Here I am

Conversation w/PSD owner

Attention: TDR Forum Junkies
To the point: Click this link and check out the Front Page News story(ies) where we are tracking the introduction of the 2025 Ram HD trucks.

Thanks, TDR Staff

Horizontal Propane Tanks

I choose the Prodigy!

FYI, I was getting my 4" tailpipe adjusted for fit when a new PSD showed up to get a 4" tailpipe installed. In course of conversation he mentioned that he only got 16-18 mpg empty and 11-12 towing a big TT. Since he only had 12K miles and a Banks chip to go with 3. 73 gears he was hoping the mileage would get better with breakin.



He was kinda surprised that my basically stock 96 auto with 3. 55 gears is getting 22-23 mpg when loaded light and flying close to the ground. I haven't done a long pull on mine to the extent of being able to check mileage but I assume that 12-13 is what to expect.



Out of curioisity, is there a big enough mpg difference to notice between the 12V and 24V when hauling heavy? I have heard that unloaded the 12V gets 1-2 mpg better but does that hold for hauling?



My next vehicle WILL be another CTD.
 
My '93 12 valve regular cab 5 speed got a solid 22mpg at 70 mph on cruise control. It got 15 to 16 with a high profile slide in camper running the interstates east or west at 60mph.

My '98 Quad Cab Automatic gets 20mpg on the cruise at 70mph empty and 13 to 14mpg with the camper on at 60 going east or west.

Going North or South I get 1 to 2 Mpg more
 
Keep Your Older Trucks

Gentlemen:



I purchased a new 2001, auto, 3500, 2x2, QC, 3. 54 axle (bone stock except for EGT and Boost gauges) hoping to get good mileage. To date and after a good brake-in with towing and city driving (17,000 miles total to date) I get the following mpg all based on hand calculations.



1. Empty running 66-68 mph in cruise (tailgate up) 16-17. 16 mpg. No single tank ever over 17. 4 At least the mpg is consistent.



2. Towing a 6,000 lbs (loaded wet) 5th wheel at 62 mph 10. 5 - 11. 3 mpg.



Naturally I would like better and have had the truck checked at the stealer three different times. No fault codes, good fuel pressure at pump and through filter, replace IAT sensor, tried different additives, etc. Doesn't seem to make any difference if its winter/summer fuel. Have tired Texeco, Pilot, Loves, Shell fuel and get the same old numbers.



So to make a long story short - keep your trucks if you want good mileage.
 
Re: Keep Your Older Trucks

Originally posted by Tom G

Gentlemen:



1. Empty running 66-68 mph in cruise (tailgate up) 16-17. 16 mpg. No single tank ever over 17. 4 At least the mpg is consistent.

.

.



I have a 2000 3500 QC auto 4x4 with 4. 10's. With summer fuel I get 20 mpg cruising at 65 mph. I get 16. 5 to 17. 5 driving around town. Truck has around 40K miles on it. Of all of the Dodge CTD configurations mine should get the worst mileage. If you are getting less then I am something is wrong.
 
12v's get better mileage

I have to agree that the older 12'vs get better mileage than the new and improved 24v's.



My 92 got (and still does) 1-2 mpg better than my 99 with the slide in loaded or empty. Both trucks are geared the same with a minor difference in tire size (235's on 92/245's on 99. The curb weight is within 150 pounds. I think the difference is actually caused by the front axels turning full time.
 
One thing you will also find with the newer trucks(improperly valved ones) different than the older trucks(properly valved ones) is they like gear,,The 4. 10 equipped 24 valvers like it better being kept in their powerband where the older 12 valvers like the 3. 54's to do this,,Most of the 24 valve trucks I know all with the 3. 54's owners all complain about milage where the 4. 10 owners never complain,,With these newer motors and their wide powerband its like the old Detriot diesels were,ya twist'em till it hurts.....
 
For the first winter My new 3500 with 4:10s& auto averaged 13. 5-14. 5 mpg. Distance to work is 9 miles. This was about 1 to 1. 5 mpg better than my half ton 360 gasser. One weekend when it was still new we went to the coast in a driving rainstorm and got 19. 8! Not to bad for a 7200LB. truck. After a 8500 mile trailer tow the mileage has improved to 15 mpg on my same commute. The towing mileage I got last summer varied between 10-13 mpg was closely related to road speed. 60-65=12. 5/13... 70-75=9. 8/11. I'll be taking a trip to northern California empty next month(no wife so I can go more than 50 miles at a time)And feel I'll get more than 20mpg . Incidentely the best I ever got out of my half ton was 16. 5!



George
 
3.54 and OK milage

Not all owners w/24 valve and 3. 54 complain - I've averaged 18. 2 for 79,000 miles with my 2001. (Heaviest scale ticket = 25,500) It will turn 2 years old in another month. If you need rpm, shift to 4th - that is direct, and a more efficient gear to pull in. Running 70 on the interstate and empty, I doubt the 4. 1 rears will get the mileage that 3. 54's will as well. I think the ideal would be the 4. 1 with 19. 5 wheels, but certainly for my purposes wouldn't want the 4. 1's with stock wheels!



Ray
 
I second that

Never complained about my 3. 54 and mileage. When it was new, I saw about 14mpg average empty and 11mpg towing, but I was in for some service in my local dealershp in Feb 00 and they told me a reflash was available that really helped. Got it done and mileage went up about 4mpg immediately, and I had lots of throttle response and low end power.



I regularly see 18-19 mpg (heavy footed) and can go 650 miles on a full tank. Towing mpg can be all over the board. Heavy at about 24k GVW it will be 12-14 and light 16k gvw it will be 16-17mpg. That is assuming I go 65mph. If I drop down and drive like I am fourty years older, it goes up. About the best I have seen loaded at 16k gvw was 23. 1mpg towing up and down across New York state. All reading are real world based upon odometer and gallons used at the pump.



For some that have had bad mileage, you might have a boost leak somewhere. Very few people check for that. Most go for a reflash or the sensor change and few get happy results.
 
Better numbers with 4. 10's



I have a 2001 with auto and 4. 10's. The milage since new has never been better than 16. 5 mpg empty. I only have had one tank with those numbers. I get on an average 12 to 14 mpg on every tank. That is mostly Hwy numbers, where I live is kind of rural. I have ran with the comp box off and only DDII's and with it on level 2, 3, 4, and 5. Seems to always be around 12 to 13 mpg. Tighter trans didn't do a thing for milage. If I drive like I have a learners permit it still only nets me 14 mpg. Drive it like ya stole it and remeber: If ya can afford the truck you can afford the fuel... ... ... :D
 
My mieage stinks on my Y2k 2500 4x4 with 4. 10's i get 13-15 ,before the reflash i could hit 16. 5,now i cannot get above 15,my 96 12V 3. 54 got 18-22 in the same situations,at the same speeds,guys keep your 12V's if you value fuel economy.
 
My 02 is an HO with 4. 10 gears. At first my mileage was around 15. With 7500 miles on it, it has been getting better. Filled up today and got 17. 1 That checking it by hand. That was traveling Int 68 from Int 81 to Keyers Ridge at Rt 40. This road is like a roller coaster. Pleased with the mileage. Jeff
 
Back
Top