2000 Ford F-250 7.3L PSD/auto/4WD regular cab long bed w/cap on back
I have been towing a 28' SOB getting about 10.5 mpg loaded, and I get about 18 mpg hwy empty.
I have a rather heavy foot on the accelerator, so I may be able to get a mile or so better mpg if I slowed down a bit!
I have a 30' Classsic Ltd on order, so we'll have to see how that effects my mileage. I purchased my truck new 4 years ago in burgandy and silver to match the Ltd's graphics, so I can hardly wiat until my new Airstream finally arrives!
I'm especially interested in anything any of you guys may have done in the way of performance enhancements to your tow vehicles to improve your mileage (such as computer chips, etc).
The only thing I've done so far is to put a standard K&N Air Filter on, but I think that only saves me the cost of replacement filters rather than increasing my mpg.
This question seems to come up ever so often but, for the record, I'm currently getting 17 mpg, highway, non-towing, using winter-blended fuel. I know from past experience that this will go up to 18+ using summer-blended fuel. Note in my signature that this is just about the heaviest stock GMC dually available. Others, with a short bed standard cab - or even with an extended cab - and without 4-wheel drive, are reporting better mileage. My truck has just a little over 10,000 miles on the odometer as of last weekend. I haven't towed enough with it to have any data for a loaded configuration. I may experience even better mileage this summer as many have reported a significant improvement in the Duramax mileage after about 12,000 miles on the odometer. Don't ask me why!
When 6.0 Excursion was new, the fuel mileage was disapointing. I was told by many diesel owners, "MPG will increase as you get miles on the clock", it's true! I guess new diesel bearing tolerences are extreamly tight, as parts "wear-in", it sure makes a remarkable difference in performance and economy.
Over the years, I've had several new gasoline auto's but never noticed quite the swing in MPG over my ownership.
One note, I 'm impressed with overall honesty regarding MPG from this thread, we've all heard padded claims or "YOU SHOULD HAVE SEEN THAT FISH!
__________________ John Baker
1978 Argosy 30
Hensley
Excursion
Last edited by johnbaker; 03-06-2004 at 12:32 PM..
2003 Short Bed, Extended Cab GMC 2500HD, with Duramax/Allison combo, 3.73 gears.
A solo trip to Florida from Ohio and back averaged 20.2 mpg.
A towing trip with the Airstream to Florida averaged 13.5 mpg.
I usually get around 18 commuting back and forth to work on Florida fuel. A trip to Daytona Beach on the backroads, from Gainesville, plus this weeks commute netted me 19.2 MPG. I am running a pre OEM Caterpillar fuel filter, plus I use FPPF Fuel Power diesel fuel treatment. I have Mobile Delvac 1300 15W40 in the crankcase. I also changed the rear end fluid and refilled with Mobil 1 gear lube.
__________________
CP 9 miles off Exit 399, I75.
2003 GMC 2500HD 4X4 D/A Ext. Cab
Propane Powered Honda EU2000i
Lots of Hot Sauce! Air # 283
1997 Chevrolet Suburban C1500 2WD, 3:73, 5.7 Vortec
hwy not towing: 17.9mpg
city/highway not towing: 14.5mpg
towing at 55-60mph: 12.5mpg combined
I tow a 1971 Tradewind, medium load.
Originally posted by Pick 2003 Short Bed, Extended Cab GMC 2500HD, with Duramax/Allison combo, 3.73 gears.
I also changed the rear end fluid and refilled with Mobil 1 gear lube.
I also went the Synthetic gear lube route, although not so much for improved mileage, but because these Dodges tend to chew up rear ends, and I am doing whatever I can to make mine last.
Terry
1998 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins 5.9 litre 12 valve turbo diesel, LWB, 4x4, with quad cab. Based on 30,000 miles driving on the flat on east coast down I95 and in Florida in the winters:-
18 mpg solo with mixed town and highway.
17 mpg with rack, carrying 19 ft kayak on top.
14 mpg towing 6800 pound Excella 25 at 62 mph on highway, with kayak on rack also.
13 mpg towing 6800 pound Excella 25 at 70 mph on highway, with kayak on rack, also.
What a great machine! Nick.
__________________
Nick Crowhurst, Excella 25 1988, Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins Diesel. England in summer, USA in winter.
"The price of freedom is eternal maintenance."
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I am running a pre OEM Caterpillar fuel filter, plus I use FPPF Fuel Power diesel fuel treatment. I have Mobile Delvac 1300 15W40 in the crankcase. I also changed the rear end fluid and refilled with Mobil 1 gear lube.
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