Miles per day - Trip done, results

[MBrawley]

Last you heard from me before I left "Actually have a total of 16 days. Figured it would take about 12 to drive. Have to pick some items up in Birmingham and visit with an accountant type in Sebring. Visit sister-in-law in Pittsburg. Trying to talk the wife in to my leaving 3 or so days early and having her fly out to meet me in Birmingham. That way we would have most of the 16 days to brows around that part of the country. At 61 and a half-assed red neck hermit, can't imagine getting back to that part of the country any time soon. Want to add Savannah, Ga to the trip. Now I'm trying to figure out what would be harder, leaving the dog or putting up with his antics and needs on such a trip. "



Trip done. Took the wife and the dog. Dog was great, never messed in the truck, but... ... ... one poor motel room!!!! With the wife along there were more stops. Stayed in a motel each night which I wouldn't have done.



Gone for a total of 15 days. Four days we were "off the road" loading or unloading furniture so total travel time was 11 days. Passed through 19 states and covered a total of 6281 miles. Used the trip to compare fuel additives, 6oz Redline W/8oz 2-Stroke oil and 8 oz Stanadyne Performance with each fill. Fills were generally 28 - 32 gal. Stats for the trip follow;



Miles/Day Ave 553 (low 317mi, high 824mi)

Engine RPM Highway 2000 - 2250 (Generally just under 2200)

Total miles 6281

Total highway miles 6085

Total engine hours 113 hr, 33 min

Total highway hours 106 hr, 38 min

Total fuel used 389. 2 gal

MPH overall 55. 34 mph

MPH highway 57. 14 (excludes driving around town for 4 days)

MPG Overall 16. 1

MPG W/Redline mix 15. 9 (No load in truck other than luggage, wife & dog)

Miles W/Redline mix 2237. 0 (Nevada thru Texas to Baton Rouge, LA)

Hours/Gal W/Redline . 256

MPG W/Stanadyne 16. 2 mpg

Miles W/Stanadyne 4044. 4 (LA. to Birmingham & Pittsburg, PA and home)

Hours/Gal W/Stanadyne . 312

Load W/Stanadyne 3510mi W/900#-1100"in truck, 824mi pulling 16 tandem axle U-Haul W500#-700#) These miles inclued more hilly roads and a lot more side trips. Wife's shopping and my case of wine in Iowa.



Plan to continue using the Stanadyne. Overhead MPG consistantly reads 2 MPG or so higher than when I was using Redline or Redline + 2 Stroke



MPG's are hand calculated. Overhead MPG read high by 1. 1 to 2. 3 MPG. Average reading was 1. 6 MPG high. I am puzzled by the fluctuation in the overhead calculators MPG reading.



Truck ran like a dream, no problems at all. Have heard others complain about the comfort of the Ram seats. I found them to be quite comfortable. I am on the large side and thought I might have a problem, but no. Guess my rather small *** fits the seat well.



Two words of caution:

1. When driving through Texas and you see a trooper on a traffic stop off the edge of the road, for God's sake and your wallet's welfare, MOVE OVER TO THE LEFT LANE!!!!!!

2. If pulling a U-Haul, check the trailer before you leave and every time you stop and get out of the truck. Got hung-up in Powell, TN for 2 1/2 hours waiting to have the trailer repaired. Rear axle front spring bolt 3/4 to 7/8 of the way out. Mechanic also found both spring shakle bolts loose. One did not have a nut on it.



Hope you find this interesting and not too long. Would like to make this type of trip again, but have another week to do it in and no damm furniture to move.



Mike B

 

[MLisle]

I commonly travel with 2 american bulldogs (90lbs, 120lbs) and I take their folding crates so I can leave them in the hotel room when I leave for short periods of time.

 

[DWeiler]

I commonly travel with 2 american bulldogs (90lbs, 120lbs) and I take their folding crates so I can leave them in the hotel room when I leave for short periods of time.

I have 2 American Bulldogs too here,thats why i have a canopy on the back of my rig---love to ride all day in there(made a nice bed for them above the rails to lay down and see/guard the truck). If we stop in the heat i crack the slider between the cab and bed with the a/c on to cool them down---they know enough to stay put and behave. Brown one(3yrs) is a real mama boy,if the Mrs is around his attention is to her first,white one(9yrs)is my girl,never seen a dog that wants to ride with me in my truck all the time,every time i fire it up she's at the back door waiting to go,even if i"m turning wrenches on the truck she is more than happy to lay in the back and keep me company----Hoping for a midnight quick spin around the block. Oo. Oo. Oo. Ps----MBRAWLEY------Thats a lot of miles,more than i put on in a year with my Cummins(own 3 vehicle) ,my 01 has 22000 on it as of today.

 

[MLisle]

good looking dogs, I'' try to post pictures of mine.

 

[JHardwick]

Two words of caution:

1. When driving through Texas and you see a trooper on a traffic stop off the edge of the road, for God's sake and your wallet's welfare, MOVE OVER TO THE LEFT LANE!!!!!!



Mike B

Don't take this wrong, but there is a certain amount of common sense, common courtesy and defensive driving all rolled up into being against the law.

 

[MBrawley]

Can't take it wrong, I agree completely. Having been an emergency responder for 25+ years, I understand completely. Just mentioned it hoping others would not make the goof-up I did.



Mike B