MPG lOOKING FOR ANSWERS

ok FOLKS, i HAVE A NEW (15000 MILES) f250 6.7, I had a 2010 38 ft 11,700 lbs empty weight that I towed from El Paso Tx to FL and back. We averaged 11-12 MPG at 63 mph. After we returned to El Paso, we downsized to a 28 ft Courgar. the weight is 5000 lbs less, it is at least 5 ft shorter on the nose so less wind factor. Pulling it under almosrt the same conditionsie wind temp etc I did not get any increase in MPG. With the lighter load to pull, and less frontal area that the wind could hit I would have thought at least a mpg or so more. No we didn't trade down for mpg. We did so because we stopped fulltiming and got another S&B. We still travel 5 months per year and didn't want the big one anymore. Comments are welcomed!!

[cumminsdad08]

i have noticed with my dodge 5.9, a bigger trailer, is still a bigger trailer. only time i see a difference is when i am pulling a very small single axle utility trailer, almost like there is nothing even there, but if i am pulling my camper, or one of my HD utility trailers, the fuel is the same. that camper i think does just a hair less, i am assuming because it is pushing more air then my HD utility trailers do. just my 2 cents. towing is towing, expect to paymore for fuel, and to get there slower. just as long as you get there

[THedges]

Originally Posted by cumminsdad08

i have noticed with my dodge 5.9, a bigger trailer, is still a bigger trailer. only time i see a difference is when i am pulling a very small single axle utility trailer, almost like there is nothing even there, but if i am pulling my camper, or one of my HD utility trailers, the fuel is the same. that camper i think does just a hair less, i am assuming because it is pushing more air then my HD utility trailers do. just my 2 cents. towing is towing, expect to paymore for fuel, and to get there slower. just as long as you get there

Same with my 6.6L Duramax.

[jerseyphil]

I also have a new F250 diesel. My last trip with my Cougar 318SAB, I averaged 12.8MPG doing about 55MPH on highways, so your 11-12 at 63 seems reasonable. The front of my camper is nicely tapered, but it is still big. But, as Cumminsdad08 said, towing is towing. My MPG without a camper attached is about 16 city and 23 highway.

[cnbhand]

I tow a Cougar 5th wheel runs about 11k I get 12 most of the time. With a tail wind I have gotten 15. I drive 60 mph. Dodge 5.9 diesel 1998, 5 speed.

[Jim W]

The day of decent fuel mileage when towing with a diesel is gone for now. It may return in the future, but with the way that manufactures design these engines to burn fuel in the exhaust system, it will be awhile. You also need to understand that the newer diesel were design to meet the current EPA emission standards. The way big government thinks, it is better to burn more fuel and be less efficient than it is to burn less fuel and be more efficient when in use.
Jim W.

[cumminsdad08]

Originally Posted by Jim W

The day of decent fuel mileage when towing with a diesel is gone for now. It may return in the future, but with the way that manufactures design these engines to burn fuel in the exhaust system, it will be awhile. You also need to understand that the newer diesel were design to meet the current EPA emission standards. The way big government thinks, it is better to burn more fuel and be less efficient than it is to burn less fuel and be more efficient when in use.
Jim W.

Big 10-4 on that one Jim!!!!

[Tranquilty1]

I'm new to these forums but can almost feel the tension between the Gas v. Diesel teams. I darn near went nuts before deciding on my new F250. The usual debate about milage, maintenance, tow capability, life of the engine, cost of fuel, and initial cost. At least for me, I realized if I changed my assumptions on almost any of these and where the price of fuel is heading I could sway my decision to either gas or diesel. I made my choice and made sure my tow capacity was more than sufficient with a comfortable safety factor for my Laredo 266rl (11,000lbs). I'm anticipating between 7mpg and mpg (but who knows). I went with the 6.2L 4.3 axel gas.

[wyobulldog]

The diesel vs. gasser debate will go on forever, it is all a matter of what a guy likes or dislikes. I prefer diesel to gas, my dad on the other hand who has worked for Caterpillar for 30 years HATES diesel pickups and cusses me regularly for buying them. But as JimW said the days of diesel pickups getting great mileage are gone, and I think forever as long as the gov't has a say in it. I also agree that it is due to the emissions equipment, the new Fords burn alot of fuel during re-gen cycles. The longevity of a diesel speaks for itself, my 97 F-350 has 213000 miles on it and it is bone stock except for a cold air intake, and still runs great. Lets see a gasser go that far on original engine internals. I don't complain much about fuel mileage and rarely check mine. I bought a big 4wd, 1 ton pickup for its usage not its mpg's. We aren't driving around Honda civics boys, these beasts use lots of fuel no matter if its gas or diesel when we pull heavy loads!

[THedges]

My brother in-law has a 2006 Duramax (pre-emissions) and was giving me a hard time for buying a 2011 Duramax, because of the bad millage.

