MPG's with Diesel

[Hans627]

I don't want to start a gas vs. diesel debate as both are great TV's in the right circumstances (which you get to determine). Nor do I wish to have a "my truck is better than your truck" discussion. Again all trucks these days are awesome machines.

I have a 2019 RAM 2500 with the Cummins diesel with about 4000 miles on it. We are on our way to FL from PA traveling I-95. Yesterday, driving in relatively flat NC and SC, I got 14.8 mpg driving at 65 mph and towing the AS. This was calculated manually, 302 miles divided by 20.4 gallons (the onboard computer is always more optimistic).

That's the best mpg's I've ever obtained and just wanted to share. And it made me curious about the best mpg's you've achieved when towing with a diesel TV?

[knowmercy]

When we picked up our 31' Sovereign, we towed it 90 miles home through rolling hills, winding roads, and a fair amount of stop and go. We used a 2002 Ford F350, dually and got about 13.5mpg. We got 15mpg on the way down there FWIW. I want to say the rig was fairly empty, but it did have the benefit of another layer of plywood on the floors and some damp damp fiberglass insulation. Cheers!

[JayTheCPA]

14-ish looks about right for a vehicle with 3.73's and today's commonly bio-infused fuel. If the Dodge has 4.10's, that is pretty good.

I once got ~18, but suspect that was from the first ~75 miles on the tank without the trailer.

[GOUSC]

Hi Bob,

You know my setup. 2018 2500 HD Sierra Duramax diesel / 2018 27FB Globetrotter. I have about 23,000 towing miles. Just got back from a 7,000 mile trip from NC to Texas and New Mexico. 14.5 mpg towing avg for the trip. When new, it was 13-13.5 but after break in it has been consistently in the 14-15 mpg range. I try to stay around 63-65 mph. I too have been pleased to date.

See you at Topsail!

[brokeboater]

Older truck so take that with a grain. 2006 Ram 3500, 5.9 Cummins. Pulling the AS, 25 Safari, I average 15 mpg. I get my average doing 5,000 to 7,000 mile trips, which is my norm. Yes I see better and I see worse but average is what I pay attention to. I'm admittedly a light footed driver always driving for safety and economy. Towing my 25 Arctic Fox, just a tad under 13, maybe 12.75. 15,000# fifth wheel over 17,000 miles, 10 mpg.

[n2916s]

My comparatively small Cummins diesel (5 Liter) in my Titan XD gives me an honest 14 mpg towing. Wish I had more than a 26 gallon tank...

[tjdonahoe]

Originally Posted by JayTheCPA

14-ish looks about right for a vehicle with 3.73's and today's commonly bio-infused fuel. If the Dodge has 4.10's, that is pretty good.

I once got ~18, but suspect that was from the first ~75 miles on the tank without the trailer.

......the newer rams use 3.54 gears....mine is a 17 ram 4x4......low rpm...

[moosetags]

We have a 2018 Silverado 2500 Duramax with crew cab and standard bed. This truck now has 45,000 miles on it. We tow a 2015 Flying Cloud 25FB that weighs in at 7,400# ready to camp.


We recently returned from Alaska. We covered 17,000 miles with about 75% of iy towing the Airstream. The truck has a topper and the bed was heavily loaded.


Our fuel economy for the entire trip was 13.1 MPG.


Brian

[JonDNC]

We get high 13s low 14s while towing with our new F350. Just over 5K on the truck and mileage is improving. Just did a 350 mile road trip empty and averaged 18.4 which was a pleasant surprise.

[crispyboy]

Originally Posted by tjdonahoe

......the newer rams use 3.54 gears....mine is a 17 ram 4x4......low rpm...

Diesel 3/4 ton and SRW 1 ton sere actually 3:42 gears standard from 2013 thru 2018. Gas was standard 3:73 and optional 4:10.
In 2019 they are using 3:73 gears standard on SRW. Dually trucks are a whole different ballgame.


