I have a 2002 PSD 7.3L with the full Banks PowerPack and SpeedLoader and custom OttoMind with no speed limiter and custom Speedloader calibration. I live in the mountains and in local hilly driving I get around 15-16 mpg. On the highway I commonly get 20-21 mpg but I drive quite fast most times. Pulling my 3500 pound trailer and 5500 pound tractor (9000 total pounds) at 70+ I can get around 14 consistently and better if it's flat. I do not doubt the mileage claims of some, but I have not yet seen many pickups that can consistently get 20+ in the 3/4 ton size. The computer chips fool one into thinking he/she is getting better mileage. Before I made the above mods, I had a Superchips 60 hp chip only and I swore I got 25 on the highway, based on the chip. I actually was getting about 16. My current numbers are by hand calculation. They correlate well with the computer readout--now. My opinion is that on average the Dodge Cummins gets the best highway and towing MPG and that the current Ford and Chevy are about equal in diesel versions. As expected there is a lot of crossover depending on conditions and driver. I know my truck drops 1-3 mpg in cold weather on all the numbers I noted above. My first pickup was in fact--a Ranger. 2.3 Liters of pure torque!!!! On the highway I got about 23 mpg and in town around 19. My current truck has about four times the power, weighes about twice as much, has four wheel drive, is an automatic, tows 7000# more by rating, has a top speed of well over 120 mph, goes 0-60 in under seven seconds despite its weight and probably would last 2-3 times as long. THIS is why I like diesels and hopefully will always be able to own one.
John M
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