How Much DEF Are You Using In Miles?

[gsbrockman]

Greg, I have watched your travels off & on for 3 or 4 years, and I have learned a lot from your experiences that you share. Thanks! Now if ya don't mind, I got a personal question to ask of you.. I know that you put a bazillion miles on your previous truck and I watched as you described some maintenance tips that you had learned along the way. Now I see that you are running a new 4500 doing virtually the same type of hauling as before. How does the 4500 compare to the 3500 in comfort, drivability, handling, fuel econ, and on and on? Just wonderin' ? Thanxz for your reply...
Olde Bob

The suspension, brakes, and tires work together as a great package.

I’m really enjoying the flatbed. It’s easier for me to gain access to my flatbed mounted toolbox and it’s easier hooking up gooseneck trailers.

Running 14 ply LRG tires.....at about 95 psi.....one can expect a little decrease in ride comfort bobtailing, but loaded, it’s not bad. Handling seems to be as good or better than the pickup....IMO. Maybe it’s the 19.5’s.

Since it’s running cab and chassis tuning, the power is down some, but it always seem to get the job done without showing a lot of struggling. Towing fuel economy seems to be about where my 385*850 pickup was. Bob tail fuel economy is a little lower. White Lightning does weigh in a solid 1,500 lbs more than Radio Flyer.

The 52+22 gallon tanks are sweet. Coming from the Radio Flyer with the single 32 gallon tank, it actually makes me much more efficient in regards to time management. Since I’m subject to HOS rules, everything I can do to utilize time better is a plus.

I’m also attaching a couple of pics of the heaviest load I’ve pulled. With a 7,000 lb front axle GAWR and a 12,000 rear axle GAWR, and a 16,500 GVWR, I’ll never run out of axle weight ratings.

 

[OldeBob]

Thanxz for the reply and great photo, Greg! Your rig is one to be envied for sure. I have travelled some of the same highways that you do, so I have a good idea of the terrain. Just wondered of you would share your combined MPG on the new rig ?
Olde Bob

 

[gsbrockman]

Thanxz for the reply and great photo, Greg! Your rig is one to be envied for sure. I have travelled some of the same highways that you do, so I have a good idea of the terrain. Just wondered of you would share your combined MPG on the new rig ?
Olde Bob

I had intended to start a new Fuelly account, only to find they didn’t offer anything above a 3500 RAM.

I am looking at a few other applications where I can track it.

Worse case scenario.....I’ll use a good ol’ 6 column accounting pad.

 

[gsbrockman]

I was working on my 3rd quarter IFTA filing, and decided I would post up my last four DEF refills.

#1 4340.6 miles 8.544 gallons 508.0 avg mpg DEF
#2 3699.8 miles 8.190 gallons 451.7 avg mpg DEF
#3 4166.9 miles 8.435 gallons 494.0 avg mpg DEF
#4 4417.9 miles 8.694 gallons 508.2 avg mpg DEF

Last four (above) fills cumulative totals......

16,625.2 miles 33.863 gallons 490.9 avg mpg DEF

 

[Cummins12V98]

I was working on my 3rd quarter IFTA filing, and decided I would post up my last four DEF refills.

#1 4340.6 miles 8.544 gallons 508.0 avg mpg DEF
#2 3699.8 miles 8.190 gallons 451.7 avg mpg DEF
#3 4166.9 miles 8.435 gallons 494.0 avg mpg DEF
#4 4417.9 miles 8.694 gallons 508.2 avg mpg DEF

Last four (above) fills cumulative totals......

16,625.2 miles 33.863 gallons 490.9 avg mpg DEF

Looks like our usage was similar. But mine is half BobTail and 1/2 towing 33-35K. My average was 505mpg.

