The Ultimate MPG thread.
Member
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 65
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slowtrucker, I think most people on here understand what you are saying. Most on this post are not trailer haulers. We are talking, use the truck as a car, or some take it really personal and treat the truck like family. MPG is a huge issue for us truck/car people. So we compare mpg with the various styles.
Junior Member
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 10
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I have been watching this thread with interest and dismay for a while.
I finally realized that almost ALL the higher mileage reports were from folks I am sure did not do very much towing and drive slowly. I can get fairly high numbers, just not as high as I have seen reported very frequently. I do get better numbers when forced to cruise slowly without my appendage (enclosed cargo trailer - 7x7x14) attached, but that does not happen very often. I also noted that a lot were from smaller engines than mine and quite a few of those were NOT 4x4's. This actually speaks directly to and of the lack of fuel economy numbers for the SD class truck. Different utilizations will always give different economy results.
I tend to get between 17.4 and 19.6, unloaded. When the appendage is attached the numbers vary between 7.6 (at ~80mph) to 11 (at ~60 mph) but don't seem to vary much according to how heavily the trailer is loaded. My lifetime average is just over 12mpg, but I have towed for a full 1/3 of the trucks 18,000 miles.
In short this thread is beginning to look to me like a 'feel good' thread rather than something I might be able to use as a basis for planning.
I finally realized that almost ALL the higher mileage reports were from folks I am sure did not do very much towing and drive slowly. I can get fairly high numbers, just not as high as I have seen reported very frequently. I do get better numbers when forced to cruise slowly without my appendage (enclosed cargo trailer - 7x7x14) attached, but that does not happen very often. I also noted that a lot were from smaller engines than mine and quite a few of those were NOT 4x4's. This actually speaks directly to and of the lack of fuel economy numbers for the SD class truck. Different utilizations will always give different economy results.
I tend to get between 17.4 and 19.6, unloaded. When the appendage is attached the numbers vary between 7.6 (at ~80mph) to 11 (at ~60 mph) but don't seem to vary much according to how heavily the trailer is loaded. My lifetime average is just over 12mpg, but I have towed for a full 1/3 of the trucks 18,000 miles.
In short this thread is beginning to look to me like a 'feel good' thread rather than something I might be able to use as a basis for planning.
Last edited by Jean-Claude Van Damm; Jun 4, 2018 at 09:28 AM.
Senior Member
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 370
Likes: 188
From: SW Florida
I drive conservatively towing or not, and always expect to get at or near the advertised MPG. I always expect and generally see MPG increase as the engine breaks in. My last Cummins diesel didn't really start to improve until around the 10k mark.
So now I'm breaking in a 2.7. I've got about 350 miles on it and according to the on board data it's averaging around 22 MPG. I'll expect that to improve, but so far, I'm impressed with the little engine. The truck has spirited acceleration and is graveyard quiet in the cab ( compared to my last 2 diesel trucks).
I topped off the dealer fill at about 200 miles, so I'll hand calculate from here on out and track on Fuelly.
'18 Scab 4x4, 2.7
So now I'm breaking in a 2.7. I've got about 350 miles on it and according to the on board data it's averaging around 22 MPG. I'll expect that to improve, but so far, I'm impressed with the little engine. The truck has spirited acceleration and is graveyard quiet in the cab ( compared to my last 2 diesel trucks).
I topped off the dealer fill at about 200 miles, so I'll hand calculate from here on out and track on Fuelly.
'18 Scab 4x4, 2.7
Last edited by RickC137; Jun 4, 2018 at 01:15 PM.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2017
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slowtrucker, I think most people on here understand what you are saying. Most on this post are not trailer haulers. We are talking, use the truck as a car, or some take it really personal and treat the truck like family. MPG is a huge issue for us truck/car people. So we compare mpg with the various styles.
I have my truck for truck stuff and am pleased that when I don't have the appendage attached, I get better mileage than the '09 Expedition I came out of. Oh well, different strokes.
Definitely agree, however, even your miliage sounds good. I'm running a 2010 F150 4x4 supercab with 373 gears and the 4.6l engine. I don't drive with a lead foot, I don't tow, ever, took the spare tire out as well. I am averaging only 13 mpg. No idea how any of you are getting in the 18-20 Range???? My numbers are real numbers from fill ups and trip readings. The best I've ever had was 14.8 driving hwy for 3/4 tank at about 65-70 mph. Could it be that the 373 gears make that much of a difference over the 331?
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 75
From: Kansas
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 197
Likes: 17
From: Texas
I have a 4.6L, 2V, V8 with 195,000 miles.
I really don't worry too much about mpg since I bought my truck (used) for the purpose of utility work. I try to drive it once a week if I don't have chores for it and I get about 14-15 mpg. I expected that and even though I keep check tire pressure, and changed all the mpg affected items such as plugs and fuel filter I don't expect my mpg to ever approach 18 mpg.
I use my other vehicles for fuel efficiency.
I really don't worry too much about mpg since I bought my truck (used) for the purpose of utility work. I try to drive it once a week if I don't have chores for it and I get about 14-15 mpg. I expected that and even though I keep check tire pressure, and changed all the mpg affected items such as plugs and fuel filter I don't expect my mpg to ever approach 18 mpg.
I use my other vehicles for fuel efficiency.
5 Year Member
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 701
Likes: 75
From: Kansas
Final report on my trip from KS. to Ohio to Wisconsin. Truck says,17.3; hand figured 17.23. That includes 644 miles of towing. Highest reading was 22.8, lowest was 11.6.
Renaissance Honky
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 1,083
Likes: 156
From: Mound, MN
Definitely agree, however, even your miliage sounds good. I'm running a 2010 F150 4x4 supercab with 373 gears and the 4.6l engine. I don't drive with a lead foot, I don't tow, ever, took the spare tire out as well. I am averaging only 13 mpg. No idea how any of you are getting in the 18-20 Range???? My numbers are real numbers from fill ups and trip readings. The best I've ever had was 14.8 driving hwy for 3/4 tank at about 65-70 mph. Could it be that the 373 gears make that much of a difference over the 331?
3.73 on a 4.6 would be about like a 3.31 on a 5.4. Still a bit stiff for the engine. Does the 6-speed trans in that '10 seem like it's programmed well? Good torque converter lockup?
How's your maintenance?
Junior Member
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 12
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From: Little Rock, Arkansas
New motor-worse mpg
Just replaced the 5.4 on my 04 lariat. My original motor finally quit at 220,000 miles. I ended up going with a Jasper replacement...now i believe i am getting worse mileage than my previous higj mileage motor...mpgs are ranging between 9.6-10.4 mpg.
