Author Topic: Fuel mileage on your tow rig (Read 24829 times)

yota pu/runner · « **on:** Sep 25, 2009, 08:03:18 AM »

Well I'm thinking about buying a truck but I'm not sure exactly what I even want to look at. I have really been thinking about a diesel but I'm not real sure. If I go with a diesel I think I would prefer to stay with the Dodge cummins but I am not closing anything off just yet.

What I am looking for is some information from any of you guys that drive full size rigs everyday and what kind of mileage you are getting out of them.

I'm not looking for a new truck it would be an older one and I know some of you guys on here are running the older cummins motors and I want to know what you like and don't like about them.

I found a 93 Dodge diesel ext cab 4x4 here local but it doesn't look all that great. I am just looking to see if you guys have any opinions on some of these older trucks.

Any feed back I will really appreciate it and I will be using this info to let my wife see that it is a good deal.

Thanks.

Hottrod81 · « **Reply #1 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 09:30:59 PM »

First you need to decide what you want to spend. If I was you, I would look for a Ford Super
Duty with a 7.3L. That is a solid combo. The Cummins is the best engine, but the dodge truck sucks.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #2 on:** Sep 25, 2009, 11:47:14 PM »

i have a few friends with the early 90's dodge with the cummins. they said they'll get up to 20 mpg without towing and not much less like 18 mpg towing. thats what im gonna buy when i can.

oh i get 10.5 mpg towing with my 99 2wd tahoe

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #3 on:** Sep 26, 2009, 09:23:17 AM »

Yeah I haven't really made up my mind of what I am wanting to do. I do that I have been leaning towards the older Dodge diesels or the older Chevy duallys. I'm just not sure if I would really use the diesel to its peak performance but the mileage will beat out the chevy dually any day.

I know the Dodge trucks aren't as comfortable as any of the others but I have kind of ruled out a Ford at this time I think. There is nothing against those you that have them I just don't really care for the looks of them and if I go with 4 wheel drive I have to deal with finding one that doesn't have the ttb.

Thanks for the info so far guys.

Steve_925 does your Tahoe have the 5.7 vortec? Are you planning on going to a truck later or just keeping the Tahoe?

*FFC* · « **Reply #4 on:** Sep 27, 2009, 09:00:00 PM »

Short & to the point

'96 Ford F-250 Powerstroke Turbo Diesel: 16mpg towing or not towing.

TIMS89CRAWLER · « **Reply #5 on:** Sep 27, 2009, 09:04:46 PM »

I have a 92 dodge with the 6BT cummins w/ banks powerpack and my pump turned up running a 5" stack... I get 20-22 in not towing and at least 16 towing to the mountains.... I have had my truck 5 years and it has 205,000 on it and I have done nothing but put a starter in it and new tires on it in my 75,000 miles of me driving it.... I have taken it all over the country and it has never let me down.... I would not buy a diesel of any sort with any motor but a cummins... just my

Steve_925 · « **Reply #6 on:** Sep 27, 2009, 10:20:58 PM »

ya it has the 5.7, as soon as i can im gonna buy an early 90's dodge.

David · « **Reply #7 on:** Sep 29, 2009, 11:11:50 AM »

Mine: 2001 Dodge diesel, 6 spd., chipped, 20-23 not towing, 17 at least towing, mucho power.

8485runner · « **Reply #8 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 09:55:09 AM »

I have a 2001 Dodge 2500 4x4 w/ Cummins. I average 19-20 mpg in town empty. 23-24 mpg on highway empty and 18mpg towing my 4runner! Love the Cummins!

I have the edge w/ attitude, air intake, and 5" exhaust

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #9 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 12:41:06 PM »

It seems like most guys are running a diesel. I will have to say I do like the cummins though. My boss has an 07 cummins 6 spd and I love to drive it.

I am curious if anyone has a Chevy 454 and what kind of mileage they get. I would expect around 15 empty and 8-10 loaded. Does anyone know this for sure.

I just don't know if I am completely sold on a diesel I guess. I really don't do a bunch of towing and I have never worked on a diesel in my life. But with a gas motor I would feel a little more comfortable with it I think.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #10 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 02:37:10 PM »

jud tows with a 454. i would say it probable get more like 10-12 around town and 8-10 towing

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #11 on:** Sep 30, 2009, 05:00:39 PM »

That's not as bad as I thought. What year is his truck? Is it a dually?

*FFC* · « **Reply #12 on:** Oct 01, 2009, 06:15:13 AM »

Quote from: steve_925 on Sep 30, 2009, 02:37:10 PM

jud tows with a 454. i would say it probable get more like 10-12 around town and 8-10 towing

That sounds about right. $Beer Chug\'n$

8485runner · « **Reply #13 on:** Oct 01, 2009, 08:13:53 AM »

real trucks don't have spark plugs! Lol!

mattlosch · « **Reply #14 on:** Oct 01, 2009, 08:42:11 PM »

i have a 2006 dodge cummins. 21-23 not towing, 17-18 towing...
its making a 488whp and 1092wtq, runs a mid 13 and does sled pulls, and gets beaten on daily...and has never let me stranded...

mattlosch · « **Reply #15 on:** Oct 01, 2009, 08:43:58 PM »

hippies..

