RobG

Two weekends ago I took my 5th wheel toyhauler out to Sand Mountain in Nevada (from San Jose). On the way home, I topped off in Fallon and then again in Lodi. I got 11.2x mpg. This was running 60-62 mph the whole way, Hwy 50 to I-80, I-80 to I-5, I-5 to Lodi.

Yesterday, I towed my small Haulmark enclosed snowmobile trailer from Reno to San Jose. It's a 10' box with a 4' v-nose, tandem-axle (1996 model), UNLOADED, and I know from weighing it that it's 2800 lbs unloaded.

Topped off in Reno and again in Lodi. Same route, same driving style. I got 13.8 mpg.

It seems to me I should have gotten better mileage than that... I was hoping for at least mid-to-high 14's.

Unloaded, if I run the same speed, I get nearly 18 mpg. With my 800+ lb. ATV in the back, same speed, I get 16.5.

The bearings are still good. At each stop, I use my laser temp sensor to check the hub temps, and all were right around 85 deg F. Tire temps were around 90 deg (they each had 44 psi in them).

On the upside, it makes it more practical to take the 5th wheel places....

Rob

__________________
2005 Dodge RAM 3500 QC 4x4 DRW G56 3.73 SLT B&W 5er Hitch, Airbags, DiPricol Gauges, Smarty, SB CON-OFE
2006 Keystone Raptor 3814SS 5th Wheel Toyhauler
2009 Polaris Sportsman XP 850
2008 Polaris Outlaw 525 IRS
2008 Polaris Outlaw 525 S
2002 Yamaha Grizzly 660
2005 Arctic Cat M7
2008 Subaru Impreza WRX 5-door
2009 Subaru Forester 2.5X

MikeyB

What's your Smarty settings?

MikeyB

__________________
2003 2500 2wd SWB Quad Cab Laramie, 305/555, NV5600, 3.73LS, Line-X, Westach boost/EGT combo gauge, Fogzilla mod, PML diff cover, Airbox mod w/Amsoil Ea, Hurst 6spd Shift knob, Adjustable boost elbow, Toyo OC AT 285/70/17 E, Daystar 1.5" lift, Monroe Reflex, Raptor RP100, Lazarsmith Intake Horn, Headlight wiring upgrade
SMARTY/Van Aaken C3.2


2005 Dodge Magnum RT (Wife's ride)
2008 Dodge Caliber RT (Daughter's ride)
1990 HD FXSTS

RobG

With the 5er, I was on 3... with the Haulmark yesterday, I was on 5.

Rob

rich

the early g56 is like having 4;10's

__________________
SIX IN A ROW BUILT TO TOW,CUZ WELL WE ALL KNOW , HAVING A V-8 AIN'T THAT GREAT Dodge trucks that havent made life expectancy
96 3500,-175k 98.5 3500 -164k ,98.5 3500-275k, 01 3500-140k, 03 3500 -155k, 07 3500-68k waiting for possible P-Pump conversion and now I'm killing the 06,3500-116k as of 10-01-09 and counting and yes i make my trucks earn a living buy towing professionally

RobG

Yes it is, and I like it that way. It's perfectly suited to towing. I miss the 4.10's from my 2001.

But I keep it right around 1900 cruising and 2100 climbing and it works very well.

Rob

bkrukow

With my toyhauler I get at best 10. Usaly worse. With my small utility trailer with 3 atvs on it and one in the box all with huge square cargo boxes mounted on them I got around 11-12 at 70. I was a little ticked at that but there was a lot of wind drag and turbulence with that load. I wouldent be to upset with the numbers you posted. It would be nice if they where better like with the older trucks but oh well, its the price we pay for clean air I guess.

__________________
06 Patriot Blue 4x4 Laramie Mega Cab Auto
07 700 Fuel Injected Grizzly (HIS)
04 Yamaha 660 Grizzly with 48" Eagle snow plow and custom hydralic lift (Hers)
06 30' Cherokee Wolf Pack toy hauler.
http://s130.photobucket.com/albums/p241/BrandonKrukow/
Mega Cab club member 142

WestTN

Aerodynamics, not weight, is the primary factor when towing.

