2nd Gen Non-Engine/Transmission Excelent fuel economy

[WestTN]

Excellent fuel economy

I just finished a 4 tank fuel mileage on my truck. I covered 2,024. 6 miles. Most of the miles were at 55 mph. There were about 300 miles at 70, and about 400 at 65. Probably about 100 miles at 45 or less. The average was 24. 33 mpg. pretty good I think.



It turned 145,000 miles as of last week. Still runs like new.

 

[Grizzly]

Did you have any load in the truck? How many people in the cab? Any mountain driving through the Rockies?



I'm finding this a little difficult to believe, but then again with a 3. 54 gears and 2WD???

 

[Cummins Thunder]

Seems feasible to me. I have gotten between 19-20 MPG doing 60 unloaded with my 3500 more than once. She typically gets between 11-12 around town. :{

 

[WestTN]

Some constrution materials were carried.



We have excellent roads here. I live just off US 45W in Northwest Tennessee. It is 4 lane divided, smooth and not much traffic. Some of this was travel in Kentucky on their prrkway system which is also smooth and liight traffic.



There was some weight in the truck at times, but lumber and paneling and paint, etc. don't affect the wind drag much. The weight means very little to fuel economy.



I did remember later that I had not included the following info. There was about 3 1/2 hours of idle time with the AC on to keep a disabled nephew cool while some bussiness was conducted. It has been hot and humid down here, so all of the driving was done using the A/C.

 

[Mishkaya]

This seems possible on a 2WD. I have achieved over 20 MPG on my truck which is a 4WD, so it doesn't appear far fetched. Of course I drive well over 55mph as a rule (and don't get 20 mpg when I'm at 75 either... ) :-laf

 

[SBall]

Yup ... I believe it.
My truck is similar with the exception of two more wheels in the back, (dually) and I've seen as high as 23. 8 mpg when cruising at 55 to 65 mph.

 

[sheamc]

That seems more than reasonable. With my set-up I have achieved 21. 9-22. 1 mpg with the Smarty set on 5. I do have 3. 54 gears and 4wd. With a cap, less aggressive tires, air dam on front and different setting I will be aiming for better than 24 mpg myself. Before anyone asks about tearing up the air dam I don't off road, it helps on my driveway to have that extra traction. Good luck on getting your best mileage.



Shea

 

[RHulette]

I just finished a 4 tank fuel mileage on my truck. I covered 2,024. 6 miles. Most of the miles were at 55 mph. There were about 300 miles at 70, and about 400 at 65. Probably about 100 miles at 45 or less. The average was 24. 33 mpg. pretty good I think.



It turned 145,000 miles as of last week. Still runs like new.

Excellent mileage can be had if you're willing to keep your speed a little under 65. Last summer my daughter and I drove down to Orlando from Northern Virginia. I resisted the urge to run her at 70-75 and kept around 62. 5. 2wd quad cab, Mileage Master chip, stock exhaust, and all 4 tires aired up at 80 psi. Got 24. 8mpg from FL to upper NC. I was hoping for 25mpg, but that's good enough for me... I haven't seen that mileage since...

Randy

 

[KLauber]

Of course you'll get better mileage in cold weather. The best mileage I ever got with my 4WD 2003 was a tour from Greenville to Nashville, then CHattanooga and back to Greenville last March. Recorded 21 mpg using the fill the tank to the first click method. Over the last 35 months my mileage has averaged 18. 3 MPG. Those 2WD trucks will get great mileage if driven in a miserly fashion. Me? I like to go too fast!

Ken

 

[chazj]

I just got back from a roundtrip from Nevada to Minnesota. 3987 miles averaging max 70 mph on the freeways & of course local driving in towns, etc. Truck weighed 8000 lbs w/ campershell & bed full of cr*p. Hand calculated... . 20. 2 mpg. 143,000 miles on truck.



Was quite pleased.

 

[David411]

I get around 18-19mpg on the highway doing about 110kmh.

 

[RALLER]

I can get 24 mpg every time if i hold it down to 55mph. 97 3500 duley. BAD BOB

 

[TboneMan]

Yup, very believable numbers. I've best single tank is 23. 2 mpg and have three years where I've averaged (all tanks and mile counted) 18. 7 mpg.



I just ran 706 miles on my last tank. That's with 5 gal of bio diesel in the mix.

 

[AClayton]

I used to only average about 17 with an old turbo set-up that didn't spool well. Unless you spun the R's above 2000,it just spun a lot of heat around. My truck is lifted 3" and I added twins with everything in my sig and I hand-calculated 19. 54 on a round trip to southern WVA avging 70mph on the Interstate. I get 15psi of boost while cruising now and the engine is so much quieter and seems to always be in a good powerband.



I am not a diesel mech. but it does seem that plenty of boost... . airflow across the head,affects economy. I have read where many members have been dis-satisfied and consequently,gone through several turbos. My mechanic convinced me to just opt up to twins and get the best of both worlds. It was expensive,BUT... . now I have low speed lugging power as well as the cooling on the upper end to compensate for steep grades.





BD Twins are the best - Alan

 

[BEmmert]

Got 24 mpg on a school trip back in college. That was on back roads from eastern Oregon to central Oregon, with the back end loaded with my classmates camping gear. 50-55 average speed, and haven't seen 24 again, but hey I got there once. More often than not, im between 18-22 mpg.

 

[n7gxz]

I did 24. 5 two years ago on my trip from Seattle to Las Vegas (~1100 miles) and this included going the Blues in eastern Oregon (Hwy 84) and down through central Nevada (Hwy 93). I even picked up a 1100# winch in La Grande and carried it with me. I was very supprised when I filled up in LV, I carry 125 gallons.



Kevin