I am the new guy with a 2006 5.9 poor mpg

[CKimmel]

I just bought a 2006 5. 9 4x4 longbed. It has 373 gears and 38,000miles on it. I just pulled a bumber pull trailer 6000 miles around 68mph under 2,000 rpm's and got no better than 9. 5mpg. This sucked. The trailer might weigh 8,00 pounds. I am looking for some ideas I can do to this truck to get better power and MPG.



Thanks,

Craig

 

[Wiredawg]

What kind of trialer? I have a 8"x20' enclosed car hauler (box cargo trailer) and the aerodynamics behind our trucks suck. I feel the wind way more with it than w/ my 40' 5er. I'll pull my fuel log out and see what I got going to Atlanta GA empty and comeing back with about 10K lbs and let you know. I normally get 12. 5 to 14 mpg empty in my 3500. Not sure what you can do if the wind resistance is knocking down your mileage.



Cheers, Wiredawg

 

[WCPoe]

Craig,

I responded to your other post about the tuner recommendation, so I'll futher the thoughts on the Smarty. The Smarty odd numbered increased timing programs software programs on my S06-POD(Power on Demand), have been giving me a mile or two extra per gallon.

It's a great tuner, power enhancer, fuel economy helper and code reader all in one. MADS keeps giving free internet software updates and Bob Wagner has helped TDR members troubleshoot ECM tuning as well. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Wingate]

hhmmm... sounds like it may have some issues... is it auto/manual?. . oversized tires? mods? I would start by making sure that the entire truck is in sound mechanical condition. From alignment, to normal maintenance, to installing either temporary or permanent boost and EGT gauges.

Oversized tires can lug the engine, causing you to have to throttle it more, thereby burning more fuel. Need to make sure that the trans (auto or manual) isn't slipping in any way. Verify that all cylinders are producing power, etc...

 

[CKimmel]

Well I know the history of this truck very well. This was my dads truck and he always took the truck back to the dodge dealer to be serviced. It is an automatic 4x4 with a topper on. I am pulling a 28ft campmaster Toyhauler. Loaded down might be 8,000 pounds. I just hate the mpg and needs more power. I had a 2001 and the trick felt like it would pull a house down. This 06 does shift alittle hard also.


Thanks,
craig

 

[TCDiesel]

9. 5 Is about normal,If you fight any wind @ 68mph it will drop considerably,Drive 65 and may jump to 11. drive 60 and it will jump to 12. Add HP and the mileage when pulling won't get much better,the Power will be nice. People will tell you their BEST mileage,not the average or the norm.

 

[AMink]

Pulling a trailer that weighs about 9000 wet, I get about 10-11 mpg. I never go over 65, usually more around 60. Your new truck has a lot more power at stock level than your old one. That power comes at a cost. As mentioned about, knock about 3-5mph off the top end and you'll see a bump in mileage. Also, you have to know that some guys who make better mileage may be pulling at lower elevation or flatter terrain. A 2000 mile round trip out west will yield lower results than the same distance in the flat lands. And some guys just lie. :-laf

 

[cerberusiam]

You don't say where you were towing and what conditions, that will make a big difference. The weight is not the problem, the drag will make a larger impact as will difference between bumper pull and goose neck.



A set of gauges would be a good start to monitor what is going on as would a tuner to mitigate all the emissions setup in the ECU.



Another question is did you use CC or drive it by feel? CC will generally loose you a 1. 5 mpg.

 

[CKelley1]

to get better mileage out of the 06 you need to do three things to get rid of the in cylinder egr, change the camshaft to a pdr or custom colt, change the nozzles to ddp 35 or 50 hp, and use a smarty jr set on default economy. the auto is going to cost you about 1. 2 miles per gallon not to mention maintenance cost. i would never own one but since that is what you have do not go above the economy setting. the tow setting could be used if you spend about $10,000 with bd to upgrade the auto.

 

[JJPage]

9. 5 Is about normal,If you fight any wind @ 68mph it will drop considerably,Drive 65 and may jump to 11. drive 60 and it will jump to 12. Add HP and the mileage when pulling won't get much better,the Power will be nice. People will tell you their BEST mileage,not the average or the norm.

I agree, I have not made 10 mpg pulling my 5th wheel @ 70 mph, at 55/60 mph, on river grade along hwy 200, I just eeked out 12 mpg.



Are you sure that is all your toybox weighs? Seems light, my 30ft 5vr toybox is 8100 lbs m/t, when loaded it's been as heavy as 14000 lbs.

