Tracked my fuel on a long haul.

[TX Gooseneck]

I hate to be negative, but the mileage sucks.



I rolled out last week with just a shade under 22,000lbs. I left our shop and headed to Tacoma Washington (2165. 8 miles from our shop), put in 283. 578 gallons for a total of 7. 64 mpg. This load with my 91 works out to approx. 12mpg. Granted, I was blowing up 6-7% grades at 70+.



From Tacoma I had to go to Blaine, WA (IE, the first line of defense from those whacky canadians) with one trailer. From Tacoma to Blaine and back to TX was 2639. 2 miles (I went back through CO so it was a bit longer) and put in 165. 742 gallons for a total of 15. 92 mpg - Best tank was 17. 31 (644. 5 miles on 37. 219 gallons - I thought this had a 35 gal tank?? ) and the worst was 517. 2 miles on 34. 384 for 15. 04 mpg.



One thing that completely freaked me out about this truck was when my clutch decided to take a break after a long grade through western Wyoming. I was in 5th cresting the hill, shifted to 6th, then as I was exiting I attempted to go to 5th and couldn't get it in any gear. I popped the throttle and guided it into 5th with no clutch. Got off of the highway and coasted to a stop. Couldn't get it in 1st 2nd or 3rd. Shut the truck off, put it in 2nd and started it. It lugged from a standstill with my clutch pedal on the floor as if I'd blown the clutch. I pulled into the island for fuel, popped the cap off of the master cylinder and everything looked fine. Paid for fuel, Started the truck and it ran fine the rest of the way



I love the power, but would relish in the mileage I used to get.



Any suggestions? I'm thinking an exhaust brake, injectors and a little bit larger turbo will be my future mods - and a friggen clutch at some point

 

[Diesel Nut]

Just remember that if you do a turbo you will have to use a remote mounted brake. I love my Jakobs and am talking to peirs about their modified factory turbo. Oh, and keeping the revs under 2000 - 2100 makes a BIG difference in milage. I tow my 13k# 5er at 70 up hills too, but with 3. 73 gears that puts me around 2000 rpms, give or take. Went from Sacramento CA to Klamath Falls OR at around 11. 5 - 12 mpg.

 

[WM-300]

I have a 2003 HO/6 speed with 4. 10's. I just returned from a 2372 mile trip pulling my Gooseneck with Power Wagon on it. My GCVW was 19,500. My MPG average was 14. 2. I tried Premium diesel, running 55, 60 and 65. Did not seem to make a difference.

But it did pull like a locomotive and with the Jacobs E brake and Jordan Brake controller, I had a great ride.



WM-300

 

[doldenburg]

I see your mpg is avg. about the same as mine. 7. 6 loaded to about 32,000 gvw. empty15 or so. Dave

 

[Gypsyman]

Seeing about the same here...

 

[DocDetonancour]

Haven't hauled a load like that but empty MPG is 4 to 5 miles better that what you guys are getting???????????

 

[Diesel Nut]

empty at 65 20+

empty at 80 15 - 17

Thats a 4x4 dually with a flatbed and under bed toolboxes. Total wight of truck I estimate around 9500#. I'm not complaining much at all, but better is alway ok with me

 

[TX Gooseneck]

Diesel Nut, I'm agree with you. Considering the power, brakes, and overall refinement, I can live with it. I'm thinking about putting injectors in it, at least the extra power would be nice.