I often see people ask what mileage they can etxpect from a certain truck. I propose we start a database with standardized categories to help record what rig does what / when / where / how.
I hand calculate almost every tank, 30 mpg is no prob unloaded if I keep it under 2,000 rpm. Unfortunately I rarely am without trailer. Been hauling heavy loads all day for two weeks straight now. Worse tank with this type of load was 16. Getting 18-21 mostly through hills of Virginia, Penn, and Ohio.
I just got though a tank that I put magnet parcticals the size of 6 microns and netted 45mpg in my 7.3 ford, so I can see 30mpg without the help of the magnets
Whatever. I don't need to "prove" my numbers to anyone. I'm just thankful for the great mileage my truck gets, as it's helping me run a profitable business. I've never been a "Dodge Guy", but those Cummins engines have sure won me over.
16.4 is pretty damn decent out of a 6.0. COmapred to the average diesel (not route55's super diesel) at 18-20, it takes a lot of miles to cover the cost of that diesel truck, and the 6.0's tow as good (probably better) as a 10 year old diesel that's for sure.
I've known Keith for many years. I'd be willing to bet he can verify his numbers. In fact, I'd be willing to throw up a hundy for someone to do a trip with him and prove him wrong.
That means alot Jim. Thanks! I actually thought about offering to bet $250 to anyone who wants to ride along and help with one of my routes. When I win, I'm $250 richer, if I lose, I get a cheap worker, and someone to keep me awake and entertained while driving
I hand figured a trip to Grand rapids and back in my old 95 cummins, auto4x4 and it figured out at 26.7 mpg and that was at 70 mph. So I have no doubt of 30 mpg in a 2wd stick. I now have a psd and can see how some of you guys that own then are but hurt over mpgs. If you want better mpg buy a 12valve cummins. It is not hard to pull down very good mileage with them. Best empty so far in the psd has been 16.
2010CCSB Duramax LMM 2500HD stock , 36foot gooseneck, 285 terregrapplers, 3 Jeeps on the trailer, 3 fat guys (sorry Jim and johnnyj),25000Gross, 4800 miles to koh and back. 68mph average out, 75 on the way home, 8.2 mpg.
I do, I put 100psi in my tires today, taped off the entire body, lowered the truck 18", taped the gap between the topper and body, removed my mirrors, drafted a semi at 48 mph, and I got 31 mpg today.
One of my worse tanks in awhile. Lots of idling in traffic, and fought a strong crosswind across Indiana. All with loaded trailer. 413.2 miles divided by 23.10 gallons = 17.88 MPG
Brods - in answer to your question, I reset trip odo every fill, and have checked speedo against both my GPS's and they agree. Oh, and my motor is a 12 valve, not ISB (24 valve)
My 96 eclb cummins auto tranny 3.55 gears 12 valve pushes about 8psi at 70.
I have never gotten 20mpg, but pretty darn close. Usually gets 18 traveling without a trailer. Gets ~ 13 pulling my 5th wheel camper (28', very heavy and tall)
Only gets 11-12 pulling a 4-place enclosed sled trailer (winter fuel and in a hurry normally).
My superduty has been getting crappy fuel mileage lately. I'm down to 15.5 from around 18. I think its due to more air drag which is caused by the gaping rust holes in the rear fenders.
First full tank since converting to a 3500 dually.
Truck still has 3.55 gears, but is now locked in rear.
No trailer, bed loaded with 12v cummins, 4 bikes, 5 spares, and probably 300 pounds of tools and luggage. Half the miles driven through hills of Southeastern Ohio and West Virginia.
First half of this tank (with bed still loaded) was through some crazy mountains in the Appalachians (sp?).
Last night I blew out 5th gear, so the rest of the tank was with no overdrive, at 50-60 mph 2000-2200 rpm. The rest of my Florida trip will be with no overdrive!
Cummins engine gone, bed loaded with several hundred pounds of stuff still. Drove mostly flatland, no overdrive (still blown out). Motor screaming around 2,200-2,400 RPM.
490 miles, 25.23 gallons = 19.45 MPG
I'm surprised I was able to get that without overdrive.
Nope. And the truck is now a dually with no overdrive, hauling a heavy load. I never claimed it ALWAYS gets 30 mpg, only empty (and with OD on flatland as a SRW truck) I'm sure you can see the excellent mileage it gets.
I also never claimed it gets 30 while towing or hauling a load, only empty, so take the time to read the words I have written. All my recent posts have been with a load, mostly in mountains with no overdrive.
I have a G56 on the way to replace the blowed up NV4500 and look forward to posting all my mileages, loaded and unloaded, once it has OD again.
Maybe it will never get 30 mpg again now that it's a 1 ton dually. I'm still thrilled with what it gets.
I never doubted a 12v cummins would get 20+ mpg, even 25 mpg. I still doubt you ever got 30 mpg unless you were going downhill.
I've seen 20+ out of my truck, running with the topper on, (good aero) doing the speed limit through ohio going 55-65 mph. I don't recall the exact mileage but it may have bee 22-23ish.
I got over 30 mpg leaving the mountains in west virgina, in fact my overhead was reading 38 mpg. Of course I was traveling 25-50 mph on a tight twisty downhill road where I doubt I hit the gas pedal for nearly the first 30 minutes.....
I know those cummins get great mileage, I just don't buy you consistently got 30 mpg unloaded. Did you get it once on a 45 mph trip on a flat road for 20 miles? sure, but I can't see a full tank of fuel averaging 30+ mpg in real world driving conditions.
I don't know what your truck is year/make/trans/ratio/drivetrain, so I don't know if you are making an accurate comparison. I don't have an overhead unit, so the only way I am able to calculate is by hand. As I said before, my truck is RARELY unloaded. I've only owned this truck since 1-1-12, and have seen a 30-31 MPG tank at least three times, always unloaded. Two of those tanks were flatland driving when I took the kids to Disney last month.
I have no reason to fudge any numbers and am frankly insulted that mostly you (honcho and boggin too) have made it your personal goal to publicly call me a liar, when you don't know me from jack, and don't know how seriouly I take my integrity.
I would never consider calling someone a liar without some hard hard facts first.
This thread was created for the purpose of information, partly to help people decide what to look for in a tow rig. I understand that you are probably angry with youself for your poor vehicle choices, but there is no reason to take out your frustrations on me.
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