MPG

[David and Jo-Anna]

I echo all the great points that have been made and have only a few more to add. When you look at the yellow sticker on the driver's side door pillar, keep in mind the options on that truck (e,g,. 4x4, diesel engine, etc). That's the best way to figure out the weight of the various options you may be considering since it's otherwise very hard to get good figures on the weights of options.

As for the 3/4 ton vs. one ton, keep in mind that many people who start with a smaller rig decide to upgrade to a larger rig after a few years. If you start with a one ton truck, you won't have to look for a bigger truck if you decide to upgrade from a smaller RV to a bigger one in the future.

As for SRW vs.DRW, check to see what's currently available as an option on the SRW trucks to handle extra payload. When I bought my F350 SRW three years ago, I was able to order an option which gave me a higher payload capacity than the standard SRW trucks, which made me feel I could get away with the SRW instead of going with the DRW.

[Starchmill]

My 3/4 ton dodge couldn't handle towing my 8000lb hornet. Felt very unstabe in the wind, and you couldn't use the A/C when hauling. We moved up to a 3500 DRW Chevy and I barely notice my 11,000lb trailer back there. No comparison. Go with at least a one ton, and better yet get the dually. MPG is 10 towing and 17 by itself.

[Wild Horse]

Just hauled our new monty home last wednesday. Lots of hills, especially the first 20 miles or so pulling up out of Milroy PA with steep grades, then the ups n downs of 80 across to NE Ohio....I got 12.5 mpg. Truck normally runs 18-19 mpg. Putting Banks kit on next week with chip. Will be interesting to see what changes. My opinion...like many have stated, git it done up front, go with the one ton dually diesel.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Wild Horse

Just hauled our new monty home last wednesday. Lots of hills, especially the first 20 miles or so pulling up out of Milroy PA with steep grades, then the ups n downs of 80 across to NE Ohio....I got 12.5 mpg. Truck normally runs 18-19 mpg. Putting Banks kit on next week with chip. Will be interesting to see what changes. My opinion...like many have stated, git it done up front, go with the one ton dually diesel.

Wild Horse,

I had my truck for 6 years before changing anything from stock. The last year have done all the modes. No change in MPG, but I do get more HP when you need it... but MPG stayed the same... I have Edge Juice.. I will say one thing the shifting is smoother since installing the Edge.

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by blu_gumby

Hi! Brand new to the forum. I'm trying to determine tow vehicle types and mpg.

Welcome to the forum. Don't know about the other two makes, but my last two trucks have been F350 SRW. I priced F250 Heavy Duty (3/4 ton) and F350 (1 ton) SRW, and when you throw diesel into the mix they cost within $400 of each other. Both have same tow rating, and really the only difference is the front axle on F350 is rated for 3 or 4 hundred more pounds. Rear axles are the same 6,000 lbs. I would go with diesel and 1 ton. If you go with DRW the rear axle weight goes up 1,000 pounds if my memory is right, but you still have the same towing cap.

Also I really think you need a six speed automatic. Four speed will pull the hills, but the speed you go up will be slow, due to the gap between 3rd and 4th. I solved that problem with an Aux Trans (giving me 8 gears), and I can pull most hills at speed limits. Last trip was down I85 from Charlotte to Georgia, which goes up and down little hills pretty much the whole way, I got 10.3 MPG. The highest I have seen pulling the Monty is 11.4 MPG, but I drive whatever the speed limit is. The truck purrs down the road at 70-72 with the Monty in tow no problem.

Empty I get 14-17.5 MPG depending weather it is city or on the road. But remember I have a 2001, I believe new trucks get better milage.

[ols1932]

His words are like the words of many of the sales people. Yes, a 3/4-ton diesel will pull that rig. But if you're buying from scratch, go for a 1-ton diesel. Though the 3/4 -ton will pull the rig, will it stop it? That's what you have to consider. Don't buy a truck smaller than one ton. Take it from those of us who have a 3/4-ton.

