4500/5500 MPG/Ride Quality

egarant
I have 2001 F550 w/ 7.3 2wd dually flat bed 2001 Bigfoot 11.5 122gal
fuel tank/toolbox 29gal propane tank 6 storage cabinets 4EOD trans 4:88 gears sweet spot 57mph
11 mpg Well maintained and 3 fuel filters 124000mi Total weight 12 14130lb
All factory stock and still runs great
Thanks
Ray

I just switched from an 07 3500 ram dually, to an 08 4500 and to my surprise, the ride was better in the 4500, even empty, plus it's 4 wheel drive. I have no idea why, it just is.
It also turn in a smaller radius. I'm about to mount the AF1150 to if for the first time, and I'll let you know how it does, but with a GVWR of 16400, it should be fine.
When I brought the truck home, it was a 200 mile plus trip, and hand calculated I averaged about 18mpg at 65mph.
I'm about to do the EGR DPF delete, so I'll keep you posted on the mileage.
The real trick is to keep it under 65. According to the Cummins research paper, 65 point where wind resistance begins to use the majority of the energy, and I believe them.

jerryleejr wrote:
Just something to think about, 2013 model 3500 numbers have increased both towing and payload, and I know dodge still doesn't require DEF/urea yet but their CC do.

JJ

Still trying to stop this rumor as the 2013 does require DEF according to Allpar

Is this still the info your fleet dealer told you. Remember that you can not beleive everything a salesman told you.

To the OP, are you aware that Ram upped their GVWR for 2013 to 14,000# for the 3500? I use to have a F550 and empty the ride was rough, it helped when I put a Kelderman air suspension on it but that is an expensive thing to do.

All bigger trucks that I've ridden/driven ride well loaded if they have good shocks and air bags. Even my longish 32 class A was better with air bags.

Even a f-350/250 can be rough riding unloaded compared to a f150.

Your biggest impact on mileage will be the gearing along with the speed you generally drive.

Just something to think about, 2013 model 3500 numbers have increased both towing and payload, and I know dodge still doesn't require DEF/urea yet but their CC do.

JJ

I have a 2010 F450 dually but not the chassis cab, the pickup bed mounted from the factory, with 6.4L diesel, auto trans, 4:33 rear end, 40K miles. I get just under 13 mpg empty and it's a rough ride. Just returned from Mojave and Death Valley trip, 1500 miles, about 100 in 4x4, overall 10 mpg and the ride is fairly smooth. Fully loaded it's at 15,000 lbs.

Hi I have a 2001 f-550 that is a 7.3 diesel and 4x4 with 4:88 axel, six speed manual trans. truck has 285000 mi. Bought the truck new and use it daily in my landscape bussiness to haul up to 5 ton loads.The ride quality is rough when empty but much better with 3 ton or more on board.fuel milage never goes below 10 and very rarely above 11.does not seem to matter loaded or not.The interior noise level is somewhat louder than my 2005 dodge 3500 with my alaskan camper and a much better ride quality. Do not know if this a good comparison with the newer trucks. hope this helps

Ramp

I read a post earlier in the week from someone with a cab/chassis MH. They were asking for advice on reducing the noise inside as they travel down the road and improve the ride quality. Indicated the ride was shaky and noisy.

Go for a Class A.... you get more liveable space for your money and a better ride.