2003 Owners: Mileage Reports

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Posm

I don't know if I agree with you on the max pressure equals more MPG argument. I drive over a thousand miles a week and tried the same thing when my truck was newer. What I learned:

80 PSI empty will shake the crap out of you!!

80 PSI empty will wear the center on the tires faster than the edges. The inverse is true for under-inflation.

I couldn't agree more. 80 psi empty is too much air. I was only commenting on mpg, which is a factor of a lot of things, including friction. The less friction, the higher the mpg. But if you're gonna load an '03 Quad SWR to max (2,700 lbs), as I plan to do on occasion (and maybe even a little more ) you'll probably need 80 psi in the tires to keep 'em from wallowing.

 

[Big MAK]

On my 98. 5 duallie I ran 80psi fronts; 60psi rears.



On my 03 I run 80psi fronts; 50psi rears.



Max inflation in front with the heavy engine.



When loaded; I pump up the back somewhat proportionate to weight added.



Max inflation in the fronts hasn't had an impact on ride quality. Too much air in the back makes it ride pretty harsh.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Big MAK

On my 98. 5 duallie I ran 80psi fronts; 60psi rears.



On my 03 I run 80psi fronts; 50psi rears.



Max inflation in front with the heavy engine.



When loaded; I pump up the back somewhat proportionate to weight added.



Max inflation in the fronts hasn't had an impact on ride quality. Too much air in the back makes it ride pretty harsh.

Thanks a bunch. I didn't initiate the original question, but it's nice to hear a different kind of response, especially max psi on the front.



What kind of mpgs are you getting on your '03? Mine's an 03 too, only it hasn't come in yet. It's also an SWR.

 

[DIESELMAN]

Birthday Report... ... ... . Big Blue is One Month Old Today!



183. 98 Gallons @ 3094 miles = 16. 82 mpg avg, 19. 07 mpg since last fill.



Tires are at 65 in front 52 in back, lots of 4X required to keep the rear from spinning on dirt with the 2:1 weight loading difference when near empty, the spring rate is much lower and smoother now that I have some butt time. Still looking for some 305 to 315X70R17 AT's to put on it.



Gonna test the Oil Filter access this coming week, filters are still $13 at the stealer.



About 450 miles in 4X4, lots of dirt, lots of highway, lots of smiles!



$256. 49 Fuel Cost vs. about $512. 00 for the V10. Oo. This truck is buyin its own tires!

 

[Jeremiah]

MPGs and stuff

Originally posted by DIESELMAN

Birthday Report... ... ... . Big Blue is One Month Old Today!



183. 98 Gallons @ 3094 miles = 16. 82 mpg avg, 19. 07 mpg since last fill.

450 miles of 4 x 4 driving will really cut down the mileage. You might get 20 or more if you drove all highway miles. I've been talking to another owner who does lots of hauling and he keeps 80 psi in his front tires (because of the heavy engine) and 50 or 60 in the back (depending on load). He says the max psi in front doesn't hurt the ride, but would hurt it if he put that much in the back tires.

 

[Fireman]

Second tank of fuel, miles/gal=15. 95



Trip computer said 16. 8 LOL



That's about where my '01 started. I just can't seem to keep my foot off the floor, boy I love the way this thing goes! After filling up I got onto the Interstate, by the time I got up to 70 the trip computer said 9mpg when I got off a couple of exits down it said 12mpg. I went down a long grade (about a mile) and coasted to a stop and the thing had gone over15mpg, when I pulled away and accelerated up to 60 it han dropped to 14. 0mpg. It's fun to mess with that thing, even though it seems to be only semi-useful.



Fireman

 

[DIESELMAN]

Originally posted by fireman56

Trip computer said 16. 8 LOL

The trip computer is not keeping up with the pocket PC. I prefered last years trip computer with the instantaneous and interval mileage, but it still wasn't accurate.



Most of my miles are lightly loaded, loaded I haven't been but about 16,500 gross. I had a bunch of loads to haul up a mountain that killed the average, but I ain't complainin'. I just keep showing the wife the fuel savings over the V10.



Anything over 52 psi in the back and I can't keep the rear on the ground on the stutter bumps.

 

[Jeremiah]

MPGs

Originally posted by fireman56

Second tank of fuel, miles/gal=15. 95



Trip computer said 16. 8 LOL



That's about where my '01 started. I just can't seem to keep my foot off the floor, boy I love the way this thing goes! After filling up I got onto the Interstate, by the time I got up to 70 the trip computer said 9mpg when I got off a couple of exits down it said 12mpg. I went down a long grade (about a mile) and coasted to a stop and the thing had gone over15mpg, when I pulled away and accelerated up to 60 it han dropped to 14. 0mpg. It's fun to mess with that thing, even though it seems to be only semi-useful.