3:54 haven't been used since before 2003.


For the past 17 years half tons have been 3:55 and 3:92


I have a 2009 CTD - strictly towing mpg dances between 11-13 depending on the heaviness of my right foot. 16-17 solo around town and up to 19.5 solo on the expressway.

[kidjedi]

I have a really hard time *going slow,* and I'm always surprised by the big difference in MPG's between going 55mph and 75mph. (But it's still so hard to go slow! )

[jlandreth]

2018 F250 CC 4WD towing 2019 30' Classic usually gets 12.5 to 12.8.

[KK4YZ]

2019 F350 CC 4x4 SRW towing a 28’ FC: 13-14 MPG. Includes mountains in NC, VA and PA.
Solo on the highway I’ve seen 20+. (Pretty flat and taking it easy).
Truck is still new: 3300 miles.

[blkmagikca]

In 2011 when I acquired my rig (1999 Dodge 2500 1st gen 24-valve 5.9-liter Cummins diesel w/ club cab and 1987 AS Excella) I calculated fuel consumption travelling at 55 mph on flat land at 16.9 mpg. Since I now tow at 60 mph, I have no idea what my current consumption is. When acquired odo reading was 55,000 miles; current odo reading is 220,000 miles.

[InsideOut]

I towed our 1956 Safari with my 2013 Porsche Diesel Cayenne on a 5,000 mile trip through all kinds of terrain and got between 19-22 mpg. Closer to 28-30 mpg when not towing...even up and down the mountains here in CO.

Shari

[StuartsDad]

2014 F250 PS 4x4 w/40,000 miles pulling 28' Flying Cloud. 12.5 -13.0 towing at 60-65mph. 17.5 not towing.

[mkcurtiss]

FWIW, i have a 2018 gas Tahoe and get 14mpg towing my 26' Overlander ....as much as 25 mpg not towing.....oh and its a rocket.......oh and no turbo stressing out eveything....just smooth natural v-8 power.....and I am not paying big money for Diesel or dealing with all the maintenance nightmares of a diesel......and dont get me wrong, I love diesels, but they are just a novelty today.....

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by GOUSC

Hi Bob,

You know my setup. 2018 2500 HD Sierra Duramax diesel / 2018 27FB Globetrotter. I have about 23,000 towing miles. Just got back from a 7,000 mile trip from NC to Texas and New Mexico. 14.5 mpg towing avg for the trip. When new, it was 13-13.5 but after break in it has been consistently in the 14-15 mpg range. I try to stay around 63-65 mph. I too have been pleased to date.

See you at Topsail!

Hi Jim,

Thanks for the feedback. Looking forward to seeing you at the Canopener!

Bob

[Hans627]

Originally Posted by mkcurtiss

FWIW, i have a 2018 gas Tahoe and get 14mpg towing my 26' Overlander ....as much as 25 mpg not towing.....oh and its a rocket.......oh and no turbo stressing out eveything....just smooth natural v-8 power.....and I am not paying big money for Diesel or dealing with all the maintenance nightmares of a diesel......and dont get me wrong, I love diesels, but they are just a novelty today.....

You are absolutely correct that a aspirated V8 is about as smooth as it gets. And all the engines today, gas or diesel, achieve power only dreamed of decades ago.

But like I said in my OP there is a place for both diesel and gasoline power plants. While diesel may be a novelty to some it is a work horse for others, and to yet others, a luxury. I'm in the latter category.

When we cruising along the interstate at 65 mph and the engine is quietly cranking at 1500 rpms for mile after mile, I actually said to my dear wife, "Isn't it great to have such a wonderful machine. To ride in comfort, listening to music, temperature controlled, and towing our AS! We are so fortunate in so many ways!"

[Michael Anna]

Our 2018 RAM did 15 MPG returning from Pensacola last week with a favorable tailwind and keeping speed between 60 and 65 MPH. We have been averaging between 14 and 15 MPG over the 2,000 miles logged these year.