Fuel Economy at 75 MPH? 12.5 mpg?

[SmokinJoe]

OK, here we go.

I have just 2,000 miles on my truck and want to know how the economy compares to other TDR members that tow.

I had a 242 mile round trip, the first 110 were just pulling a 2 axle car hauler that weighs 2,000 lbs. I had 4 people in the RAM, about 750 lbs of family. On the way back we had an extra 100 lbs of groceries and a 2900 lb car on the trailer. Tailgate up and NO ARE Z series top yet...

Both ways I set the factory cruise at 75 mph. I got fuel at the same station. 242. 7 miles and 19. 3 gallons of fuel is 12. 57 mpg if I can do math...

Is this good?

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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[Hot Shot]

Towing 7,200 lb gooseneck empty - 10 to 14 mpg. All depending on terrain and headwind.

Pulling my 16 ft gooseneck monorail (3,500 lbs) 11-14mpg.

the more miles you put on it the better the fuel mileage will get.

Believe it or not, if you add the BD plug in power or the Edge EZ, you will get better mileage while towing. At least I did.

After 121,000+ miles, mine has already paid for itself many times over.

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2001 3500 QC 24V SLT Larimie, leather, BD Plug in Power, 275 injectors, BD Torque Convertor ,Valve Body, Pressure Lock, Torque-loc, Gauges,Black w/ Ranchhand bumpers Brownes HD Headache rack and a black wetherguard coffin. pullee 34Ft. gooseneck and a 32ft x 6ft stock trailer.
2000 Durnago SLT 5. 9litre V8

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by Hot Shot:
Believe it or not, if you add the BD plug in power or the Edge EZ, you will get better mileage while towing. At least I did.

I want to add one, but I am still baselining my truck, I only have 2,000 miles on it...

 

[RobbyRam]

Since adding DD2's + 'EZ', my actual miles per tank has increased by 100 miles+!
(measured on two full tanks on highway miles)
I barely have to put my "go pedal" down to stay with 70 mph traffic with cruise on. My trip computer says I'm getting 24 mpgs, but my actual is 17mpgs up from 14mpgs.

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Y2K Awesome Black LB 3500 QC SLT, 24Valve ETC ISB, 4x4, 4:10 LSD, DTT Custom prepared Auto transmission VB, Power Edge 'EZ', DD2's, K&N, Polished Stull Billet Grill/Fog inserts, Chrome Smitty-Built Step Rails, Mopar Chrome-Tipped Mud Flaps, A-Pillar mounted West-Tach Turbo/Pyro/Trans Temp gauges, Rancho 9000's, Diamond Plated Tool Box, + a bunch of other stuff. Fact:The First Fords' had 'DODGE' Engines! The new PSD's need them!

 

[plntmgr]

recent trip from LA to Vegas 75-80 mph going 72-75 return avegaged 17. 5 dry. Hauling a 32' fiver avegage trip is 12. 5 with NO modifications. I'm satisfied with my mileage. So don't get as good. ??????

 

[SandDemon]

I've played around with this a bit, see if this helps:

-5500 miles, 63-65mph gives me a consistant 22 mpg. (computer and calc. are about = ) After 65 it drops like a rock. By 75 I'm down to 16. 5. So I'm just going to slow down and buy more CD's to pass the time!

I did notice after towing 10,000 for 500 miles it went up 1 or 2 mpg #ad


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2001. 5 ETH/DEE 2500 4x4 3. 54 lsd. 33' Weekend Warrior 5er and an army of toys to fill it!
'96 1500 360 3. 90 LSD 3" cat back no muffler! 110,000 and still eating chebbys for lunch!

 

[TREEMAN]

I,d have to agree with Hotshot on the EZ, empty i didnt notice any difference ,but i gained almost 2 miles per gallon whilst towing. I,m not sure if i can attribute that soley to the EZ as i also have the 275,s . Since installing my DTT vb & tc i gained an additional 1 mpg,so i,m happy.

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2001,2500 q-cab,auto 4x4,4. 10 anti-slip rearend. All options except leather seats. Line-x bed & tool box. Slide-in -removable rack,BFG 295,s ,Fender flares. Westin nerf bars,billet grill & fog inserts. Rancho,9000,s,Isspro gauges,
1994 2500,4X4,12 valve,bone stock for now

 

[John Berger]

I would bet that you will see a dramatic improvement once the engine breaks in. I've got a 4. 10 rear and I've got as high as 16. 8 running 72 mph. I've also been in the low 15's running that hard.

