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Old 04-19-2016, 10:38 PM   #161
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We finished our first cross-country 3,000 miles AZ to OH to MN today. The EcoDiesel continues to perform flawlessly. Plenty of power, absolutely rock-solid on the highway which is ensured by the ProPride hitch, never any pitching or porpoising but a very smooth and relaxing ride. Can't say enough about the 8-spd transmission climbing and descending grades with ease. Fuel economy is surprising, we can count on 15-17 mpg towing 63-65 mph depending on grades and wind, and 27-30 mpg highway solo.

What a great towing combination for a mid-size Airstream.

We had a great service visit at Jackson Center this past week. Checked and resealed some of our roof vents, 27 point inspection which is quite thorough resulting in a couple of minor faults being repaired, wheel bearing runout and brake inspection and tires rotated, installed new PD4655 converter/charger, put on complete set of stainless steel hatches/accesses, reinforced our entry step attachments with a steel angle welded on, and replaced the fresh water tank which I foolishly over-pressurized and broke while filling.

All nicely done. One of the things I really like about Jackson Center Service is how they start by introducing you to your service tech and allow you to explain to him what your issues are. Then he stays in contact with you by phone or person and keeps you updated as the work progresses. At the end he goes over all the work performed at the trailer.

Then you get to pay your bill and head down the road. Once started all work proceeded until done, parts and skills to do the job readily at hand. Love it.
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Old 04-20-2016, 04:47 AM   #162
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2014 RAM 1500 EcoDIESEL has arrived!

And I think you helped a fellow traveller fix his water heater door. Thank you. Jim


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Old 04-20-2016, 06:20 AM   #163
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Good to meet you Jim Flower. As well as your Jeep GC Ecodiesel and 30' Airstream combination delivering about 17 mpg towing.

Actually it was the good tech's at Airstream Service who readily offered a hand to Jim and his water heater door to get him on his way. I just introduced him to them.
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Old 04-20-2016, 06:51 AM   #164
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I would love a newer diesel truck.l But $50,000 range is out of the question for us.
I read that the eco diesel for towing gets mileage like stated here;
"Coming back pulling 5500 lbs and running 65, i got between 11 and 12 mpg. When i slowed to 55-60 mph, i got 14-15mpg. Running over 70 mph, truck seemed to labor a little, but worked well at 65mph. Took some time to get used to all the shifting between 5th, 6th and 7th. I was very impressed with ride after spending 14 hours behind the wheel each day"

My 06 Expedition 5.4 v8 gets similar mileage towing our 4000+ Overlander. And 18mpg when not towing on the highway. Guess I will keep it for awhile.
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Old 04-20-2016, 02:29 PM   #165
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Alan

Just made trip to Fargo and back home (not towing), 65 mph, some wind, 28 mpg.

First-hand report on 8-spd transmission and 3.92 axles when towing our loaded FC 25; there was virtually no hunting for gears on highway travel, it selected the one it needed and stayed there. When a change in grade required a lower gear the difference between gears is close ratio, you hardly notice the change. Only on the steeper grades was there large change of gearing, as needed for ascending and descending the grades.
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Old 04-21-2016, 05:12 AM   #166
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truck sounds great. As a former Jeep sales manager I would love a diesel GC. IN the 90's the GC Jeep was my #1 vehicle to drive though I often took a Wrangler home.
Been a Ford guy since enjoying years of great service from an Excursion. Hope to continue to get similar experience from my Expedition. Had it a year and a few months, and its cost me some pretty strong maintenance money.
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Old 04-21-2016, 07:30 AM   #167
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Alan, I am also uneasy about future maintenance costs of these newer diesel engines. Still considering extended warranty options beyond the factory 5 year/100,000 drive train warranty. Maybe as a former sales manager you have some thoughts on these?

