I just did a round trip from Denver to Kansas City and back. Got to drive in about everykind of sleet/ice/rain/snow you'want to try.

Anyway the trip over was in zero degree weather with winter front and fuel additive (power service/ 2cycle oil mix) got 17.55 @ 70mph. Next tank got 18.50- about 70% @ 69mph the rest mixed city and slower freeway. Temps in the teens. On the way back first tank was 15.50 bucking a headwind and driving on loose granular, temps about 12 degrees. The cruise control could'nt find its spot as the gusts would trick it into over-fueling, then it would over compensate and the tranny would unlock. Stupid thing.
I passed every single vehicle from KC to Salina and would actually slow down when passing. I did not want to put myself in the ditch or take someone with me. At no time was it dicey or did it seem unsafe or foolish. Says a lot for setting up the truck for snow and having a lot of ice driving experience. I like to pass in these conditions in a slow predictable manner so everyone feels safe.
Hit some real white outs in Colorado before Limon. The snow crystals were suspended in the air for hundreds of feet up and they made headlights look like airport spot lights. Zero degrees and blowing snow across the lanes. Drove in the left to miss the drifts.
Last tank still in truck.
Poor cattle.


Big Jimmy

 

What was your load?

 

My winter mileage improved a lot after I started adding power service regularly. I guess the previous owner never added anything. Mine hovers around 17 mpg with all the warming-up and driving in 4th gear a lot at slower speeds. Pretty icy here (not in the last few days), and many cars look like they will sway your way, so unstable they are.
I also noticed that my 12" tires are really sticking to the road. I am thinking, it is because of how soft the low ply tires are, they look like donuts. But they sure haven't let me down in the snow.
-P

 

My load was about 500lbs of crap under the topper. Couple of snowblowers actually. And the Big Black Dog of course, up friont in the cab behind me.

You can stop laughing now...

Anyway, the big rigs would have been going my speeds, but breaking loose with an 18 wheeler is a little more complicated to bring back than a 3/4 ton truck.

I wonder if my lift pump is going though. Ithink I can hear it, but don't know jack about what one on the way out sounds like. Probably my mind on the way out instead... ;0)
Jimmy