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1999 Dodge Ram 3500 Quad Cab 2wd; 5 spd; 4:10 LSD rear; Mag-Hytec differential cover; US Gear EGT and Boost gauges. Stewart Warner Fuel Pressure Guage with dual senders. Amsoil foam air filter and synthetics from nose to tail.
Cummins Power, don't leave home without it

 

[CUMINNTSTRKN]

going to bd's dyno days i pulled a empty trailer from helena to spokane. there a three large passes between the two. going over the trailer weighs in at 7k and i got 11. 6 at 79mph coming back i added 4k of steel I beam and i got 11mpg a 79mph.

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

 

[Oasis-3]

Joe I just went over 10,000 miles and 14. 8 mpg #ad
and now at 16. 5 mpg #ad
and getting better. I think you need to break it in first.
Good Luck drive it like you stold it this will help break it in #ad
#ad
#ad


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2001. 5 Black Sport 4x4 Q-cab 6-Speed HO,3. 54 - No Stickers on Tailgate - Towing & Camper Packages - Real Backup Lights - Fog Lights - Phord 4 Door Nurf Bars - Leveling Kit - CB - Electric Brakes - Class 3 Hitch on front - Cat & Muffler fell off - 285/75/R16 Interco Trxus 10 ply tires

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by Oasis-3:
drive it like you stold it this will help break it in

That is me. When I was pulling the trailer in traffic I was the first one from the light every time! #ad
I do drive to work quite slow. I have been alternating between tanks, taking off as hard as possible when it is warm to taking off slow like it is cold, for the whole tank.

I think my muffler and fan are going to fall off... If I have to pull again I will put the fan back on.



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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[HossDiesel]

I have a 99 quad cab 4x4 with 355 and a 5 spd with no muffler and a k&n and i am only getiing 13 to 14 running around town and down highway but its a one ton and its better than my 3/4 ton power choke got so i am not complaining

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99 quad cab 4x4 5spd 355 gears sandstone color K&N air filter starit pipe spray in bed liner goose neck ball- theres nothig like the smell of Diesel in the morning.

 

[Ted Constantine]

Robbyram & Treeman
What setting are you two running the EZ on. I have not done any towing since the EZ and 275's went into the truck and I am running the EZ on the middle setting. I am thinking of going to the lowest setting but was wondering if you guys had played with the settings at all why towing and seen how it effects your mileage.

Thanks
Ted

I'm getting 17. 5-19 at 68-74mph depending on how I treat the hills.
empty w/ tail gate up, just two 100pound dogs in crates
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2001. 5 2500, quad cab, 4X4, ETH/DEE, 4. 10 LSD, 255/85 BFG MT, BD Exhaust Brake, JRE 4" exhaust, EZ w/ elbow, 275's, SPA, Amsoil Dual Bypass Filter, Amsoil under the hood (soon to be everywhere else), Leer topper, Piaa driving 510's in bumper, Line-X, Stereo= JVC KD-MX3000, MBQuart 6. 5 components in front doors, 6. 5 coax in rear, JL Audio Stealth Box sub in center seat, Fosgate 400a4 and 250a2 amps, DynaMat everywhere

[This message has been edited by Ted Constantine (edited 04-23-2001). ]

 

[Chris N5CWM]

I usually get about 17mpg unloaded with my
2001 3500 QC 4x4 ETC/5spd, 3. 54 gears. Last
time I pulled my boat, which weighs 6,800lbs
making the CGVW about 14,000lbs, I got 13mpg.
The trip was about 340 miles, and I filled up
the tank when I hit the road and after the
trip topped it off again, so that figure of
13mpg was obtained with 100% towing. I do not
have the funky overhead console computer. The
calculations are based on the MPG divided
into the gallons to top off the tank, which
was at the same station and same pump that I
used to top off the tank at the start of the
trip. Not too bad! #ad

*edit*
Oh that includes playing with a new Ferd F350
4x4/4door SRW FlowerChoke pulling a similar
sized boat.
I could pass him on the big hills with ease,
and at the last light of a 4 light town, we
were side by side and I spanked his a$$ from
zero to 60mph by about 7 truck lengts! I
had the Power Edge turned on level one to
save my clutch, BTW. . hehehe. . #ad


-Chris

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'01 3500 QC 4x4 SLT, Dk. Garnet Red, tan interior.
Cummins ETC, 5-speed, 3. 54 anti-spin; Line-X
Auto Meter boost and pyro
gauges on A-pillar; Valentine One radar detector
May the Boost be With You!



