I have a friend that is looking at an '09 3500 with a 6 speed auto and 3:73 gears. My question is, what are some real world mileage expectations?

He will be using it for work, and therefore it will almost always be hooked to a 10 or 12k enclosed trailer. He currently has a super duty with a v10 and averages between 6 and 8 mpg. I have been working on him to go Cummins, but don't want to make any false mileage promises.

Any projections?

 

From what I have read he won't get whole lot better, unless he does deletes. But that is just what I have read.

 

No better than 6 to 8....

Come on bud.

He can expect to make between 10 and 12. Maybe a bit better if hes does deletes.

 

the truck only has 8300 miles on it, and the guy is kinda fussy and will want full warranty, so I dont think any deletes will be in the near future.

thanks for the ideas, I was thinking he might get a little better than that, so I am glad that I didnt promise him the moon...


im still pushing for putting a 12v in his super duty, but i just cant get him to bite....

also, its a 2009 3500 SRW 4x4 Quad Cab Big Horn edition, short box, 8300 miles. Absolutely immaculate. $33k. Any thing to look out for?

 

Make sure it has the latest flash and no CEL's are on. 10 to 12 is all you will get for towing mileage. Even after the deletes, thats all I'm getting. It takes power to tow, and the 6.7 is thirsty towing. But the 6.7 with the engine brake is an AWESOME towing unit. Empty, my highway mileage is silly good and I'm getting 16.4 in town empty (hand calculated).

 

There you go- a voice of experience says a lot. The old 12 valves spoiled people. But, buying an old 12 valve, or planting one in a superduty, is going to entail a lot of money and work, which can buy a lot of diesel fuel. If I were in his shoes, and towing like that, I would be happy with 50% better fuel mileage, and the diesel will out-tow the V-10. My dad has one, and before that, he had a 7.3 powerstroke. While he is happy with the V-10 (2003, 17,000 miles on it- he doesn't drive it much), he will tell you straight out that the diesel would out-tow it. Add in the exhaust brake, and the Dodge will be a much better machine for what he is doing.

 

x2 here! Towing = super capable and thirsty, deletes or not. That is my experience with a fairly heavy, unaerodynamic, toyhauler. I would not trade it for anything.

 

Hodge nailed it. The 5.9 common rails are not milage masters either when towing. Not to mention each towing situation is different. Them good ole 5.9's will get thirsty from time to time too.

 

I agree with the statements here, too. I have a similar rig to what your friend is considering. A lot of wind resistance, weight and power. Empty I average 13.5 with 50/50 city/highway, towing 10K on the bumper I average 11.5 all highway, all hand calculated. But it tows like a dream and does absolutely everything I tell it to without complaining.

 

Just have him do the math. A 4 mile per gallon increase will have the engine paid off in less than 30,000 miles. (30Kx10mpg=3000 gallons; 30Kx6mpg=5000 gallons; 5000-3000=2000 gallons saved x $3.50/gallon=$7,000). The whole truck will pay for itself by the time he hits 150,000 miles. So, basically, it's free! My job application for government work is in the mail....

 

Thanks for the input guys, I passed your expectations on to him. He bought it, and will be picking it up in the near future. It shouldn't take him too long to realize what he has been missing out on all this time...

 

i have 16k on mine and get around 10 or 11 loaded or towing and up to 16 empty on the highway.and thats with no deletes or anything.i expect it should improve as i break it in. i had a 99 super duty v10.not even in the same league as this dodge.i wouldn't trade it for any truck out there.

 

Next job- get him on DTR. He will thank you.

 

my work truck is an 09. i hate it. terrible miliage. always in the shop. weekly to. at 19000 miles the motor was darn ther rebuilt. i just dont like the 6.7 liters at all. winter i freeze cause it cant idle.in the back seat my boss supplied lots of air filters since at about 500 miles they turn puire black.. i personally have a 5.9 and love that motor but this work truck sucks. but work is going to trade it and get me a dirtymax. yahooooooooooooooooooo..

im sure with some deletes and other things these problems could be avoided but i cant tell my boss that he his thick headed.

i know i said negative but im going to put my 2 cents out there of my experence.

 

Ya, the emmisions and the results from them suck. The 6.7 rules though. Try not to confuse the two. Your 5.9 would suck with the same emmisions and it doesn't cost that much $ or time to fix the 6.7 emmisions for those that can.