Orv

[Wild Horse]

John, my last cummins I had put on exhaust/chip/filter and picked up about 3 mpg's...not really too significant, but hey when I traded it in, it had 286,000 on it so I guess longterm I did ok. Funny how improvements in mileage varies so much. I hear it quite frequently, even similar trucks/engines ? I guess we'll see if I get any mpg improvement. If not, that's ok...I'm ok with where it's at and I know at the very least I'll pick up hp and torque.
Bill

[7.3Ford]

quote:Originally posted by Wild Horse

John, my last cummins I had put on exhaust/chip/filter and picked up about 3 mpg's...not really too significant, but hey when I traded it in, it had 286,000 on it so I guess longterm I did ok. Funny how improvements in mileage varies so much. I hear it quite frequently, even similar trucks/engines ? I guess we'll see if I get any mpg improvement. If not, that's ok...I'm ok with where it's at and I know at the very least I'll pick up hp and torque.
Bill

Bill,

For me, just the fact of more HP and torque, not to mention cooler exhaust temp, all reasons to do it. Of the modes I did, the exhaust brake and aux trans, I find helps the most going up and down hills.

[Fire5er]

We are weekends towing a lite 3400 (

[Joshuatree59]

I installed the Banks Power chip w/IQ Monitor right after I bought the F350. MPG went up minimally, from 11.7 to 13.5 highway and 10.3 towing, but I've been told that will increase when the engine gets a few more miles on it. Right now I have just over 16K. Horsepower is greatly improved and towing the 3750 thru the mountains of NC was effortless. I had the Bully Dog Triple on the F250 6.0 and the Banks is no comparison. The Bully Dog would throw you back into the seat on take off and MPG went from 14 to 19 highway and near 14 towing a 29' 5er. But with all the pollution controls on the newer trucks, those days are over. IMHO, the Banks may be worth the $1K price tag in the long haul, but it's gonna take a while.

[Trailer Trash 2]

Here is my 2 cts, worth of jibber,
A 3/4 ton and a 1 ton all have the same power house and most of the time the same gears so a 3/4 ton can pull a large Monty, but.... can it handle the mass in a emergency brake situation? will it be able to stop that montana or simular RV in size safely? I have see a lot of 3/4 ton pulling trailers much bigger than my 2980 and even pass me on the hwy. but I have always wondered, can they stop that train.
When I purchased my Monty the dealer asked my what type TV did I have, when I told him he also said the same thing your dealer said.
well after putting close to 4000 worth of Banks equipmentin it, it did help, along with air bags to put the lights back on the road when pulling, my truck was a 1996- F350 Ford long bed, DRW's.
As others have said check your numbers and most of all drive all of the big 3.

[blu_gumby]

Everyone is GREAT! Thanks for all the info.

[KathyandDave]

Mentions were made of the impact of 4x4 and crew cabs. Most of this extra weight lands on the front axle. Adding a fuel tank lands on both axles, depending on the configuration.
The salesman is trying to put more money in the trailer and less in the truck. He may also feel that some people are a bit afraid of bigger trucks and can play on that, however, the bigger trucks feel better, not worse, when pulling, turning and stopping 7+ tons of trailer. Use the search function in the forum to see many posts about the math.
We get 11.76mpg

[Native Tex]

I get a solid 10 MPG, maybe 11 MPG on a non-windy day, pulling my 3400RL. I use an F-250, 4x4, 6.0 L Powerstroke and have not had any issue with handling. Empty, on level ground, running about 2000 RPMs I will get around 16. My previous truck was the same, but a 2WD and I would get close to 20 MPG. Keep that in mind too.

[Jdrobone]

I never use my F350 dually (except when on the road with the coach) for anything But pulling the coach. So . . . I really don't care about unloaded ride comfort. It does a fine job hauling that heavy 3400 around and that's it for me. 'course it can jar those teeth loose (I still have mine)going to make groceries etc. while on the road.
Jerry

[ols1932]

Sometimes when we're talking about MPG with our vehicles, it's like comparing apples to oranges. A lot depends on the type of rear end you have in your truck. I don't get near as good mileage, towing or non-towing, with my 4.10 rear end as those who have a 3.73 or 3.51. So I don't get envious when I read about the great mileage some RVers get.

Orv