First trip with '06 - impressions
 

New to this forum and I've enjoyed reading about everyones' experiences so I thought I'd chime in with mine.

Took my first road trip with my new Ram CTD (4X4, auto, Quad) from Dallas to Houston last weekend. Kept up a pretty high speed on the way down (85-90mph most of the time) and got around 12mpg. On the way home, the speed was a bit lower (around 75mph) and I got around 14. Obviously, the fuel economy of these big, non-aerodynamic trucks is highly dependent on speed!

Likes -
1. I'm happy with the mileage considering the speed
2. Great power from 60mph on up (for a 3 ton truck it gets up to speed fast)
3. Truck has no wind noise at all (very impressive)

Dislikes -
1. Some soot collection on rear bumper (probably not surprising considering the speed)
2. Cruise control won't engage over 85mph
3. High beams suck (low beams are pretty good)
4. ****, diesel fuel is expensive!

I am really happy with this truck and look forward to putting more miles on it.

Seth

I love this quote:

Ha. Only in Texas. You even tried to run that fast in the state of Ohio, the nazi Ohio Highway Patrol would have you in the back of their patrol cars with some pretty new braclets. The state of Ohio budgets for Michigan drivers coming down onto our highways.

Glad you like your new truck. I really like mine. Highway speeds really do make a huge difference. I got over 16 pulling a 16 foot landscape trailer with two four wheelers on it when I kept it around 60. On the way home, I was running up around 70 and it dropped down a few mpg.

Welcome to owning a diesel. :)

I think my highbeams have only been on maybe 50 times with the 30,000 miles on the truck. Fogs and low beams all the time. That way, I can see where I am going. [laugh]

You'll need to get a better air filter or intake kit to clean that soot up. Then you'll want to increase your fuel to have better power, causing soot to come back, then it will be twins to clean the soot up again... I tell you. it is an endless journey owning a Cummins. [guitar] but so well WORTH IT. :p

I just took my first road trip with my 06 Quad cab and I am very happy with the mileage considering I am coming from a Titan, I got 17.3 going 75mph, and that was going from Fargo, ND to Missoula, MT.

Congrats on the new trucks.

Fuel economy goes down the toilet at 80mph. As the engine breaks in the fuel economy will go up. Adding a boost gauge will also help, keeping the boost below 8psi will increase the fuel economy. I'm happy driving at 70mph and getting 22+mpg. :)

MikeyB

2006 Quad Cab short box 4x4.

I have about 400 miles on the truck. 50 miles on the road and the rest in town. I got 13.8 mpg. Does this sound right for a new engine. Can I expect better when it is broken in?

Thanks