 

[MChrist]

Low to mid 13mpg towing our 29' 8000# bumper-pull camper across fairly flat land. I have made this trip several times and always check fuel mileage at every fill-up(hand calculated, our own fuel tank at work) ((also, i have fuel pump on our tank checked once a month for accuracy)) 5% bio. power service additive.
I always set cruise at 65, but last time I went 70-75, and mileage went down to 12. 2!!

 

[MA2LA]

A good once over with all the filters checked and replaced would be my first step. I have a 8 x 24 enclosed i pull that at times wieghs in at around 9k and i get about 10 to 11 running it hard(above 70 mph average) also id your Dad didnt used the truck hard it may not realy be broken in yet.

 

[JamesStevens]

to get better mileage out of the 06 you need to do three things to get rid of the in cylinder egr, change the camshaft to a pdr or custom colt, change the nozzles to ddp 35 or 50 hp, and use a smarty jr set on default economy. the auto is going to cost you about 1. 2 miles per gallon not to mention maintenance cost. i would never own one but since that is what you have do not go above the economy setting. the tow setting could be used if you spend about $10,000 with bd to upgrade the auto.

Some say the auto gets better mileage then a 6 speed, I agree with everything else you say

 

[BIGNASTY]

my 04.5

I wont tell you what I get on mine its geared the same its allways been stock and will allways be that way. I dont stick my foot in it from the stops, you drive alittle faster than I. Your a 4x4 im not, stock tires? mine are it all adds up. My trailer is weight is more. Iwill not use the CC and on the flats im in OD untill it down shifts with more hills to come. Mine got the mileage that yours is untill I changed the way I drove. I figured out that I dont have to be the first to the top of the hill. Mileage really is not of concern to me because my truck has 68,000 miles and Ill bet that I haven't payed for fuel out of my pocket a half dozen times. But I do watch the mileage because its a great indicator of something going south. Im sorry if this isnt what you wanted to hear it JMO

 

[CKimmel]

Well I gave $21,000 for the 06 with 38,000 miles on it. Your right he did baby it and it looks like brand new. He did put the cold air induction on it from K&n. That is all. I was just wondering about the super chips because they are made about 5 miles fro here and give us firemen a big discount on them. But if they don't work then they are not worth it. I just wanted to know where to start with his truck. I am a fireman not a mechanic. So I can do something myself.


Thanks,
Craig

 

[Bigiron]

Read my SIG, I have got as good as 14. 5 and as bad as 9. Pull a 40' triple axle gooseneck loaded on race day tips the scale at 13,000-15,000. Very rarely do I go over 60-65. It does not get feathered leaving a light. I put the Bully Dog on TOW any time the trailer is hooked up. I do have to say wind is a HUGE factor. Empty it will average between 18-20 on the highway at 60-65.

 

[SGBARRACUDA]

Well I gave $21,000 for the 06 with 38,000 miles on it. Your right he did baby it and it looks like brand new. He did put the cold air induction on it from K&n. That is all. I was just wondering about the super chips because they are made about 5 miles fro here and give us firemen a big discount on them. But if they don't work then they are not worth it. I just wanted to know where to start with his truck. I am a fireman not a mechanic. So I can do something myself.





Thanks,

Craig

Fireman ? I've been a fireman with Tampa Fl. for 26 years,I'm retiring 9/11. Ihave a simular truck to yours mine being a 07. I pulled a V-nose 16' trailer from Tampa to Pensecola loaded with about 6K. 13 MPG @ 70. On the way back 13 MPG empty @ 70! It has alot to do with what your pulling more than the weight. I just took my 30 WR Work and Play toyhauler @ about 12K on it's first trip from Tampa to Macon Ga. and got 11. 5 @ 60-65 MPH. I can tell you when your driving deadhead, MPG is directly related to your speed.

 

[CKimmel]

Yep I work just north of Orlando for 18 years so far in the Fire department. We pull a BBQ trailer all over the country cooking contests. You will see it on BBQ Pitmasters this month Aug 12th on TLC (FireHouse BBQ). It is a 26ft over all about 30ft trailer. Kind of a work play trailer. It does not have a V-Nose on it. But damn 9. 4mpg. I pulled it to L. A and back 6,000 miles. I wish I have a chip in it the whole trip it would have paid for it self. Headed to Dillard Ga tomorrow in the mountains so we will see what it get going up there. Thanks for the ideas.



Craig

 

[AMink]

Does your BBQ come to the Rib Cookoff in Sparks, Nevada?

 

[BillDriscoll]

Towing a trailer is like a sled pull, plan and simple. The faster you go the more restience you have. Try pulling it at 90mph and see what happens!! Just kidding. These trucks have enough power to pull anything apart just about. I could pull my 25ft TT fast enough so all that would be left is the trailer hitch!! even with that light load, my mileage drops as soon as I put my foot in it.