Better 8.1 mileage?

[Art]

I am a realist and know that the 8.1 pulling a 15000 lb. anchor gets high 7's to low 8's in mileage. I was just wondering if any of you 8.1 pullers have any "unique" ideas on getting the best towing mileage as possible. Is there any experimented speed better than others, especially with the 4.10 axle? I think that I have to pull at LEAST 58-60 mph or the overdrive will NOT kick in. Any secrets from all of you more experienced travelers. I hope to pull about 1100 miles (mostly on interstates) in about 6 weeks so I would appreciate any little thing that I can do. Thanks in advance!

[Bill-N-Donna]

I have an 8.0 engine and a 4.1 gear ratio. I get about 6 to 7 MPG when towing. The only thing I know to do is to try and fatten the wallet before a trip. With those gear ratios I don't know of anything that will help. I only get 10/MPG when I'm not towing. I’ve learned to just live with it the best I can.

Another thing is I disengage the Over Drive when I'm towing. I recommend that you refer to your owner’s manual concerning towing. It should address this issue.

[Mrs. CountryGuy]

Don't be heavy with the foot??

Plus all those other things they tell ya, correctly inflated tires, clean air filters, etc. Don't tote anything you don't need, to cut down on the weight (ya, I know, we need it all! )

We get 7 to 8 toting Tana. We can get 99 down a big hill, but ya gotta go up the other side (usually) and we only get about 3 going up. SIGHHHH

We use tow haul, take out of overdrive (you know, have that little yellow light on the dask board ON, as in disengaged, right??), and use speed control. Now, get in the big hills and we turn off the speed control and Al drives it up the hills, he is not here so I cannot ask him, I think it is like 3200 RPM that he tries to maintain on those big hills. Don't look at the speed, only the RPM's.

If you have the Allison, learn how to engage it coming down those big hills, let that monster ROAR! and brake you.

Get ready to pass anything you like on the road, cept a gas station!

Big Butt has that electronic stuff that tells you instant economy and all those fun things. I believe that we do the best at about 57 to 62 MPH, but that has changed a bit as Big Butt gets older and broke in.

We always said we got 7, but on the way from Virginia to Michigan in April, we were getting 7.5 consistent. Not sure why, we just grinned and kept on trucking. We took 81 north to the 70 over to Breezewood, the PA turnpike west to the end, and Ohio turnpike west to past the Toledo area. Even in the Somerset area of PA we were getting 7.5 and that really was a grand surprise!

Have a grand trip!!

[BillE]

Art, I'm geting somewhat better MPG than you (9-9.5)towing. Same gearing too. I REALLY try to keep at 60 MPH which is a tad over 2000RPM.

You can forch it to engage the overdrive at a lower spped while in tow/haul. When you get to the speed you are happy with (58-60 you said), disengage the tow/haul. It will go into "6th" after it does, you can push the tow/haul button to reengage it. It will stay in OD till a hill or whatever.

What I'm saying thru all that is you can almost shift the Allison like it is a manual tranny.

Hope this helps ya some.

Bill

[Thunderman]

Art,
I am not familiar with the 8.1 gas engine but I have heard many comments regarding how much air the engine gets. Some have changed the air box and or air filter for improved economy. A K&N air filter does help my diesel in regard to improved mileage. There are some who believe they are harmful. A respected shop owner in this area has suggested some Ford trucks have a poor system for air coming to the existing air box. The same shop owner has suggested using a paddle bit and drilling holes in the BOTTOM of the existing airbox to increase air flow.
Some agree with the above and some do not...consider warranty issues.
Good luck!

[Snownyet]

I met a guy today at work with an 8.1 avalanche. He tows a 16ft v nose work trailer and says he has to drive light footed downhill to get 9.5 He loves the power, hates the thirst. I agree on the air intake, but if youre going aftermarket get an enclosed box, the cold air systems with an exposed filter are pretty noisey for long distance towing. If youre going to drill holes in an intake box make sure youre on the right side of the air filter when doing so or you'll just be bypassing dirty air into the engine.

[waldo238]

More liters equal more gas. My 7.3 gets 13 mph towing a 3000RK.

[Stichwerks]

I just got back from a trip to Mexico and tried not going over 65 with better results. Nomally hit 70-75 on these trips but at 4.19 a gallon for gas time to slow down. Averaged 7.5 mpg at 65 mph trying not to go over 2500 rpms at any time. Usually we get 6-6.5 on the same trip driving 70-75. Hate to go that fast but the beach is calling. Also it was 112 degrees when we crossed the Arizona desert. Water temp never got above 190 and trans hung around 210.

[jjackflash]

quote:Originally posted by Stichwerks

I just got back from a trip to Mexico and tried not going over 65 with better results. Nomally hit 70-75 on these trips but at 4.19 a gallon for gas time to slow down. Averaged 7.5 mpg at 65 mph trying not to go over 2500 rpms at any time. Usually we get 6-6.5 on the same trip driving 70-75. Hate to go that fast but the beach is calling. Also it was 112 degrees when we crossed the Arizona desert. Water temp never got above 190 and trans hung around 210.

Your trailer tires are rated at 75?
What brand are they?
Jack

[SAndreasen]

I know that I have a TT instead of a 5er but just thought I'd add my experiences. We get about 13-14 mpg solo and 8-10 pulling. We try to drive at about 58 to 62 mph. Use Tow-Haul but keep the just slow(or fast) enought to keep it from shifting into overdrive. Runs about 2000 rpm and it works great. Best mileage, lots of power and it never downshfts except in the hills then drive by foot. Love my 8.1/Allison combo.