who has the all time best diesel mileage

[doldenburg]

26. 1? you must have got a ride on someones trailer half way. why do you guys keep trying to bs?

 

[R.M.THOMPSON]

This thread is good entertainment , my side is hurtin' from laughing. Can someone please tighten up a little..... Just for the record. 17 avg. 1500 rpm apprx 25 mile comute 12 stop sighns less than 50 mph entire way. longest straight 3 miles. Best avg was on Virginias eastern shore did'nt touch brakes in 50 miles,just cruise control switching. 21. 5 on computer and max speed may have been 55-58 but not for long. To get technical I would say avg. speed was 40-42. Definitly not what the majority of trucks on this site can say is an everyday driving condition. Oh , I had about a 15 mph tail wind on that day too !

Mark T.

 

[MMotschman]

finished my first tank



449. 7 miles and he took 25. 8 gallons



works to 17. 4 mpg very impressive. This is almost twice what I got in the dakota!! And Burt still had 9 gallons left in him. WItht he 5. 9L dakota i would be getting my second tank of gas at that point!!

 

[Big Rig]

First highway milage check

Got the truck 2 weeks ago. With less than 200 miles on it I took it out on a 30 mile stretch of highway. I went 70 mph one direction with the computer registering 15 mpg. I came back the other direction at 60 mph & the computer registered 16 mpg. I have yet to fill the tank for the first time. When I do I will start logging the odometer reading and the gallons of fuel added to get an accurate calculation of the overall mpg. I hope the mpg goes up when it is broke in. I expected a little more than this. :{



Big Rig

 

[SKaye]

We just completed a 2187 mile trip from Lewisville TX to Granby CO and back. Cruise control most of the time at around 72-75 MPH about 2200 RPM. Some slow downs in some towns as required. No AC on. Elevation gain from under 500' to over 11,500' at Berthoud Pass. 10 days at average 8500' around 350 miles at average 50 mph those 10 days, and then back to Lewisville. Average CALCULATED mileage for entire trip was 23. 96 MPG and average fuel cost was $1. 47 per gallon. Full tank at start to full tank/ fillup upon return. 91. 275 Gallons used for 2187 Miles = 23. 96. Total mileage on truck is right at 19,000 miles and yes it is still getting better. At one point after a fillup in Colorado springs, the Computer read 29. 8MPG. I took a picture, but don't know how to post it.



2003, HO, 4:10, 3500 SRW, 48RE, QuadCab, Long Box

 

[Elite1]

Originally posted by doldenburg

26. 1? you must have got a ride on someones trailer half way. why do you guys keep trying to bs?

No BS, I know this is hard to believe, but I got a little over 23 mpg going up to No. Calif. and 25 coming back down. I was averaging about 75 mph. The AFE and Volumizer combo is awesome! Must have something to do with the pulse/timing... . I couldn't be happier with my truck!



Heck the first tank with out being broken in and no mods I got 18 mpg. BTW: I have been reading that the HO's are getting better MPG than the SO's.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by SKaye

We just completed a 2187 mile trip from Lewisville TX to Granby CO and back. Cruise control most of the time at around 72-75 MPH about 2200 RPM. Some slow downs in some towns as required. No AC on. Elevation gain from under 500' to over 11,500' at Berthoud Pass. 10 days at average 8500' around 350 miles at average 50 mph those 10 days, and then back to Lewisville. Average CALCULATED mileage for entire trip was 23. 96 MPG and average fuel cost was $1. 47 per gallon. Full tank at start to full tank/ fillup upon return. 91. 275 Gallons used for 2187 Miles = 23. 96. Total mileage on truck is right at 19,000 miles and yes it is still getting better. At one point after a fillup in Colorado springs, the Computer read 29. 8MPG. I took a picture, but don't know how to post it.



2003, HO, 4:10, 3500 SRW, 48RE, QuadCab, Long Box

Check yo pants, boy, they're on fire! You ought to put your truck in a museum if you're gettin' this kind of mileage! I thought I was doin' good at 20 mpg but you're outta sight. Don't ever sell your truck. Keep it forever. Enter it in mileage contests w/VW diesels!



Now that you've made all of us look bad, just go away. We don't ever want to hear from you again!

 

[robobx]

Originally posted by Elite1

No BS, I know this is hard to believe, but I got a little over 23 mpg going up to No. Calif. and 25 coming back down. I was averaging about 75 mph. The AFE and Volumizer combo is awesome! Must have something to do with the pulse/timing... . I couldn't be happier with my truck!



Heck the first tank with out being broken in and no mods I got 18 mpg. BTW: I have been reading that the HO's are getting better MPG than the SO's.

At least someone believes me!

