I club race motorcycles and volunteer as an instructor for a motorcycle track day club. So I put approximately 20K miles per year on my truck towing to the various events.

I'm towing a 26' Dune Seeker toy hauler. It weighs approximately 10K lbs fully loaded.

I'm looking for any cost effective mods that will improve my mpg but be within reason on price. I don't want to spend 10K on a mod that will save 1 mpg. What do I need? Air Filter, programmer, exhuast?

I've been reading on the site for about 10 hours this weekend researching. Looks like guys like the Smarty jr and Quad XZT for mileage gains but wanted to ask the question for my specific need.

Thank you in advance.

Z

 

I have an 05 with the 5.9. I am also interested in this as well. Most people on here seem to have some power issues. I don't care about that. Increasing fuel mileage the most cost effective way that will ensure quick returns would interest me greatly.

 

Congrats on the purchase!!

Since you tow you will like the Smarty Jr best for the EGT reduction. I also recommend a set of gauges, boost, pyro, trans (if its an auto). When driving empty you will see the best mileage keeping the rpms down and the boost below 10.

A good air and fuel filter will help the efficancy, but may not be noticible on mpgs..

When you change your fluids get a good synthetic like Amsoil and that will help, same with engine oil.

And fill out your sig so we know more about your truck.

 

A rokktech will give you a decent gain at an inexpensive price, but will not have the EGT reduction for towing that I would recommend.

 

Hey, John.

You said that keeping the rpm low will help. Will larger diameter tires help with this.

 

To a point, but the larger you go the heavier the tires are and take more hp to turn... My 285's are only 5lbs heavier than my OEM tires (less than the difference in the OEM steel and alum wheels) so I think I will get a benefit from the reduction, thou its only 75 rpms at 75 mph, so who knows if I even see a difference..

The biggest thing is to drive with tq, lower rpms, than hp when just cruising around.. The engine makes tq easier than hp so it will take less fuel. When I drive around I shift around 1500-1600.

 

Switching from 15-40 Rotella to 5-40 Rotella synthetic saved me .5 MPG. It does not sound like alot, but it adds up quickly.

 

My truck is stock but I recently inherited some Goodyear Wrangler 305/70R17. I haven't put them on because I didn't want to wreck my mileage. I will also need to install a lift kit. I get about 21.5 to 22 under 60 mph but as soon as I hit 70...OUCH. I'll look into rokktech. EGTs aren't a problem right now but could be later.

 

I Love the Dr. Performance Predator module on my wife's 2006 Cummins. We've tried a Superchip's, Edge EZ, Quadzilla XZT & this outperforms them with MUCH better mileage & lower egt's. If your looking for modest gains, useable towing power with no weight restrictions, simple install that leaves no traces the Dr. Performance products are worth looking at.

 

Thanks, it was an unfortunate purchase, my truck was stolen. I had an '05 with Edge w/attitude, AFT Stage 2 air in it. Got about 22mpg with 4.10 gears riding 65mph.

So would a good combination be the Quad Commander and the Smarty Jr? This would cover all my gauges and the programmer.

Thank you for the input, there is a ton of information on the website but everyone has a different situation. I would cut my power if it gave me 1mpg more, most people are looking for mpg but also more hp.

Z

 

I'm with you Z. The stock power is fine. I just want better MPG as well. However, I don't want to spend so much that if I had just used that money for fuel it would have filled my tank for five years. Some of these companies are just nuts, I guess.

 

I don't know much about the commander, personally I like analog gauges... But the commander would be nice as you could moniter OBDII parameters as well.

 

Hey Ah64id,
Where can I get an Appache. Is it diesel powered.

 

Jet fuel, which is pretty much a dry kerosene

It just takes signing your life away.. .but they do pay you well...

 

Free college too? I'm too old for that I guess. They wouldn't let me fly anyway, red/green colorblind. At least that is what I tell the cops.