I tow with a 2015 VW Touareg TDI (you probably will never be able to purchase a new one because of the VW diesel scandal and VW’s decision to exit the diesel market in the US). When I drove from Iowa City to the Oliver factory to look at Olivers, I averaged 29.5 mpg on the way down and 30.5 mpg on the way back. I drove around 75-80 mph on the interstates. My everyday mileage that includes city driving is usually between 26 and 27 mpg. I towed my Elite II between 7,500 and 8,000 miles this year. I towed in the mountains of Colorado, Wyoming and Utah. No issues towing up mountain passes. The Touareg will tow faster uphill than is safe for me. My mileage varies with terrain. I’ve experienced 19 mpg towing in Iowa with rolling hills. On longer trips, I average 16.5 to 18 mpg. I tested the Dodge Ram with the small diesel. I liked the pickup, but I decided to buy the Touareg because it fit in my garage and was a better choice for me when not towing the Ollie. The Touareg is very comfortable for 4 people. The main drawback is the lack of cargo space.
Are you using a WD hitch? I've got a 2014 Touareg and the Oliver seems to be a good match. Just don't like that mention in the manual about WD hitches. Would be interested to hear what tongue weight you are seeing and if you have the front basket with anything in it. The basket seems ideal for a generator, but that just gets added to the tongue weight. So I agree with you on cargo space.
Full sized diesel pickup towing mpg?
in Towing an Oliver
Posted
Are you using a WD hitch? I've got a 2014 Touareg and the Oliver seems to be a good match. Just don't like that mention in the manual about WD hitches. Would be interested to hear what tongue weight you are seeing and if you have the front basket with anything in it. The basket seems ideal for a generator, but that just gets added to the tongue weight. So I agree with you on cargo space.