I don't know about you, but I do plan on keeping it forever! Not many people believe the mileage some of the trucks get. And it's weird how some get bad mileage and some, like yours and mine get amazing mileage.

 

[wxman]

I've obtained nearly 22 mpg (calculated) with my truck since I took delivery last May (14,198. 3 miles on 653. 37 gallons). This includes my daily commute to work (~18 miles round trip with 10 stop signs/traffic lights). The best calculated tank was 24. 5 mpg (351. 2 miles on 14. 34 gallons). The best trip mileage according to computer was 27. 8 mpg achieved during a ~75 mile round trip, mostly state highway, 55-60 mph.

 

[SKaye]

Hey Jeremiah, you gotta admit from 11,500' back down to 500' is downhill for about 1100 miles. I was very surprised/pleased, but the numbers don't lie, and neither do I. It is as posted. Not a five mile flatland test or 100 miles or one tankful or the best number ever on the computer. Fillup to Fiilup over a nearly 2200 mile trip. All fuel receipts double checked. Starting mileage zeroed in computer and checked against mileage from Microsoft Streets and Trips 2004 Route Plan. Any margin for error is really slim unless all the gas stations pumps were not calibrated correctly and they gave me more fuel than charged for..... MOST UNLIKELY. If anyone knows a more accurate way to calculate mileage, tell me. Please no suggestions for thimbles, eyedroppers, test tubes or weighing the fuel.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by SKaye

Hey Jeremiah, you gotta admit from 11,500' back down to 500' is downhill for about 1100 miles. I was very surprised/pleased, but the numbers don't lie, and neither do I. It is as posted. Not a five mile flatland test or 100 miles or one tankful or the best number ever on the computer. Fillup to Fiilup over a nearly 2200 mile trip. All fuel receipts double checked. Starting mileage zeroed in computer and checked against mileage from Microsoft Streets and Trips 2004 Route Plan. Any margin for error is really slim unless all the gas stations pumps were not calibrated correctly and they gave me more fuel than charged for..... MOST UNLIKELY. If anyone knows a more accurate way to calculate mileage, tell me. Please no suggestions for thimbles, eyedroppers, test tubes or weighing the fuel.

You went to a lot of trouble. I just use odometer mileage and compare it to gallons of fuel used, making sure I pack as much fuel as possible into the tank each time. Like I said, never get rid of your truck and don't do a thing to it - ever!

 

[draymorris]

I agree with RM Thompson. This thread is good entertainment but I can't stay out of it.



I have had 4 CTDs - My 92, 2500, ext cab, 4wd, 5spd - no mods would get 17MPG min and easily get 21-23 if I did any hwy travel at all - those truck had the aerodynamics of a wall and it weighed about 8300 - I WISH I HAD KEPT IT!



My 97, 2500 4wd, single cab, 5 spd - no mods would have a hard time getting 19 mpg, although I did see over 20, and as high as 23. 1 on a long trip from here to Lake City CO, thru Yellowstone, and back to both rims of the Grand Canyon in 5 days - yes, over 1000 miles per day. That truck loved altitudes.



The 01, 2500 QC, 4wd, 5 spd, would barely get 17 - enough said.



My current truck would only get about 13 to 13. 7 before I put synthetics and TAG in. I now see 16 and even 17 if I stay around 68MPH.



In closing, my brother has a 92 single cab 4wd that can get 26 easy - and has for many years - he drives about 20 miles to work one way and about 3 miles is in town with red lights. THESE CUMMINS TRUCKS JUST SEEM TO BE THIS WAY. Don't asssume that some of these guys are full of bs because they beat you all time best.



I wish someone could figure out exactly what makes one so much more effecient than another - I am talking about un-bombed trucks.

 

[Jff24Gordn]

Dont yawl know, 12 valves are better.

A trip a year ago from West lafayette, IN to my house totaling 182 miles took me 7 hours driving around 30mph in 4th gear 4x4 due to the snow. I filled up before I left town to be safe and filled up again when I got near home. my fuel gauge ddint work so I had no idea how much I had. It took me all of 5. 6 gallons to fill it up. That comes to 32. 5 mpg. I think they shut the interstate down and didnt tell me that night because I didnt see a person for 30 miles on a very busy section of I65, but I did see snow up to my headlights. Granted, this was not normal condidtions, but it was a long trip with at most only 200' of elivation diffrence between gas stations. Normally I get around 16-18 everyday unloaded, 12-14 towing up to heavy, and 8 at the drag strip.

