tlampman

I have a 2001 CTD 3500 reg cab dually aluminum flat bed with 4.10 with about 35000 miles. My problem is that my fuel mileage sucks and my towing sucks. I’ve been getting about 7 mpg pulling my 28’ gooseneck trailer, which weighs about 10 or 11k fully loaded. Empty I’ve been getting between 11 or 12 mpg. The ******* said this was normal?? My other problem is that when pulling on the interstate 65-70mph it slows down to about 60 going up small inclines and runs about 3000 rpms. When at the ******* they did a code update and said it should take care of my problems. It did not. It also shifts real rough between R to D and D to R. Also, when it is in over drive starting to go up a slight incline it makes a rattling clanging noise from under to right behind the cab. ******* couldn’t find any problems. Need some suggestions.

RATTLINRAM

Sorry to hear about your problems. I think if I were you, I would find another dealer to check things out. My 99 has never got below 12.5mpg,,, and that was when towing a 30' 5er @ 10,000lbs in the mountains. I've never seen below 19mpg running empty. <br> I realize that your rig is heavier and you have the 4.10 gears, instead of the 3.54 like I have, but I don't think I have heard of anyone having that bad of a mileage problem. I would think that there is something wrong that should show up to a qualified technician.<br> Hopefully somebody can give you some tips on finding your problem. Let us know what you find out.

pappyman

A few obvious things are have you checked your air filter and tire pressures and have the proper fluid in the tranny and most times with winter blend fuel the MPG goes down

jec3

Agree, find another dealer, there is something wrong. If you checked all your hoses and had your fuel pressured checked I don't have much to offer in the way of diagnosing your problem, sorry. But I can confirm for you your mileage is way too low. Mines not a dually but I have a QC and 4wd and pulling slightly under what you pull I get 14 +. My dad 98.5 QC 4x4 pulling a 33 ft 5er at over 13K got 14 mpg on a 1000 mile tow and he went over some mountain passes. Both of our trucks have 3.5 gearing but I can't believe a 4.10 would drop it that much.<br><br>Find a dealer that is up to the challenge!<br><br>Good Luck<br><br>

JFellman

I hope you are not over 36000 miles yet because it sounds like your tranny is toast! Get a new one under warrenty before it is too late. Look into upgrading to the new 48RE if possible. ;D

johnh

I have the same truck except for the gears &amp; trans, mine is an H O . i pull a 29 foot fifth wheel never get better than 9.5<br>I had a 95 power stroke &amp; never got less than 14 pulling the same trailer ???

pwabbott

Tlampman,<br>As I replied on your other thread you should be getting much better non-towing mileage and 15-20% better towing. The 4.10 axle is not the problem as you can see from my previous post.<br><br>You need to find a dealer that is oriented to customer satisfaction. The only Dodge Dealer within forty-five miles from where I live &quot;I wouldn't trust to properly take care for a dead horse&quot;. The Ram owners don't go there for service. Fortunately we have a very reliable Chrysler Jeep Dealer who expanded his service center to handle the service on Dodges. If you say there is a problem they will fix it. I would keep going to dealers until I found someone that will do the same for you. Keep all paperwork, work orders. <br><br><br><br><br><br>&quot;Re:Towing and mileage sucks<br>« Reply #1 on: December 20, 2002 10:59:24 PM » Reply with <br>My 2003 non-towing mileage driving @65 mph is over 20 mpg. I can maintain that speed in 5th gear (overdrive) on my SO when going up a 5-6% grade. When I hook up my 10,800# 5er I would pull the same grade in 4th gear (1:1 ratio) @ 55 mph. My overall towing mileage is about 13 mpg now and getting better. I now have 4000 miles on her. Since you have a 3500 dualie, you are packin extra weight that I don't have on my 2500 SRW long bed.<br>&quot;

RATTLINRAM

Click Here for listings of a dealer survey that Dave Fritz put together <br> This may help you find a better dealer in your area.

pwabbott

Tlampman,

&quot;Also, when it is in over drive starting to go up a slight incline it makes a rattling clanging noise from under to right behind the cab.&quot;
Does this rattling sound like a bunch or marbles in a tin can?

On the shifting problem I would start checking your transmission linkage.

wildolman

Know your feeling on milage. with a 12,000# unit from Nappanee,In to Mesa,Az,mine by the tank varied from 7.84 to 11.9,returning emty av. 17.8 running close to the speed limit both ways as much as I could. Lot of good help on this site but seems like it cost a lot of money to get what you were expecting when you bought it. Sure hope you get tranny right,mines still working at 93,000. <br>Have a good holiday.<br>Shafe

tlampman

It does sound like like a bunch or marbles in a tin can or cow bells

pwabbott

tlampman, you should check the muffler and resonator either may have a baffle that came loose and is creating backpressure. On our Jeep Grand Cherokee where we lost so much power we could hardly drive it home. It rattled like a bunch of marbles in a tin can. I got underneath when cold with engine off and took a rubber mallet and started tapping exhaust pipe working from front to back. The muffler sounded like everything inside was loose. Replaced the muffler, got rid of rattle and a restored the power.<br><br>Neither gassers or Diesels can run properly with restricted exhaust. The old Haloween Trick, shove a large potato up exhaust. It would start and run for a few seconds then die.

emjay

One more thing -- I pull a 7500 lb enclosed trailer and it tows nice at 70 MPH. However, the CHP (California Highway Patrol) lumps properly outfitted towing rigs with Datsun B210's pulling U-Haul trailers and consequently limits anyone pulling a trailer to 55 MPH. Without injecting too much opinion, I will say that if you're driving down I-5 in Calif. at 55 MPH, you might get run over. After getting a ticket for doing 70 (car speed limit) with my trailer, I felt that I should lessen my chances for two tickets on one trip, and slowed to about 62 MPH. My average mileage for the remainder of the trip went from about 11-12 MPG to 15-16 MPG, so the point I am making here is that the speed you drive has a lot to do with your mileage. Even when empty, my rig's mileage drops pretty quick over 2000 engine RPM.

I agree with others that I have never gone below 11 MPG, though.

pwabbott

Emjay,<br>My close friend, W. Kramer is a retired Calif. Highway Patrol Captain and tows his 27 ft Alpenlite 5er with his 97Ram CTD. He said, 'Phil, I tow at 60-61 mph in Calif. CHP officers are instructed to give tickets only if you exceed posted speed limit by 6 mph.&quot; <br><br>If you stay in the right lane which is required except for passing when on rural freeways, you are not likely to be stopped for speeding. Until a few years ago CHP did not use Radar, now most divisions have it. You must also watch for &quot;the Bear in the Air&quot; They use fixed wing aircraft and helicopters to spot speeders and radio to cruisers. <br><br>Your trailer may tow nice at 70 mph but stopping can be a problem. Most trailers do not stop nice at 70 mph in emergencies.<br><br>Other western states also have the 55 mph limit when towing.<br>Oregon has the 55 mph limit.<br>