Forum Discussion

jerem0621's avatar
jerem0621
Explorer II
Nov 22, 2014

SRW vs DRW MPG

I had a 99 V10 3.73, Dually LB CC 2wd...I got about 9.5 empty and 7.5 towing.

How much is the dually MPG penalty? I mean, if my truck wasn't a dually, what would my MPG have been? Would it have been 10.5 empty or more?

Reason I am asking is because we are talking about getting back into RV'ing and I need a truck that can do double duty as a DD at 60 - 70 miles per day. The previous LB Dually had problems in my works parking garage so there is a strong likelyhood that I will have to go with a SRW Shortbed truck.

Thanks!

Jeremiah
Tow Vehicles
  • btd35's avatar
    btd35
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    What are you going to be pulling with it. That's the question.
  • Grit_dog's avatar
    Grit_dog
    Navigator
    Nov 22, 2014
    Dually is a couple mpg penalty avg in my experience. Had a 99 or 00 F350 srw V10 4x4 for about a year and I recall it being about an 11mpg truck. Prolly a little more if it was 2wd too.
    If you're towing, srw short bed will pull plenty depending on the truck of course. If it's a DD with occasional trailer duty I'd never get a Dooley.
  • Old-Biscuit's avatar
    Old-Biscuit
    Explorer III
    Nov 22, 2014
    My '07 SRW towing 14K 5vr........10.5-11.5 mpg

    Not towing.........16-17 mpg

    Hand calculated.......4:10/4 speed auto


    BUT I didn't/don't buy a truck based on MPG-----I buy a truck based on what I need it to do.
  • transamz9's avatar
    transamz9
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    jerem0621 wrote:
    I had a 99 V10 3.73, Dually LB CC 2wd...I got about 9.5 empty and 7.5 towing.

    How much is the dually MPG penalty? I mean, if my truck wasn't a dually, what would my MPG have been? Would it have been 10.5 empty or more?

    Reason I am asking is because we are talking about getting back into RV'ing and I need a truck that can do double duty as a DD at 60 - 70 miles per day. The previous LB Dually had problems in my works parking garage so there is a strong likelyhood that I will have to go with a SRW Shortbed truck.

    Thanks!

    Jeremiah


    Other than a little more wind drag from the fenders and the drag from the two extra tires on the ground I would say around 1 mpg difference at the most providing everything else is equal. Going short bed from long bed will also help too. There would be a bigger difference between 2-4wd I believe. Knowing that you are all about the Ford V10 I really don't believe you will see any difference at all out of that motor.
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Nov 22, 2014
    The difference in MPG is negligible 1 MPG at most.
    Whatever the dually lacks in MPG's is returned via additional braking power.
    DRW vs. SRW MPG's is really a non issue.
  • transamz9's avatar
    transamz9
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    Lantley wrote:
    The difference in MPG is negligible 1 MPG at most.
    Whatever the dually lacks in MPG's is returned via additional braking power.
    DRW vs. SRW MPG's is really a non issue.


    I still don't understand the braking thing. The brakes are the same on the SWR as the DRW trucks unless a model change. I have never ever been able to lock up my rear wheels on my srw trucks while towing.
  • donn0128's avatar
    donn0128
    Explorer II
    Nov 22, 2014
    Old-Biscuit wrote:
    My '07 SRW towing 14K 5vr........10.5-11.5 mpg

    Not towing.........16-17 mpg

    Hand calculated.......4:10/4 speed auto


    BUT I didn't/don't buy a truck based on MPG-----I buy a truck based on what I need it to do.


    Same truck except a dually pulling anout the same weight. Difference? Mine is a newer 6.7L Cummins, so 6 speed auto. I get the same towing and 17-18 non towing at freeway speeds.
    Dually penalty? Maybe 0.25MPG!
  • Lantley's avatar
    Lantley
    Nomad
    Nov 22, 2014
    transamz9 wrote:
    Lantley wrote:
    The difference in MPG is negligible 1 MPG at most.
    Whatever the dually lacks in MPG's is returned via additional braking power.
    DRW vs. SRW MPG's is really a non issue.


    I still don't understand the braking thing. The brakes are the same on the SWR as the DRW trucks unless a model change. I have never ever been able to lock up my rear wheels on my srw trucks while towing.


    The DRW simply gives you more tire surface on the ground which translates into more braking surface,(twice as much surface).
    In the end the additional tires provide better braking.

    It's not a matter of locking up the tires but a matter of a shorter stopping distance.
    Imagine if Fred Flinstone could have stopped using 4 feet vs. 2!
  • transamz9's avatar
    transamz9
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    Lantley wrote:
    transamz9 wrote:
    Lantley wrote:
    The difference in MPG is negligible 1 MPG at most.
    Whatever the dually lacks in MPG's is returned via additional braking power.
    DRW vs. SRW MPG's is really a non issue.


    I still don't understand the braking thing. The brakes are the same on the SWR as the DRW trucks unless a model change. I have never ever been able to lock up my rear wheels on my srw trucks while towing.


    The DRW simply gives you more tire surface on the ground which translates into more braking surface,(twice as much surface).
    In the end the additional tires provide better braking.

    It's not a matter of locking up the tires but a matter of a shorter stopping distance.
    Imagine if Fred Flinstone could have stopped using 4 feet vs. 2!


    My point is that the brake pads, rotors and hydraulic system does not have enough power to make two wheels slide with a load on it so how is two more wheels going to make you stop faster? If anything, the two extra wheels and fenders is more weight to stop. :S
  • chevor's avatar
    chevor
    Explorer
    Nov 22, 2014
    I have a 3/4 ton 2010 GMC diesel and a 3500 2013 Chevy Cab & Chassis Diesel DRW with a 9' flatbed
    The difference between my trucks, the 3/4 gets about 1.5 mpg more pulling and 2-3 mpg more with just the truck.

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