poor MPG in 2005 ctd dually 4x4 3500

[BBowers]

I know that now "Burner" has brought up his woes with poor mileage. i feel for him after spending over 45 grand on a fuel hog 2006. My 2005 auto 4x4 dually just got through going from florida to chicago area. i managed 14. 5 mpg when it had about 12k miles on it during the same trip summer 0f '05. We did the same trip again to chicago and back stopping in St. Louis. I know I got a little winterized fuel in Chicago, but I burned it out and ended up with a best of 16. 4 mpg coming down the gentle down grade from around Montgomery, AL, to the coast. I only went 70 mph, with only a total passenger and cargo weight of maybe 500 lbs. I now have 21000 miles on it after the Christmas season trip, etc. and 16. 4 mpg really blows. I have removed the turbo silencer and replaced it with two guled together sched. 80 pvc pipe couplings (4"), had the kitty nixed, and run a tru-flow foam filter element, new fuel filter, stock tires properly inflated, tripledog programmer set on 90 horse setting, then tried 50 horse. On the 90 horse, i got a best of 15. 5 mpg. On the 50 horse tow/econ. i got the 16. 4 mpg. i am very disappointed that I have done so much to increase efficiency and spent 750 bucks to see crap mileage persist. tHe truck seemed to quiet down the injector knock after the long trip, and I also burn powers svcs fuel addidive and marvel. (MMO) Nothing really helps. I had the mpg at 55 on level ground hit 20 on the overhead, but who runs here? THe engine drones at anything over 65 and i find myself wishing for more gears and better sound deadening. I should see 20 mpg at 70 with all the mods, but i'm still waiting. Thinking of selling this thing soon!!!!!

 

[Rescue Ram]

It would help to know what gears you have, and if the truck is an auto or a manual. Personally, I dont think that 14-16 is that bad. It is consistent with the mileage I have gotten with trucks that are 4x4, dually, 5sp/4. 10's.

 

[JayWm]

I doubt you're ever going to see 20+mpg @ 70mph in 4wd dually. It's the nature of the 3rd gen trucks with the 3rd injection event. It seriously kills fuel mileage.

 

[MasterChief]

I get about 16. 5 -17. 5 MPG, 50% hwy 50% stop and go. I also found that if you calculate your mileage using good old fashion pin and paper you will find that your over-head reading will be about 1 MPG lower than what you calculate. I've done it about 5 times and found it to be the case each time.

 

[BBowers]

I have 3:73's and I believe if you check, I stated I have an auto trans. I thought my truck profile would be included in any posts or replies, sorry!I guess I was wrong. As to the overhead mileage computer, I don't rely on that. It only serves me to see changes in fuel consumption as I go down the road. I just watch the amount of change, not actual number of mpg's. This allows me to alter my speed to optimize fuel economy. I hand calculate all of my fuel mileage, believe me, I'm no stranger to hand calculated fuel economy. As to the third gen thing, my dad has a 2004 with 3:73's street tires, and a 6 speed and 4x4 ctd 2500 laramie. He has 50 k miles and is bone stock exceept for a tru flow filter and a gutted turbo silencer pvc pipe coupling jobbie.

His is quieter by far even with no underhood insulation and gets 22mpg at 60mph hand calculated.

 

[GFrance]

Your comparing apples to oranges with your dads truck, less drag with 2 less tires, a six shooter should do better than your auto, if his is an early 2004 it's 305hp.



My 01 2500 auto would get 20. 5 at best. Best I've done with my 05 dually six speed doing 65mph was 17. 5. But I'm living with it until Marco gets the Smarty programer out for the 3rd gens.

 

[pwr2tow]

Mine I get,

55 MPH = 22 MPG

65-70 MPH = 18-19 MPG



Have you tried the tone ring modification, I have not done this yet but intend to.

 

[DPKetchum]

Never 20 mpg :--) with a 4x4 dually. Maybe 17/18 give or take at 55/60 mph. the 20 on the overhead at 55 is GREAT. Oo.

 

[msperos]

I'm getting a steady 15-16mpg hand calc. with my 05' drw G56 6speed 4X4. I did the roktech crank sensor and have a bhaf filter. The nature of the trucks from what I've seen. My 01' 5spd quad cab got 20-21mpg

 

[Rescue Ram]

I have 3:73's and I believe if you check, I stated I have an auto trans...

