Mike E.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
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Just got back from a trip and did my obligitory MPG calculations.
Truck: '01 F350 V10 3.73 pulling 7200lb TT.
Rolling highway @ 63MPH: 6.8MPG
Rolling highway @ 63MPH w/ headwind: 8.25MPG
Mountain passes @ 63MPH(on flats): 6.9MPG
Rolling highway @ 57MPH: 10.9MPG!!!!!
Wasn't surprised with the mountain pass MPG as it's about 100 miles of steep/long climbing (Coquihalla from Kamloops to Chilliwack) with many sustained climbs @ 4000RPM - truck did great.
On the rolling hwy's I was hardly able to use OD because of my 3.73 ratio, but did when I could to lower the tranny temp.
The real shock came when I was on another rolling two lane highway with a posted speed limit of 90KM/HR (roughly 57MPH) and drove it mostly in OD. Couldn't believe when we stopped for our normal 3 hour "pee break/gas fill" when it only took half a tank. Never seen a 10.9MPG stretch before, but it shows that if you slow down it saves you a ton!!
On our next trip into the US I may try it on the Interstates and see how it goes. If I find I'm getting in the way or going nuts going so slow I may pick it up to my normal 63MPH, but I'll give it a go for sure.
Well, better go start de-bugging the front of my trailer,
Mike
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Desert Captain
Tucson
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Mike E. wrote:
Well, better go start de-bugging the front of my trailer,
Mike
Mike, get a couple of Bounce Dryer sheets and get them wet. Use these to clean the bugs off your trailer and TV. You will not believe how easy they come off, almost no rubbing at all. Trust me, this really works! 
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powderman426
ohio
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Something doesn't look right. If a read that correctly, you got better mileage with a head wind than without. Also is it possible you made an error in the translation as I usually get around 10MPG pulling a 10K trailer through all conditions. Just asking.
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Huntindog
phoenix arizona USA
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I'm gonna take a SWAG and say that your first and last legs were over the same highway. The first leaving home, and the last going home.
The first leg probably gains elevation overall, and the last loses elevation overall. It dosn't take much to have a MPG effect.
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Mike E.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
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Huntindog wrote:I'm gonna take a SWAG and say that your first and last legs were over the same highway. The first leaving home, and the last going home.
The first leg probably gains elevation overall, and the last loses elevation overall. It dosn't take much to have a MPG effect.
First/last legs shown (there were a few others that I didn't show) were in different Provinces. The first leg was on a 4 lane divided hwy with posted speed limit of 110KM/HR (roughly 70MPH), and now that I think about it did have continuous elevation gain, whereas the one with the headwind was a straight shot North to South from Edmonton to Calgary - not as many 4000RPM occurences, but a steady 3000RPM in 3rd into the wind.
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Mike E.
Pitt Meadows, British Columbia
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Desert Captain wrote:Mike E. wrote:
Well, better go start de-bugging the front of my trailer,
Mike
Mike, get a couple of Bounce Dryer sheets and get them wet. Use these to clean the bugs off your trailer and TV. You will not believe how easy they come off, almost no rubbing at all. Trust me, this really works!
Thanks for the tip - read about it here last year and was amazed at how well it works!!
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BigToe
USA
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The Carter Administration slowed the national speed limit down to 55 mph for that very reason. An observable difference in fuel economy. I notice equally dramatic mpg gains in my Prius, not towing, on flat land, both ways. I get a lot more fingers too, so I have to weigh the benefits. Fortunately, the speed limit in some states is still 55 mph when towing.
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SoCalDesertRider
SanDiego, CA, USA
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In the F350SRW can get about 1 mpg better mileage by driving 55-60 than driving 60-65. Over 65, the mileage really goes to off the deep end because the tranny doesn't have an overdrive gear.
In my diesel F350 with overdrive tranny, I don't get nearly as much mpg penalty for going 65, because of the overdrive gear.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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The one that really surprises me is your getting better mileage with a head wind then without one (and not by just a LITTLE bit)  It's pretty obvious that there is something ELSE going on to effect your mileage. That's ALSO way too much of a gain by simply slowing down 5 MPH. speed is a big vactor but not THAT big for such a slight difference.
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valhalla360
No paticular place.
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I find the difference in starting and ending elevation has more effect than the hillness. If you have lots of up and down but overall lose 2000', you will have better than average milage.
If I wind up at the same altitude, I find there is little difference from driving flat lands.
Wind can easily outweigh hills both for good and bad depending on the direction.
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