Fuel economy on a Ford F-550?

[CHudacko]

Hi All,

I had a chance to drive a friends truck today and can't believe what poor mileage it gets. I don't know if the fuel gauge is correct or not but it sucked out 3/4's of the tank in 36 miles.
Is this about normal for one of these beasts, it's a 2001 crew cab, auto with a custom bed for a 5th wheel travel trailer. Wasn't pulling anything today, just normal NC I-40 highway at 65mph.

Thank for letting me rant !
Charles

 

[XJman]

The only way you used 3/4 of a tank in 36 miles is if you have a hole in the tank.

 

[CHudacko]

I hope there isn't ! This ford doesn't get driven much anymore and I offered to drive it some to help charge up it's batteries but sucking out 30 gallons of fuel,wasn't quite what I was looking towards.

 

[TMyers]

I hope there isn't ! This ford doesn't get driven much anymore and I offered to drive it some to help charge up it's batteries but sucking out 30 gallons of fuel,wasn't quite what I was looking towards.

I think you may have answered the mystery. If the truck sits for long periods of time, the fuel gauge was stuck. As you drove the truck, the bumps and splashing of fuel, got everything moving showing a more accurate level of fuel.

 

[XJman]

I think you may have answered the mystery. If the truck sits for long periods of time, the fuel gauge was stuck. As you drove the truck, the bumps and splashing of fuel, got everything moving showing a more accurate level of fuel.

I hope there isn't ! This ford doesn't get driven much anymore and I offered to drive it some to help charge up it's batteries but sucking out 30 gallons of fuel,wasn't quite what I was looking towards.

This.

 

[AEdelheit]

Unloaded I would estimate 8-11mpg as there are a lot of factors there so not quite as bad as you saw but glad Im not the one paying for it.

 

[GrantP]

FWIW, every Ford truck I ever owned had a screwed up fuel gauge.

 

[Wayne M.]

F550’s usually have steep gears. Factor that in.

 

[SnoKing]

Did it have a Cummins in it?

 

[JR]

I don't think the Cummins was available in the 550 - Probably the 7.3.

 

[NIsaacs]

The only way you used 3/4 of a tank in 36 miles is if you have a hole in the tank.

This is more probable than a vehicle getting 1 mpg.

Nick

 

[6V92TA]

used to own a 88 F600 w 370 4V, 5 speed with 2 speed rear end.. 50 gallon tank might get 250-275 miles before you were pushing it.

had a 91 Chebbie 3500 DRW with the 454 TBI engine.. that was an improvement over the old Ford. it was around 7 or 8 mpg. LOL the good old days weren't