Truck fuel mileage?

HHR · May 5, 2015

dodge man said:
A FASS probably doesn't increase your MPG but it sure can deliever the fuel and filter it a lot better. 3.55 gears aren't stock, either 3.73 or 4.10's were, I'm sure that helps a lot also. A programmer can also help a lot also if set up correctly. I'd say if you get 23 mpg that's above and beyond what the average person gets. There is a guy with a common rail Cummins that gets some insane fuel mileage, I'm talking something like 40 or 50 mpg but he is using extreme hiper milling techniques.

Upgrading fuel lines and fittings on the 5.9L does make a noticeable difference in fuel economy. The expeditor who shipped a motorcycle for us had a 2007 with the manual transmission, free spin hub kit and a fully upgraded fuel system. Truck had 800K miles and averaged 26 mpg empty and 15 mpg towing.
My neighbor's 2006 has the 4-speed and is completely stock. He never has broken 20 mpg.

sdef · May 5, 2015

Thanks to all who have responded as each have helped in their own way. We did a pretty good job of staying away from the GM/Ford/Dodge conflicts

. I think I may be better off with a limited use gas 3/4 ton or 1 ton vehicle and 4.x gears. In my area the constraint is the gearing, as most I see are 3.x.

mjcountrybumpkin · May 5, 2015

Just to throw it in there. The numbers I stated were hand figured. And a side note , BILs dodge only has around 10,000 miles on it so not really broke in. Mileage may improve.
A second little story.
Years ago I bought an 01' 2500 dodge diesel And my father bought an 01' F350 gas (v-10). Before I got carried away cranking mine up , they would pull identically. I would get 20 mpg and he would get 12 mpg. His was cheaper to buy although maintaining them cost wise seemed to be a wash. Either way you go, there's no such thing as having to much TRUCK.

Parkanzky · May 5, 2015

Do you really need 11k#? I went on a truck hunt recently. My needs were similar to yours: Occasional towing, getting around during snow storms, and a lot of sitting in the garage. When I was shopping, I projected ~2k miles/year of use.

I looked high and low for a reasonable deal on a 3/4-ton diesel _anything_. Most of what I found were ridden hard and put away wet work trucks for 50% more than I thought they were worth.

I was just about to give up and spend ~$35k on a decent example of a 3/4-ton oil-burner when I came across a 2003 Chevy 1500HD. They're basically the 3/4-ton from the previous generation rebadged. 6.0L gas V8, crew cab, 4x4 truck. It is rated to tow right at 10k#. Mine is the LT, which means heated leather, satellite radio, etc. and I bought it from a dealer for under $10k.

The plus side is that it really is super-comfortable to be in. So far, it hasn't complained about any of the work I've asked it to do. Other than the infamous ABS controllers of that era (Google them, just plan on not having ABS unless you want to spend a bunch of money keeping it working) it's been a fantastic truck.

The down-side is that it gets terrible fuel economy. ~10-12 MPG, depending on what I'm doing with it. I've probably never gotten better than 13 MPG, even unloaded on a highway road trip. But for a limited-use vehicle, the fuel economy doesn't sting nearly as much.

That said, I thought I'd use it a couple thousand miles a year and I'm on track to drive it closer to 10k miles in the first year. It's just so handy and I keep finding things I need to haul down to my Mother's place in NW Ohio, or over to my brother's place near Cleveland, or a friend's place across the state, etc...

Diamondpilot · May 5, 2015

sdef said:
I am in a quandary for selecting a tow vehicle rated at 11k # or greater. My heavy towing needs are only occasional and most of the time the truck will be inside with the tractor once our new place is built and all of the outside landscaping, etc. is completed, will not be a daily driver and would be my last HD vehicle purchase. Ideally I would get a good used 4WD, 6.5' bed, extended cab, 3/4 ton, gas engined with 4.x gears, ~ a 2008 model. But in my area these are still pretty expensive. The 3/4 ton pricing led me to seriously consider new 2015 1/2 ton Ford Ecoboost or GM with the 5.3L engine, as unloaded fuel mileage would be a lot better, it seems. And at this point I am waiting for the 2016 Toyota and Nissan diesels to see the light of day for price, fuel mileage and towing capacities. This post actually concerns the unloaded fuel mileage of modern diesel 3/4 ton trucks. Yes I am aware a HD diesel truck is overkill for my uses. But if I can get a good one for a "reasonable" price relative to a new HD 1/2 ton truck, that gets good enough unloaded fuel mileage, this might actually be a viable option. I do have my eye on a low mileage, certified 2008 LT Duramax for a decent price. But it will probably be gone by the time my mind is made up. I initially was very interested in a Ford 3/4 ton, 6.0L PS as the truck and pricing fell into line with my needs. However, further investigation really scared me away from the post 7.3L Ford diesels due to all of their designed-in issues. But there are now some 6.0s on the market at used truck dealers that have ARP head studs, which indicate they had blown head gaskets, but should not have this issue again. However, I am still very leery of these as overall this engine has been trouble prone. The GM Duramax seems like a good, reliable option, as does the Dodge Cummins. And I do not want to initially buy into the high mileage diesel maintenance costs. What kind of unloaded fuel mileage do you get with your diesels? Although I imagine in this class of truck, they may seldom be used unloaded.

