.
I towed a U-Haul 5x8 trailer fully loaded, weighing just under 2,000 lbs. The truck’s fuel economy dropped to 28-33 mpg with a 70% highway / 30% city split. The checkered tags in the glove compartment weren’t really necessary unless you’re hooking and unhooking the trailer frequently. The tow assist made backing up much easier. Remember, your truck should be properly broken in before you start towing.

Go to an empty parking lot to program the trailer you are using to the Pro Trailer Backup Assist . Youll need enough space to do a complete circle. If you have enough space to do a figure-eight, youll be golden. Once the trailer is programed the truck will do all the backing up for with with a turn of the knob so that wont jack-knife that shizzy. I had a blast towing in that truck.

 

[Cherokee]

My 2013 F-150 with the 3.7 went from 20 mpg to 17 mpg when pulling a small 2,000 pound 5x8 enclosed trailer.
My 2008 Taco 2.7 Ltr went from 22 mpg to 15 pulling the exact same iridium trailer.

Just goes to show ya, there’s no replacement for displacement.
Vroom Vroom.

 

[todd92]

The frontal area and then weight determine the MPG. Hybrid isn't going to do much better than an Eco max towing.

 

[djsnowtiger]

It's gonna be less about weight, and more about aerodynamics or the lack thereof.

Yes, that is why specifying what the trailer is will be helpful. If people want to give info like total frontal area that would be great, but I didn't want to get too in the weeds and am happy to do that homework myself.

 

[djsnowtiger]

Went from close to 40 mpg to 13.9 on 1200 mile trip with a travel trailer.Weight was 3400 loaded the gas mileage drop is the parachute effect from trailer not the weight.

What trailer were you using?

 

[djsnowtiger]

2025 AWD with 4K tow package.
I towed a U-Haul 5x8 trailer fully loaded, weighing just under 2,000 lbs. The truck’s fuel economy dropped to 28-33 mpg with a 70% highway / 30% city split. The checkered tags in the glove compartment weren’t really necessary unless you’re hooking and unhooking the trailer frequently. The tow assist made backing up much easier. Remember, your truck should be properly broken in before you start towing.

Go to an empty parking lot to program the trailer you are using to the Pro Trailer Backup Assist . Youll need enough space to do a complete circle. If you have enough space to do a figure-eight, youll be golden. Once the trailer is programed the truck will do all the backing up for with with a turn of the knob so that wont jack-knife that shizzy. I had a blast towing in that truck.

28-33 is not bad! This is super helpful, thanks.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

My 2013 F-150 with the 3.7 went from 20 mpg to 17 mpg when pulling a small 2,000 pound 5x8 enclosed trailer.
My 2008 Taco 2.7 Ltr went from 22 mpg to 15 pulling the exact same iridium trailer.

Just goes to show ya, there’s no replacement for displacement.
Vroom Vroom.

I think the F150 body probably displaced more air before it encountered the trailer than the Taco did. Aerodynamics is the major consideration exponentially above 40mph. But, higher torque at low speeds if towing in town would make a difference.

 

[Surly Old Bill]

Following for real world reports.
We're on the fence about getting a small trailer for camping trips and using the Mav, or keeping the Transit(not Connect) campervan. If the Mav drops down below 20mpg towing, I'll just stick with the much more convenient Trans at 16mpg.

 

[tlhmav]

What trailer were you using?

2026 LIV 201QB

 

[tlhmav]

What trailer were you using?

2026 LIV 201QB

 

[djsnowtiger]

Following for real world reports.
We're on the fence about getting a small trailer for camping trips and using the Mav, or keeping the Transit(not Connect) campervan. If the Mav drops down below 20mpg towing, I'll just stick with the much more convenient Trans at 16mpg.

I'm in a similar situation. I have a Sprinter camper van, but its tempting to only have to maintain one vehicle if I can find a trailer w/ comparable amenities that doesn't cost me too much in mpg. I get about 22mpg with the diesel Sprinter.

Sponsored