Fuel mileage on Dodge 5.9 Cummins while towing

[Nevadastars]

We just sold our Class C and plan on getting a fiver. In fact I picked up a clean one owner 07 Ram 2500 4x4 5.9 SRW quad cab just for that reason. Our original plan was to get a fiver in the under 10-11k range and under 34ft total length.

But now with the cash we got for our C, I am toying with the idea of an early (2000-2004) diesel pusher. But after doing a quick search, I see guys report 7-8 mpg with a toad. That's what we were getting with our class C.

So, if the fuel mileage will be substantially better with the Dodge and a fiver, we will stick with our original plan. But boy, those DP's are impressive with the build quality. Thanks for any mileage numbers or advice.

[transamz9]

csamayfield55 wrote:
It really is amazing what wind resistance can do to fuel mileage. We went camping a few years ago with my cousin. I was hauling my 33 foot trailer weighing at about 8K. He was hauling a gooseneck with a jeep and 2 quads plus all his gear. Easily weighed 6-7K. He was getting quite a bit better mileage than me. He had an 06 and mine was an 08. Now I would leave him like he was standing still on any kind of hill because my 08 had more power.

After seeing that I wwould not trade my HP for the fuel economy he got any day

Chris

I think you have your weight guessing number off more than you having more power. If he had a gooseneck trailer that was heavy enough and large enough to carry what you say he had on it then he was towing more weight than you.

[csamayfield55x]

It really is amazing what wind resistance can do to fuel mileage. We went camping a few years ago with my cousin. I was hauling my 33 foot trailer weighing at about 8K. He was hauling a gooseneck with a jeep and 2 quads plus all his gear. Easily weighed 6-7K. He was getting quite a bit better mileage than me. He had an 06 and mine was an 08. Now I would leave him like he was standing still on any kind of hill because my 08 had more power.

After seeing that I wwould not trade my HP for the fuel economy he got any day

Chris

[rock077]

'06 2500 auto. 100% stock. 10k fiver.

I get 10-12mpg depending on winds and hills. I got 6mpg one day going through Texas against 40mph winds.

Not towing I get 18 day to day and up to 23mpg all hwy.

[C_Schomer]

"Hat's off" to you for doing your homework so you can make an educated decision . That's what smart RVers with a lot of experience do!
I towed my triple axel 34 foot cargo hauler to Colorado last December and I averaged all of my fills and the average was 11.3 . I weighed in Colorado and the trailer was 14,000 and total gross weight of 22,000 and I ran 70 miles an hour . That was with the pmcr set at two and two and zero rail pressure. Coming back with the trailer unloaded and running slightly faster my average was 11.6 . Craig

[akin2camp]

06 2500 5.9 pulling a 34' fifth wheel weighing about 10,500 I got 11.5 last trip. I haven't pulled the fifth enough to get more. But the 33' travel trailer I pulled consistently got 11.9.

[rjsurfer]

03 2500 Cummins Ram pulling 25' 5th wheel consistent 12-13.

That's with a triple disc, upgraded valves and relays and billit shaft transmission.

Ron W

[rhagfo]

I like to think of it as a 2,600# car getting getting 90 mpg!!

Think of it I move 19,500# and get 12 mpg on a good day.

19,500#/2,600# = 7.5 so I am moving the mass of 7.5 2,600# cars.

7.5* 12 = 90 help me if my thinking is flawed.

[mileshuff]

fj12ryder wrote:
Nothing wrong with being concerned with fuel mileage. The difference between 8 mpg and 10 mpg in a year of driving 10,000 miles is over $500.

For me that $500 is insignificant compared to the $1000's spent on my truck, 5'er, food, campgrounds, and total of all other costs incurred during that 10,000 miles. In the long run I find fuel one of the lower costs. Although not long ago diesel was up to nearly $5/gallon which could then be more of a concern.

[Dtank]

Me Again wrote:
I would use 11-12 for the RAM at that weight. Assuming a 48RE auto and 3.73 gears. Chris

About the same for me - 48RE with 4:10. (since new -'05 5.9).

In hindsight, didn't need the 4:10 - but really only matters if you
do a lot of 'daily driver' miles (*not* towing).

Suggest - for lots of good CTD info, visit one of the *specific* forums
for Dodge (Ram) diesels - like Turbo Diesel Register, etc.

The same applies for *any* brand of tow vehicle.
See what problems *owners* are looking to resolve, experiences, etc.
Read the good, bad, and ugly - by the folks that have one.

The "brand specific" forums eliminates the "my brand is a better choice" posts - and generic info that doesn't apply, etc.

BTW - SERIOUSLY - without any abuse, or excessive towing, and/or?? - the TC on my 48RE went south at about 80K miles.
(And i thought the 48RE was supposed to be a "improvement" over the 47RE, LOL)

For mostly towing - if I had that one to do over again - it would be a "row your own" (manual)...:W

Roll on!

:C

[SteveB]

My '01 RAM 3500 CTD dually with a 6 speed manual got 13 towing my Jayco mid profile and the same towing my old low profile Dutchmen. Fuel mileage is somewhat important to me. In the long run it might not matter but the better mileage (CTD) comes with a better towing experience for me. My new '15 automatic gets the same mileage and it weighs 1000 pounds more than the old one.

[Coach-man]

2006 RAM with 5.9, consistently 9.5 - 10.6, this is over a years worth of data! I think 10 MPG is a good figure to start with, the rest will depend on where and how you drive! Just got a 2017 Ram and I would like to know how that is going to stack up!

[Fiverwheel]

We switched over from a 5th wheel three years ago and we are more than pleased with the choice. We bought a 34 ft Monaco Cayman 300hp Cummins diesel and have gotten a consistent 10 mpg.
We use it more than our 5th wheel because we just get in it and go, no hookup work to do at all.

[blofgren]

I'm a bit surprised at some of these fuel economy numbers for 5.9L trucks. I get a solid 10-11 mpg with my 6.7L towing 16k lbs which I've always been very happy with.

[Old-Biscuit]

Have a 07 3500 with 5.9L CTD 48re 4:10 and tow 14K 5vr.

Get 10-11 towing.

MPG towing is not so much about 'weight' but 'wind resistance'
The taller (more frontal area) the lower one can expect mileage to be.

Also the 'flatter' the front is---more wind resistance

That 07 2500 with 5.9L CTD will get 10-11 mpg towing a 12K 5vr