 

[PBeaudoin]

I am on vacation here in Florida, All down hill from North Carolina. I set cruise control on 75 MPH an got 17. 4 MPG. I fueled up and started at 80MPH and got 16. 4 MPG. The only time I got 20-22 MPG is at 55-65 MPH and let me tell you this is TOO slow. I guess I got screwed again by Dodge, and I will never get whats cummin to me. I going back to N. Carolina on sunday, an all up hill ride, I guess I will get 10- 11 MPG??? I give up... This is pathetic! I guess I will have to go 34-40 mph TO GET AT LEAST 16-17 mpg???

my MPG are real numbers, however I am enjoying this thread to the fullest!

So, yoummm guys that are getting these extreme MPG numbers share the secret! Becvause I have never got those numbers ever!

 

[KBennett]

Screwed by Dodge???

Where did Dodge post any mileage numbers for the Cummins powered trucks? I think the thing that has screwed us are the emissions standards. The guy from Cummins said that timing plays a big part in the performance of our trucks(this is nothing new to most guys) and that it affects the emissions. I think the EPA has set these strict standards and it has started to affect the mileage.



The taller gearing hasn't helped either. My dad had a '95 12V auto with a 3. 55 gear and he got 22 mpg at 75mph without a problem.



I am really happy with my mileage. Where can you find a V8 gasser with this much torque that will give you any where near 15mpg let alone 20mpg? Last guy I talked to with a 2500 Avalanche 502 got 8-10mpg.

 

[Jeremiah]

Originally posted by Jff24Gordn

Dont yawl know, 12 valves are better.

A trip a year ago from West lafayette, IN to my house totaling 182 miles took me 7 hours driving around 30mph in 4th gear 4x4 due to the snow. I filled up before I left town to be safe and filled up again when I got near home. my fuel gauge ddint work so I had no idea how much I had. It took me all of 5. 6 gallons to fill it up. That comes to 32. 5 mpg. I think they shut the interstate down and didnt tell me that night because I didnt see a person for 30 miles on a very busy section of I65, but I did see snow up to my headlights. Granted, this was not normal condidtions, but it was a long trip with at most only 200' of elivation diffrence between gas stations. Normally I get around 16-18 everyday unloaded, 12-14 towing up to heavy, and 8 at the drag strip.

Now here's another one whose pants are on fire! I can understand 16-18 mpg unloaded, 12-14 towing and 8 at the drag strip. But seven hours of driving in snow up to his headlights and he gets 32 mpg? These stories get better all the time.



If the snow was Colorado powder I'd understand, but snow in Indiana is wet, which is probably why they closed the Interstate.



Or maybe they closed it because somebody reported this dude driving along at 30 mph in snow up to his headlights.



But hey, he's from Indiana, which means he spends most of his time wondering "whose shear. " What can you say?

 

[doldenburg]

im waiting for someone to claim 40+.

 

[Dean Upson]

I am not disputing anyone's claims. I have always gotten "average" mileage, the following is a true story and kinda funny:



Back in 1987, I was traveling with my family in Colorado. I had a pickup camper on a 1986 F350 diesel and was fueling up at a truckstop. A guy came running over and informed me that he had the very same truck and also a big pickup camper. He further went on to say that he got 28 miles per gallon all the time while hauling the big pickup camper around. He asked me if I thought that was good mileage.



I didn't even look up and told him that that wasn't real bad mileage, but, if I were him I'd take it back to Ford. He asked why and I then told him that I got 35 mpg with mine:-laf :-laf. Again, I don't doubt anyone's claims here, just relating a story. I am sure that many of you have heard similiar tales.



Dean

 

[1rumrunner]

40+!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[wxman]

Well, guys, I don't know what we (I should say I, since I guess I can only speak for myself) can do to convince some of you that these mileage figures are legitimate and not embellished. I've kept careful records (MS Excel) since I've had the truck. The first tank was the only one less than 20 mpg (19. 73 actual). The mileage has been a little lower over the winter (~21), but the truck isn't able to even get fully warm on my daily commutes to work (~9 miles each way), so that was expected.



I'm as surprised as anyone with the mileage I'm getting. I expected to get mid to upper teens and hoped I could get 20 mpg on highway trips. The mileage I'm getting with a 7200 pound, 4X4 pickup truck with a very high profile (it BARELY fits in my garage) is nothing short of remarkable, in my opinion. But it is true!



Of course, this all assumes that the odometer is accurate (it seems to be quite accurate based on comparison of mile posts on interstates) and that the fuel pump readings are accurate (although, as someone else pointed out, it's unlikely that gas stations are giving away extra fuel). I do generally stay within 5 mph of the speed limit, so I don't usually drive real fast. But, our 1997 3. 9 liter V-6 Dakota was only able to get 17-18 mpg under the same general driving conditions (and that was a 2-wheel drive, although it was an auto trans).