__________________
2001 2500 White long bed Quad Cab Sport ETH/DEE All options except 4WD, CD changer and Auto trans. Didn't want those!
144,500miles. Replaced lift pump twice. Geno's big line kit. Also replaced left license bulb. . First set of Michelins lasted 97,681 miles.

parklane

Last month I hauled my 10k 5er from Ontario to OK and back - a total of 2500 mi and got a rotten 9.6mpg. Was running 1700 -1900 rpm, that is 64 - 68mph. My trailer is 12' high, but is somewhat aero in front, so I was expecting 12 - 13 mpg. Very disappointing. I do all my own service, so everything was up to par.

__________________
if you don't like the way I drive, stay off the sidewalk

Pearl black 2006 QC 5.9,auto,4x4, homemade CAI, juice with attitude, polished 80 gal saddle tank in box.

4up

I've been trying to find the 'happy spot' towing my 12k 5er. On flat ground, I've averaged as much as 11.3 mpg at 62 - 63 mph. Problem is that I'm a little low in the RPM range and lug the engine on any type of hills. Engine seems to run happy towing my rig around 2000 - 2100 rpms, or about 70 mph, but my mileage drops one full mpg - around 10.3 - 10.5, and that's only feasible on interstate runs usually.

By the way, my truck is a bone stock 2006 QC 4x4, 3.73 gears and 48RE.

klx650a2

Yea aerodynamic drag can be huge. I have a TT that weights 6 k and towing it into a wind I can be down to 9.5 or 10. I have a dump trailer that loaded weighing 12 k, into the same wind I get 13-14.

__________________
2007.5, 2500HD, QC, Laramie, 4X4, SB, 68RFE, 3.73, Inferno red, Edge Insight w/pyro, MaxBrake, Firestone Ride-Rites and controller, Air-Zenith air compressor, EZ Change Drain plug, S&B drop in air filter, 250 watt oil pan heater, EGR unplugged.

2008 YZ450FX, matching 756's, Marcel Fournier ice tires, 320mm EBC supermoto front disk, billet fuel screw, DiD narrow x-ring chain, Ironman sprockets, Scotts SS oil filter, Dr. D pipe coming, love the SSS suspension...

rich

well you must not tow a lot cuz it may be great for mountain climbing all the time but i have had 1 truck with 4:10's and will never have another. the higher gears have always worked great but we have a higher speed limit then most states

nkennedy

I get around 11.x pulling a high profile 12K lb fifth @ 60-65 with RPMs around 1800. I wonder if a 4:10 rear end would give me better fuel milage at that speed.

__________________
01' 2500 CTD w/ 6 speed, Edge EZ, Boost Elbow, Gauges & Jacobs Exhaust Brake

rich

i have never gotten good mileage with 4;10's i got around 9 pulling 24k with 3;73's now with this g56 i get about 8 if i'm lucky pulling same weights

Grit Dog

It's one of the primary factors anyway. I've never towed heavy, but my truck which gets 18-19mpg empty at 80mph highway driving get's 13-14mpg towing my ski boat (4000#), same speed, 12-13mpg towing the new wakeboat(5000#), and 12-13mpg towing my 2 place aluminum enclosed sled trailer w/ 2 sleds (#2500 tops, but less aerodynamic).

__________________
'07 Mega, SLT, 5.9, G56, 3.73, 4x4, Bullydog Triple dog, Southbend OFE clutch

Mike_Boutet

I'd start off by airing the tires up to at least 60psi from 44psi.

__________________
2003 Silver Sport 3500 HO 6spd Laramie Dually Quad Cab 2wd 3.73LSD Line-x BedlinerJ&J StainlessBoards AccessLtd Edition Tonneau Cover Autometer Ultralite pyro/boost S&B Cold Air Intake MBRP 4" w/tip BD Exhaust Brake Polished Eagle Aluminum Rims Fast Coolers2006 34ft Mountaineer 5th wheel.