First big load using a gooseneck - fuel mileage problems

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

rick

buy an ez it only takes 1 munute to take off and put back on. and you won't beleive the power difference. when loading your equipment use a tape measure. measure how far the truck sags and keep changing the sag until you get the best ride. if you decide to get a dually remember you will be gaing alot of trailer weight. most of them weigh around 6k empty. that white trailer weighs almost 7k. what brand trailer did you end buying?

iiflem

38k gvw on the trailer, wow! who makes that trailer it sounds awesome.

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's,southbendclutch

My Ram Pics

 

[illflem]

Jim, A local welder in Wenatchee, WA custom made it to my specs. Only problem has been that he used 2x12s for the deck. The wider planks cupped and made the bed uneven, not a real big deal for what I was doing, but 2x6s would tend to cup less.

 

[trbotrk]

I have a 99 and pull a 32' high profile 5er and got about 12 mpg at 65mph. I installed an ez and now I get about 15 mpg at 65 mph. This milage is for no or light winds and no steep grades.

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99 2500,etc,ddx,qc,slt,ez K&N,gauges,lsd,3. 54rear,flowmaster, tow a 13k 5er.

 

[FParisi]

Mileage sounds about right. Like others have said, it depends on the load, frontal area, terain, speed, but winds can make a drastic difference too. I was down to 7 mpg into a 30mph head wind with my 12,500# 5er. I usually average about 11 -thatis cross country Ca. - NJ and San Diego- Montana.

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95 Blue 2500 4x4,3. 54,33x12. 5x16. 5 tires,catless,BD transmission cooler,Pacbrake; gauges-transmission temp,boost, pyro;K&N; higher power cam plate ?Bosch?slid forward;afc adjusted some
96 Alfa SeeYa 30RK w/2 sldes- 12,000lb

 

[BCFAST]

Rick, both of the machines you are hauling have odd shapes; they are both hanging out in the wind making 'dirty air', as compared to a race car trailer or camper or even a pile of hay bales. Your goal should be to trim the air around your load as best as you can. . (keep thinkin' NASCAR drafting) by means or a wing, or perhaps a shield on the front of the trailer. Weight will rear its ugly head when you have to pull a hill, not on the flats. For the record, my old 95 2500, 5spd 2WD would pull my 40ft, enclosed car trailer with 3 axles just great! I had a hot pump and open exhaust and, using a wing, would get a consistant 15. 2mpg at 24,500lbs, 70mph with a/c! And boy did I just love the extra 100 gallon tank in the bed!

 

[rickhans]

I have seen a couple of references to "wings". Would someone explain to me what type of wing and where it gets mounted. I presume a wing is like you see on race cars.
As an offshoot of this question, has anyone ever purchased a 20 or 25' shipping container and mounted it on a flat bed and used it as an enclosed trailer to carry a car, tractor, or whatever? They are not very heavy, are 8' high and 8' wide. I wonder if with a V-wind deflector at the front of a trailer and a box like this whether fuel milage would increase because of reduced drag or if the v notches in the side pannels would increase drag.


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98. 5 24V QC 4x4 SB 3:54 5sp

 

[RAMalama]

You people are all just crazy! 30k + of hay bales and some of you are even heavier! WOW! Most impressive.

Here's some base line numbers from my completely (read: painfully) stock truck.

Hitched my CGVW is 19,840. At just 62mph I'll get 11. 5 down the freeway. I've towed this 5er to Vegas, NV and back (San Diego, CA area) and for the round trip I averaged 10. 5mpg going 62 when I could. Lots of WOT! Have a great picture of my rig at speed on the interstate taken by a buddy of mine but have no idea how to post it...

What modification is an "EZ" and does it apply to my 12v? This TDR thing is amazing.

Sincerely, Ian.

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'95 2WD 3500 std cab, 4:10, 5spd. 68K miles all towing 35ft 14K-lbs triple slide 5er. Completely stock but learning...

 

[BCFAST]

Rick, after thinking about your situation overnight... a truck-mounted wing wont help you. In my past situation, it was the E-ticket answer! My enclosed trailer was smooth-sided, and came right up over the bed with a flat front face. The wing I had was not drilled thru the cab roof, but was mounted on a "roll bar" looking mount attached to the bed rails just behind the rear window. It yielded me 1. 5mpg better, and the handling and feel was... well, you couldnt tell the trailer was even there! I would advise against the shipping container idea if you are travelling any distance or at highway speeds. The corregated sides create big-time turbulence and god-awful fuel mileage. The idea of a wing is to get it as close to the offender as possible, so for your cowboy-hitch low boy, a V or even a wing to get the air up and over the load should be mounted back on the trailer, at the rear portion of the kingpin area.

 

[rickhans]

I have been wondering about the EZ myself. I know that it is a computer module that I believe modifies the injection timing and I presume the quantity of fuel to the injectors. I have not researched it yet because my Ram is still in warranty and I don't want to void it.

However, I am kicking around the idea of finding me a 12Valve Ram, hopefully a '97 or '98 with under 100k miles as a backup tow vehicle for my business. If I do, BOMB will be the word.

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

rick
get the ez you can take it off in about 30sec. if you have to go to the dealer you just pop it off. you won't beleive the hp gain.

jim

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if it ain't broke fix it till it is!!
2001 eth, ez box, dd2's,southbendclutch

My Ram Pics

 

[Dave Zuber]

WINGS, these only help a little in streamlining the front of a big box. Look at the front of your truck/trailer and compare the total frontal area that will be effected by the wing. It's only the top 1/3 of the total at most.

I suggest you try to streamline the rear of the combo first. Remember the wings on the rear of the Chevy Suburban? These weren't just for keeping the dust off the rear window. This wing cupped air and forced it down into the dead space behind the truck. Most of your air drag is in this area. This isn't too practical for a load of hay, but for the 5-wheelers and race car trailers it should be very effective. You could add wings to the sides too.

Have you ever seen a semi driving past a gravel drive way on a windy day? It creates little tornados in the dust that may trail off to the side 15-20 feet. With your truck making this huge wake, you are effectively pushing a much wider frontal area.

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Dave Zuber, 91 Dodge 250, Cummins, 3sp Auto, 4x4. Triumph Tiger, XR400, XR650L
Triumph Tiger, XR650L, XR400, Hodaka Dirt Squirt.