Yep, I read right over that... sorry. I still think that you are doing fairly decent, especially if you are getting that mileage hand calc'd.

 

[BILLUA]

Bbowers: I have the same truck as you and have only seen 16 empty!



What are you comparing this too??? My 01 2500 got no more than 17. . This truck has 100 more horsepower stock than my 01 did. This truck weighs about 1600 lbs more. Should I be upset if I am not seeing the same mileage in my 05???



I wish my 05 was getting what you are getting towing. .

 

[GButia]

Yep, I read right over that... sorry. I still think that you are doing fairly decent, especially if you are getting that mileage hand calc'd.

I agree... . I think the problem here is that people have told storys about mileage that are just not true in the past. This gives new owners a false sense of what really should be. I have owned 3 common rail diesels in the past 3 years. 2 cummins powered trucks and 1 dmax. My first single cab 6 shooter cummins got 18 on the highway at 70(3. 73 rear). My dmax auto, single cab 3. 73 rear auto... . 18 mpg @ 70. My 05 srw auto @ 70 gets 17... . its 1000 pounds heavier then the dmax, 600lbs. heavier then the single cab cummins and has a 4. 10 rear. So in reality it gets the best mileage. The 12v mileage is a thing of the past. The trucks are heavier and have about 85 more hp at the wheels... ... gotta look at the facts. Emmisions and hp have claimed a few mpg. Now... . if you are getting 10-12 mpg @ 70..... I will say there is a problem.

 

[cerberusiam]

Loose 2 tires, loose the 3rd injection event, buy premium diesel, and drive 55 mph. Then 20 is a possibility. Otherwise it is what it is. The dually is great truck for them that needs it, but, it has never been what could be considered economical. Depending on how much you tow with it, you may need to work it harder to get it loosened up more.



Check out Marco and his latest venture, the Smarty. He may the solution for the power vs economy balance we need.

 

[FATCAT]

I should see 20 mpg at 70 with all the mods, but i'm still waiting. Thinking of selling this thing soon!!!!!

Yeah dump that POS 2005 and go get your self a nice old 1997 12 valver dully from down south. Then you'll get almost 20mpg. :-laf



You'll save yourself a lot of $$$$ and won't have those pesky monthly payments.

 

[LStanphill]

Both of my duallys are well broke in, and best empty mileage i see is 16-17 at 70 mph. auto or stick. both with 3. 73's.



Beats the 4. 5 mpg's i just got from San Antonio to Phoenix pulling a load of cargo trailers with a 20 mph headwind. WOT at 55mph the entire run.

 

[Rescue Ram]

Yeah dump that POS 2005 and go get your self a nice old 1997 12 valver dully from down south. Then you'll get almost 20mpg. :-laf



You'll save yourself a lot of $$$$ and won't have those pesky monthly payments.

:-laf :-laf :-laf



Honestly, for me, this '03 is, so far, returning better mileage than my '96 5sp did.

 

[MarcRoth]

I get a true 20 mpg in my 05 4-10 auto. But the kicker is at 62mph. Thats the sh!tty part. But it does save in the pocket book.

 

[FASTERTHANU]

"On the 90 horse, i got a best of 15. 5 mpg. On the 50 horse tow/econ. i got the 16. 4 mpg. i am very disappointed that I have done so much to increase efficiency and spent 750 bucks to see crap mileage persist. "

Seems the mods made have more to do with more power and are unlikely to net fuel efficiency at 70 mph. While many will claim fuel efficiency with increased power it is rarely realized in the real world. I can gain 4 mpg by unplugging th bomb! Anyone remember the days of Big Block Chevy's in four door dually's? Now there's some crap mileage! I'm unclear as to why anyone would be concerned about mileage when they are driving the "King of the Road"?

 

[hERKY130]

Just make your own biodiesel and save yourself 2 bucks a gallon, then you would welcome the 16 mpg.

 

[MCummings]

My Dad's get's 16. 7 at 65MPH.



His is a '05 3500 4x4 auto w/3. 73's.



He does have a tonneau cover though. I feel that helps a little...



We drive very gentle too. Unless towing we never get above 2,200RPM.



Merrick