Mileage - Montana Owners Club

RCMP03 · 08-14-2008, 01:28 PM

Ok, I need some expert opinions here.

It seems everywhere i go I hear of people getting gas (diesel) mileage way better than I do, what's the story?

I have a 06 Ram 2500 SLT Quad cab with a 5.9l Cummins. 4.10 axle ratio, 11.50 rear axle. I am getting around 12 mpg pulling a thirty foot Montana. I can get up to 18 mpg not towing.

Tell me, is this normal? I only have about 11,000 miles on the vehicle and have heard that it will improve once it is "broke in". When I hear of people getting 18 mpg pulling a trailer, I am shaking my head. Are there additions or changes I can make to my Dodge (not jeopardizing the warrantee of course).

Any Dodge experts out there?

Emmel · 08-14-2008, 02:14 PM

RCMOPO3, not being a Dodge expert,I think you are getting good mileage at where you're at. You are typically at the same range as maybe 95% of most trucks. There are some rare folks out there that are getting better than we are, but!
As a diesel owner, I would say you're doing fine! And yes, it should get better when you hit that 50k mark!

H. John Kohl · 08-14-2008, 02:35 PM

towing I get 11 to 12 MPG with dual tires, 3.73 rearend, six speed manual and 76K miles 19 to 19.5 if I am real light on the throttle when accelerating and not towing. I found 1700 is my sweet spot for best efficiency.
Cheers,

jsnip42 · 08-14-2008, 03:33 PM

You sound pretty good to me also. I have the 6.0 ford with 3.73 rear end with automatic. I get around 11 pulling my Monty at 70 mph. Unloaded I get about 19 to 20 on highway.

1Happycamper · 08-14-2008, 03:35 PM

Hi Harv..With the truck in my signature and about 53,000 miles I'm getting about 14.5 mpg U.S. towing and about 22 mpg solo. Your milage will go up once you get more miles on it.

Bill

sailer · 08-14-2008, 03:57 PM

Harv you better hope somone is pushing behind to get what bill gets , i think he has 1 foot out the door peddling as he goes but he claimes he gets it so be it ,,, sailer

ols1932 · 08-14-2008, 05:45 PM

I have a hard time believing that anyone gets 18 mpg towing a Montana. Sometimes we have a tendency to say things that we "wish" would be.

Orv

richfaa · 08-15-2008, 02:25 AM

The story is that they are not telling the truth. Our 08 350 6.4L with 13,600 miles(4:10 diff) on it will get 10/11 towing the 3400 anchor and 17/18 solo on the interstate.. It is improving somewhat as it gets more miles.All you have to do is post your MPG and everyone who replies will be doing better. Folks on this forum will be way more truthful although MPG is a elusive number because of the many variables.

Pete Hanson · 08-15-2008, 02:53 AM

The mileage your getting is exactly what I get with my 2004 RAM so you seem to be right on.

Delaine and Lindy · 08-15-2008, 02:57 AM

Some good fuel mileage. While pulling the other 2009 (SOB) I was getting 10.5 to a high of 12 MPG, the rest of the time I get about 14 to 17. With the new 2009 (SOB) I haven't checked the MPG yet but it will probably be lower because its heavy. RCMPO3, I hear what your saying, I haven't been able to get the kind of mileage that some get. And when I'm towing the top speed is 60 MPH. I do think we waste a lot of fuel with the new DPF system. I read on the big board yesterday that Ford has a reflash that help some, I believe it has something to do with the Regen but I'm not sure. If I could delete the (DPF) system without going to some gadget I would in a heart beat but thats another story. Good Luck on your mileage. GBY...

RCMP03 · 08-15-2008, 03:07 AM

Hey all,

Thanks for the info. I have to admit I was pretty happy getting up to 12 mpg pulling my wife's make up kit (don't tell her I said that!)

I don't seem to have any problem with power up and down the hills.

blarkman · 08-15-2008, 03:47 AM

I have a 2004, 3500 diesel qc 70,000 and just took a 500 mile trip, averaged about 22-25 at 1700 rpm or 62mph. Pulling a 3000Montana I average between 11.5 to 12.5 on trip to yuma. It took almost 20,000 miles before I saw any improvement. The only change I made was to install a K-n air filter, otherwise nothing added. The 18mpg seems high to me. The best I ever saw was 15 coming down the Santiam pass, but that changed when I got on the level.
bob

skypilot · 08-15-2008, 07:01 AM

The mileage you are getting is right on, actually a little higher than I ever saw but mine (at that time) was an 06 3500 DRW 4X4. As you already know -- wind, temp, and road conditions all affect your mileage. Something else that affects it is altitude -- the turbo really benefits at mid-altitudes -- I saw 11.5 to 12.5 in Albuquerque vs. 9.5 to 10.5 here in Kansas. Solo I would get 16.5 to 18.5 (speed hurts -- magic number seems to be about 62 mph and then things go south).

I did see marked improvement in mpg at about 18K and then again at 30K -- but in both cases I had just done a long pull with the trailer attached. These things love to be worked and worked hard.

JimF · 08-15-2008, 07:35 AM

My 01 Dodge 5.9 with 107,000 gets about 12.4 towing at sealevel on the level, 9.5 pulling hills in PA and 19 to 20 non-tow. We tow a 3400RL that is way loaded. Anyone that is getting 16 to 18 towing is beliving a trip computer that is in error. If it's true I want that truck, naawww, want that engine, I like my truck.

tjuhl · 08-15-2008, 07:58 AM

I also have a '06 2500 Dodge quad cab 4WD with a 3.73 gears and get 12.3 pulling, actual mileage, no mountains. Computer shows 2mpg higher. Don't trust that computer.

1Happycamper · 08-15-2008, 10:14 AM

Sailer asked me how he could get better mileage with his Ford and the only answer I had was buy a DODGE

Bill

JimF · 08-15-2008, 11:05 AM

Naww, better choice is to just get a trip computer that calculates the milage he wants to get, then believe that computer. Or lie, whichever is cheapest.

RCMP03 · 08-15-2008, 01:21 PM

It's actually very comforting to know that I am doing just fine with the mileage that i do get. Now if anyone can explain why diesel is higher than gas????

That's a topic for another forum for sure. Now, when someone tells me I should be getting 16 or 17 mpg, I can just smile and agreed with them that there is something wrong with my truck! Hey, that's my Canadian / Californian way!

Wiarton William · 08-15-2008, 02:54 PM

"A" Troop...1975....security service.....O div.. "maintein le droit" ?????????

mcgiver2 · 08-17-2008, 08:38 AM

Hey fellows i now own a 2008 Chevy and i get around 10-11 pulling and then it depends on wind and hill sometimes its as low as 8 or 9.......and i have own 5 ford before this Chevy all diesels but none of them ever got to much better then that, the only one was a 1997 f350 crew cab with standard transmission and it would get 13-14 pulling and 20 just truck.
so i wouldn't believe these that say they get a big difference .......................PS i love fords but after my problems with the 6.0 that's why i changed to Chevy..............Allen

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