I am not a happy camper.....

[Barry]

Trying to get my 04. 5 rigged out to do my job, it has taken longer than I expected until I could pull my first trailer with it.



Last friday with 700 miles on the clock, I hooked up to our 34' Carri-Lite and headed to Kerrville, Texas for a show and tell at the TACO Spring Meeting.



I was disappointed in the power and fuel mileage. Had to down shift on some hills on 281 and had a 2000 Ford 7. 3 PS pushing me all the way.



When I arrived in Kerrville, the overhead read 8. 2 and I highly suspect that is right because I had to fuel 20 miles before I got there. Coming home 5 days later with a good tail wind the overhead read 9. 2 when I got back.



None of my other 4 Dodges have ever run single digit fuel economy.



The part that is real puzzling is I saw EGTs of 1200 sometimes and 1150 often with 25 to 30 PSI of boost.



I hope someone comes up with some electronics that will cast the religion out of this thing and set it FREE. With this kind of fuel economy I would rather have a medium duty... ... ... ..... mi dos centavos... ... ... ... ... ... .....

 

[CoastyAV8R]

The truck only has 700 miles on it, give it a break. Mine did the same thing pulling our trailer the first time and I pulled for the first time at 503 miles. The mileage will go up. I don't know what kind of mileage you expect pulling a 34' trailer with a truck that doesn't even have 1000 miles on it.





There is no way a 7. 3 diesel will keep up with this truck with everything being even.

 

[Barry]

This is not my first rodeo. 00,01,02,03,04. 5. None of these ever gave me single digit fuel mileage.

 

[Apence]

I agree with you barry my 04. 5 3500 is lacking in the power and mileage department, but i am also waiting on a injector #6 to be replaced.

 

[DPelletier]

How much will it really go up after break-in though? 1 - 2mpg? I will agree that some people do have unrealistic mileage expectations, but Barry's had many other Dodges. The 600 seems to get 1 - 2 mpg less than the 305/555, which given the stringent emmissions regs and 7% more power would seem to be reasonable.

Barry, what would that trailer weigh?

My only other suggestion would be to hand calculate to make sure the overhead is accurate. You sure get differing opinions on the accuracy of the overheads. I'm not sure if the inconsistencies are based on peoples methods of refilling or if the computers vary widely from truck to truck.



I have to agree with Coasty on the PSD. No way it should be able to keep up unless it had a lighter load or was bombed.



You probably don't want to hear it, but I am extremely pleased with the mileage that my HO is getting. From a personal best on a 4 hour highway drive (empty) of 20. 2 to 12. 8 mpg with the camper on at 75mph through mountain passes, down to 11. 2 hauling my job site trailer (not that heavy, but as about as aerodynamic as a billboard!).



Cheers,

Dave

 

[roperteacher]

Yes, please hand calculate! My overhead is sometimes 5MPG to LOW when towing. It was saying 16 when I was getting 21MPG towing about 7500 lbs!

 

[Barry]

My '03 pulled harder on less fuel. The PSD was pulling a triple slide Snowbird SE that is at least 2K heavier than my Carri-Lite. I have already opened up the exhaust on the '04. 5 and installed the AFE 7. I hope time and miles will help. I certainly wished I had not traded my '03... ... ..... I think I ran a red light... ... ... .

 

[DPelletier]

Either your trucks broke or the PSD had some serious bombs. I had one (the PSD) and my 305/555 would walk away from it easily.

I guess the best advice is to double check the mileage, wait until its broken in and keep your fingers crossed.

Glad I bought another 555 today.



Dave

 

[favord]

Barry - I'm in same boat but about 8000 miles up on the clock from you. Still get 8-9 towing. Power is satisfactory though. What is the build date on your rig?

 

[Barry]

Build date is 02/04... ... ... ... .

 

[Barry]

I have not mentioned this on the TDR but,... ... ... ... last month I captured a 96 40' Gulfstream Tourmaster motorhome. The thing that makes this one unique is it is the M8400 which has the M11/400HP Cummins instead of the 8. 3/300HP.



I drove it home from 500 miles away. 65 mph is 1450 rpm. When you set the cruise, the speedo needle appears to be frozen. It does not move! I think the torque is close to 1400#. I am thinking very seriously about keeping this one for myself.



If the 04. 5 does not get better, I'll sell it and pickup something cheaper to pull the trailers with and just keep the motorhome for our personal use. I am amazed at the fuel economy of that M11. It just idles down the road... ... ... ... ... ... ... .

 

[DPelletier]

That would be a MH worth having!



Dave

 

[bmoeller]

Originally posted by Barry

When I arrived in Kerrville, the overhead read 8. 2 and I highly suspect that is right because I had to fuel 20 miles before I got there. Coming home 5 days later with a good tail wind the overhead read 9. 2 when I got back.

Did you also check mileage by hand?

 

[Barry]

I have not checked the fuel mileage by hand but when you cannot make a 300 mile destination without refueling chances are your fuel mileage is less than stellar... ... ... ... . with current fuel prices this truck is coming up on 20 cents a mile to operate just for fuel! That my friend is stronger than a garlic milk shake... ... ... .....

 

[Bob Wagner]

best wishes Barry, you deserve the best. You've helped a lot of Members

 

[Barry]

WOW, thanx for the flowers!

 

[Blue2002]

Just a thought. Maybe brakes and/or bearings? I would try to borrow a meter with an IR temperature checker. Check the brakes and hubs on both the Dodge and the towed vehicle.

 

[bmoeller]

One guy I know has Ford SD F-350 dually (4x4,auto, crewcab, 4. 10s) with the 7. 3 PSD. He hauls tires for his tire business. He said pulling his trailer with a strong headwind, he only gets 8-9mpg with it. Forget what he said it weghs loaded.

 

[Sherman]

experience

Originally posted by bmoeller

One guy I know has Ford SD F-350 dually (4x4,auto, crewcab, 4. 10s) with the 7. 3 PSD. He hauls tires for his tire business. He said pulling his trailer with a strong headwind, he only gets 8-9mpg with it. Forget what he said it weghs loaded.

Barry,it sounds like you have a lot of experience with the Dodge and if some thing ain't rite, it ain't rite!The only thing I would suggest is a brake dragging on the trailer,but if it didn't catch fire on a long haul then it probably isn't,could the emergency brake system be dragging on the truck,both these items can be checked when free wheeling on flat ground,I sure you have done this.

 

[amsoilman]

I don't know what the 04's are getting for fuel mileage, but my 03' with the NV-5600 is getting 19. 2 (hand Calculated) empty, and 14. 3 pulling an enclosed 17 ft snowmobile trailer. I now have 31,000 plus miles, so I feel it is broke in.



Just a note on fill-ups. When the pump turns off on automatic fill, I can still put in another 3-4 gallons of fuel if I want to "milk" it in!



Wayne

amsoilman