Poor mileage on 1st tow?

[WCrawford]

I tow a 26' TT that weights @ 7500 lbs loaded. On my first trip with a '00, 2500, 3. 55, auto I got 8-10 mpg traveling from LA to VA. The power also seemed sluggish at times. I'm new to Diesels and traded a very good '97, 318, auto, 3. 55 that got that same mileage with the same trailer. It took 2 yrs for me to convince my wife to let me get a DSL for the power and mileage. Was I suprised, and not pleasantly considering the trade I made and the new $28K note. I listened to all the campground tales of 14-16 mpg and towing 12k lb 5th wheels with power to spare. Be honest. Is my performance typical or could I have something I need to check? HELP!!!

 

[FDziurda]

Just returned from a trip, via I-5, to British Columbia (2,200 miles) and averaged 13. 3 mpg towing a 26' Holiday Rambler Alumascape (6,500 - 7,000 lbs). Cruised at 65 mph as much as I could ,except in CA I know some folks are doing better, but I tend to run at the speed limits when I can.

Frank

 

[vinceharris]

Wcrawford

i tow a 35ft fifth wheel w/ slideout 11,656 gvw and get 11- 12 mpg towing

and 19 - 20 mpg solo.

don't know what you have in your truck like mods or what



i have a 99 2500 24V 4x4 5spd 4. 10 rearend BD exhaust brake

and a K&N air filter autometer boost and pyro gauge.





some of TDR guys put power boxes like the EZ to improve power

out put.





vince harris

 

[wedodgediesel]

I normally did 13-15 mpg with my '97 with a 26' camper @ 5500 lbs cruising 65

 

[anthony4]

I have a 2001 and pull a 35ft fifth wheel w/dbl slide out @10500 loaded and I get between 10-14mpg depending on grade & head wind. When on the freeway I have OD on when approaching a grade I let the trans down shift it self then I turn OD off until I level out again then I turn OD on again. Depending on grade it will be a little sluggish with a 3. 54 gear if equip with a 4. 10 gear (power) but if you pull only a few times a year the 3. 54 gear is a better choice if you pull every day the 4. 10 is the one. I use power service additive at each fill-up it does help performance & keep the injectors clean. 16-18mpg city & 20-24mpg freeway solo. Hope this helps you Good Luck.







2001 2500HD Quad Cab SLT LWB, 4x4, Cummins, 3. 54 gears,

Deep Garnet Red, Agate, 4w ABS, tinted windows,

Camper and Trailer tow packages with trailer towing mirrors,

HD transfer case, snow plow prep, cab lights, travel conv group,

mopar nurf bars, Downey SST cover, Bed liner with fifth wheel hitch

Power driver seat with power lumbar,

loaded loaded loaded!!!!!!!

 

[tom sweeney]

i tow a 26' Holiday Rambler 5'er thats #8100 dry,at 70-75 i can figure on 9. 5 10 mpg depending on terrain. . however,i have since slowed down to 62-65 and the mileage has gone up to 11. 8-12mpg, i now have 32k on the truck,so the ONLY way i know of to obtain maximum fuel economy while towing is to keep the speeds REASONABLE... . can't control the other factors... wind,etc. i too had visions of 13mpg+ while running 70+... but it ain't gonna happen with MY rig... . good luck... ... tom

 

[B.G. Smith]

Mileage

WCrawford, I have a 99 35000 with 3:55 and auto. Pull a 31' fifth wheel that checks in at 12400. Last trip of about 2500 miles form here to Tunica Miss then to Homasassa Fl. then home I got like 10. 9 I did get some 11s and 12s when I first got it but have added fiberglass running boards and a 110 gal. aux. fuel tank. I drive at or near the speed limit most of the time and in OD except on hills. MY empty rate is about 17 and have got 18 a few times. Got 64000 on the meter now. I would say something is not right with your truck. Take it in to the dealer for a check up. They kept telling me mine would improve when I got some miles on it but that has not happened. bg

 

[HEYBOSS]

WCrawford, I have a 3500 dually 4x4 with 4. 10 and tow my 5er 12. 300 lbs at speeds of 68-70 and got around 10mpg to almost 11mpg. If your truck is new, it will feel sluggish and low mpg until it brakes in. Mine was doing around 12mpg empty, now I get close to 16, drive that truck hard and tow some weight around, don't be afraid, your truck will love you for it. I too was a little disappointed when I first towed my 5th wheel, but now the power is coming alive and I love my truck. You have a real nice truck and work horse for towing, give it some time and enjoy your new Cummins.

