Towing mpg

[Navy CWO]

Just finished reading all the replies and just wondering if anyone is running any performance mods and if they have noticed a difference in the mpg's? I am driving from Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA in April 2013. I will be driving a 2010 Dodge Ram Hemi CC 4x4 with 3.92 gears. Just bought a tri-fold hard tonneau cover, already have a superchips 3815 installed which I will switch to the towing tune. Also have a Poweraid Throttle body spacer, Jet Low Temp Thermostat, Volant Cold Air Intake and a Magnaflow exhaust. Havent gotten a camper yet, but looking to get the V-Lite 30WFKSS.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by Navy CWO

Just finished reading all the replies and just wondering if anyone is running any performance mods and if they have noticed a difference in the mpg's?

If the tuner (or any other mod) results in better performance, you will have used more fuel or higher octane fuel. There's no such thing, other than advertiser's claims, of better performance while improving fuel mileage.

Dave

[Navy CWO]

not for sure on the towing side, but I have definitely seen alot better mpg's on the 87 tune on the 04 and 10 model.

[Dennis and Julie]

That's about what we get. Dosen't matter if we use the 06 Silverado 1500 or the 02 Silverado 2500HD. Both have the 6.0 Vortec max engine. Can't complain to much you should see the highway we drive on, 1804 E of Williston ND nothing but hills and curves with a view of Lake Sakakawea.

[transamz9]

Originally Posted by Navy CWO

Just finished reading all the replies and just wondering if anyone is running any performance mods and if they have noticed a difference in the mpg's? I am driving from Norfolk, VA to San Diego, CA in April 2013. I will be driving a 2010 Dodge Ram Hemi CC 4x4 with 3.92 gears. Just bought a tri-fold hard tonneau cover, already have a superchips 3815 installed which I will switch to the towing tune. Also have a Poweraid Throttle body spacer, Jet Low Temp Thermostat, Volant Cold Air Intake and a Magnaflow exhaust. Havent gotten a camper yet, but looking to get the V-Lite 30WFKSS.

Not with the gas truck. Not really enough change in efficiency to help you.

[acadianbob]

Originally Posted by transamz9

Not with the gas truck. Not really enough change in efficiency to help you.

Absolutely true for normally aspirated gas engines. But turbo'd engines (whether gas or diesel) do get noticeable gains. Whether you want to take the chance on a "tuner" is another story.

[Dave_Monica]

Originally Posted by acadianbob

Absolutely true for normally aspirated gas engines. But turbo'd engines (whether gas or diesel) do get noticeable gains. Whether you want to take the chance on a "tuner" is another story.

Turbocharging, supercharging, nitrous, whatever...they all increase performance AND fuel consumption. They all have the same objective...craming more air AND fuel into the cylinders. The air/fuel ratio must be close to 14.7:1 for complete combustion.

Better performance while at the same time improving fuel mileage really isn't possible.

Dave

[700hauler]

Originally Posted by Dave_Monica

Turbocharging, supercharging, nitrous, whatever...they all increase performance AND fuel consumption. They all have the same objective...craming more air AND fuel into the cylinders. The air/fuel ratio must be close to 14.7:1 for complete combustion.

Better performance while at the same time improving fuel mileage really isn't possible.

Dave

In the very basic sense of things you are correct. However, for vehicles that already have forced induction from the factory (such as the F150 Ecoboost and modern diesels) aftermarket tuning has been shown to increase efficiency therefore yielding both improved power AND fuel economy over the factory tuning. Efficiency is the key word here. Just because the potential for increased power is there doesn't automatically mean reduced fuel economy. If an engines efficiency is increased thereby increasing power, there is still an opportunity to yield better fuel mileage if you are able to take advantage of the efficiency more so than the new found power. But the the biggest variable, in relation to the topic at hand, is the yahoo behind the wheel. And of course its all a balancing act that needs to be done properly.

[transamz9]

Originally Posted by 700hauler

In the very basic sense of things you are correct. However, for vehicles that already have forced induction from the factory (such as the F150 Ecoboost and modern diesels) aftermarket tuning has been shown to increase efficiency therefore yielding both improved power AND fuel economy over the factory tuning. Efficiency is the key word here. Just because the potential for increased power is there doesn't automatically mean reduced fuel economy. If an engines efficiency is increased thereby increasing power, there is still an opportunity to yield better fuel mileage if you are able to take advantage of the efficiency more so than the new found power. But the the biggest variable, in relation to the topic at hand, is the yahoo behind the wheel. And of course its all a balancing act that needs to be done properly.

You are exactly right. The biggest thing is keeping your foot out of that new found efficiency.

[rkswyo]

I can't speak for the gas engines but I can tell you that the tuner and exhaust mods on my diesel netted me 5mpg.