Dodge vs Chevy in towing mileage

[ECappleman]

Went to Big Bend Natl. Park last week. I was talking to a guy in the next site over about towing.



I get 11-12 mpg pulling my 6k hitch TT.

He was in a 2wd, 4 door long bed 2500, with the Duramax/Allison. He was pulling an 11k/13k max 5th wheel and said he was getting 12-14 mpg.



Is that possible and why is that V8 with twice the trailer weight getting that kind of mileage?



Thanks

 

[puebla]

How much lead do you have in your foot? If he had a manual trans, thats the difference!

 

[nps]

I regularly get 13-14 mpg pulling my 11K TT. Those numbers sound good for a Cheby (maybe too good!).

 

[plongson]

Who quoted their milage first?? Ever heard the expression "First lier don't have a chance"... Not that you were lieing... but he might have been (and probably was)!!! Those Chebby boys REALLY don't like to be out-done...

 

[LAMiller]

I agree - Got a buddy with a bombed dmax and he's very competitive in all areas except for mileage which I get considerably better towing and empty!

 

[TinyInOhio]

You being 4x4 doesnt help your mileage at all either. Him being 2wd helps him.

 

[PatrickCampbell]

people love to brag about their mileage. my truck gets 25 MPG empty on the highway but when they hear that, theirs gets 30. theyre trying to make up for the fact that they had to pay $500 to replace 1 busted injector.



he does have a 2WD and the allison also has more gears might help too.

 

[LDPetersen]

I recently took a trip with my buddys 04 dmax pulling my 11k horse trailer. It was on the same route I use my old 95 ctd all the time . He wanted to try my trailer. I always get 12 mpg pulling and he got 11mpg. His rig is a lot newer and a lot less miles. But a very nice truck over all. I wonder how it will be when it is 10 or 11 yrs. old? Sure is a nice ride now. Larry.

 

[J&LRam]

thats not the milage the folks on both GM webs are reporting with the DMAX/A towing that kind of weight. These big auto trannys like the Alision take 50-60 hp to make 'em work. Some are saying 14 empty and like it.

On RV.net web we had a thread on what folks with the DMAX were getting towing. There was no one getting 12-14 towing that kind of weight/wind resistance. Sound like to much hot Texas air... ... ... JIM

 

[DHayden]

Wind resistance accounts for more than weight. I get avg 12. 1 pulling my enclosed car hauler through the rockies at 18,000lbs. but it doesnt grab near as much air as a 13,000 5th wheel does. Best I get is about 13. 8 at that weight. All hand calculated ofcourse.

 

[LEnglish]

My dad has a 02 D-max allson with edge chip on 5 all the time. He gets 20-23mpg empty on trips and about 13mpg pulling 10k. We put it on 2 for towing. The new LLY D-max motors are getting as much as 5 MPG less than the older LB7. The D-max guys are not happy about this.



I think the D-Max with the Allson Auto is a great combo.

 

[LEnglish]

The 20-23 is on a good road trip empty. around town is 16-19 and tow is best of 13 and worst of 9 depending on hills and how fast you really want to go.

 

[MSalvatore]

just got back from pulling my jeep on a heavy trailer through poconos and avg 17. 5 round trip. Trailer w/jeep weighs around 7K



Marc

 

[jimnance]

Went to Big Bend Natl. Park last week. I was talking to a guy in the next site over about towing.



I get 11-12 mpg pulling my 6k hitch TT.

He was in a 2wd, 4 door long bed 2500, with the Duramax/Allison. He was pulling an 11k/13k max 5th wheel and said he was getting 12-14 mpg.



Is that possible and why is that V8 with twice the trailer weight getting that kind of mileage?



Thanks

When I had my '03 CTD my buddy had an '02 D-max similarly equipped but with the Allison vs my six shooter. We both had 60 HP boxes installed and drove to Montana and back. Right at 2,000 miles and we were both burning almost exactly the same amount of fuel. He was pulling about 12K vs mine closer to 14K. So towing I'd say we were pretty close in fuel economy. Maybe a slight edge for the CTD 'cause I was pulling a little more weight. We averaged right at 10 MPG for the trip but we weren't letting any grass grow.



Around town I believe he said he was getting 16 MPG empty while I was getting 18 MPG.

 

[BNeathery]

Not sure which truck you are pulling with as your signature list 2, both however have oversized tires per stock, are you adjusting your milage to reflect this... Bill

 

[ECappleman]

You being 4x4 doesnt help your mileage at all either. Him being 2wd helps him.

I knew the 4x4 and the 285 (32") tires don't help the mileage, but that was a major difference. I have corrected the speedo for the difference.



When I drive 65mph my milage is about 11. 5mpg. I went 70mph on the way home in some major hills and got 10. 5mpg.

You are correct about the wind resistance on these trailers. I heard 5th wheels have less?



Here is a pic of my rigs.

 

[BGlidewell]

fuel has a dramatic impact on mileage. I range from 15+ to 13+ empty with a bit more than 3k miles on the clock. My mileage varies WIDELY from tank to tank, station to station. Do a google search on diesel and cetane :{



http://www.leeric.lsu.edu/bgbb/7/ecep/diesel/b/b.htm

 

[GaryCarter]

He was in a 2wd, 4 door long bed 2500, with the Duramax/Allison. He was pulling an 11k/13k max 5th wheel and said he was getting 12-14 mpg.



Is that possible and why is that V8 with twice the trailer weight getting that kind of mileage?



Thanks

Only if he's driving 45 mph...



Gary

 

[ECappleman]

Thanks.

That what I thought.



On the way home through some rather hilly areas and grades, doing 70, I got 10. 5. Does that seem reasonable with my setup? (look at post and pic above)



Thanks

 

[GaryCarter]

Sounds right to me. I'm about the same.



Gary