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Old 07-03-2018, 09:53 PM   #21
DanandBrenda
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We just got home from a 2800 mile trip from Livingston Texas to WA state got 7.5 mpg average. truck and trailer weigh 35,240 travel at 65 mph. Volvo 780 Tractor 485 hp 1750 Torque
 
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Old 07-08-2018, 01:17 PM   #22
dsttexas
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MPG is not the primary concern

When selecting a truck, think more about the features it has for RV towing. 1 ton vs 3/4, dually vs SRW, long bed vs short bed, crew cab vs other, etc. Ford's have a nice camera system factory installed that others don't. But Fords are somewhat taller and could cause too much height in front of trailer that can't be safely compensated for with hitch settings, still leaving 6-7" clearance between bed and 5'er overhang, and not putting too much weight on trailer rear axle / tires. The new Ford wouldn't even fit in under my new garage roof opening, which admittedly is only 7' +, not a good 8' like I had spec'd it to be. I got a 2017 chevy. I get about 11mpg towing 5th wheel, and about 17mpg average without.
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Old 07-08-2018, 01:38 PM   #23
Beau2010
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Farmers don’t pay fuel tax. That is why you pay a $10,000 fine if you get caught with untaxed diesel fuel in your highway vehicle.
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Old 07-08-2018, 01:41 PM   #24
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I have towed the Monty almost 7500 miles since getting the new Ford 6.7 it has the 3.55 rear end. Last trip was 4600 miles, crossing the continental divide multiple times. In the end the average trip mileage was 12.1 mpg. We typically set the cruise on 72 mph on any interstate, and drive legal limit on any other road. I typically get 17-18.5 running around farm and short trips into town (14 mile round trip) and up to 20.5-21 running empty down interstate. The worst I’ve ever got is bucking a 30 mph head wind pulling up a 3% grade which resulted in 9.7 mpg. Truck is factory stock, I do run an additive called Hot Shot when pulling the fiver. It is sold in most Petro’s. It’s supposed to add 6-7 ketane points and cut DEF usage by up to 50%.
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Old 07-08-2018, 04:06 PM   #25
paul01
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I have a 16 6.7 Ram pulling a 3625 get 22 around town no load between 10 and 14 loaded and pulling. No lead foot slow starts. everyone drives differently. I checked this mileage on a trip to Nova Scotia.
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Old 07-09-2018, 03:57 AM   #26
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Right on Tom,

The taxes flipped shortly after I bought my first Dodge 2500 with the cummins. I'v been a Diesel guy ever since. If mileage was critical to me I'd buy and VW Jette diesel and stay at hotels.

That said, all the newer trucks have improved when I went from the 2010 to 2017 F359 PSD I jumped from 8-9 to 11-12, but it's still a ton of $ at the pump.
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Old 07-09-2018, 10:50 AM   #27
miton 5052
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My dream truck would be a Ford with the Cummins and an Allison automatic. My TV is a 2007 Mega cab 6.7, deleted, with H&S tuner, spent almost 2 yrs building it to do the job, since May 2017, have had no problems, 12000 miles
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Old 07-09-2018, 11:44 AM   #28
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2018 Ram 2500 diesel w/manual transmission

I get a consistent 13 MPG when towing. I never tow faster than 65 mph. I'm pulling a 2018 HC 321MK.
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Old 07-09-2018, 01:01 PM   #29
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Seriously if your worried about fuel mileage don’t buy a truck or 5th wheel!!! Get an economy car. Gezzzzz

Sorry but I really don’t get an owner of a top end$$ Montana being concerned about fuel mileage “within reason” of course!! I’m not going to let $4.00 per 100 miles sway my choice on one vehicle over the other! Far more important to focus on how well suited the vehicle is to pull my 5er and how safe and comfortable it is!!

If saving a tiny amount of fuel would crush your budget then you shouldn’t own a 5th wheel because the upkeep is going to drive you to bankruptcy
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Old 07-09-2018, 02:05 PM   #30
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Smile cost

