Ascent Towing

[silvertop]

The Ascent has a 5000lb towing capacity but being a mid-sized SUV brings challenges to towing heavy loads. Things like Braking Controllers, Hitches, Wiring, Load Leveling, Sway Control, Gas mileage, Turning Radius, etc.

My current problem is gas mileage. Unfettered I get a great 24 MPG highway on level land down in Florida but when I tow my 4600lb travel trailer I am getting 9.5MPG when I travel at 70MPH in cruise control.

I have made some 12 x 900 mile trips now and the mileage is fairly consistent. I complained about it to my service guy but they said if there wasn't a code or warning there was nothing they could do. I tried changing to manual shifting but got no significant difference.

 

[Bo T]

That is fair gas mileage. The wind resistance from your trailer could be a culprit. Try driving the trip at 60 mph.

 

[Ecmbuster]

Towing at 70MPH with a 4600lb travel trailer?
The trailer acts like a sail or parachute. It is added resistance and load on the engine management system.
Add head winds during a trip, expect mileage to increase.
Pay attention to this as well.

 

[Bo T]

Towing at 70MPH with a 4600lb travel trailer?
The trailer acts like a sail or parachute. It is added resistance and load on the engine management system.
Add head winds during a trip, expect mileage to increase.
Pay attention to this as well.

Did you mean mileage to decrease with a headwind?

 

[Ecmbuster]

Yes, a "typo" error while convincing my dog to stop dragging his food bowl under the table.