First towing report

[MattSt]

Had to go play "save the broke down Ford" this weekend. :-laf 160 miles one way. Empty 28' gooseneck (4800#'s) got 13. 7 on the way there. Needed fuel so I reset the trip computer. Was an older full size bronco. (4900#'s) On the way back fully loaded got a whopping 8. 9 mpg. Pulling about 10,000 #'s Truck was just over 2000 miles when I left. With the old 01 I was getting 13 mpg with another 2500#'s on the trailer. This was with 20,000+ miles on the ODO though.



Compared to the 01 2500 quad cab with a BD exhaust and a power Edge Comp box I had been towing with, the 4 door DRW is more stable side to side (expected that) but also rides smoother and does not buck as bad. I was happy with the power but since I was in Iowa and the speed limit is only 65 I could not get into the TQ range and had to downshift on all the hills. The power range seems to be alot higher on this new motor. The sweet spot I think is about 2200-2300 rpm.



Overall, I'm happy with the truck itself. Getting out of a chipped/exhaust truck into a stocker is very difficult. Not real happy with the mileage numbers but I'm sure that they will increase as I get it broke in. Plus it was only 7 degrees out and I'm burning winter blend fuel.



I need a chip this thing so bad. I can't even get even a little puff of smoke with a full load on it. :{ :{

 

[Parshal]

I towed a 3600 lbs. (axle weight, I'm unsure of the tongue weight) trailer 800 miles this past weekend and averaged 12. 9 mpg. I'm hoping most of that is due to wind resistance since the trailer is about 3 1/2 feet taller than my truck. I'm just under 15,000 miles and I wonder if this is the best I'm going to get. A friend just bought an 03 with an auto (mines a 5 speed) and he says he's getting about 22 mpg using the trip computer on the interstate with no load. I've never gotten that good.

 

[Steve M]

I'm getting 10. 5 mpg towing our high profile 10,400 lb 5th wheel. Power is very good even though it's a standard output. I think the 4. 10 ratio is the way to go standard or automatic with these new engines. Mine likes higher rpms and 2900rpm pulls strong and smooth as silk. I'm getting 17-19. 5mpg around town calculated at the pump. The trip computer says 23mpg at 55mph cruise but average trip computer is more accurate if you reset it after a fillup and leave it alone. I only have 1400 miles on it so far and the book says it'll get better in the first 10,000 miles. Less miles if you load it up!

 

[MattSt]

I took it easy on one tank just to see what I could get. 15. 3 with 80% 70 mph interstate and 20% stop and go. Maybe I just got a real tight one. Time to put more weight behind it and try again.



Also need to look and see what gear ratio this one has. I didn't even think to look. It's running about 2350 rpm at 75.

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by MattSt

Also need to look and see what gear ratio this one has. I didn't even think to look. It's running about 2350 rpm at 75.

Mine is about the same and I have the 3. 73's.

 

[MattSt]

I guess I will just have to go faster to get in the sweet spot then! :-laf

 

[Steve M]

A good load does wake them up! Even after they're seated in good, a heavy load and long interstate run helps to clean them out and they feel better for awhile. I'm on my fourth DC and they've all reacted this way. The motor seems happiest when it's working hard.

 

[DBVZ]

Originally posted by MattSt

I took it easy on one tank just to see what I could get. 15. 3 with 80% 70 mph interstate and 20% stop and go. Maybe I just got a real tight one. Time to put more weight behind it and try again.



Also need to look and see what gear ratio this one has. I didn't even think to look. It's running about 2350 rpm at 75.

Check this site: http://www.f-body.org/gears/



Unless you changed tires, 2350 at 75 should be 4. 10 ratio. The 3. 73 should do that at about 2000 rpm.

 

[Parshal]

Originally posted by DBVZ

Unless you changed tires, 2350 at 75 should be 4. 10 ratio. The 3. 73 should do that at about 2000 rpm.

My truck was 3. 73 when I bought it (at least it said so on the sticker) and I do 2300 RPM at 75.

 

[tbush]

Mileage

Originally posted by Parshal

A friend just bought an 03 with an auto (mines a 5 speed) and he says he's getting about 22 mpg using the trip computer on the interstate with no load. I've never gotten that good.

I've been comparing what the trip odometer says and what I compute at fill up time and I'm finding that the trip computer isn't all that accurate. I'm getting a true 19+mpg driving around empty and the trip computer tells me I'm getting 21+. I've only got a couple thousand miles on the truck but it's looking promising that I'll be over 20 by the time the engine brakes in.



-------------------------------------------------------

2003 3/4T 4 Door HO 6Speed. Atlantic Blue. Gotta start adding accessories.

 

[Fireman]

Matt,



I think your economy will improve as you get more miles on the truck. That sounds about what I was getting 10,000 miles ago. I'm up around 17mpg consistantly in my daily driving with a occasional high of 18. 10mpg is tops so far towing 12,000#-high profile trailer. On the Interstate, once you get up around 70 or so you will have to downshift very little. Your ride is going to get sweeter and sweeter as you rack up the miles. That manual is going to loosen up too, before you know it it'll be shifting as smooth silk.



Fireman

 

[MattSt]

Originally posted by fireman56

Matt,



I think your economy will improve as you get more miles on the truck. Fireman

It's good to hear it will get better. I swear this truck just begs to get beat on. If I drive like a bat out of hell I get 14. 8-15. 0 but if I baby it like I have been on this last tank I'm only getting 14. 0.



Got another tow weekend planned in a few weeks so maybe this will help to loosen things up. And in about 2 months I will be towing 2 trucks 400+ miles one way. That should really take care of things.

 

[stevencarroll]

19.16mpg

Just got back from a 350 mile trip all freeway going 75 to 85 mph. Out here in this part of Nevada you can let her rip without much chance of a speeding ticket. I filled up when i left and again when i got back. Reset average mpg on the trip computer when i left. When i got back and fueled it said 19. 6 I checked it with my calculator i actually got 19. 16. Its a 3500 crew cab with a 6 speed 3000 miles on truck and winterized fuel. I also have the 3. 73 and at 75 mph my tac says 2400 maby a hair less. LOVE my diesel truck. Steve