 

[HEMI 71 GTX]

Well I have a 2001,16k miles with a 6 sp and my mileage sucks towing but, and a BIG but I brought it to Cummins since my local dealer couldn't do a thing (I was *****ing about mileage too). Turns out I have a bad injector in #6 and it is going to be changed today. My mileage ranged from 8-10mpg @ 65-70(the 9-10 with TST powermax(level 6) & 8 mpg and not a lot of power without it). I am pulling a 26ft Classic race trailer bout 9-10k loaded. I am expecting a BIG jump in mileage and power with the injector being replaced. The Cummins tech had a slick temp wireless probe by Stanley that he could see # 6 was running cooler and when we stopped fuel to #6 the engine ran 1000% better . I can pull 16-18 empty. I did notice an increase in MPG when I hit around 12k on the truck. I had to take it to Cummins, but the dealer said that DC will reimburse me for the trip to Cummins($178) since they found a problem the dealer couldn't... ... I am hoping to get 11-12 with the fix... 13+ would be even better

 

[Alan Reagan]

WCrawford, Tell us about your truck. Year, gearing, tires,... ... .



You should be doing a lot better than that. The general maintenance stuff like snugging all the clamps on the boost system, making sure you are purchasing good fuel (probably not an issue since you were going cross country), and some other odds and ends that may be specific to your truck. Tell us what you have and let's go from there.

 

[moparguy]

Observations from a 12valver

I've learned that assuming everything is as it should be mechanically, the two best things you can do for fuel mileage are;



1. Slow down, the difference in fuel mileage is huge when going from 70-75mph to 60-65mph if you're pulling a load.



2. Turn the cruise control off unless you're in flat country. The cruise control can take the engine to WOT while pulling a hill and you won't be aware of it. I've found I can get much better mileage by using the old right foot. Speed up slightly downhill to get a run at the other side, then allow the speed to drop off as I approach the crest rather than worry about holding whatever speed I'd been running. We usually have plenty of power on tap to run about any speed we want, the price is increased fuel consumption.

 

[Doc Tinker]

I got 10. 5 with my 2000 on the first tow (7000#). I was disappointed until I learned that the engine needs to break in before realizing it's full potential.



I now have 35000 mile on the truck and it gets around 12 towing the same trailer over the same terrain and speed. That's with the 275 injectors, without a box or boost module. With a box, I average 14.



Hang in there, it'll get better



Doc

 

[Pete Peterson]

WCrawford, as you can see by the posts that there alot of variables that go into fuel mileage. Your truck for occational towing is great due to the 3:54 gears and the auto. Now that doesn't mean that the auto won't pull its just not going to pull as fast or get the fuel mileage that say a truck with 4:10's and the auto will get, (we are dealing with power bands here). And one with the HO and 6 speed will get better fuel mileage pulling at almost twice your weight; example, I pull at 20,500 lbs GCVW and get on average 12. 8 miles to the gallon, but that is all flat lands here on the coast, and I can still go another thousand pounds and still be in Dodge's tow rating.

If you do a search you will find some good info on what you need to do to tow with better performance and fuel economy, try finding Ted Jannety's (spl) thread on the proper upgrades to do to your truck, it will help you a bunch... ... ... ... ... . Pete

 

[DHawthorne]

My sons father in law has a 2000 3500 with a 5 speed 3:54 rear.

He has a 34ft Holiday Rambler 5th wheel, tows at 55 and gets

14mpg in Florida. The trailer goes out around 12000lbs. He's not a fast driver. His previous truck was gas powered and did 6-7 mpg with a 31ft at 55. My son and I both bothered him enough he bought the cummins when he bought the new trailer and loves it. He's doing 20 on the hwy at 65mph.



Dave

 

[SandDemon]

Speed Kills

All I can say is speed &/or wind will destroy mileage. A 5-10 mph breeze can sap 5+ mpg with a trailer. I have a cliff at 67mph. 19-20 empty at 67... . 15-16 at 70! With a trailer at 65 (10,000lb 5er) it's 10-11, slight head wind drops me to 8 or 9.



Jeff

 

[Tentman]

Am glad someone else oout there isn't sure. I love my diesel but weren't convinced with early #'s. I pull a 30' Jayco and averaged 9. 5 on my last trip in northern MI (hills galore). Only thing I would've liked besides better mileage was more power! This has been almost acquired, (wife doesn't know yet) bigger injectors and exhaust. Can't wait to try and find out.



2001 4x4QC 3:54 gears with auto trans, Sport w/everything