Poor mileage need advice

[drees1]

Flat bed dually is a key here. 8 ft wide or better, I assume? How much flat area is sticking out or sticking up in the wind? does it have a head rack? What speed are you driving?



I can get 21. 5 mpg with my gearvendors and 4. 10 in a 3500, BUT.



2wd, lower profile, 65 mph. Drops to 17. 5 or 18 mpg at 70 - 75mph.



And here is what's interesting. Tow a 25 ft gooseneck flatbed 5300 lbs empty at 65 - 70, in the KY and TN mountains and get 13. 5 - 14. 5 mpg.



Tow an 800 lb single axle landscaping utility trailer with a 5 x 8 ft flip up gate EMPTY and get the same or worse mileage! That gate is an incredible air brake. When I tow this trailer with cars and small trucks it has very noticable drag.



Wind resistance is probably a big factor on your flatbed.

 

[brandonwhite]

How fast you drive has a huge effect on mileage. If driving 80 mph I get about 14-15 mpg if I slow down to 65 I get 18-19mpg.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by brandonwhite

How fast you drive has a huge effect on mileage. If driving 80 mph I get about 14-15 mpg if I slow down to 65 I get 18-19mpg.

19. 5" wheels will also help mileage a bunch! It might even let someone drive 80 mph and snag that 18 mpg. (But I'd have to see it... )