Now as I have said and has been said in this post even 2 mpg between the three trucks is not a big deal. Given the fact that they didn't do an apples to apples comparison. You know like trim levels, axle ratio's things like that. I do like the fact that they used the same trailer for all the tests with the same weight. Just maybe do 10 loops with each truck with identical equipment (or as close as you can) and the same axle ratios.
With today's manufacturing tolerances the powertrian components should give the same results within 1 mpg in each brand. It's not like the old days were they had to match pistons to cylinders in every engine do to only being able to hold +/- .005 if they were lucky. Today we hold to tenths of one thousandth or .00025 or 60 microns. So there should not be a a large discrepancy between vehicles of the same manufacture.
The big difference is drivers, even if it's the same driver doing the testing. No one can duplicate their drive style 100% of the time. The fact that the he said the Ram just feels like it has "gobs of power to give" and the GM/Chevy "doesn't feel like it has" (go to 5.22 in the video). What affect does that have on the test?
Bottom line in the 100 mile test the Ram made 10.16 mpg with 4.10 gears, the GM/Chevy made 10.43 mpg with 3.73 gears.
Between the Ford and the Ram with a different load and trailer the Ram made 14.20 mpg with again 4.10 gears and the Ford made 12.36 mpg with 3.73 gears.
Wounder why TFL didn't include the Ford in the 100 mile loop test? The Ram they used in the baby test with the Ford looked to be the same truck as the one used in the 100 mile test with the GM! Maybe I'll ask them under the comments section and see if I get an answer.
Don
2015 Ram 1500 Laramie Crew Cab SWB 4X4 Ecodiesel GDE Tune.
