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Old 09-24-2011, 08:25 AM   #1
steveinville
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Old truck/newer truck best mpg

I pull a 36 footer (weights 11,500 empty) with a '05 Ford F250 6.0 Powerstroke. I average about 10 mpg. I want to get something newer--new enough to get a bit better mileage and to get integrated brake controller. (Mine is an add-on.) Is anyone able to get up in the 12 to 13 mpg range towing maybe 12,500 to 13,000 pounds? I know with each newer engine that mileage typically improves a bit. I probably can't afford new (2012) but want to get the newest that has mileage better than the 10 I am getting. Ideas anyone?
 
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Old 09-24-2011, 10:07 AM   #2
maximo
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I must have a good one. I pull my 3580RL Big Sky 2011 with a dry weight of 11,671 using my 2002 F250 7.3 Power Stroke Crew Cab 4x4 and can get 12 mpg. Have a AFE air system, Edge Programer, oversize exhaust system.

Frank
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Old 09-24-2011, 12:54 PM   #3
PSFORD99
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IMO there are not many trucks out there getting much better than 12 pulling 12-13 K I have never seen better than 11.9 with my 7.3 I too have a tuner ,4" exhaust , etc. 11.9 is not my average it is about 10 like you . I don't think many average 12 , unless they are towing on the flats, and have a little tail wind at times.
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Old 09-24-2011, 01:18 PM   #4
moutard2
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I hear that a 2006 Dodge 3500 RAM with the 5.9 liter Cummins diesel gets the best MPG in that a lot of pollution gizmos were added in 2007 on. If you can get a 2WD you'll do even better in the MPG dept. This truck has all the HP and torque you'll ever need.
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Old 09-24-2011, 03:31 PM   #5
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If the computer is accurateon my 06 Chevy, we got about 12.6 on the trip from Pittsburgh to here. Maintaining 58-60 MPH improves mileage remarkably. Larry
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Old 09-24-2011, 03:53 PM   #6
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2011 dodge 2500 4x4 pulling a 3665re @ 55 mph got 11.8 coming here from Kansas including a trip trough down town Indianapolis on city streets. Dealers mechanic said I should get a little better mileage when I get the truck broken in.
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Old 09-24-2011, 04:06 PM   #7
brenkco
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Just got done with a 900+ mile trip. Lie-O-meter read 14.1 mpg. Actual mpg done by hand was 10.2. I have been able to get almost 12 mpg on the flat, no wind at 55. Normal however seems to be around 10.

Ken

On edit, these stats were from a 2006 Dodge 2500, I have since replaced it with a Ford F350
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Old 09-24-2011, 04:47 PM   #8
Fire5er
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First and last time I towed with our new 2011 6.7 F350 DRW we got 11.9 going down I-5, and 10.9 coming home. With old 2006 6.0 F350 SRW got 10 MPG (4 years of towing - weekender) no mater what I did. Hope to see at least 11 or beter the more we tow with our new truck
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Old 09-25-2011, 02:57 AM   #9
CamillaMichael
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Speed and quality of fuel (so I am told) seem to have a lot to do with MPG...we average around 10.5 when towing at 55-60 mph. The best we have recorded was about 11.5 MPG while towing at the same speed over a few hundred miles of relatively level road.
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Old 09-26-2011, 08:17 AM   #10
dieselguy
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Although the integrated brake controller would be nice, gaining maybe 2 mpg would take a longgggggg time to justify the truck payment let alone the increase in property tax and possibly insurance. But, if you just want newer .............
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Old 09-26-2011, 02:01 PM   #11
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My 2012 Ram 3500 is averaging 11.5/12.5 towing my 3400RL at 70 MPH.
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Old 09-27-2011, 08:42 AM   #12
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On our last trip I kept pretty good records and averaged around
11mpg per tank fill up. Some tanks were less and some more and since we were pulling flat land for awhile then interstates at higher speeds and some pretty hilly/mountains in PA I decided to go with the average per tank. Other words flat land and slower I might get 12+ but on them there hills/mountains I'll take anything close to 10mpg. But to get the best mpg and most power I have to use additives which increases the price since they are not cheap but do work on this weak diesel fuel we get around here.
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Old 09-28-2011, 11:33 AM   #13
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I have a 2005 Ram with a Quadzilla chip and an adjustable timing sensor pulling a 3400RL. Lie-ometer said 15.5 and calculated at 11.5.
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Old 11-02-2011, 04:53 PM   #14
lmccallister
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I am steady at 11.5 running 1450 rpm @ 60 mph
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Old 11-03-2011, 03:27 AM   #15
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I am a solid 10 mpg with a 2000 Ford 7.3 with 410 rear gear. Sometimes I have gotten a little better, but thats the avg. no matter what I do. Also have the superchip, 4 in. exhaust, torque loc for tranny with exhaust brake. Hauling 17000 lbs also. Good truck and happy with the mileage.

Dave
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Old 11-03-2011, 03:31 AM   #16
Delaine and Lindy
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My 2011 Chevy 3500HD on a 6,850 trip averaged 9.5 mpg to 12 mpg towing 17,500 lb SOB we travel light, load capacity is 18,500 lbs. The bobtail mileage was 14 mpg to 20 mpg. Would I like better sure I would, however with 397 hp and 765 lbs torq I think the mileage is good. I haven't checked the new 2012 Chevy 3500HD its basically the same Truck, with the except I have a CM hauler bed with a in-bed 45 gal fuel tank, which will make the Truck weigh more. With all the emisson control system I think the mileage is about as good as it get.

As for adding a gadget to get more fuel mileage or HP/Torq, I really believe if there was such a thing GM would have added it years ago. The cost of adding a gadget and the danger of destroying a $12,000+ great power plant is not worth the effort. Don't make a lot of sense. As most know I don't believe in adding gadgets to perfection. I believe its snake oil.. Happy Trails.....
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Old 11-03-2011, 05:09 AM   #17
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I think you will find your driving habits and the environment (flat, hills, speed, weather) will have more of an effect on your mileage than than the 2 different trucks (assuming both trucks setup the same).
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Old 11-03-2011, 06:14 AM   #18
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I am getting 9.5- 11.0 (figured manually) depending upon terrain. When I weighed the trailer a month ago it was at 12260 lbs. I have been towing at 60 MPH using the TOW/HAUL setting and never trust the computer for an accurate MPG reading. It might make you feel good, but it certainly is not accurate. The truck has just about 8K on it and has 4:10 gears with auto trans. I expect the mileage to improve slightly as I get more miles on it.

Jack
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Old 11-03-2011, 07:18 AM   #19
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It is interesting how those Lie-O-meters make you feel real good until you do the calculations!! We average that 10 to 11 mpg with our dually and that's running a total weight of 23,000 to 24,000lbs and about 65 mph throughout our 12,000 miles last winter. Empty on the highway I average 19. I run a Spartan tuner, love the system and response over the last 2 1/2 years. I am happy, the truck is big, 10.000 lbs so can't expect miracles when you compare trucks half that weight that will only attain 23 to 25 mpg.
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Old 11-03-2011, 02:26 PM   #20
CORattler
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The best I've ever gotten is 12 MPG with my 2009 2500 CTD. As long as your current TV runs well and tows your rig to your satisfaction you may want to consider how long it would take you to break even by gaining 2 MPG.
The other side of the coin is a new(er) truck can make you feel pretty good!
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