towing fuel milage... help!!

[dragracin247]

I have a 2007 GMC Yukon XL... Towing a 4 place snowmobile trailer

while towing i average about 8mpg.. and i was looking for something to get that up to around the 10mpg range... any ideas??

I was thinking a power programmer... but do not know which one... any ideas?? suggestions?

Anything else?? Thanks!

 

[fco_gonzo]

Start with a Cold air intake and exhaust. there are many brands out there, picking the "right one" is half the battle.

 

[dragracin247]

anyone else???

 

[Gambler]

Getwired has had some luck increasing his mileage with the Edge Evolution programmer. Other people have the Superchips and have reported mileage gains as well. I think mileage gains have been around 1-3 from what I've read. but as fco_gonzo said, a CAI is going to help quite a bit as well. A bunch of us on here have the Volant CAI and have had good luck with it.

 

[gundog]

Getwired has had some luck increasing his mileage with the Edge Evolution programmer. Other people have the Superchips and have reported mileage gains as well. I think mileage gains have been around 1-3 from what I've read. but as fco_gonzo said, a CAI is going to help quite a bit as well. A bunch of us on here have the Volant CAI and have had good luck with it.

How much of a mileage increase can one realistically expect from the addition of a Volant CAI with the 5.3 engine?

 

[Getwired]

Words of wisdom...uh, yeah...

I got +1MPG from just the Volant on my Denali 6.2L + 6-speed, and another +2.5MPG with an Edge Evolution. I average 13.5 around town, and 15-16 on the highway if I take it easy.

Towing, on the other hand, is different as you've noticed. On my vacation, prior to the Edge install, I got 11MPG highway towing an enclosed cargo trailer that weighed maybe 2500LBS total. That was with just the Volant CAI, and traveling 75-80MPH with 8 people and a dog... Also of note, I did not use the truck's tow mode, as there were not any steep hills or anything, and my trailer was relatively light.

Hope that helps!

 

[dragracin247]

Well with towing, I have a 28 foot enclosed snowmobile trailer.. and I tow it to the UP of michigan from chicago about 3-4 times a year... also I have a car trailer for the summer that I will be taking so that is why im looking for something that will be a little better in gas.. as well as help with a little more power...

that is why i was asking about the programmer... no as for the edge? how did you like that?? do you think that it is worth the price??

 

[Getwired]

Haven't towed with the Edge yet...

...but I definitely like what it's done so far. My little trailer is only 5x8 and 7' tall, so it's not a great comparison to what you've got to deal with... I paid like $360, and am still waiting on my $50.00 rebate check, for an out of pocket cost of $310.00. At that price, yeah, it's worth it -- for everyday driving it'll pay for itself in 8 months, based on it's improving my fuel economy and my driving habits. If I'd have paid retail, it'd take a full year to recover the cost. I also run Mobil-1 synthetic 5W30 oil and Mobil1 filter, as well as 93 octane fuel. The improved performance is a very nice side-effect as well.

I suspect you'd get even better results with a 4.8L / 5.3L / 6.0L w/ the 4-speed, as Edge can fully control the entire powertrain in both of those setups, whereas they cannot do so yet with the 6.2L/6-speed of the Denali (which is getting to be a bit of a sore spot with me - hurry up, Edge!). Edge does update their tunes weekly by adding ECM codes and stuff, but it seems they're really slow with the TCM (transmission control module) code for the 6-speed.

 

[Getwired]

Also, is your Yukon XL a 4WD, and did you tow in 4WD HI? That's gotta kill fuel economy some as well...dunno if you're supposed to tow in 4HI or not or if it makes a difference. Lots of variables here.

 

[Gambler]

Also, is your Yukon XL a 4WD, and did you tow in 4WD HI? That's gotta kill fuel economy some as well...dunno if you're supposed to tow in 4HI or not or if it makes a difference. Lots of variables here.

According to the manual, you aren't supposed to use 4wd at all unless you are off road or on slippery roads.

Getwired: Where did you get your Edge? I've never found one for less than retail.

 

[Rollin Thunder]

Also, is your Yukon XL a 4WD, and did you tow in 4WD HI? That's gotta kill fuel economy some as well...dunno if you're supposed to tow in 4HI or not or if it makes a difference. Lots of variables here.

i tow in 2wd, except when pulling the boat out of the water then i go to 4 wd HI. but i dont think the 07s are different but your not supposed to use 4wd on dry pavement, you can use auto 4wd but not true 4wd. i love auto trac.

also i tow a 6000 pound boat and while in town i used tow/haul get around 10.5, once i get on the highway i set the cruze to 67 ( i dont know why, just so im not doing the speed limit but i dont want to go over 70) and turn tow/haul off so it will go in to overdrive and lower the rpm's (better mpg's that way) and get about 14. - 15.7. so maybe you got to shave some of that lead off your foot.

 

[Getwired]

Where did you get your Edge? I've never found one for less than retail.

I get special family pricing through my bro-in-law who runs a custom shop that's an Edge dealer down in Woodbridge VA. You could give him a call at 703.491.8300 to see what kind of pricing he can hook you up with. Kinda a long drive, but if you're in VA alot anyway... His name is Kevin, link to location is the "tint" link below in my sig.

 

[dragracin247]

i towed in 2wd.. and i drive between 70-75mph

 

[Getwired]

...still waiting on my $50.00 rebate check, for an out of pocket cost of $310.00. At that price, yeah, it's worth it...

Funny I thought of that earlier. My check was in the mailbox when I got home today, so yep, $310.00 out of pocket.