Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 10-30-2014, 07:46 PM   #1
Builder of Diesel Jeeps
 
westernjeep401's Avatar
 
2014 28' International
Sedona , Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 226
'13 RAM mileage

For our second trip, the average speed was 51 mph, distance 220 miles, average miles-per-gallon 13.1.

I used cruise control about 65% of the trip. Oil life reduced from 55% to 51%. The rigs pulls and handles very well.
__________________
14 Serenity 28'
15 Grand Cherokee EcoD
#5261
westernjeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2014, 08:57 PM   #2
Full Time Adventurer
 
BoldAdventure's Avatar
 
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic , USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
Those are great numbers. These Ram's are great.

That's about what we average as well. We haven't had the rig and stream loaded heavy yet though. Going out again tomorrow, so I'll have more numbers.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
BoldAdventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-30-2014, 09:38 PM   #3
cwf
Rivet Master
 
cwf's Avatar
 
1999 34' Excella
Currently Looking...
Hillsboro , Texas
Join Date: Feb 2013
Posts: 6,406
Images: 2
Blog Entries: 2
nyce!
__________________
Peace and Blessings..
Channing
WBCCI# 30676
cwf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-31-2014, 04:40 AM   #4
Builder of Diesel Jeeps
 
westernjeep401's Avatar
 
2014 28' International
Sedona , Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 226
Quote:
Originally Posted by BoldAdventure View Post
Those are great numbers. These Ram's are great.

That's about what we average as well. We haven't had the rig and stream loaded heavy yet though. Going out again tomorrow, so I'll have more numbers.
Check-out the oil-life monitor as you work it hard; it reflects the increased loading and reduces oil life accordingly. Pretty cool.

Aiming to add a Mag Hytec differential cover, however I cannot verify if the 13-plus model year axle is interchangeable with earlier models.

I found that, while using cruise control in tow/haul, the 8-speed transmission progressively steps though ever gear in order to achieve desired speed. In "normal" mode, it will skip-shift, i.e. 8th to 6th forced downshift. So, tow/haul is actually pretty intuitive with cruise on, and was doing well in anticipating the ups and downs caused by hills. Oh, and 58mph seems to be the magic number for this truck having 3.92 gearing with our particular coach and gear loadout.
__________________
14 Serenity 28'
15 Grand Cherokee EcoD
#5261
westernjeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2014, 12:11 PM   #5
Full Time Adventurer
 
BoldAdventure's Avatar
 
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic , USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
I bought the Mag Hytech diff cover as well and filled up my axles with Amsoil Severe Gear. My manual says that the times on oil and gear lubes and transmission are all more frequent if regularly towing. Although it doesn't say what the frequency is.

I ended up with a lower MPG, 12.1 on our current trip, but we're loaded a bit more heavier and wasn't driving as relaxed.

The 3.92's are great. I've had trucks with 4.10's in the past and the MPG on the highway isn't great when not towing. But the 3.92 seems to be the perfect match for that low end for off the line when towing and doesn't wind the RPM's too high on the highway when not towing.
__________________
Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
BoldAdventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2014, 12:45 PM   #6
4 Rivet Member
 
jump's Avatar
 
2004 31' Classic
lubbock , Texas
Join Date: Mar 2007
Posts: 294
1500? 2500? 3500?

Cummins? Hemi?
jump is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2014, 12:49 PM   #7
Builder of Diesel Jeeps
 
westernjeep401's Avatar
 
2014 28' International
Sedona , Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 226
Mine is a 1500 HEMI. I believe BA's is, also.
__________________
14 Serenity 28'
15 Grand Cherokee EcoD
#5261
westernjeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2014, 01:08 PM   #8
Full Time Adventurer
 
BoldAdventure's Avatar
 
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic , USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
Yup, 1500 Hemi 5.7L. I love these motors.
BoldAdventure is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-01-2014, 01:32 PM   #9
Builder of Diesel Jeeps
 
westernjeep401's Avatar
 
2014 28' International
Sedona , Arizona
Join Date: Sep 2014
Posts: 226
I remember when the 5.7 was introduced in 03; it ultimately made Wards 10 best (so did the 6.0 IH).

In the past decade underhood, I only recall one 5.7 that destroyed itself when a valve keeper failed, resulting in a dropped valve at (what I speculate) very high RPM's.

As far a Otto engines are concerned, it is balanced and capable (based on my anecdotal opinion) of at least 150k towing miles without overhaul.
__________________
14 Serenity 28'
15 Grand Cherokee EcoD
#5261
westernjeep401 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 11-04-2014, 07:23 PM   #10
Vintage Kin
 
Fort Worth , Texas
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 8,014
Images: 1
13 RAM mileage

Quote:
Originally Posted by westernjeep401 View Post
For our second trip, the average speed was 51 mph, distance 220 miles, average miles-per-gallon 13.1.



I used cruise control about 65% of the trip. Oil life reduced from 55% to 51%. The rigs pulls and handles very well.


The order of importance for FE is:

Vehicle spec

Climate

Terrain

Driver (skill, but better termed attitude, IMO)

Incorporating these tends to lend perspective. GCW, too.

Nice to see high numbers for a gasser. Was fillup at same pump?

FWIW I find that converting fuel cost to cents per mile to be the easiest way to understand long term trends.

58-mph/1,725-rpm is also my target speed. It is the highest FE speed. Up to 2k rpm is a well understood limit on a Cummins for economical operation, but from 60-mph on up the air resistance on any vehicle skyrockets. To 45 it is tire resistance (TT tires are 40% as with a tractor trailer) and from 60 it is the air. One can see why steering corrections are so important at either (and why we used to use 55 as a limit; its a heck of a sweet spot).

Trucks are geared for 55-65 operation. Not reliable above 65 due to risk

Have you changed out the antiroll bar bushings for polyurethane? KONI or Bilstein shocks another good idea.


Cummins and KW both advocate for a higher percentage of cruise control use. To deal with an aggressive CC I've learned to set it 1-2 mph lower so as to offset fuel burn in ascents in rolling terrain. MPG stays closer to that on level terrain.

Finally the easiest way to help truck aero is a bed half tonneau. From tailgat forward. Equalizes pressure on either side of tailgate. A piece of thin plywood would suffice, atop some of the gear

And although you didn't hear it from me, to keep MPG numbers highest don't fuel till at least thirty miles down the road preferably out of metro area traffic. (Best is at least fifty miles from city center to be away from regional delivery and commuters.) If your buddies filled the night before leaving home much the better. Refuel in the same way before another major metro.

While this doesn't change the annual average it sure as hell makes the highest mpg (highest mph steady state) with a pair of bragging rights fuel receipts.

Best

Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
slowmover is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
Motor Home Mileage 87MH General Motorhome Topics 220 10-20-2022 09:01 AM
Optimum gas mileage John Tow Vehicles 31 11-21-2007 10:17 AM
looking for F250 gas mileage examples 2PNPOD Our Community 12 04-19-2003 09:18 PM
Gas mileage tips evan Mechanics Corner - Engines, Transmission & More... 10 01-20-2003 03:42 AM
Mileage/Maintenance Log davidz71 Our Community 8 07-11-2002 07:23 AM


Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by the Airstream, Inc. or any of its affiliates. Airstream is a registered trademark of Airstream Inc. All rights reserved. Airstream trademark used under license to Social Knowledge LLC.



All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:27 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, Jelsoft Enterprises Ltd.