Real world towing mileage

[jar3316]

Well I got back from a 1200 mile trip (528 miles with trailer) over the holidays and the truck averaged about 9.7 mpg (trailer only averaged about 8.6 mpg the way home killed my mpg) I think I would have gotten closer to 10.5 but we chose the wrong way out of Death Valley to save an hour (turned out to be a long cut) and I literally lost 1/8 of my tank (on the gauge) in 20 miles, it was a climb from sea level to about 5000ft and I don't think it ever leveled off until the pass. Started out a 50 mph and ended at 40 mph and the truck having to hold 2nd at 4000 rpm

All in all I drive the truck 10-12k a year and this trip cost us 150ish for the campground and about 450ish for the gas. But for 600 bucks I got a little over a week with my family discovering things that most of our, and almost all of our kids, friends will never see. You cant put a price on that.

[SaskCampers]

Originally Posted by Gizmo0706

Not sure what happened, just typing away and everything was lost. Here goes again!

Thanks for your review of the F-250, it sounds like you have a good fit for your needs. I test drove some new trucks this weekend and was surprised to like the Ram the most. The have really made some great improvements since the last time I drove one. I drove a gas and diesel Ford and felt the 6.2 gas seemed underpowered, but so does the 6.0 gas in my Chevy work truck. It may just be me but I am used to the 5.7 in the sequoia which is pretty peppy. Also, the middle front seat of the Ford doesn't seem to recline which I would think would be rather uncomfortable after awhile. After riding in the trucks I really wonder how realistic it is for the six of us to be able to ride around on long trips. I want a HD truck for the payload and ability to throw firewood and supplies in the back but it may not be very practical. I have enjoyed all your responses so far and appreciate the info, keep it coming!

In case you haven't read it, this comparo spells it all out about the SD Ford. Gas and diesel and they seem to be on the mark all around on the 6.2.

2011 Heavy-Duty Hurt Locker: Truck and Trailer Specs - PickupTrucks.com Special Reports

[TTNewbees]

Man, a lot of people with the same truck as me and killing the gas mileage! I gotta figure out what I am doing wrong. Went to destin over Xmas and got 11.3, with no wind and 10.9 trip total, pretty flat the whole way. My lacrosse is about 7k dry and I am guessing 9k loaded.

[MillerTime]

That sounds like reasonable to good mpgs, what's the TV?

[jevanb]

I know you do not want a diesel, but I get 12.5 towing at 65MPH hwy, I have a modded truck and a 13k coach.

[Gizmo0706]

Originally Posted by TTNewbees

Man, a lot of people with the same truck as me and killing the gas mileage! I gotta figure out what I am doing wrong. Went to destin over Xmas and got 11.3, with no wind and 10.9 trip total, pretty flat the whole way. My lacrosse is about 7k dry and I am guessing 9k loaded.

Seems pretty good to me, what's the problem!?

[TTNewbees]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

That sounds like reasonable to good mpgs, what's the TV?

2012 F250 turbo diesel.

[TTNewbees]

Originally Posted by Gizmo0706

Seems pretty good to me, what's the problem!?

Better than my Yukon, just reading others towing heavier and get 1-1.5 better at the same speeds 65mph.

[surv294]

For what it's worth, we have a '06 Ford E-350 (1 ton) 12-passenger Van, 5.4 gas engine, 4 speed auto trans. We get 9 - 11 mpg towing on level or mountainous terrain. That's with a 7k TT and 1.3k inside van (occupants and gear). We never seem to deviate from this mileage especially at speeds between 50 - 70 mph.

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by TTNewbees

Man, a lot of people with the same truck as me and killing the gas mileage! I gotta figure out what I am doing wrong. Went to destin over Xmas and got 11.3, with no wind and 10.9 trip total, pretty flat the whole way. My lacrosse is about 7k dry and I am guessing 9k loaded.

OUCH...I agree with you that your 2012 F250 should be doing better than that on flats and only chugging 9K lbs.
Sounds like you gonna need some engine mods after warranty is over...then you'll blow those mpg numbers up

[Gizmo0706]

How many miles does it take on the new Ford's before the engine is "broken in" and getting the best mileage? Just wondering if maybe that has something to so with your lower, but still great to me, mileage.

[TTNewbees]

I have heard that, haven't had first oil change yet, got about 5k on it, bought new in July.

[Jhawkfan44]

Originally Posted by Ragin Cajun

OUCH...I agree with you that your 2012 F250 should be doing better than that on flats and only chugging 9K lbs.
Sounds like you gonna need some engine mods after warranty is over...then you'll blow those mpg numbers up

What sort of engine mods would "blow up" the mpg? Intake? Performance chip?

[MillerTime]

I think the "broke in " mileage difference is more wishfulness than reality. I have had several new trucks and there was little to no difference from day one till 50k four years later.
-some people trying to sell 180,000+ mile trucks will tell you they are "just getting broke in" of course this is bs.

Ps. Mileage differences you are seeing between people on here maybe beacause if 2wd or 4wd

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Jhawkfan44

What sort of engine mods would "blow up" the mpg? Intake? Performance chip?

-larger down pipe & intercooler pipes
-egr delete
-efi program tuning for onboard ecm
-cold air intake kit
-straight pipe exhaust
-new, larger exhaust from turbo to outlet
-water meth injection system

To name a few

PS-this don't work for gassers!

[Jhawkfan44]

So what options do us unleaded lovers have?

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by Jhawkfan44

So what options do us unleaded lovers have?

When I had GM 2500 6.0 gasser, the following items were about all that could be done for some gain...it all depends if you think the expense to do these mods out weigh the benefits:

-cold air intake kit
-larger diameter exhaust
-full synthetic fluids for engine oil & transmission
-programmer (ie...Hypertech, Bullydog,etc)

[MillerTime]

Originally Posted by Ragin Cajun

-larger down pipe & intercooler pipes
-egr delete
-efi program tuning for onboard ecm
-cold air intake kit
-straight pipe exhaust
-new, larger exhaust from turbo to outlet
-water meth injection system

To name a few

PS-this don't work for gassers!

Some of these are sure hard on drivetrains and engine components. But if you trade every couple of years or so, that's somebody elses problem.
- but this is from a techs point of view and someone who keeps vehicles in the family for a long time usually.

[TURBS]

My gains were achieved by :
Full synthetic fluids
Free flowing exhaust cat back
Tuned pcm from www.wait4meperformance.com jesse bubb.
One of the best things I did was to install a hayden electric fan with a thermostat to come on at set temp.
It keeps the stock belt fan from engaging.

I have my stock pcm if anyone with an 05 6.0 wants to send it in to be tuned that way u keep your stocker.



Turbs

[Cajun Po-Boy]

Originally Posted by MillerTime

Some of these are sure hard on drivetrains and engine components. But if you trade every couple of years or so, that's somebody elses problem.
- but this is from a techs point of view and someone who keeps vehicles in the family for a long time usually.

No doubt unless you drive conservatively which I assume most on this forum do, including myself...though the temptation is there BUT I like my money in the bank instead

From my observation, those with these mods that pull sleds, dragstrip race or just WOT all day around town...these mods do tear up the stock components (tranny/gaskets/head studs/suspension...etc)