Fuel Mileage for a Work Truck?

[LaserBob]

I have a friend who is a Ford guy. Lately he has been asking; What kind of fuel milage could I get with a 3500 4x4 auto hauling my equipment? He is a welder. The equipment is a heavy steel flatbed on the truck for all the necessary torches, Lincoln welder, lots of welding lead, asst other tools and the things a mobile welder carries with him. He currently has an F350 with a 5spd and 410 gears behind a 460 gasser. The total package currently weighs 9250#. Yes about 7mpg is the daily figure. What do you think that he may get with a similar truck of the right brand and engine carrying this weight. Both 5spd and auto may be considered. His finances will limit him to something in the 12 valve price range. Send me your recommendations for him so we can all get this guy in a real work truck.

Thanks, Bob Berends

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95 2500 auto reg cab TST # 12 (a friend had this one extra)for now. Wastegate gets No signal. 136K,Just installed DTT VB & Convertor,(2/22/01)WOW! Bob Berends

 

[QRTRHRS]

Bob,

My truck weighs 7600 empty. I can pull my 14k gross gooseneck loaded on local roads and stay around 14 or more if I drive sensible. If I get to running around 70 or so on the interstate I might drop to 11. And that's running with the big dogs too.

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97'3500 SLT CC,4x4,5 spd,4. 10,100k,EBY aluminum flatbed,Dee Zee running boards,Dee Zee Platinum drop boxes,Mag-Hytec,BD Brake,Pyscotty,Jardine 4",Geno's monster tip,TST plate,370's,AFC, ATS, Bilstein,Isspro, Tekonsha Sentinel

 

[Eric_77]

If he is at only 9250 right now with a 1 ton he may be able to get away with a 3/4 ton but to be safe go with 1 ton. The 3/4 is worth about 2MPG less weight less rolling resistance wind resistance. He should get around 16-18 depending on how tall he is and hwy if in town drop to around 13-14.

For example I get around 19 MPG pulling flat grade 70 MPH cruise for 250 miles with bed loaded with pallet that is 3'x'4'x4' The pallet sits about 20" above cab. GVW 8900 I know I am over but truck still runs good and suspension has never had a problem

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Eric Kelcher
92 W250 stock 4spd/auto 3. 54
96 2500 extd SLT Diesel Dynanics fuel pump plate; auto with DD shift kit(?) Dun-Rite TC; 3. 54 posi; K&N airfliter; Boost, transmission temp, EGT guages waiting for nice day; 192K
13. 5k 33'utility trailer 19' Galaxie runabout

 

[Jar Head]

Everyday I drive an '83 Ford Super Duty (450) 7. 3 IDI (300,000+ miles on one total rebuild) manual w/ 4. 88's equipped w/ all the equipment you mentioned plus a 5 ton crane, 130 gal transfer tank (red dye diesel, yeah!) and a chest full of 1" impact tools. This truck routinely drives around maxed out at about 15,000 lbs. and is driven offroad 50% of the time six days a week. 18 tires a year, shocks every six months, endless cracked windshieds. Stops great, runs great, rides fair, has everything to fix anything onboard, 4 mpg average, love this truck.
Ram is driven one day a week. Bought new in March, have not reached 7500 miles. No problems as of yet

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Made in Mexico: 2001 Dodge Ram 2500 HD 4x4, Regular Cab ST, ETC, Auto, 4. 10 LSD, Camper Package, Trailer Package, 100% Stock.

 

[MikeJ]

Bob
I've got 332,000 miles on my 97 3500 extended cab with a heavy 10' flatbed. It weighs 9100 lbs. empty and I will weigh anywhere from 9100 to 16,000 lbs. when I'm loaded. My overall average mpg is 16. 7 with up to 19 mpg on long runs. I have an automatic with 3. 54 gears. My fuel bill is over $1100 a month, so I sure couldn't afford to run a Ford.

 

[Davey]

My welding truck, which weighs in at 13200 full of fuel, myself and helper gets 14-16 on the highway @ 65. 99QC,3500,4x4,auto, 3. 54's.

 

[illflem]

My 3500 probably gets some of the heavyest loads on the TDR, see sig, the worst mpgs it has ever gotten is 12.

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95' 25004X4,AT,Driftwood,Banks Stinger,Warn fender flairs and running boards(work truck)
95 3500,5 speed 3:54,BD E-brake,Driftwood,Banks&Psycotty,34,000 GCVW apple and tractor hauler(works harder truck)

 

[monkfarm]

I was getting 14 to 15 with mine semi-loaded (about 10000 lbs) and 12 -14 loaded (with trailer aand 15-20000 lbs. But after I bombed I get 14-16 loaded and 15. 5 to 18. 5 unloaded.
I use synthetics in the engine, transmission and diffs. Plus I have a lead foot

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'99 3500 Quadcab Laramie SLT with customized aluminum flatbed
B&D bombed with Jakebrake, firestone air bags; 3. 54 gears
5 speed,6X4, truck mirrors, trailer towing, and camper pkgs; magview pumpkin cover
Ranger Cb with Messenger kicker; Amsoiled throughout. . .
2000 Peterbilt 379 with Cummins N14plus 500 hp
13 speed fuller, 70 inch Unibilt sleeper
American Class

 

[JyRO]

I don't use my truck anywhere near what some of you guys do. But I'm guessing with an auto 3500 he could get 14 fairly easily, and probably 15 pretty easy with a manual.

BUT, another thing you will want to stress to the guy is, not only will 14 mpg double his mileage (cut his fuel bill in half) but generally diesel costs less than 87 octane gasoline. So I think he could easily cut his fuel bill in more than half. And if I were him, I'd stick to a 12 valve regardless of his budget. Remind him of the fuel cost advantage of DIESEL.

Ram Ahead!

- JyRO

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Y2K 2500 Cummins ETC/DEE, SLT+, 4X4, Quad, LB, Intense Blue Sport, 3. 54 LSD, rear aux. springs (camper special), sliding rear window, all options except cab clearance lights including agate leather, totally stock engine, silencer ring removed, "stealth," mod to run fogs with high beam. (20. 8 mpg @ 70 mph) Since everybody else listed their toys, I will too.

2000 Toyota 4Runner SR5 4X4, 5-speed, 3. 4L V6 (25. 5 mpg @ 65 mph)
1990 Toyota Celica STX, FWD, 5-speed, 1. 6L I4 (36+ mpg @ 65 mph)
1983 Mazda RX-7 GSL Limited Edition RWD, 5-speed, 1. 1L Wankel (For sale)
No auto trannies in my home! Just say, "No!" to auto trannies.

 

[Tilesetter Too]

I go 13,000 GVW towing 16x8. 5 cargo trailer that stands 102" tall. I get 11. 5-12mpg in town and it seems like I NEVER can catch a green light. LOTS of stop and go. My mileage has always been on the low side anyways, 16mpg highway with no trailer.
I was in the same boat with a 454 gasser going 10K loaded. 7mpg was thrilling. usually got 6mpg. With the repairs for the old truck and horrible gas mileage, I was able to step up to a much newer better truck with 4x4 and the mighty Cummins for the same amount of money in a month. My monthly payment + gas is the same as my gas & repair bills for the old truck. It costs me an extra $18/month in insurance but I can live with that just to have a new, comfortable, air-conditioned, sweet new ride. You cant imagine what a piece of crap the old Chevy was... .
Shawn

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1998. 5 4x4 quad LB, Rollnlock, 5spd.