Forum Discussion

samhain7's avatar
samhain7
Explorer
Sep 02, 2017

Gas mileage on dodge 2500

Hey all.
Quick question. I have had two trips in the last month, going from Toronto Ontario, down the 401 to past Kingston. Now, the highway is moderately hilly.
Question is, with my trailer weighing around 8500 lbs and my dodge 2500 with 6.4 gasser, is it reasonable that I am getting 8 mpg?
That seems really low.
I do regular maintenance on my truck like oil changes and such, but never replaced the spark plugs or anything. I have around 75,000 km on it.

Thanks.
  • MFL's avatar
    MFL
    Nomad II
    Sep 02, 2017
    Yes, with that trailer wt, 8 mpg is to be expected. If lots of hills, let it speed up down hill, so you can have momentum for the next up hill. Every little thing helps the mileage, including watching your speed. Best case, maybe 10 mpg, but 8 or more is good.

    Jerry
  • LadyRVer's avatar
    LadyRVer
    Explorer II
    Sep 02, 2017
    5.7 Hemi here... 2500. Towing 9600#, about 8.5 to 10 mpg avg. Sounds about right to me. I drive 55-60 m.p.h.
  • samhain7's avatar
    samhain7
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2017
    LadyRVer wrote:
    5.7 Hemi here... 2500. Towing 9600#, about 8.5 to 10 mpg avg. Sounds about right to me. I drive 55-60 m.p.h.

    So your truck has a smaller engine and a heavier trailer and you are getting better gas mileage than me.
    That doesn't sound right.
  • drsteve's avatar
    drsteve
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2017
    samhain7 wrote:
    LadyRVer wrote:
    5.7 Hemi here... 2500. Towing 9600#, about 8.5 to 10 mpg avg. Sounds about right to me. I drive 55-60 m.p.h.

    So your truck has a smaller engine and a heavier trailer and you are getting better gas mileage than me.
    That doesn't sound right.


    How fast do you drive? The best way to improve mileage is to slow down.

    The truck in my sig gets around 9-9.5 if I keep it between 60-65. Do 70+, and I get 8.5 or less.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Sep 03, 2017
    samhain7 wrote:
    LadyRVer wrote:
    5.7 Hemi here... 2500. Towing 9600#, about 8.5 to 10 mpg avg. Sounds about right to me. I drive 55-60 m.p.h.

    So your truck has a smaller engine and a heavier trailer and you are getting better gas mileage than me.
    That doesn't sound right.


    At what speed do you tow?

    What is MPG when not towing?

    Weight is not as big a factor as aerodynamics is.

    AN 11'(+) height and 32' long trailer provides a lot of wind resistance
  • amxpress's avatar
    amxpress
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2017
    Are you calculating your mileage manually after filling the tank? Or reading the MPG from your display monitor?
    Calculate your MPG using a pen & paper (or calculator) when you fill the tank and use the driven mileage. The display MPG is not as accurate.
  • lawrosa's avatar
    lawrosa
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2017
    5.3 l silverado here.. On Florida trip 2500 miles I averaged 8.75 mpg. That was doing 75 mph..

    On a test to PA last month I kept it at 62-65 mph and got 10.3 mpg..

    Truck trailer 11000 lbs. Trailer 5600 lbs.

    Mind you I only have a 4 speed trans and tow in 3rd.. 3:42 rear about 2500 rpm towing 65mph.

    2900 rpm towing 75 mph...

    Hope this helps..
  • camp-n-family's avatar
    camp-n-family
    Explorer
    Sep 03, 2017
    I drive the same highway with a 34'tt @ 8k. My '14 Ram 2500 hemi would average 26l/100km or 9mpg. I usually drive at 65mph but never used the cruise control as it would hunt gears more and hurt mpg.

    My new '17 with a Cummins gets 17l/100km or 14mpg with the same tt. I do use cruise with it as it holds 6th all day.

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