miles per gallon

[wadester]

I receintly bought a '92 Dodge Diesel 250 with a automatic transmission (w/overdrive--and 64,000 miles). I just towed a 27' Airstream and only got 12 miles to the gallon, at 65 miles an hour. Is this normal, or is there a way I can get better fuel mileage??



Thanks.



Wadester

 

[Midnite]

I don't tow, but from what I've read from others' posts that sounds about normal. You could probably do a little better by going a little slower.



Just with normal highway driving I notice a difference going 60 instead of 65.



Mike

 

[Bob Beauchaine]

I tow and usually run between 12. 5 and 14. 5 with a 28' Dutchman and a 5 speed manual. Your numbers sound pretty good with an automatic.

Happy trails

Bob

 

[paccool]

12 to 14 with an older 23' Nomad. Empty I get anywhere from 19 to 22, depends on how fast I drive and terrain.

 

[Power Wagon]

12 is in the range with an auto, but it is a little low.



There's a few things you could do to improve it probably...



Advance the timing a little. Go from 1. 25 to 1. 4 or better.



Change torque converters. In some cases, it helps, others swear it doesn't.



Open up your exhaust - change that abomination that goes over the axle with a free flowing pipe, perhaps go with a free flowing muffler or no muffler.



If you want more power, change injectors without turning up the pump. That will probably improve your efficiency under load a bit. Of course, if you use the power, it won't help at all.

 

[R.E. Miller]

12-15 Towing

15-23 Highway



Timing stock

Turbo Stock

Fuel Up a wee bit

 

[JFitzgerald]

I've been getting 12-13 when towing my toys (about 9,000 lbs. not including truck), and about 17 empty. For comparisons' sake, consider if you used a big block gas truck, it'd be getting about 6-8 mpg towing.

 

[Madurski]

You might want to switch fuel suppliers. There are a couple of stations around town that I don't use anymore because my mileage and performance drops off when I have their fuel in my tank.



Ron Madurski

 

[DBF]

I pull a 28' 5th wheel, about the same weight but more wind resistance. I pull a little slower, between 55 and 60. I also have a DDT Torque Converter that is much stiffer than the stock one and a modified valve body that keeps things from slipping.



So I should get a little more than you do.



Over the 17,000 mile trip this summer, I got about 13mpg towing on relatively flat ground, with a few hills in the Rockies.