Fireman

They are truly semi-useful. It's the overall mileage that counts. Same thing in my Audi. I've found the trip mileage is accurate almost to the 10th of a mile.

 

[Casey Balvert]

My first tankful yielded me 16. 3 miles to the US gallon (20. 3 to the Canadian gallon. Never could get used to that darm metric system. It may be a bit better than that since I doubt the dealer filled it to the brim prior to delivery. Anyway, I am quite happy with that so far. A mixture of short periods of idling, short trip, long trip (80 miles) and city driving. It will only get better from here. Oo.



Cheers, Casey

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by CBalvert

My first tankful yielded me 16. 3 miles to the US gallon (20. 3 to the Canadian gallon. Never could get used to that darm metric system. It may be a bit better than that since I doubt the dealer filled it to the brim prior to delivery. Anyway, I am quite happy with that so far. A mixture of short periods of idling, short trip, long trip (80 miles) and city driving. It will only get better from here. Oo.



Cheers, Casey

I read somewhere that diesel fuel "bubbles" as it goes into the tank and doesn't fill it to the brim like gasoline. It's quite easy to under-fill a tank with diesel fuel, apparently.

 

[Big MAK]

up to 4 tanks now;



first: 18. 0

second: 15 (didn't fill all the way on last fill up I think)

third: 18. 1

fourth: 16. 9

 

[Jeremiah]

MPGs

Originally posted by Big MAK

up to 4 tanks now;



first: 18. 0

second: 15 (didn't fill all the way on last fill up I think)

third: 18. 1

fourth: 16. 9

Thanks! I'll keep you posted on my new truck, which should arrive around 11/1.

 

[Augie]

Using mileage computer on truck in 6th gear:

18. 7 mpg @ 70 mph

19. 2 mpg @ 65 mph

20. 6 mpg @ 60 mph



Around town in 25-45 mph zones:

13. 5-15. 1 mpg



Using manual calculation; miles driven divided by gallons consumed:

17. 3 mpg overall combined (60/40 City/Hwy mix)

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by cumho6

Using mileage computer on truck in 6th gear:

18. 7 mpg @ 70 mph

19. 2 mpg @ 65 mph

20. 6 mpg @ 60 mph



Around town in 25-45 mph zones:

13. 5-15. 1 mpg



Using manual calculation; miles driven divided by gallons consumed:

17. 3 mpg overall combined (60/40 City/Hwy mix)

Those are very good numbers for a duallie! Hope I can do as well w/my SWR. Are your step bars aftermarket or did you get them from Dodge?

 

[Augie]

Originally posted by Jeremiah

Those are very good numbers for a duallie! Hope I can do as well w/my SWR. Are your step bars aftermarket or did you get them from Dodge?

Aftermarket. I got them at the "Truck Stop" in Pensacola, FL

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by cumho6

Aftermarket. I got them at the "Truck Stop" in Pensacola, FL

Thanks. I intend to install a set. The dealer's variety seem to fit well, but they are pricey.

 

[$BANKS$rupted]

I've got 3600 miles (3. 5 weeks) on the truck... . last two tanks were 19. 3 and 19. 5.



2500 / 6spd / 4. 11

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by $BANKS$rupted

I've got 3600 miles (3. 5 weeks) on the truck... . last two tanks were 19. 3 and 19. 5.



2500 / 6spd / 4. 11

Those are good numbers for a 4. 11. Now if my 3. 73 can do as well new, I'll be a happy camper. It should move on up into the 20s as it breaks in.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by cumho6

Using mileage computer on truck in 6th gear:

18. 7 mpg @ 70 mph

19. 2 mpg @ 65 mph

20. 6 mpg @ 60 mph



Around town in 25-45 mph zones:

13. 5-15. 1 mpg



Using manual calculation; miles driven divided by gallons consumed:

17. 3 mpg overall combined (60/40 City/Hwy mix)

I still think your numbers look good. Is your tonneau made by Access?

 

[Augie]

Originally posted by Jeremiah:

I still think your numbers look good. Is your tonneau made by Access?

It's made by ROLL N LOCK.



This still applies to mileage because it does reduce "Tailgate Drag" thus slightly reducing fuel consumption on the highway.



Check out http://www.rollnlock.com for more info.