I drive a lot and fuel costs are killing me. My truck gets 16mpg empty and around 12 loaded. I need a 4x4 ext or crew cab long bed. Are these numbers about all that I can expect or are the newer trucks doing better than this? I love my Dodge but I think the other brands are good too. I know there are exceptions here and there but in general which truck offers the best mpg and what is it?


I did a calculation and based on the 3500 miles a month I drive if I went from my current 16 mpg to 22 mpg it would save me about $100 /month in fuel costs.

 

I am going off the truck data in you sig. If that is what you are getting out of that truck, you won't see any better with a new truck, especially that big. What kind of driving are you quoting? What does loaded mean? Is the current truck completely stocK?

I forgot to ask if you NEED 4x4.

 

I would say the Chevy 5.3 V8 gets the best gas mileage on the road (low 20's), but gets about 14 in town. I can't think of a V8 with good power that will get any better mileage than that.

 

From what I hear PSDs are good for 16 or so.Dont know on Duras, My 93 CTD gets 20. seems the newer the lesser the mileage. And if you go 4x4 your gonna loose 2 to 4 mpgs more. at least in my exp.

 

The mileages I am qouting are highway. Loaded is pulling my 18' enclosed trailer that weighs around 4k but has a lot of wind drag or pulling a 10k gooseneck flatbed. The current truck is not stock. I have an Edge EZ, 275 injectors, 4 inch exhaust, and a afe mega cannon air filter. 4x4 is an absolute must. I live in the country on dirt roads and every time it rains I need 4x4 and even then sometimes I have to get the tractor out to pull out my truck.

I really don't think my mileage is that bad, but I hear of others doing a lot better. My buddy has a powerstroke and he swears he always gets over 20 when empty with his best being 24mpg. Another friend tells me he gets around 22 in his dodge diesel. I like my truck but switching to something that would save me $100 a month on fuel would be nice. Last month I spent $400 on diesel which is more than my truck payment.

 

Go with the 12 Valve, I think that they get alot better gas mileage than the 24V. Just from what Ive heard...

 

what speed/rpm are you running on the highway? with my setup, I can get 20+ on the highway(unloaded) if I keep my rpm's below 2K.

 

The kid is exactly right, you can expect 6-8 mpgs better with a 12 valve. My 12s consistently get 22-24 mpg empty with a high of 28.

 

Try looking over this PDF from Cummins on Fuel Economy. It may give you some ideas.

http://www.cummins.com/na/pdf/en/pro...on_for_web.pdf

 

i hear these mileage claims over and over but when i talk to guys on the road i never hear these kind of numbers?
normally i hear 14-16 emppty 10-12 towing heavy. that is in line with what i get with mine.
but that being said, i also have a 2001 318 short box sport that i average 15 mpg with and a local man in town has an identical truck that he has always got 22 with.

 

Reading that Cummings Rport on Fuel Economy looks like slower speeds (under 65) is a good way to improve MPG. What speeds are you running? How about tires, what tires are you running?

If you fill out your profile alittle more maybe we can help.

 

On my first few tanks of fuel, completely stock, I got 27 mpg in my truck. Now I havent measured it but I know I am getting lower, but I am also driving more aggresively (that turbo spool up gets addicting ) My dad gets around 18-19 loaded pulling 18k+ plus another 2k in the bed. The only thing he has done is cut holes in the airbox. On his 92, he could get 33 going back and forth on the hwy not going over 100km with no acceleration or deceleration. I find you get the best mileage going around 85km but its lugging the engine, it runs nice around 107km with 265/75R16 Michelins, but the fuel economy I find is not as great. but a mpg less dont bother me if the truck is running better. Im still keeping to my goal of getting 30 mpg regular driving

 

bdog - 6 to 8 mpg better with a 12V is a load of hoowie. Apples to apples ... meaning both being driven identically under same conditions 2 mpg better at max, at least from what I have experienced.

I question 2 things. 1) Driving style, and 2) tires. I tow my 24' enclosed trailer (with 24V 4X4 LB 6-speed, EZ with elbow, MEK, 275's). When I'm hauling a car in it, about 7,500 to 8,000 lbs, I get 13.9 mpg. BUT!!! I put it on 65 mph with the cruise. And I focus all my energy not to need to slow down either by letting off the cruise or using the brakes. The reason is, if I slow down, I have to speed up again. And speeding up uses way more fuel than just maintaining speed.

Cruising the interstate at 70, I get about 21 mpg with summer fuel and drive the same way on the interstate ... I never want to slow down. Around town driving I get somewhere between 17 and 18 I guess. I don't watch that so close.

Lastly, I run Michelin all season tires. Anything more aggressive than that would decrease fuel mileage. You may need more aggressive for driving on those muddy roads. I've got 67k on my original Michelin LTX A/S tires. I'll be going Michelin again for the tune of about $700. But I'll be getting Michelin LTX M/S tires. I hear they're even better!

So 2 things 1) driving style, and tires. I WOULD NOT go sell your truck to get a 12V if your truck is reliable. I don't know about your drive style. But as your driving, think of ways to save fuel. Ways to hold your speed constant, and letting off the throttle early if you know you're going to HAVE TO slow down. Like approaching traffic lights that are red or stop signs.

- JyRO

 

I had a 12V CTD 4X4 and got 21 MPG empty on the highway. My 04 gets 24-25 MPG being driven the same way. In both cases I'm quoting the overhead console readouts. Driving 60-65 MPH, highway tires, plenty of air in the tires, all make a difference. My 04 is a 4X2, has a spoiler and is very low on the front end which I think makes a difference in economy. The greater power of the 04 seems not to make a difference.

 

Ive never broke 18mpg in my '02
No major interstate trips yet Im sure it'll go up
its stuck on 17.2 now cant get better than that for some reason??