I have been getting crappy mileage on this truck compared to what alot of you state. I drive verry conservatively, all mileage is hand calculated, The last trip this weekend to the coast was 9.18 mpg i towed a 7000# trailer and had a 800# quad in the back of the truck. The last trip with just the trailer I got 11.06 mpg. around town I get 12.6 mph I know it will get more when I get a little more miles on her (13000) but shouldnt I be getting better. I moded the air box and put the new baldwin fuel filter 5 micron in and put the am-soil airfilter in before this last trip. Any body got any ideas to check, or due to increase it a litle more? The coast of these trips is getting crazy just with fuel costs.

 

it doesnt help you are running 6" lift w/ 35s, but look into an xzt if itll work with you commander.hopefully that will give you some more power and maybe bring your mpgs up a bit

brett

 

Is the xzt going to get better mileage than the smarty? I have the smarty on 3 at all times.

 

didnt know you had a smarty. as for the fuel milage between the two, i dont know. just wait till the beta smarty software comes out and try it. be very careful if your running a stock tranny becuase it packs alot of power

brett

 

You're still far from being broke in, Motor wise.. What speeds are you driving rpm's???? Whenever I'm pulling my trailer I make sure I am set right at 1900 rpm's that's been the sweet spot for my trucks!!

 

I was running about 1500 most the trip except going up the mnts whaen it was out of OD. Set cruise on 64 and just let her run.

 

im wondering if that was to low...i know if im luggin mine while towing, i can look out the mirror and see a pretty good haze. so im sure in my case my mpg's are doing very well. i like 1700-1900 for me. that still gives me about 6-8 psi of boost and keeps everything clear

brett

 

Well that is 1 thing that was different this trip I didnt have the gauges last trip and kept the OD locked out last trip. This trip with the gauges i could keep an eye on everthing so thought I would get better in Tow haul mode so that is were I put it. EGT never went above 1256 and only hit there for a second.

 

those arent bad egts as long as they arent sustained. try speeding up a bit. is your speedo correct?

brett

 

65 the limit in oregon and the speedo is about .02 off that is as close as I can get it with the tire adjustments on the smarty. Checked it with the gps the whole trip.

 

how were the mpgs before you lifted it and added the larger tires? on the speed limit thing, i just look at it as a suggestionbut we also have 70 mph on the highways so its easier for me to stay in the rpms i like. i could be way off on thinking your not going fast enough but thats what i think maybe someone else can chime in. have you tried bumping the smarty to 5 or 7?

brett

 

No, Stock tranny and do not have $ to get a new one right now. The lift and tires were put on when I bought the truck.

 

well be conservative and try 5 or 7 DD and see how your unloaded mpg gets if you want. i ran 7 for a long time with no problems and 33s..also towed my boat with it so i know it can be done. shanes got 571 hp going through his stock tranny btw

brett

 

i also agree 1500rpms mite be a bit low to run.i have a scangauge that monitors engine load and throttle position.when im cruising in 6th gear{standard trans}and im at 15-1700.the load is alot higher than the same speed in 5th at 18-1900rpms.try shifting her out of od and tow.or maybe think about getting some 4;10s.with 35s and 4;10s ive read guys get good milage and power too.

 

You're rpm's are too low! I would think that is lagging your motor more than anything thus burning more fuel.. Brett's right I am almost at 600 hp on a stocker (hopefully be there next weekend or more!!!! ) But it is all in how you drive it!!