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #16 on:** Oct 02, 2009, 10:13:44 AM »

What is everyones opinion on a 97 GMC dually with the 454 and 150000 miles 2wd. Its in decent condition but needs some minor cosmetic work. I know it wont have the pulling power of a diesel but for the price its hard to beat $3000. What do you guys think?

8485runner · « **Reply #17 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 08:40:10 AM »

doesn't sound like a bad deal. Just remember it wont pass a gas station!!

TIMS89CRAWLER · « **Reply #18 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 09:31:43 AM »

Quote from: yota pu/runner on Oct 02, 2009, 10:13:44 AM

What is everyones opinion on a 97 GMC dually with the 454 and 150000 miles 2wd. Its in decent condition but needs some minor cosmetic work. I know it wont have the pulling power of a diesel but for the price its hard to beat $3000. What do you guys think?

you can get an older cummins for around 3000 why would you want a gas guzzling un-dependable chevy to tow with? I would save your 3 grand and find yourself an older dodge with the cummins

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #19 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 10:59:49 AM »

I know a diesel would be a better buy but I need to have the back seat as I have two kids. I also don't tow a lot but will be towing a travel trailer in the future. The truck will really be used mainly as a dd. But I guess a diesel will get better mileage.

TIMS89CRAWLER · « **Reply #20 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 12:17:18 PM »

not only will a diesel get better milage but its soooo much more dependable! thats the biggest thing with me is I like having a rig that will run! just find an older dodge diesel with a back seat!

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #21 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 01:35:12 PM »

On the older Dodge diesels those of you that have the automatics how do you like them? I have read alot about the cummins set ups and it seems like the automatics just dont really hold up. What are your guys opinions on them. Me personally I think I would prefer to buy a manual but they are hard to find.

8485runner · « **Reply #22 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 02:12:31 PM »

My 01 is an auto, has 163,000 miles on it. Ive had to put a torque converter in it but other than that no problems yet!

The manuals are hard to find!

yota pu/runner · « **Reply #23 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 02:39:54 PM »

yeah you're telling me they're hard to find. I did find a first gen Dodge dually with an auto, but the overdrive isn't working, but he said it still shifts smooth and doesn't jump between gears. I am stilling doing some research on it but it seems like it could be a few different things wrong with it. the guy is asking $4800 and it needs some cosmetic work but doesn't seem to bad.

BikerTrash · « **Reply #24 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 05:33:54 PM »

Towing my 4runner on a 20 foot carhauller my 87 GMC R30 with the sm465 got 6.5-7 mg towing and 10ish unloaded.

My 04 f150 with the 4.6, and 3.73 gears gets 17.69 mpg average for the last three months with only a little light towing (mowers and stuff) It is hard to see exactly what my towing MPG average was since I cant narrow down to just those fillups with this program but my minimum mpg with the truck ever was 9.27 and bouncing up to what looks to be 10.5-11. lets jsut say 10 mpg towing. Going up to Hotsprings this weekend wil be able to get better numbers for towing then.

I like this app on my I phone but I am glad I did not have ti when I had my Dakota... that probably would have just been depressing.

I love my f-150... but sometimes I wish i had bought a cummins and slid it in the gmc.

EDIT:10/12/09
Ok Just got back from hotsprings:

Towing north I was doing 75 mph and averaged 9.5 mpg.

Coming back south we were traveling as a club doing 65 and I got 10.9

TheCookieMonster · « **Reply #25 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 06:07:00 PM »

ive got a 93 dodge ext. cab manual with the cummins and its a really good truck. its got 275,000 and still running strong. i get around 20 mpg unloaded and 17-18 towing. i have had to replace a few things but with those kind of miles any truck is going to need stuff replaced. havent had a single problem with the motor though besides starter and alternator

Thomas P · « **Reply #26 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 10:59:12 PM »

I have an 07 tundra 5.7 all stock, I towed my crawler from Magalia ca to the rubicon and I averaged 14.7 MPG round trip with lots of hill climbs........

axled89 · « **Reply #27 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 11:06:04 PM »

hey thomas has does that thing pull. pretty good???

Thomas P · « **Reply #28 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 11:28:32 PM »

yeah it gets it really good, and the brakes are the

, they never heated up and my trailer brakes werent hooked up either

axled89 · « **Reply #29 on:** Oct 05, 2009, 11:35:18 PM »

yea! when i get back to work i was thinking that is what i was going to buy.

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