Best truck for MPG

[KHaines]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I am looking into doing some towing and was wondering what is the best engine/trans/mods for MPG? 12v/24v/CR? I would be towing a gooseneck with us to a 20k load. Is it possible to get by with a SRW & 19. 5" tires? Any suggestions? Thanks for all you help.

 

[DPKetchum]

Up to 20k! Thats why they make duallys and 4. 10 gears. Actually thats why they make mid duty size trucks. Fuel mpg will be in the pits.

 

[Grizzly]

I second what DPKetchum already said and add 12v, a 5 speed standard transmission and exhaust brake. Don't expect good mileage with a 20K load.

 

[JGoss]

Any of the 3 you listed will pull it, but stopping it in a hurry will be the fun part. I'd get a CR with Smarty Jr.

 

[KHaines]

What is the most durable? MPG may not be the high teens, but I would hope for more than 10. Can a meduim duty do that? Or is 10 pushing it?

 

[DirtyDodge]

What is the most durable? MPG may not be the high teens, but I would hope for more than 10. Can a meduim duty do that? Or is 10 pushing it?

My truck pulling my 4k pound boat only get's 14-15mpg. You may get 10-11mpg with that load, but I don't think it will be much more than that. Think there was a thread going around recently that was titled something like "towing mpg", you may want to do a search, it wasn't to long ago that I seen it. People posted what they were towing and what there mileage was.



Derek

 

[DPKetchum]

Mid duty. Bigger,tougher,longer wearing with the right engine/trans. Folks I know pulling big LQ horse trailers say once you pull with a mid duty you won't go back. Friend of mine has a Kodiak with a Cat and Allison. 10 mpg at 65mph and thats about as fast as it goes. Pulls 4 horse with a big LQ. Loves the truck.

 

[JGoss]

I found an IH 4600 Low Pro for sale for $12,000. It has the great DT466 with I assume an allison(it said automatic). It was in good shape with a flat bed. This would do well unless you needed a 4x4. These trucks seem to last forever. We've got a few and have had nothing but great things to say about them.

 

[KHaines]

Thanks for the input. Maybe I should ask the question a little differently, what engine/trans gets the best MPG empty?

 

[DPKetchum]

SRW 2wd 3. 73 gear automatic 03/04 Low to mid 20s not towing.

 

[Coalsmoke]

Thanks for the input. Maybe I should ask the question a little differently, what engine/trans gets the best MPG empty?

well, my 95 5spd 3. 53 routinely got 25-26mpg empty on the highway. I love my new truck, however it gets about 19MPG empty.

 

[Coalsmoke]

What is the most durable? MPG may not be the high teens, but I would hope for more than 10. Can a meduim duty do that? Or is 10 pushing it?

Depends a lot on what the load is and where its being pulled. 20K van body going through the rockies will give different numbers than 20K of plate steel on a deck-over traveling through the prairies.

 

[DirtyDodge]

My vote, 2wd 12 valve manual transmission.

 

[Turbo_Bob]

what is the best engine/trans/mods for MPG? 12v/24v/CR? I would be towing a gooseneck with us to a 20k load. Is it possible to get by with a SRW & 19. 5" tires? Any suggestions? Thanks for all you help.

20K load truck & trailer, I would suggest 4. 11 R&P. Yes the 19. 5 tire and wheel combo are the best for this weight load. The 24V 5. 9 HO from 2003 to 2007 would be good for MPG's. The best MPG truck would be a SRW 1 ton, stickshift, 2 wheel drive.



I have a 11K gross 25' bumper tow toyhauler, box dim's: 8. 5 wide, 25 long, 14 high. The 1 ton truck with shell and full fuel is 7K, total combined weight is 18K. I have the 3. 73 R&P, which is great for solo or combind loads less than 14K, but at 18K it really needs the 4. 11 But I have the 6-speed stickshift, so most of the times it is in 5th gear going up grades or headwinds. I keep my speeds at 55 MPH and the MPG is 12. 0 at that speed. Any faster the MPG drops fast.

 

[DPKetchum]

19. 5s are not conducive to good fuel mileage. They are HEAVY.

 

[AABEN]

I like the six speed stick. The six gives you a little more fuel mileage.

 

[DPKetchum]

The auto overdrive is a tad taller.

 

[dieselram96]

I had to pull my buddies gooseneck 36 foot flatbed (8700) pounds empty to New York and got a load of hay, went 7 tiers high and stopped at scales coming back. Truck and trailer weighed in at 37,560. Got 410 gears and have 96 4x4. Averaged 12. 5 miles to the gallon on the complete trip. Tried to stay at 65 MPH which is around 2K RPM. Pulled hills at about 50-55 MPH. Was happy with the milage but dont want to do that all the time.

 

[MSchneider]

just buy a 2 axel pete with a small sleeper 475 cat 13 speed pull what ever you want all day long and out pull any of us. thats what id do. or any brand 2 axel. lats a helll of a lot longer than any med duty or 1tn dully. im miss my long hooded pete. still think about selling my 05 and get another long hooded pete to pull my 5er.