I like the simplicity of your Expedition V8 and wish we had its full independent suspension. We wanted a new vehicle and couldn't deal on any of the larger SUV's, dealerships had only a few in stock and over 200 pickups. We bought the truck and it's worked out really well, we love it.
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Old 05-07-2016, 02:08 PM   #168
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2014 RAM 1500 EcoDIESEL has arrived!

Quote:
Originally Posted by dkottum View Post
Alan, I am also uneasy about future maintenance costs of these newer diesel engines. Still considering extended warranty options beyond the factory 5 year/100,000 drive train warranty. Maybe as a former sales manager you have some thoughts on these?

I like the simplicity of your Expedition V8 and wish we had its full independent suspension. We wanted a new vehicle and couldn't deal on any of the larger SUV's, dealerships had only a few in stock and over 200 pickups. We bought the truck and it's worked out really well, we love it.

Can't say about extended warranty, but records which reflect full expense as a cents-per-mile of operation is a good idea. If there is an end period (time or miles) then all the more so.

The business approach is what you're asking, I think. Thus, an end to ownership at what number of miles (prior to trans rebuild) is what I would plan. Age won't factor in with this concern.

As an aside, it's too bad the guys on the 1500 forum aren't well versed in understanding fuel economy. Kenworth and Cummins both have white papers in pdf form. Factors are, truck spec first (not enough difference across model line), next are climate and terrain.

Tops numbers are the best in terms of analysis. Posted here, not just there.

Travel speed with cruise control use highest makes the best baseline.

From 55 to 65 know the percentage drop in mpg. Above 65 is contraindicated for braking and handling, not just aero resistance.

Think on those (climate, terrain) as percentage of operation (total miles). If one lives in northern Minnesota and travels the American and Canadian Rockies heavily, followed by desert mountains, etc, then the wear per mile is higher.

If one is essentially in mid America with vacation trips all over, I wouldn't sweat it up to hopefully 150k miles.

An Airstream just isn't much of a burden. Load the trailer, not the truck, overall.

I prefer to always use the block heater when departure time is known. Same for a winter front up to 41F. I use a grille block (less effective) up to the high fifties. One does not ever want the thermostat to open prematurely. So, the four piece grille block is reduced to the two upper pieces below A/C weather on my Cummins (huge radiator). That's on flat land.

Reduce warm up time to minimum and avoid any heat spikes, is sort of the mantra. Diesels live longest when duty is often 60% of rated load. Necessary to keep them healthy. Assume that they love to work. They do.

Establish best habits and watch for 10% change. Must have full records to note this. And then be able to factor out trailer, hitch lash, etc. The thread from a few years back with Boondockdad and finding "hitch problems?" is an excellent example of knowing of where to look. It wasn't straightforward. (Turned out to tire break in).
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Old 07-15-2016, 12:45 PM   #169
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Two year update.

Hey y'all!

Just wanted to post a two year update.

I currently have about 42,700 miles on the truck. It continues to be a super machine for my needs. No issues so far.

It is great to be able to tow 7,000lbs and return 15 MPG while also getting an average of 24 MPG solo.
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Old 07-15-2016, 10:22 PM   #170
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Hi, your fuel mileage is fantastic.
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Old 07-16-2016, 05:11 AM   #171
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Always nice to get feedback and updates. Thanks.
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:53 AM   #172
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Agreed - just helped a new Airstream owner tow his Interstate 25 from Pennsylvania to Florida with my EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee Summit, towed like a dream averaging 17mpg & 70mph.

Great engine indeed!
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Old 06-21-2017, 09:54 AM   #173
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Agreed - just helped a new Airstream owner tow his Interstate 25 from Pennsylvania to Florida with my EcoDiesel Grand Cherokee Summit, towed like a dream averaging 19mpg & 70mph.

Great engine indeed!
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Old 10-23-2018, 07:35 PM   #174
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If anyone reading or following is interested, this truck is for sale. Awesome tow vehicle.
We ordered a new Sequoia, so if anyone is interested in this beautiful truck, let me know.
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