AMEN! to that
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Old 07-09-2018, 03:29 PM   #31
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I agree with James on the hole fuel mileage thing ya'll want 20+ mil's to the gallon but you by a 40' fifth wheel and a big truck to pull it it doesn't work that way!!! By a smart car.
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Old 07-09-2018, 04:27 PM   #32
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Mileage is but one of the key considerations in buying a truck. GVWR and towing capacity are far more important. You don't want to be driving an overloaded truck. My 2013 F-350 SRW diesel averages 11.0 to 11.1 mpg towing my 5er weighing in at just under 14,000 lbs at 65 mph. The speed you drive, how hard you try to be the first one to the top of the hill and other factors will dictate the mileage you actually get. I agree with other forum comments regarding the three truck choices being about the same. Go for the one that has the style, options and creature comforts you want and the rest will work out.
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Old 07-09-2018, 06:01 PM   #33
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figure 10 mpg when pulling.
i just read about a test comparing the ford/chevy. results. chevy had SLIGHTLY better milegs but uread much more DEF.

good luck. get one you enjoy and can afford. and in my opinion, if you will be using this truck a lot get a SRW and not a dually.
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Old 07-09-2018, 07:09 PM   #34
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I get 10 -12 when towing
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Old 07-10-2018, 12:26 AM   #35
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Not to be arrogant but it doesn't really matter whether it's 7-8 or 10mpg. I'm going anyhow. Sure we all love great mileage but the up keep on these rv's are more of a concern to me than the mileage. My computer on my Ram usually says around 10 mpg and i have had as little as 7 mpg going west on i-80 in Wy. I usually travel around 70 mph and feel sure i could squeeze out 1/2 to 1 mpg if i stayed around 62 to 65 mph. Pulling 16,200 pounds and GCW of 26,100 pounds i feel lucky to get what i get.
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Old 08-05-2018, 03:46 PM   #36
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Diesel and mileage

Hi all,

I joined the group after much frustration with the help from Keystone for our 34’ Mountaineer. Just my two cents here on diesel. We had a 35’ Avion in ‘91 and I briefly pulled it with a Dodge Power Wagon (gas) giving 6 MPG. Promptly bought a 91 Cummins and got about 11. Wow, nearly doubled my mileage. In 98 I bought a 98.5 24 valve cummins and gained a couple more mpg. Then I chipped it with a Edge performance chip and gained another mpg and highway mileage improved from 17 to 21. When I bought the first diesel, you’re right, diesel was about .50 a gal cheaper here In Oregon. We bought the Mountaineer new in 05 and it is 3 thousand pounds lighter than the Avion. I now have a programable chip in the Dodge with 5 levels. I typically run it at the second level until a steep grade and bump it to three till the crest then back down to 2. I don’t have the recommended gauges for tranny temp and pyrometer so I don’t go above 3. With the new chip system I can upgrade on the fly and pull the grades at 55 plus. Doesn’t seem to affect fuel mileage. I just turned 300K and did have to rebuild the factory tranny at 185K. I had them do the heavy duty rebuild. Don’t think I would replace my rig with anything newer than a 07 cummins. Too many epa regs on the newer diesels. Thanks for the great conversation and tips on problem solving.



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Old 08-05-2018, 04:31 PM   #37
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Purchase the truck that fits you liking. All diesels probably get the same mpg when towing. The faster you go, your diesel consumption will increase. 55 is the ideal speed.
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Old 08-05-2018, 04:39 PM   #38
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Ed and Carole View Post
Purchase the truck that fits you liking. All diesels probably get the same mpg when towing. The faster you go, your diesel consumption will increase. 55 is the ideal speed.
X2 except to ideal speed

Ideal speed is going with the flow of traffic in the CORRECT lane!!
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Old 08-17-2018, 07:24 AM   #39
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When I go truck shopping my biggest thing is how does it do when not towing and what features does it have. For towing a few times a year, MPG isn't a huge deal for me. Though, in my '16 3500 DRW CC Duramax, I can average 12-13.5 mpg with the Monty and that's in the mountains in the New England area. When I towed our travel trailer to Maine, I was getting around 14 on the highway. We haven't towed the Monty on a highway yet for a long trip.
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Old 08-17-2018, 07:44 AM   #40
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The best way to figure out YOUR best mpg's it to hook up and do a trip. I just did a 6,000 mile trip to Iowa from Ca. and got 10.7 mpg's. I did some sight seeing which helped my mpg's but that's what you are looking for. I have a 15 6.7 and couldn't be happier with my fuel millage. Just can't understand why diesel is so expensive. Even more than premium gas by about $.50 more. I guess the country doesn't want us to see it anymore. Diesel here is $3.81
Bold emphasis added... diesel costs more during the summer because refineries need more of a given barrel of oil for gas and jet fuel. Less diesel fuel available means prices go up. All things being equal. ECON 101. Diesel tends to drop in price during the colder months.
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