|
Rich,
I thought I would post my fuel economy from last years 7,000+ mile trip to the fall rally. This is with total gross weight of approx. 21,000 lbs.
From Spokane, WA to Missoula, MT. My truck averaged 11.8 mpg. That is over 2 passes, 4th of July, and Lookout. The road into MT is very curvy and has many rolling grades, pretty hard to keep a constant speed.
From Salt Lake City, UT to Cheyenne, WY. Truck averaged 12 mpg and that includes the climb up and over 10,000' through Park City, UT.
On the rolling flats of IA, IL, and IN, the truck averaged 13.2 mpg
From Bozeman, MT to Spokane, WA over the continental divide and again over the 4th of July and Lookout mountain passes truck averaged 12.4 mpg.
If you can swing the diesel, I say go for it... Why not? Helen and you have earned it!
On edit,
I should also say that I tend to tow up the grades at 45 mph and the descent at 20 - 30 mph. On the flats, I traditionally roll at 65 - 68 mph, but have been known to hit 70 on the open prairie. Also, 70 mph puts me at 2,000 on the tachometer.
|