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fuel mileage while towing

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Old 06-13-2005, 04:56 AM
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Depending on the wind I average 11-14 mpg pulling 9700 lb toy hauler. The sweet spot on my rig is 1900 rpm (67-68 mph).
Old 06-13-2005, 09:39 AM
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ok so it seems i am getting terrible mileage compared to most others. any suggestions or rreasons why this might be the case?
Old 06-13-2005, 02:39 PM
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Originally posted by djcheez
ok so it seems i am getting terrible mileage compared to most others. any suggestions or rreasons why this might be the case?
Your truck just sucks! Fuel, that is...

Seriously.. some trucks just seem to get better mileage than others. Is it the engine? Drivetrain inefficiencies? The position of the moon when the truck was made? All I know is I lucked out in my '05. It's not the best mileage I've heard about but it's as good as my '99 was, so that's all I can ask.
Old 06-13-2005, 05:58 PM
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got 14.2 mpg towing 25' camper, atv and dirt bike.
Old 06-13-2005, 08:14 PM
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11.0 towing a 36 foot high profile fiver weighing 17,250 pounds. I usually run between 60 and 65 mph.
Old 06-13-2005, 09:23 PM
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I'm getting steady 12 to 13 pulling up to 30,000 gross, some tanks at 13.7 or so, but then mine does not really count or compare, too much done to it. It does show the capability though.
Old 06-13-2005, 10:35 PM
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why is there such a difference between truck. 8 mpg is a gasser type fuel mileage and that sucks. what can i do to improve it? bomb the truck? drive it off a bridge and quickly jump out beforehand so i can collect insurance and buy a new one that hopefully is better?
Old 06-13-2005, 10:45 PM
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first off, the engine will get better when it breaks in. They take about 50k or more to break in. I would think that the 315 tires would hurt the mileage towing also.
Old 06-13-2005, 10:53 PM
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geez i didnt know it was that long for them to break in. i figured the tires might be a small problem but i didnt think theyt would hurt that bad. i would think that the bigger tires would allow faster srudsing speeds at a lower rpm and not much torque being robbed. perhaps i am wrong. i vcould use a bit more umph at take off and to keep it from downshifting on hills. i know the tires keep it from staying in the sweet spot on grades.
Old 06-13-2005, 11:05 PM
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I think a lot has to do with your driving habits. When I drive, I dont mash/step down hard on the throttle to get going or while cruising. I use light throttle and let the animal do its thing. I set the cruise control on flat land, and take it off when pulling hills. My fuel mileage changed drasticly when I added my fuel box. I went from 10 up to 15 miles per gallon instantly.
Old 06-14-2005, 10:53 AM
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It seems that on some other threads that cleaning the sensors may be a cause for bad fuel economy. You may try checking some of the links on that, or possibly take it to a Cummins dealer to check out. I am not sure if additives like Power Service help(they claim they do), but if they keep the sensors clean, pumps lubed(they seem to fail too often), and injectors clean, it is proably worth the money, especially with diesel fixin to go strato in prices.
Other things, new Air filter setup or replace filter. May check the timing & valves also(Dealer?).

Driving habbits & air profile matter also. I get 12 or so at 60 mph with a high profile 5er, 12', 13k weight. 17 solo, all with 4.11 gears. My worst day was maybe 10 +. Have 17k miles on the truck. Most members here can't stand to drive that slow. Perhaps as fuel goes up, they might. Drove 540 miles this weekend on I10, and passed only 2 other vehicles at 60mph in that distance. It is nice to put on the cruise & let it go.
You have a problem and with diesel being so expensive & going up again, I would get it resolved.
Old 06-15-2005, 09:26 PM
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well based on what everyone is saying, 15-15.5 isnt too bad for a 600 4X4 with 315's. but when towing it sucks. i guess ill try some different things when towing like not tryin to speed race from s stop light or allowing the truck to downshift alot on grades. we shall see how future trips go. i doubt there is anyhting wrong with the motor.
Old 06-15-2005, 10:11 PM
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Gee you guy's make me feel good --i got 16.5 towing my 12tholb 5er down to the Mexican border_it's all down hill from Oregon right??with the 94 but the same trailer going the same way the 02 only gets 13.5 --maybe the wife packed more stuff?? Happy traveling--Glenn
Old 06-16-2005, 12:17 AM
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Come on guys I got 11.33 for the last 8701 miles of mixed towing and not. That was an West to East Coast & back.
Stop your whinning and get that off yor face and ease up off the peddle some
Old 06-16-2005, 12:38 AM
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anybody tried airtabs on their travel trailers, or 5ers?


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