 

[OldeBob]

Greg, your urea avg is good, but how good is your fuel avg on the White Wonder??? I would call ya, but phone calls can be intrusive and emails can be replied to in leisure time.. Time is $$$$$.... (ha, ha )
Olde Bob

 

[gsbrockman]

Greg, your urea avg is good, but how good is your fuel avg on the White Wonder??? I would call ya, but phone calls can be intrusive and emails can be replied to in leisure time.. Time is $$$$$.... (ha, ha )
Olde Bob

Based on the EVIC, and EVIC only, it ranges from low to mid 7’s to 8’s towing really heavy and maybe in the 11’s and 12’s towing not so heavy. Bobtailing can show low to mid 15’s if I drive like fuel is $6.95/gallon. On realllllly flat land.....I’ve seen low 17’s, but not on a really frequent basis.

 

[OldeBob]

Greg, your numbers are really heartwarming to me... 'cause based on your numbers, and our projected very modest weight loads, we should see numbers in the teens most of the time if we drive with cost in mind... 13 -15 maybe... I believe our biggest problem will be trying to reduce frontal wind resistance, with the load 96" wide and 96" tall above trailer deck level. I have come up with a couple of different lite-weight aluminum wedge type air splitter designs (yet untried and unproven), that I plan to incorporate into my next trailer design. Dunno if either will work 'til I try 'em. Got a buddy that does race car body work outa aluminum, gonna try his experience on making me a "wedgie" of sorts. Keep communicating with me if ya will and I'll keep ya nformed as we go. Later, Olde Bob

 

[gsbrockman]

Will do!!!!

 

[OldeBob]

Lady "Bad Luck" kicked us where it hurtz yesterday.. One of our 5.9's "went down" on us the wrong way. Turns out she had a 2001 year 53 block engine and block let go, so old Red 3500 will be "outa service" for a spell... Already got another long block sitting in the shop, so guys should change it out in a day or two (maybe?).. Red 35 was getting just under 10 MPG , but maybe with new air splitter on new trailer she will do better.. I hope ?? Olde Bob

 

[Wiredawg]

GSBrockman, looks like my ROM numbers are close to yours. I have a lot of idle time too. This thread working great getting feedback. Thanks, Ron

 

[JPM]

About 2 gallons in about 1500 miles interstate, with a pick up camper and a 14' enclosed trailer at 70-75mph

 

[Wiredawg]

JPM, I like your setup. When we get tired of towing our Mobile Suites around, I'm thinking camper like yours and pulling our Jeep. is the hitch integrated into and supported by the camper?

 

[JPM]

JPM, I like your setup. When we get tired of towing our Mobile Suites around, I'm thinking camper like yours and pulling our Jeep. is the hitch integrated into and supported by the camper?

No, The camper would just pull apart if anything was attached to it. I installed a Superhitch from Torklift with a 28" double tube extension . And Helper springs, and Bilsteins shocks, and a sway bar , and Rickson wheels . Sorry about the thread highjack

 

[Wiredawg]

thanks, good to know. No problem having a little sideline. Thanks, Ron

 

[Cummins12V98]

I left NW WA headed to SoCal traveling I-5 with a FULL DEF tank double towing a combined 35K. At 1,400 miles I filled the tank with 4.18G DEF. That is 334mpg towing heavy continuously.

 

[Dan_69GTX]

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/def-how-many-miles-will-a-tank-last.256091/

https://www.turbodieselregister.com/threads/towing-def-usage.259071/

 

[Wiredawg]

Dan,
I slept several times since I started this thread, so my recollection is foggy, at best. I normally search the forums for info I need before starting a thread, but the evidence appears to weigh heavily against me on this one. I guess WAG of 1 gal every 400 miles is about right. We had a lot of serious grades out West and Northwest that also contributed.

Thanks for the links. Ron

 

[Dan_69GTX]

No problem, didn't mean it as an insult, just was an easy way to post my answers.

I've searched for stuff and never saw what I wanted, then someone posts 3 links - just the way it goes....

 

[Wiredawg]

no insult taken... the info you provided was good. This is why I like the TDR. thanks, Ron