What matters to me is the total cost of operating the truck over time. Most of the time (~99%) the camper is on the truck, so I may see MPGโs as high as 12.5 (downhill, tailwind, ideal driving conditions, etc) and as low as 6 (chugging up a steep grade, during regen, speeds above 65, etc).
I used to keep track of fuel mileage in my older trucks with handwritten logs. Even after vehicleโs started displaying MPG on the dash, they didnโt seem to be that accurate all the time. On both my 2010 and 2016 F450โs though, I hand calculated the fuel mileage for the first few months I had them and eventually concluded that what the truck was displaying was pretty accurate, so I quit doing it manually.
This display showing the average MPG Iโve never reset. Iโm not sure how many miles itโs averaging, but it has to be several hundred at least. Or maybe itโs every mile Iโve put on the truck. All I know is I have to drive several hours at an MPG higher/lower than itโs displaying before it will tick up/down .1 of an mpg. As far as Iโm concerned, thatโs what my average MPG is for this truck. Keep in mind that most F450 pickups have a 4.30 axle ratio. I think they could be ordered with a 4.80 as well, but those are pretty rare.
I use the trip odometers to get a more focused idea of what my MPG is. The โAโ trip odo is where I keep track of how long itโs been since the last regen. When the regen starts, Iโll reset it and keep an eye on the mpg. It will be significantly lower than normal during the regen process, and will start going up noticeably when the regen stops. Between this, and the DPF soot load screen, I can keep pretty close track of whatโs happening. The โBโ trip odo is the one I reset a lot.
:):)
I used to keep track of fuel mileage in my older trucks with handwritten logs. Even after vehicleโs started displaying MPG on the dash, they didnโt seem to be that accurate all the time. On both my 2010 and 2016 F450โs though, I hand calculated the fuel mileage for the first few months I had them and eventually concluded that what the truck was displaying was pretty accurate, so I quit doing it manually.
This display showing the average MPG Iโve never reset. Iโm not sure how many miles itโs averaging, but it has to be several hundred at least. Or maybe itโs every mile Iโve put on the truck. All I know is I have to drive several hours at an MPG higher/lower than itโs displaying before it will tick up/down .1 of an mpg. As far as Iโm concerned, thatโs what my average MPG is for this truck. Keep in mind that most F450 pickups have a 4.30 axle ratio. I think they could be ordered with a 4.80 as well, but those are pretty rare.
I use the trip odometers to get a more focused idea of what my MPG is. The โAโ trip odo is where I keep track of how long itโs been since the last regen. When the regen starts, Iโll reset it and keep an eye on the mpg. It will be significantly lower than normal during the regen process, and will start going up noticeably when the regen stops. Between this, and the DPF soot load screen, I can keep pretty close track of whatโs happening. The โBโ trip odo is the one I reset a lot.
:):)
No, 50 ft isnโt far enough, but donโt take my word for it. This graphic is for 55. If it isnโt obvious, at 75 or so, the distance would be even farther.
The trick for easy going in draft is to set CC and only click +- 1 mph when needed.
This way no gas pedal fanning and my foot is always ready to hit the brakes.
I follow with about 50' distance, what gives me plenty of room even for emergency braking.
Physics say that the front vehicle takes as much of front draft as rear vehicle takes the rear draft. So my tailgating saves the semi some fuel as well, but doubt in the amount he can notice, when for me tailgating at 70 mph gives 20-25% fuel saving.
Again, I don't do that often as my main purpose is to see the country, but when you drive 1500 miles in Texas having the same landscaping, that is where technique becomes handy.
This way no gas pedal fanning and my foot is always ready to hit the brakes.
I follow with about 50' distance, what gives me plenty of room even for emergency braking.
Physics say that the front vehicle takes as much of front draft as rear vehicle takes the rear draft. So my tailgating saves the semi some fuel as well, but doubt in the amount he can notice, when for me tailgating at 70 mph gives 20-25% fuel saving.
Again, I don't do that often as my main purpose is to see the country, but when you drive 1500 miles in Texas having the same landscaping, that is where technique becomes handy.
When I usually set CC at 60 mph, when I am bored on flatland, I "catch" big semitrailer and drive in its tailwind. That sometimes is reaching 80 mph, but usually I go 70-75 mph and the drag covers for speed mpg penalty.
Meaning I can follow the semi at 75 mph and still burn the same fuel I do, while driving 60 mph alone.
Turbulence is a bit uncomfortable, but that keeps me from sleeping on boring drive.
Meaning I can follow the semi at 75 mph and still burn the same fuel I do, while driving 60 mph alone.
Turbulence is a bit uncomfortable, but that keeps me from sleeping on boring drive.
5000lb camper, CC set at 60 mph gives me 12-13 on highway cruising with my Ford diesel dually.
But any high wind can cut it by 10% easy.
But any high wind can cut it by 10% easy.