My 6.0 Ford averages 17 mpg.

Yes, the 6.0 has its issues but so do the Dmax a Ram trucks.

For your needs I would no care about mpg. It's total cost over say 10 years for a guy like you. If you can live with the quality the 6L gas GM trucks are pretty good. Stout motor, decent trans, good running gear. The body, brake and fuel lines, and electrical system are the problem areas.

Chris

dodge man · May 5, 2015

Gafn said:
Wow - Dude... I give up ...

I have been lying about everything... even though I keep logs of ever drop of fuel that goes in my truck, my math skills are pure chit...
I must be freaking blind as well... there is no way I get the mpg's I do - Dodge Man has so stated it...

Just get an admin to delete all my lies(posts)....

To the OP - just PM dodge man on what to buy - as he knows everything, and any other response about anything diesel is just a lie unless he verifies it directly or from one of those diesel forums....

Personally I have installed my exact setup on 4 other family members trucks, and we all get dang near the same mpg - but what ever I must be just telling stories...

Happy truck hunting

Sorry you took offense. I yield to your expertise on Cummins powered Dodge trucks.

To the OP, sorry for the distraction and good luck with your search.

Code54 · May 5, 2015

My 2012 6.7 Cummins 2500 CC 6.5 bed with 34's (16,000 miles) gets between 12-14 running around town and the rural areas and up to 15/16 on the highway at best. I am in an area where nothing is flat so that hurts some also. Overall not too good on mileage but I can easily pull whatever I want/need to and it is not a daily driver so it works for me.

bspeedy · May 6, 2015

The OP is in a similar situation to mine. I was looking for a V10 ford with no luck. Then i stumbled on my truck. I have a '99 Ford 7.3 diesel crew cab long bed 6-speed manual. 15-18 on the highway, but I have a heavy foot. 11-12 mpg towing so far. Have less than 15 grand in it with around 100K miles. I love the diesel and have no regrets. Also, I would not tow a DK45 with a half ton pickup - don't care what it's rated to tow...

sdef · May 6, 2015

bspeedy said:
The OP is in a similar situation to mine. I was looking for a V10 ford with no luck. Then i stumbled on my truck. I have a '99 Ford 7.3 diesel crew cab long bed 6-speed manual. 15-18 on the highway, but I have a heavy foot. 11-12 mpg towing so far. Have less than 15 grand in it with around 100K miles. I love the diesel and have no regrets. Also, I would not tow a DK45 with a half ton pickup - don't care what it's rated to tow...

I agree with all comments and have pretty much ruled out a 1/2 ton, as a 3/4 ton would be a more stable tow platform. And since it is not a daily driver- why not? It actually fits how the rest of my life is ran.

I also started my truck seeking quest looking for a 3/4 ton/1 ton big block, gas truck, but that was fruitless for any OEM.
- Then I decided to look for 6.xL gas HD trucks and found them rare with the 4.x gearing I needed and meeting my other wants.
- Then I decided I would look for diesels as they are the most flexible, power wise and gearing was not an issue. I moved away from diesels due to all of the bad press- everywhere, with the Ford diesels, especially the 6.0L. I was very disappointed about this.
- Then I discovered the 11k+ towing and 2k+ carrying capacity of the newest Ford and GM gas trucks but was always leery of towing a 10.4k # load with a 1/2 ton truck, no matter the factory rating. So I went back to used diesels and found GM and Dodge Ram had FAR fewer issues then the Ford's did. And I posted this thread all of you have been so generous to respond to.
- Now I am back to 3/4 ton/1 ton with a gas 6.xL and 4.x gears or diesel, whichever I happen to stumble across first. I am really picky so it will take awhile. I have time to find the right vehicle as all of my spare time is being spent clearing our retirement property for a new home to be built very soon.