mpg ?

[JCutter]

My buddy has an 04 and is getting 22mpg empty but when he hookes to his trailer hes getting 11 mpg. Is this normal. His has an aluminum 4 horse living quarters trailer (loaded probably 16k).



What kind of changes can he make? He doesnt want big power but maby the smarty and a clutch.



what advice can i give him.



I have an 01 so i cannot help him to much.



Thanks Jeremie.

 

[BHolm]

That doesn't sound too bad to me. How fast does he drive when pulling the trailer? Slowing down to 65 makes a big difference. I guess I don't think pulling a load bigger than what the truck is really rated for and getting 11 mpg is all that bad. I had a 3/4 ton 4x4 Suburban with a 454 that got 11 empty and 5-6 towing.



I'd say his milage is pretty close to normal. I might expect a little more like 13-14 but that is a BIG trailer.

 

[roperteacher]

Yep, sounds same as me!!

I have an 04. 5 and also a 4 hrse LQ trailer. Same as you described. I have a 2500 2WD 6 speed with 3. 73 gears. I see the exact same #'s!!! I drive and pull the trailer really no faster than 65 MPH. Yep, I thought you were describing me at first!

 

[RDusch]

Same here, hook a trailer to the hitch and my milage gets cut in half.



I've tried everything i can think of, stock turbo, twin turbos, SPS62 single, TST on, TST off, fast, slow, nothing increased my towing milage, but going over 70 mph drops it pretty quik.



Rick

 

[Hoefler]

About 90% of the time I have my enclosed trailer or backhoe behind my truck. I get a consistent 10 - 11 mpg. Where I live and work, there is no such thing as a straight or flat road. When I hook onto a 14k fifth wheel for the trip to Talladega, I get an average 9. 4 for the 1400 mile round trip. I ran 70- 75 on the interstate, it takes use 4 hours to get to the interstate, driving the hills and curves.

 

[Kiohio]

If you guys wanna feel better I use an F350 4x4 460 auto part time in my business.

It gets 8. 2 EMPTY and as of yet I'm to afraid to check it while towing LOL.



My 03 gets 20 to 22 empty and depending on load size 12 to 16 loaded.

A 28ft GN is the only trailer we use.



KO

 

[KBennett]

Sounds about right....

The best I have gotten towing my 18' TT is 13MPG and I can get 20+ unloaded if I keep it under 70. I think wind resistance is the killer because I have pulled a 24' trailer that weighed twice as much and got 11MPG.

 

[JCutter]

Thanks Guys ill let him know.



Hes also wanting a little more power. What should he do?



Clutch (which one) he only wants 60 - 80 hp more.



Box im stearing him toward the smarty.



Whats the deal with the rokktech (?) crank sensor. Whats it do ive only heard of the name and remember a little talk about it.



Guages, which ones does he need, fuel, transmission, egt, ? Hes pretty tight so it will probably be a chore to get him to get guages.



Thanks Jeremie

 

[KBennett]

A good flowing air filter and muffler will help.

He should definitely do gauges before adding any more fuel AND he should know how to use them.



From what I have read and talked to people I think the Smarty is a good option for adding more fuel and improving mileage.



There are mixed reviews on the Rokktech but I have had no personal experience with it. I think you can get similar results by modifying the tone ring but the Smarty adjusts timing so if he goes that route he will kill two birds with one stone.