We made it...

[Heavy_Chevy]

Long 4 days with 2 kids and 2 dogs and practically everything we own. But we made it from San Antonio to Cheyenne. Stopped overnight in Lubbock, Albuquerque, and Pueblo.

Weighed in just over 19,000 GCW (15,600 is dry for us), truck averaged 9 MPG, drank a whole tank of DEF, got up to 230 degrees coming into Albuquerque but fan kicked on and cooled her off. Came thru Raton Pass in a Thunderstorm. Drug the bumper, spare tire and rear jacks on a low crossing in Pueblo, tossed the spare in the bathtub and kept goin. Jacks and motor on the back are trashed and bumper is bent up in the middle but we made it!

Sage advice on the truck, Gents. Thank y’all.

[notanlines]

Bryan, glad it more or less worked out for you. We've all learned that the little bumps in life will uh, well, uh, tear the stew out of something. And we're usually a little smarter afterwards.
As far as the DEF usage the figures are all over the map. In hanging occasionally on the diesel forums it seems that RAM is probably the worst, with GMC and Ford close behind. Keep in mind fully half the members can't accurately figure DEF mileage. I filled it three times, I used three jugs, half as much DEF as diesel fuel, I used three tanks full, I could go on and on. Seldom can any of them say how much DEF per mile.
A common phrase you will see is "usage will be approximately 2-3% of diesel fuel." That figures to be about one 2.5 gallon jug every 1000 miles of towing heavy in your case.
Let us know after a few months how it works out for you.

[jasin1]

Originally Posted by Heavy_Chevy

Long 4 days with 2 kids and 2 dogs and practically everything we own. But we made it from San Antonio to Cheyenne. Stopped overnight in Lubbock, Albuquerque, and Pueblo.

Weighed in just over 19,000 GCW (15,600 is dry for us), truck averaged 9 MPG, drank a whole tank of DEF, got up to 230 degrees coming into Albuquerque but fan kicked on and cooled her off. Came thru Raton Pass in a Thunderstorm. Drug the bumper, spare tire and rear jacks on a low crossing in Pueblo, tossed the spare in the bathtub and kept goin. Jacks and motor on the back are trashed and bumper is bent up in the middle but we made it!

Sage advice on the truck, Gents. Thank y’all.

Sounds like an adventure! I’d take a really really good look at the rear frame and make sure it didn’t get tweaked. If you have to do a insurance claim I’d want that included. Nice having a capable truck for the job though.
There was a service bulletin on ram fan clutches in the past,my 2012 6.7 wouldn’t spin up to 100% and it ran hot.
I replaced the fan clutch and it sounded like a jet engine after that …night and day difference.
I also added a auxiliary fan..it helped a lot before I replaced the clutch fan

[Javi]

Glad you made it without too much trouble.

[travelin texans]

My Duramax held 5.3 gallons & the "low DEF" light would come on after 3000-3500 miles at which point I could add 1 1/2 to 1 3/4 2.5 gallon jugs of DEF which equaled 500+/- miles per gallon of DEF.
My buddy with a Ram, I don't know the DEF capacity, needed to refill in about a 1000 miles of towing, more miles if not towing.

[Javi]

For the past 70K miles I've averaged 3K per 2.5 gallons.

[Scttw]

That's gotta be a really COOL State Capital!

[Heavy_Chevy]

Thanks gents!

Javi, I will absolutely get it looked at after our Yellowstone trip over 4th of July. If it’s a whole bunch more than my deductible, I’ll file a claim. Otherwise, gonna be an expensive learning lesson.

Interim fix is carrying the trailer spare in my truck bed and using scissor jacks in the back, along with the new tip out jacks we haven’t used until now.

[travelin texans]

Originally Posted by Heavy_Chevy

Thanks gents!

Javi, I will absolutely get it looked at after our Yellowstone trip over 4th of July. If it’s a whole bunch more than my deductible, I’ll file a claim. Otherwise, gonna be an expensive learning lesson.

Interim fix is carrying the trailer spare in my truck bed and using scissor jacks in the back, along with the new tip out jacks we haven’t used until now.

If you read the owners manual or Lippert websites I believe you'll find they DO NOT recommend using jacks under the slides. If the rv settles with the jacks in place you risk damage to the slides.
If set up permanently on a concrete slab the jacks may be a good idea, but traveling setting up on all sorts of terrain every time you park would be risky therefore I'd also recommend NOT using them.

[notanlines]

Bryan, bring your slide-out supports back for a refund. RV's are NOT designed for them. Nothing good can come of them. They are built for newbies as shiny play-pretties that serve no service.

[Heavy_Chevy]

That’s why I’m on this forum. Return in order. Thanks fellas!