[This message has been edited by Chris N5CWM (edited 04-24-2001). ]

 

[J D Young]

Smokin Joe,

I'm getting 15. 25 to 16. 5 running 70-80 empty, on average. Put me into the wind & she will drop to 14. 5, downwind I've hit 17. 9. Loaded with 10K trailer, 10 - 11 max. I only have 3500 mi, so I got a ways to go to break-in also. Beats the cr@p out of 7. 5 to 8 mpg in my former Chevy 3500 454! #ad


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2001. 5 2500 QC 4x4, dark garnet, auto, 3. 54, stock

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by J D Young:
I'm getting 15. 25 to 16. 5 running 70-80 empty, on average.

What size tires do you have, is yours a sport? I wonder if the extra ride height is killing me...


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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[JohnMcIntyre]

<font color = blue> Joe, Speaking from personal experience, I just finished an 8,000+ mile trip down I-5, then I-40 coast to coast and beyond, up and around to New York from BC; The first 3,000 miles empty and the rest with my slide-in camper with a total weight of 12,500 lbs. Bill K's 91% set-up delivers more smiles per mile and I saw 19mpg overall!!




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JMc

2001 Flame Red Sport 3500 QC, 5. 9L 24v Cummins, 4x4 Auto, 3. 54/LSD, 155 inch WB, Agate leather, HX35/14cms turbo, Bill K. VB,TC & "smart" PAC Exhaust Brake , Mag-Hytec transmission & Diff covers, SPA Dual Gauges,DD2s,DD4" exhaust, Rickson 19. 5" wheels, Roadmaster XX,Firestone Airbags, WAAG sidetubes with dually kickouts, Line-X, Grovers , Lance 1130 slide-in Camper, 60 gallon “stock” Aerotank, RS9000s, Reese Titan class 5 hitch. plus the ICE-bomb

 

[SmokinJoe]

Originally posted by JohnMcIntyre:
a total weight of 12,500 lbs. Bill K's 91% set-up delivers more smiles per mile and I saw 19mpg overall!

19 MPG loaded, that sounds great. With your auto are you in OD? I am going to put synthetic in to see if that helps any at all. Fan will be comming off and muffler will fall off.


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2001. 5 QC 2500 White Sport 4x4 LWB ETC 5-Speed Anti-Spin 3. 54 Trailer Tow 241HD SLT+ Tan Leather(Mad Cow Disease) LT265/75R16E

 

[X-10]

Joe, mileage sounds real comparable to mine. Just got back from my first tow this weekend which was a 3 horse trailer with a utility tractor inside (7000 lbs. ?) and mostly interstate going 79mph with a head wind both ways(of course). 1100 mile trip averaged 8-9 mpg. Previous 760 miles MT was 13-14 mpg with various driving. These are gallons to miles figures w/o tire difference (285's) figured in. From previous posts, it sounds like we just have to keep working them and mileage will come. Still better than v-10 but hoping for more. Already making plans for gauges, exhaust , and EZ #ad


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red 96 x-cab 2500 lbox v-10 5-speed w/4. 10s. ON ORDER - red 01 q-cab 2500 SLT 4x HO 6sp lbox w/3. 55s & most the goodies

 

[RobG]

Joe:

Your mileage sounds very similar to what I got when my truck had really low miles on it too. I remember my first few tanks, UNLOADED, was barely over 10 mpg. Then it slowly went up to 11, then to 12, and finally now, around 8000, it's around 14.

I'm hoping I'll see at least two more points by the time it hits 20k.

Rob


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2001. 5 RAM 3500 QC 4x4 ETH/DEE Silver/Agate, 4. 10, USGear OD, Rickson 19. 5 Wheels, DD EZ, DD3 Injectors, HX-40, Southbend Clutch, SPA Guages, Psychotty, Firestone Airbags, Hellwig Rear Swaybar, Torklift Superhitch & Camper Tiedowns, Mag-Hytec Diff Cover, DD 4" Exhaust, US Gear Exhaust Brake, etc.