First long pull

deleted

Hannibal wrote:
Seems a little low to me. I got 10.5 average with my four Cummins powered Rams towing up to 10,400 lbs 65-68mph. I'm getting 8-9 towing 8500~ 65~mph with my 5.4L F250 4x2 3.73. In the mountains I saw as low as 9.2mpg with the Cummins and 6.7 with the 5.4L.

I always try to fuel at 1/4 tank only took walking to a gas station years ago to teach me that lesson. Silverado ran out while showing 1/8 tank

Seems a little low to me. I got 10.5 average with my four Cummins powered Rams towing up to 10,400 lbs 65-68mph. I'm getting 8-9 towing 8500~ 65~mph with my 5.4L F250 4x2 3.73. In the mountains I saw as low as 9.2mpg with the Cummins and 6.7 with the 5.4L.

Old-Biscuit wrote:
Figure on 5 mpg for your budget then no surprises



I just stop and fuel up before fuel gauge reads 1/4 tank.

Real issue is 'CPG'----------$2/gal or $5/gal

Thats our rule... but almost got in trouble in either Utah or Montana ... 1/4 tank and didnt find a station till we drove 2 miles with the computer reading 0 on the DTE at 8mpg or less that needle moves fast.

This time of year your running government mandated B20 biodiesel. Milege will improve if you can find straight No.2. Ha,ha.

Figure on 5 mpg for your budget then no surprises



I just stop and fuel up before fuel gauge reads 1/4 tank.

Real issue is 'CPG'----------$2/gal or $5/gal

We get about 8-8.5 running 55-65 on flat roads... as low as 6-6.5 running out west Az, Wt, Mt etc. with our 04 Dodge Quad 5.7 with tools, grill 2 trailer spares in the bed and loaded, pulling the 19 ft Coachmen Spirit of America at around 5000+ lbs. We just did just under 7000 miles and havent totaled used gallons yet

Do I have an unrealistic expectation of 12 or better.

You have an unrealistic expectation of accurately calculating mileage over only 400 miles. Lots of things can affect mileage besides what you are towing--hills, wind, speed, there is even a difference in concrete and asphalt roads as it relates to fuel mileage. So, calculate the mileage over 5000 miles or more towing and you will filter out the anomalies and get a good idea of what it really is.

And, yea, I would think 9.5 would be quite low for a diesel towing 8000 pounds. I tow 8000 pounds of travel trailer with a Ram/Cummins with 3.73 axles and consistently get better than 12, sometimes 13 or more at 65 mph. Wind resistance is far more the fuel mileage culprit when towing than weight in the weight range you are towing. Speed will kill the mileage the faster you go. I previously carried a cabover camper that weighed about 4000 pounds and got the same mileage as towing my 30 foot 8000 pound travel trailer. So, weight is not the biggest fuel factor at least on flat ground.

myredracer wrote:


Mpg is what it is and you have to forget about it and enjoy the towing experience! :)

I agree. That is why I don't check it.

Man, I sure wish we could get mpg like that with our F250 and am jealous...

Our F250 is 10 years newer with 6.8l V10, 4.10 gears and tow a 7K lb TT and always use tow/haul. We usually get just over 8 mpg and and rarely get 9+ mpg unless it's a long, long downhill stretch with a tailwind. Doesn't matter if I go light on the throttle or slower or on long flat runs, it's still in the 8 mpg range. Has been down 6 something mpg up steep mountain runs. All the mountains on the west coast don't help but sure add to the fun!

Our old 2000 F150 with a wimpy 4.2l V6 non-turbo engine pulling a 20' TT used to get around 6 mpg on average. So now with a much heavier TT & TV, we gained about 2 mpg.

Mpg is what it is and you have to forget about it and enjoy the towing experience! :)