up2nogood wrote: As far as consistent that doesn't exsist under towing or traveling conditions head winds, speed, mountains etc,at least where I travel in the western states. I would think 2-3 miles per gallon would be more like it depending on conditions.
I guess if you were on flat highway with no wind or whatever and kept your speed exact no slowing down and having to speed up you might see a couple tenths difference.
You might be surprised especially for the 7.3L PSD. I've towed all over the U.S. from just outside of D.C. to San Diego and up to Stockton, Ca. over the Cascades on I-80 thru Wy back east on I-80/I-70 with several trips down I-95 to Fla. (800 miles each way two trips), with multiple round trips to State College, Pa. (355 miles RT between fuel stops close to 50 RTs) and to Chicago, Il. (900 miles one way, 6 RTs and always over the Cumberland Mtns on I-68) and have never seen more than a 1 mpg delta due to mtns and or headwinds. I do tow at a consistent speed and drive in the mtns the same whether its the Cascades, Rockies, Cumberland, or the Pa. "Large Hills". I always fill up to the cap for consistency and always travel 50 to 60 miles after filling up and keep track of where I filled up.
Larry
I wish I could agree, but I can't. I also tow with a 7.3, and if a head wind is getting me there will be no 1 mile difference. I have been between Cheyenne and Evanston Wyoming with a head wind. I will guarantee you that I have lost more than 1 mile per gal.When the wind is strong enough that the truck will not shift into overdrive you are pushing pretty hard, granted a 5ver probably has more wind resistance than a TT .
Yes the biggest headwinds I faced was in Ut/Wy/and SD, but I measured the mpgs and they weren't that inconsistent, but it sounds like you have never actually done a careful mpg calculation and would recommend it as it might be enlightening. I'm grossing around 16K on a 20K rated tow vehicle and have the 4.10s and even have the under powered E-350.
Now with a gasser I can see a hugh variance in mpgs, but not that much with the diesel and it's flatter torque curve.
I guess we will just have to agree to disagree, but with would help your position to have actual numbers and not just feelings/guesses and I still say your 2 to 3 mpg loss is way out of the ball park for a diesel properly used.
Larry
2001 standard box 7.3L E-350 PSD Van with 4.10 rear and 2007 Holiday Rambler Aluma-Lite 8306S Been RV'ing since 1974. TRAILER MODS
I'm one that doesn't check either. However on our last trip I did and after seeing what I was getting I'm not checking ever again. Almost made me sick to my stomach.
Very Patient Wife
Two Kids (12 & 4)
2008 Jayco Eagle Super Lite 29.5 RLS
2003 Dodge Ram 3500 DRW Laramie Quad Cab V10 3.73gears
Prodigy Brakecontroller
Second tought, I also found that if you fuel up at a station that has the pumps jazzed by a certain amount that will effect the mileage calcultion and then I think I am really doing good when I get an honest tank full. I have found this more on gas than diesel.
When I can pump all the gallons the tank is supposed to hold in and started with 1/8 tank, that don't compute.
So you gotta be careful on random milege checks, or at least I do.
I don't know what I get city/hwy, but I know it is a lot of $$$$$.
I do know, and care, that I get between 8 - 10 mpg towing - so I can plan how many fuel stops I will have.
DD(14) has a dream of eating at every Cracker Barrel in the USA. She is at about 10 of 577 so far! I am more than happy to go on as many trips as possible to help her reach her dream So, when possible, I plan fuel stops around the CB's.
David
Camping Mode = Sisters stop acting like sister and become best friends when we camp..."They are in Camping Mode"
2007 Cougar 281BHS
2007 Chevy 2500HD
Me, DW and (2)DD
ALL the animals stay home!
I know how bad my MPG is so I can estimate costs for trips.
But the truck is payed for so replacement does'nt make sense based on annual savings. We really have idea where gas prices are going so....?
My next tow vehicle may be fueled by something other then what is currently available.
hi all, I ck my mpg each fill up, not obsessed, but it can be a great indicator that something may be happining if it were to change much, anyway just another pov
DaveRobin wrote: My usual response to that "what's it get" question is about every fourth gas station.
I didn't buy for economy, I bought it for what the truck and we do. Some get it, some don't. Don't care.
IMHO you're half right. I did buy mine for better mpg, performance, and towing range and it gets what it gets, but I want to know if things change since there is usually a reason that I want to understand so that's as I've said I keep careful records. Again IMHO I have the best towing engine ever put in a full sized Van and want it to last as long as possible so simply taking a few extra seconds or even minutes to keep good records just makes $$$$ sense to me.
Online
Offline
So, when possible, I plan fuel stops around the CB's.