On a recent trip while we were towing our trailers, he has a hybrid that weighs half of my trailer, we filled up at the same time and when his light came on I had a 1/3 of a tank left! That with the extra horse power I have, has pretty much shut him up about the new diesels!

[dave-g]

2011 f250 4x4 short bed 6.2 gas

around town- 10-11 mpg
highway empty- 16-17 @ 65-70.
pulling 12' 3000lb single axle trailer@65-70 8-9 mpg
pulling 35' 5th wheel 10,000 lbs @65 - 7-8 mpg

I can not understand why the 5th wheel is not worse, but I'm not complaining.

I guess I won't complain. Had the 400 hp recall put in back in Dec. My mileage is approx 14 around town, 18-20 @70 on the highway and approx 12mpg towing my approx 8000 lb 5th wheel. I drive the 6.7.

[mhs4771]

OK, I traded in a 2005 1 ton dually, Duramax/5 speed Allison for my current 2011 1 ton dually, Duramax/6 speed Allison. Both 4x4 Extended Cab, Long Box pulling the same 5er, so far mileage is just about identical between them. Wanted the new truck for the Exhaust Brake and a little extra power.

[hankaye]

Howdy All;

2004 F-250 4X4 Super Duty Supercab 8' bed. 6.0L 3:73 rear

Pulling 1995 26' TT Central Utah to SE Ohio last year 9-11 mpg. untill i hit the hills of Missouri, 7-9 mpg. That lasted till I hit the flat West side of Ohio then back to 9-11 mpg. All of that was at Hiway speeds. Until i hit Ill. that was 60-75 mph depending on the State. IL, & In. were 65 with Oh a 60 (depends on the County).
Around town and runs up and back to Salt Lake City, I get about 16-18 mpg.
During the 106 mile tow from dealer to present site I got about 12.034 mpg. Towing speed was 55-65 for first part of drive ( 26 miles of construction) then 75 mph next 50 or so miles. Then 55-60mph avg. the last few miles.

I just do the maintence when it sez to do it...

hankaye

[Jeffrey11]

Originally Posted by larrygranny1

I guess I won't complain. Had the 400 hp recall put in back in Dec. My mileage is approx 14 around town, 18-20 @70 on the highway and approx 12mpg towing my approx 8000 lb 5th wheel. I drive the 6.7.

I am seeing the same thing - I have a 350 Crew cab and 14-16 around town 18 - 20 highway although that requires keeping my foot shallow on the pedal but still cruising at 75+

With the trailer a 43 foot triple I still get 14+ mpg although I chew through DEF and carry 10 gallons with me just incase

[Tranquilty1]

I've been pulling my Laredo 266rl with an F250 6.2l 4:3 rear for almost a year now. The truck and RV weigh out at 17k on a CAT scale. I'm getting a very consistent 8-9 mpg when pulling and 15.5 mpg when solo. I tend to drive easy, no quick starts or stops and rarely over about 62 mph.

[michael]

I get about 8 to 9 mpg towing and 12 to 13 normal V10 gas it had no trouble pulling up any hill. But i may buy a diesel the next round could be dodge or gmc, who knows who ever gives me the best price when i kick the tires, As long as i get there im happy.

[jsmith948]

let's see - 6.2L gas gets 7-8 mpg (7.5 average?) while towing 5er.
Our 6.7L diesel gets 13-14 mpg (13.5 average) while towing 5er.
$4.09 (current local gas price) divided by 7.5 mpg = $ .545 per mile in fuel
$4.39 (current local diesel price) divided by 13.5 mpg = $ .325 per mile in fuel
DEF costs about 1/10 of a cent per mile making it $ .326 per mile.
Easy math or me

[JRTJH]

Originally Posted by jsmith948

let's see - 6.2L gas gets 7-8 mpg (7.5 average?) while towing 5er.
Our 6.7L diesel gets 13-14 mpg (13.5 average) while towing 5er.
$4.09 (current local gas price) divided by 7.5 mpg = $ .545 per mile in fuel
$4.39 (current local diesel price) divided by 13.5 mpg = $ .325 per mile in fuel
DEF costs about 1/10 of a cent per mile making it $ .326 per mile.
Easy math or me

Add in the extra $8000 inital purchase price, 13qt oil changes, $35 oil filters, $30 Fuel filters, and the price comes closer to equal.
Additionally, you're comparing your 7700 lb fifth wheel with a GVW of about 10000lbs to a 8000 lb travel trailer with a GVW of 11000 lbs.
I'm not saying "DON'T" buy diesel, but there's a heck of a lot more involved in this equation than "simple math" and the price of fuel.

[Bruzer 71]

Well here is my 2 sense worth I drive a 04' Avalanche 2500 with a 8.1L gasser and I get 11 empty and 11 pulling my 30' ultra-light 5600 dry weight TT. Currently has 127000 miles on it and I am sure it will have well over 200000 when I lay it to rest. I just hope it makes it over the hump. I have lost 2 vehicles at 198,000 and 197,000 both to being totaled in an accident.


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