which TC is best for me?
I'm looking for a good size TC that will: - work with a full ton truck that is not a dually; - host 2 people for up to a week in good weather, 4 people for a 3 day weekend in winter conditions. We...
Forum Discussion
Bedlam wrote:fpoole wrote:
Like I said, I started with (considering) the 1500 and got so fed up with the "Well, it'll probably be ok, but you might want to have....." due to weight/stability/sagging... that I just said screw it and went with the 5500 cab chassis and put a bed on it.
So far?
It's working great. Mileage sucks, 8.6 with trailer, 9.6 just camper and 10 to 11.5 just truck... without a load on it, it'll knock your teeth out on a rough road, but with a load works fine.
My 5500 gets 8-10 mpg while towing my enclosed trailer (I always get better mileage traveling east) and 10-12 mpg with just the camper (just returned from central OR and WA with 10.5 mpg). It rarely gets used unloaded for any distance to give you unloaded mileage. I'm driving 55-65 mph with my 4.44 gears to get this mileage - What gear ratio did you choose on your truck and how fast are you driving?
Hmmm... interesting, thanks Bedlam...
I'm sure the speed I was driving at factored in, on the 80mph stretches I run around 70+ and on 70mph I run around 67... Usually a few miles below the posted speed just to keep it lower.. top speed is 87, so I need a little wiggle room to pass if needed.
I have gotten a 9.6 towing probably/obviously at slower speeds. In a 65mph I peg it usually around 63-mph and of course better mileage...
I did try to get readings at various speeds, like 55-60-65 but forget what they were.. Nothing that really stood out as an "..OMG, I need to keep it at xx-mph:
Rear gearing is the 4.10 so it should be better... but? heheh, I've recently come out of some hills and grades, Colorado/UT/NV/OR so it's mixed.
I think I just figure apx 9.6 towing, 10.6 camper only and that varies..11.5-12.5 unloaded. It varies higher/lower, but that's about what I figure.
I don't really track it that well other than resetting the MPG gauge on each real fill up, 72-gal.. or close to it.
Suffice it to say, it's not 18mpg.. heheh and whatever it is, won't keep me from moving around, just anecdotal to know...
I don't think the "OP" would not choose the right truck based on MPG it gets, although a factor, bottom line, "You pay to play"..
Fun...