Towed From Denver to Moab, UT

[vailridge]

Hello all

So we just bought a Rockwood Roo 233 to tow behind our RL. The camper dry is 3900. We towed dry, however we added our bedding, some groceries and some other basics. I have not weighed yet but I think we should be way under 5000 lbs. We towed from Denver, CO to Moab, UT. It was 700 miles round trip. The RL did great crossing the CO Mountains. We crossed Eisenhower tunnel at 11,013 in elevation and Vail Pass at 10,662 in elevation. Coming home the RL did drop to 50 mph on the accent to Eisenhower. On our way to Moab when we crossed the CO UT border we had a very strong headwind. I felt like I was towing a huge parachute. During this wind we topped out at 60 mph.
We used 100 gallons of fuel round trip. So if my math is right we only got 7mpg. With fuel in CO averaging $3.50 per gallon we spent about $350 on fuel. Ouch!! So the remainder of our summer trips will be VERY close to home. I would be very interested to see if we had a FULL size tow vehicle what our fuel cost would be.

[arteegee]

Sounds like a heavy load. Did you try some premium?

[vailridge]

We did try a few tanks of premium. Didn't seem to make a difference. Our local Honda dealer told us at this elevation premium doesn’t really make a difference.

[arteegee]

Originally Posted by vailridge

Our local Honda dealer told us at this elevation premium doesn’t really make a difference.

That's what I was wondering. Really need some forced induction at that point.

[ChrisM]

What gear did you drive in?

[vailridge]

If we were on the flats I tried to use D. In the mountains and in the wind I used the tow button so D3. Do you have other recommendations?

[ChrisM]

Originally Posted by vailridge

If we were on the flats I tried to use D. In the mountains and in the wind I used the tow button so D3. Do you have other recommendations?

Not really. The manual says leave it in D and let the truck pick the gear but I can see your reasoning for using D3. I'd think that the truck would be in 3rd or lower gear when climbing anyways.

I was just curious if your mileage was precipitated by driving in 3rd gear all the way. It looks like it wasn't.

Thanks for the info.

[Webwader]

In the mountains and in the wind I used the tow button so D3. Do you have other recommendations?

D3 is not a tow button. I recommend you read your owners manual.

[5S Dude]

Originally Posted by vailridge

Hello all

So we just bought a Rockwood Roo 233 to tow behind our RL. The camper dry is 3900. We towed dry, however we added our bedding, some groceries and some other basics. I have not weighed yet but I think we should be way under 5000 lbs. We towed from Denver, CO to Moab, UT. It was 700 miles round trip. The RL did great crossing the CO Mountains. We crossed Eisenhower tunnel at 11,013 in elevation and Vail Pass at 10,662 in elevation. Coming home the RL did drop to 50 mph on the accent to Eisenhower. On our way to Moab when we crossed the CO UT border we had a very strong headwind. I felt like I was towing a huge parachute. During this wind we topped out at 60 mph.
We used 100 gallons of fuel round trip. So if my math is right we only got 7mpg. With fuel in CO averaging $3.50 per gallon we spent about $350 on fuel. Ouch!! So the remainder of our summer trips will be VERY close to home. I would be very interested to see if we had a FULL size tow vehicle what our fuel cost would be.

Hi vailridge,

Your new Roo sounds like very much like our Trail Cruiser C-191. Towing a sail boat size travel trailer behind our Ridgeline is much more economical at slower speeds (55 to 60) running on premium fuel and simply awesome once we get to our destination. To answer your last question. While our Ridgeline was in the body shop being repaired we had the opportunity to borrow my father’s full size Ford F-150 to tow our camper and found that we got 2 to 3 more miles per gallon because the V8 did not have to work as hard. However, on our way to our favorite campsite, Cindy and I were subjected to the most bouncy ride this side of a Baja 1000 tour. We looked like a couple of “bobble-heads” in some bad cartoon! I had not anticipated the huge difference between the stage coach like Ford leaf spring supported solid rear axle to the smooth as silk fully independent Honda. We have recently towed from SoCal to Sedona Arizona, up thru Flagstaff, over to Kingman into Laughlin Nevada and followed US Route 66 into Barstow pulling into 50-mph head and cross winds. Gas mileage suffered a bit through the wind and mountain climbs but the ride was smooth and drift-free without the use of WDH or sway control. For the times we tow our camper, I drive like we’re on an endless summer vacation. During the work-week our Ridgeline performs like the most multitalented all-around best vehicle I have ever owned.

Happy camping!!

[vailridge]

Thanks for the info! we did look at the C191. Great camper!