Real world towing mileage - Page 6

MillerTime · 01-15-2013, 10:07 PM

Well just depends on the engine. And the other drivetrain components are made for stock hp and ft lbs, so if engine is modded- other stuff will have to also.
On ford old 6.0 the head bolts and gaskets could not handle the extra boost and I have heard of many top ends not lasting 100k. Dodges have tranny issues stock so x multipied with a programmer. Chevys have drivability (like intetmitent smoke and power loss) and dpf clogging issues.
On any you may not get 5 miles or you may get to 200k before twisting a drive shaft, smoking a tranny or something else. Most likely it will be something other than that like excessive smoke, injectors, turbo, or other sensory issues. Most diesel problems techs see is from lack of maintenance and "power enhancers" if it is not some kind of warranty issue.

Cajun Po-Boy · 01-15-2013, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gizmo0706

Just thinking out loud here but how much, if any, does running a diesel with a programmer shorten the life of the drivetrain. My logic would tell me that the manufacturers have given these trucks a tune that is the best compromise of power, fuel economy, and longevity. So if you change the tune with a bias towards power and fuel economy then are you giving up longevity? I must be getting older as the "more power" voice isn't as loud as it used to be

The key component is how you use your performance tune.
I've known fellow campers for many years that always keep their tuners at the "tow tune " level that have zero issues (increases HP, torque and 1.5-2mpg's better with little EGT increases) and their truck becomes more enjoyable as a tow vehicle.

Problem starts when you drive like a NHRA or NASCAR/INDY person on the tunes above a "tow tune", those programs increase power and torque to crazy levels (diesel only) that a stock tranny and engine components were not built to manage.

I'm always reading on the diesel truck forums where these guys are constantly upgrading and rebuilding components because they run the "hot tunes" and drive like they stole their trucks.
As with all things in life...use in moderation and you'll be fine.

MillerTime · 01-15-2013, 11:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MillerTime

I've seen too many problems from all big 3, and they wernt from people draggin' them. I believe what we use them for is concidered severe duty, and many are pushing their limits as it is.
These vehicles are highly tuned factory, with very minute tolerances allowed to run at optimal conditions- I've seen and experianced even something as little as a AFE intake causing a lot of problems. After much trouble shooting and testing- returned to stock and nary a problem for 2 years.

But ignorance is bliss- till there's a problem.

Just thought this may have been missed before.
- buy aftermarket, then both them, and a shop that fixes the problems they create,make money! Sound like money well spent?

Superdutykid · 01-17-2013, 08:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jhawkfan44

Wow Superduty! That is impressive, do you have any idea what your mileage is at say 60 or 65? Is it enough better to matter?

Not really sure, we live within 6-7 miles of I-95, so when we leave from home we are on the interstates, I-95,85,64 to wherever we are going. As I said I run my truck in tow mode all of the time. It had been in the shop for the DPF issues quite a few times, I decided to make the changes almost 3 years ago. Since then and around 30k miles I have had zero problems. This truck was bought as a tow vehicle and that's what it does. Not a daily driver.

Len & Cheri · 01-17-2013, 08:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ragin Cajun

The key component is how you use your performance tune.
I've known fellow campers for many years that always keep their tuners at the "tow tune " level that have zero issues (increases HP, torque and 1.5-2mpg's better with little EGT increases) and their truck becomes more enjoyable as a tow vehicle.

Problem starts when you drive like a NHRA or NASCAR/INDY person on the tunes above a "tow tune", those programs increase power and torque to crazy levels (diesel only) that a stock tranny and engine components were not built to manage.

I'm always reading on the diesel truck forums where these guys are constantly upgrading and rebuilding components because they run the "hot tunes" and drive like they stole their trucks.
As with all things in life...use in moderation and you'll be fine.

X2 If you're always rompin' on it with a high power tune (200-250 HP), it's not going to last.

The days of getting that much power out of a tune are quickly coming to a close. The EPA is cracking down on manufacturers that offer these off-road tunes that require removal of the DPF.

I'm gettin 17 MPG on the highway with the only mod being a CAI. 10 MPG while towing, which is disappointing.

Travler · 06-29-2013, 04:32 PM

I have a GMC 3/4 ton with Duramax. I am getting 11 mpg towing a Columbus RS320 on Kentucky hills I75.About 13,000 loaded. I get 18-19 unloaded. I have a small tune and a tow tune. I will do some more modifications to try to increase milage. I am shooting for 13-14 towing.

monte0999 · 06-30-2013, 05:01 PM

2011 f250 diesel. Getting 9.8mpg last trip towing approx 12000 lb wildcat.

Daily driving I get 19.5 mpg.

No tune. No interest.

Truck is beautiful. Know the trailer is there only when hitting bridge expansion joints. LOL Tend to remember very quickly that its back there.

Question for you long term dieselers. I put the cruise control on and leave it at 105kph (65mph)
Should I be doing that or is that a no no?

the3gibsons · 06-30-2013, 05:40 PM

I just upgraded after almost 20 years with a 1995 F250 7.3 Powerstroke, E4OD auto trans, power-hungry chip and 4" turbo-back exhaust to a 2013 RAM 2500 4th Gen Cummins. I pull a 2012 W&P 30WRS with 2 Bagger Harleys in the garage. With the Ford I was seeing 11-12 mpg (medium tow tune). The RAM has only 300 tow miles on it and just under 850 miles total; and according to the book won't see the best performance until about 6k on the clock. The first 300 towing was about 12.5-13.5 mpg. Not much different but should get better with more miles.

also: I run the cruise at highway speeds on dry roads and in good weather with no problems. The RAM has a 6 speed auto with tow mode and engine brake!

rambilt · 07-02-2013, 10:14 AM

I'm towing a 7500lbs trailer with my tundra I get 13.5 mpg..

TURBS · 07-02-2013, 10:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambilt

I'm towing a 7500lbs trailer with my tundra I get 13.5 mpg..

Really.........

bakken · 07-02-2013, 10:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rambilt

I'm towing a 7500lbs trailer with my tundra I get 13.5 mpg..

I get good mileage too when driving 50 mph downhill with a tailwind!

Cajun Po-Boy · 07-02-2013, 10:36 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by f1100turbo

Really.........

X3?

TURBS · 07-02-2013, 11:03 AM

I barely get 15 mpg pulling my open "aluminum" snowmobile trailer with two snowmobiles with my duramax diesel.

jevanb · 07-02-2013, 11:19 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by monte0999

2011 f250 diesel. Getting 9.8mpg last trip towing approx 12000 lb wildcat.

Daily driving I get 19.5 mpg.

No tune. No interest.

Truck is beautiful. Know the trailer is there only when hitting bridge expansion joints. LOL Tend to remember very quickly that its back there.

Question for you long term dieselers. I put the cruise control on and leave it at 105kph (65mph)
Should I be doing that or is that a no no?

I put mine on cruise @65 and leave it, but it is a Silverado, only the best...lol

as for no tune no interest, that is what I said back in 2006 and that has changed, now it is a quest for 1000hp, well over half way their now. just don't tune it for any reason because then it is expensive

checca · 07-02-2013, 12:40 PM

my Toyota Tundra 5.7L flex fuel with towing package gets avg 9.5 mpg towing my trailer over the last 750 or so miles using my Garmin GPS (at the pump function).

low as 6.8 mpg / 65 mph / E85 fuel with a 40 mph head wind and 85 deg F for the whole 1 1/2 hour drive.

best at 12.8 mpg / 55 mph / regular fuel with no wind, 55 deg F, early morning 1 hour 40 min drive.