I have a brand new Dodge Quad Cab, SLT, Bighorn package, 48RE with only 350 miles on it. I have the 34 gal fuel tank and have not refueled yet to hand check the mileage. When I drove it off the lot, the overhead meter was showing 12 MPG. I was not happy and very skeptical at the time. After 300+ miles (still 1/2 tank left) the overhead meter is showing between 21-22 MPG at 65 MPH on the freeway. This is in the Phoenix, AZ heat though. I feel very fortuneate to be making this kind of mileage with a full-size truck. This is even better than what my Toyota was making!!!

 

Just for reference, my '05 averages about 18.5MPG at 70MPH. Best tank was 20.009 at 65-70MPH. Last long trip was set at 68MPH the whole way, no stopping entire tank, 19.33MPG and that was mostly downhill. I was a little disappointed, but overall still fairly pleased with my mileage. Average over 20K since owned: 14.97. That includes a few thousand miles of towing through the mountains, and lots of busy traffic with occasional unrestrained GO PEDAL usage.

 

of topic, but jeepdude I see you have the rapid hitch. what do you think of it? do I need to go with the long one, or will the standard work? thanks

 

I went with the standard one. I was going to get the long one, but I'm glad I didn't. For my boat I ended up raising it to the top notch, and my other trailers are fine with one up from the bottom. Even once I go to 305 tires there should be enough room to adjust to the right level. I don't think you need the extended version unless you have your truck lifted. Also, the extended version would hang down further and be more likely to catch on bumps or steep breakover angles. As it is, I've already scraped mine a time or two... no damage, just a little scratched. Keep in mind most people don't drive where I drive in their $45k trucks. BTW, I get lots of compliments on that hitch, even when it's caked in dirt. It didn't help my mileage much, though.

 

Firstly, Howdy to all, being that this is my first post.
I have a 2005 3500 LWB DRW 4X4 QC 4.10 6SPD and am getting 11 MPG empty. This is at 65- 70 MPH. I have had a 1997 and 2003 before getting the 2005 all of them 4X4 1 ton and have not changed my driving habits. The 1997 avg 19 MPG and the 2003 avg 21 MPG so you can imagine my distain at getting 11 MPG with the 2005. Took it to the dealer today and after they plugged the computer in they told me that I used 15 gallons of fuel idling her. I only have 1300 miles on her. I have never idled my trucks for any length of time. It calculates that in 3 weeks I have idled her for 25 hours. So far I have used my truck to work and back which has 2 stop streets to idle at and 11 miles each way. 2 short trips that averaged 300 miles so I am in no way able to have accumilated 25 hours of idling. They agreed that I am getting 11 MPG and suggest I just monitor some more. They checked for the reflash but was not applicable for my man. date. I have checked for a leak but have found none. Would anyone have any suggestions?
Thanks Wicked

 

I'm getting around 18 right now. The overhead has always read 1-2 mpg higher than my hand calculations. I drive a lot of short trips which really doesn't help milage

 

I only have 800 miles, but the first tank, combined highway/back road was hand calc'd @ 15.89. Second tank towing 8600 lbs from central jersey (flat) to Pa mountains was 11.4. 3rd tank towing the same weight and coming "down" the mountains back to jersey was 13.6. All towing speeds were 60-65 (sometimes it creeps up to 70 on it's own, too much power I guess :-)) . I agree overhead reads between 1-2 MPG high so far (is there away to calibrate it??). My 95 F250 460 gasser did 7/8.5 on the exact same trip from NJ to Pa with the same load (but could not hold speeds in the hills, so direct comparison is impossible). So far, I'm pretty happy since there is no way it is broken in. If I can eventually get anywhere near 15 on that same trip, I'll be exstatic............

 

I picked mine truck Feb 3. First couple tanks between 15 and 16. Now I have been towing and also have logged 7300 miles and I am holding 18 pretty conistently. I can get 20 if I do not go above 50 mph. I use mmo/powerservice mix, have straight pipe, Moore intake tube and a true flo drop in. In th past week I have noticed a lot more mid-range power between 1500 and 2000 rpms, hope that will bring up my mileage some too. Don't sweat it and tow as much as you can, because only break in and time on the motor will help, as what I noticed.

 

I don't see your mileage as that bad. I have just over 2,000 miles on it so she isn't even close to being broke in yet. I am getting 18mpg highway at 65-70 MPH once I get up to about 70-75mph my milage drops quite a bit about 16mpg. Towing a 5,000 trailer 65mph (which is just a tease to the truck) I am getting about 16mpg

 

Guys,

I just don't understand how some of you are getting the mileage you claim on your vehicles with less mileage than mine (just at 10,500) and appear to drive yours harder than I drive mine. I am rarely going over 60 during my daily commute, I tow at 60-65 and generally baby the crap out of the truck to try and maximize the fuel economy.

My weekly mileage currently is 15-16 MPG and when towing my 6500-7000 pound travel trailer I am getting around 11-12 MPG. I have an '05 that is entirely stock in regards to engine, exhaust, transmission, etc. You guys will have to help me with this one because I just don't understand why my mileage seems, in comparison to most of yours, to be so BAD!

When can I expect engine break-in? Is there some magical number? I've logged probably 2000 towing miles, I would have thought that might have helped expedite the process but it must not have.

Thanks

Jason

 

Dont feel too bad
I have 3400 mi. on the truck.
I have towed once with it, I have driven it easy, I have driven it hard
Highway and city use.
Best I got was 15 on a 400 mi. run (empty) at 74 mph
Around town I get 12.86 - 13.28 mpg
I put on the AFE stage 2 this weekend .
We'll see
I have a 2400 mile trip comming up this week.

I hope it gets better

 

I track all the fuel going into my truck. My max MPG is 21.6. Pure city, no HWY, I get 16ish. HWY mix give me 18ish. Then I bought a 5er GVWR of 12,500. I got 9.8 on the first pull of 300+ miles, and 10.3 on the second of 250 miles. I have 37,000 on the truck now. I have a cow pusher on the front of the truck which makes my HWY mileage suck but my front end is protected. Whenever I use Lucas my mileage is better then all the other products I have tried. I am using the PS/MMO mix right now and I am only getting 16ish with mixed driving, should be 18. I am going back to Lucas on the next tank.