TC Magazine Dodge 3500 gas engine road test
This article is very interesting, backed up with good data and observations. Sort of what one would figure for the gas engine... Dodge 3500 gas engine with TC
Forum Discussion
nycsteve wrote:RZAR66 wrote:
I am experiencing the same numbers as TCM is. I have almost the same truck as they do with the exception of my trucks 4.10 vs. their 3.73 rear end.
I also get similar #s with a 2011 6.2 Ford gasser. Almost the same truck configuration, but I also have the 4.1 rear. It was my understanding IIRC when researching my purchase that the 4.1 would actually help mileage when hauling a heavy TC in the bed . It would be a slight disadvantage mpg wise when running empty. Im no auto expert but I know I can count on over 10mpg, even topping 11mpg if everything is perfect , highway mileage with the TC at 60mph on level ground with no headwinds. A 1400 mile run down the east coast to Florida averages just over 10mpg , hand calculated. So I question TCM 's conclusions on the 4.1 vs the 3.73 gearing.
You are running a SRW truck with a somewhat lighter camper (vs the AF 990). 2 less wheels makes about a 1mpg difference. I believe the 3.73 gears make about a 1 mpg difference over the 4.3's (I don't think Ford offers 4.1 gears). If I just lock it into 5th gear the mpg drops down to the low 9's. TC mag is trying to make a point about max fuel efficiency with a DRW gasser so they chose the 3.73's, but that choice would not be the right one if they were also towing something, and even if not towing some people would not be happy with the more frequent shifting between 6 and 5.
