Forum Discussion

jdc1's avatar
jdc1
Explorer II
Aug 06, 2020

2000 F350 7.3 diesel mileage

I returned from a trip to Bend Oregon, Spokane Washington, Sandpoint Idaho, and Missoula Montana (and other irrelevant overnight stays). A total of 2,930 miles in 15 days. I was amazed at my mileage, 14.7mpg, pulling my 27' 5th wheel. Most of my driving was pedestrian-like, under 60mph. Just let the cruise control do its thing. I've never got mileage like this before. I suppose not trying to be a "Ricky-Racer" had a lot to do with it.
  • Our 1992 7.3 got a long term average of just shy of 13mpg pulling a similar size 5th wheel.

    As mentioned, a tail wind can make a huge difference. One day with a strong tail wind, we got 16.7mpg on the days run.
  • The wonderful world of diesel.
    They last twice as long, they are worth twice as much.
    Record empty with a 2002 7.3 is 23.8 mpg average for a whole tank.
  • I've got as low as 7 mpg towing a TT into a strong wind running 70. Solo I've done as good as 17 mpg running 70 with no wind. Both are hwy with next to no city driving 2000 7.3. I quit checking mpg a few years ago just fuel up and go.

    This is in my Excursion with 4wd and automatic.
  • jdc1's avatar
    jdc1
    Explorer II
    colliehauler wrote:
    I've got as low as 7 mpg towing a TT into a strong wind running 70. Solo I've done as good as 17 mpg running 70 with no wind. Both are hwy with next to no city driving 2000 7.3. I quit checking mpg a few years ago just fuel up and go.


    This is the first time I've driven this set-up this far.

    My niece lives out there near you, in McPhearson Kansas.
  • 2001 7.3 6 speed 3.73 rear pulling a 32’ fifth wheel at 70mph I get about 9.5 mpg. I would save some fuel by slowing down some, but I have a hard time forcing myself to do that. These 4 lane highways just seem to go on forever.

    305,000 miles on my truck so far.
  • jdc1 wrote:
    colliehauler wrote:
    I've got as low as 7 mpg towing a TT into a strong wind running 70. Solo I've done as good as 17 mpg running 70 with no wind. Both are hwy with next to no city driving 2000 7.3. I quit checking mpg a few years ago just fuel up and go.


    This is the first time I've driven this set-up this far.

    My niece lives out there near you, in McPhearson Kansas.
    My niece lives out by you in Vacaville.
  • That is really good mpg, my 2000 F250 7.3/6MT gets around 14 towing whether I'm towing a 3000 lb 6x12 enclosed trailer or a 14' dump trailer full of firewood. I've never towed an RV with it but I imagine it would get worse. I did average an honest 20 mpg running empty on many miles of 60 mph two-lane. It's only got 170K on the clock so hopefully just getting broken in.
  • rjstractor wrote:
    That is really good mpg, my 2000 F250 7.3/6MT gets around 14 towing whether I'm towing a 3000 lb 6x12 enclosed trailer or a 14' dump trailer full of firewood. I've never towed an RV with it but I imagine it would get worse. I did average an honest 20 mpg running empty on many miles of 60 mph two-lane. It's only got 170K on the clock so hopefully just getting broken in.
    My 7.3 example above is in my Excursion which is also 4wd. In my old 99 7.3/6MT F-250 solo will run 21 mpg as well if you keep it below 65mph. It doesn't get used much because it's a single cab 255k miles.

    The new small Diesels have the same power and better mileage.
  • Solo I’m getting 17 mixed city and highway, mostly highway. Really can’t complain too much, well made trucks.