Fuel Mileage

[rvfirefighter]

Pulled today from Kings Bay, Ga. to Charleston, S.C. I drove around 55 mph and I found diesel here in Charleston for 3.99 everywhere. The biggest suprise was I was MPG was 12.4. This is the best mileage I have had in several years.
I guess if you want to get the best fuel mileage, your speed is definitely a big part.
I also set a new price purchase for fuel, I have a 50 gal. extra tank and with filling it and the truck tank I spent $274.75.
I hope this lasts for at least 1000 miles.

[Fire5er]

So was the increase in MPG due to slowing down to 55 MPH, or somthing else? We normaly get about 10 MPG when towing at normal hwy speeds of 65 to 70 MPH, but if I can get 2 more MPG I just may have to slow down.

[Fire1]

Towing the Monty the other day at 60~65 the Dodge was able to make it to a tick under 15 MPG. I will try and lower my speed and see if the MPG can go up some more. I am pretty happy with the Dodge as I was told that the best I could expect was 12.

Doug

[rvfirefighter]

Slowing down is the only thing for the increase, other than no hills or grades to climb. I usually drive faster, but I decided to slow down and check the MPG. I have not changed anything on my unit and I am fully loaded.
Fire1, I know a few Dodge Boys who swear they get the around the same MPG, if I traded at this time I would probably go with a Dodge.

[richfaa]

Our 08 Ford 6.4L does get far better MPG at 55 than higher speeds. It does not do bad at 63/65 but plummets above that. If the Dodge folks are getting 13/15 MPG pulling the larger Montana's and MPG is your primary concern don't even go near a Ford dealership. We now have nearly 11k Miles on our 6.4L, we drive at 63/65. We have towed @ 7K miles and never got better than 11mpg...10 is more the average.

[Dustytuu]

We got 18 when not towing with our 2500 dodge, and about 12 towing the Montana. We had only about 40,000 miles on this truck when trading it in.
It was only broke in good when we traded it in.

[Hemlockusa]

I know this is going to open up a can of worms. 500 trip at 70mph I arrive in 7.15 hours 500 mile trip at 55 I arrive in 9.10 hrs. I made two more miles to the gallon but the engine has ran two hours longer to save that 2 mile to the gallon?????????????????????????????? I got there after dark, stumbled broke my ankle setting up. Had to be taken to the hospital in ambulance and Doctor set the leg. Extra pain $50,000.00 Ambulance ride $500.00 Cement for cast and Doctor $2,500.00 Use of Emergency Room $1500.00. Total $54,500.00 and still had to return to campgound and finish setting up for a late supper. FOR TWO MORE MILES TO THE GALLON.
HO HO HO BRANSON IS GREAT IN 2008
Safe Travels John

[scattershot]

I usually get around 11 MPG towing my 2955, if I don't have a headwind, which is not often any more. I usually travel 5 MPH under the limit, and tow with a 2000 F-250 7.3 Diesel Ford.

[jjackflash]

In the 70's when gas was rationed, it was proven that the ideal speed for economy was 55.
That's why the speed limit was dropped down to 55. IMO I wish they would do that again!
Jack

[H. John Kohl]

Towed 300 miles today and the truck computer says 12.5 and that was at 55 mpg. It dropped down to 11.9 when pulling the hills around Williamsport, PA but came backup.
John, if you have to make the time then you have to run the higher speeds. Now that I can set my own schedule 250 miles is my target with 50 miles of fudge. That takes about 8 hours. Sorry to hear about the broken limb. Hope your recovery goes smoothly with no complications.

As I stated in another post Cummins did a big rig study and found rolling resistance shifted to Wind Resistance at the 55 mph mark. They claim ever mile per hour over 55 the big trucks loose .1 mpg. With the big six foot air dam above our pickup roofs I bet it is a little more for us.
Safe towing.
Cheers,

[Dustytuu]

John so sorry to hear about your ankle. I hope it has healed.

We have 14.5 MPG with this new Dodge beast, not towing. It will improve after broke in. Will know MPG towing next week.

It is hard to judge MPG on same kind of truck because everyone drives different. Elevation, wind,tires and so many things effect this. The rougher traction tires effect mileage too.
I get better MPG when I am towing then when Don is towing. Do ya think it may be because I go slower? I go around 55 to 60.

[sgtpp214]

We usually get 11.5mpg and 13.5mpg depending on terrain and wind driving at 2000 rpm and 65 mph. With the price increases I dropped it down to 1800 rpm and 59 mph and now get 13.5 to 14.5. On a run from Sikeston, MO and Elk Grove Village, IL got 16.4 at lower rpm. By the way we had a very strong tailwind all the way. Sure wish I could get that all the time.

[waldo238]

Just finished my trip to Florida for 10 day's and got 12.5 averaged miles per gallon.

[skypilot]

I'll trade just about any of you for my TV (06 Dodge DRW 3500 4X4, 3.37 RE, auto); pulling my 13K unit I'll claim 10 per gallon. With a good tail wind, going down-hill maybe 11 to 11.5; against the wind or uphill, 8 to 8.5. Drive at 1900 rpm seems to be the sweet spot for power and efficienty, about 65 mph avg. Slower than that and it keeps downshifting, then running 2200 to 2400 RPM and fuel goes -- well, not efficient.

[Bill-N-Donna]

quote:Originally posted by skypilot

I'll trade just about any of you for my TV (06 Dodge DRW 3500 4X4, 3.37 RE, auto); pulling my 13K unit I'll claim 10 per gallon. With a good tail wind, going down-hill maybe 11 to 11.5; against the wind or uphill, 8 to 8.5. Drive at 1900 rpm seems to be the sweet spot for power and efficienty, about 65 mph avg. Slower than that and it keeps downshifting, then running 2200 to 2400 RPM and fuel goes -- well, not efficient.

I was wondering what the difference would be if my gears were higher. I have the 4.1; your ratio sounds like a good comparison to me. Right now I'm calculating less than 10MPG not towing. When towing I calculated between 6&7 MPG. Do you also have the V-10?