For what its worth.

I keep a log book on my vehicles as well as the maintenance log that comes with the vehicle. I have 40,692 miles on my ’03 Dodge CTD. I record the miles on the odometer, gallons, cost and where I purchased the fuel and if towing.

Took delivery of the truck on 10/17/02 with 31 miles on the odometer and a full tank of fuel.

The towing was from Arkansas to Maryland, to Florida, Then to Arizona through Arkansas onto Yellowstone by way of Moab, Salt Lake, Utah. Then back to Arkansas by way of Colorado. Combined weight when towing was 19,660 lb. or a little more. Most of the towing was freeway miles at 65 mph. Not towing I drive the speed limit + 4.

Tire pressures not towing are 55 front, 45 rear. Towing 65 front, 75 rear. Tire pressures were calculated base on the weight of each axle. Expect to get another 10k + miles on the BFG’s. Tires have been rotated twice, wear is even.

Speedo is off 1 mph (reads 1mph more than actual) at all speeds over 25. Verifyed by timed track, radar, and GPS. Odometer not checked.

Today I did some calculations and here are my figures.

Total miles - 40,661
Total gallons - 2405.0
Avg. MPG - 16.91

Miles towing the 5er - 10,610
Gallons towing - 1679.9
Avg. MPG towing - 12.86

Avg. MPG not towing - 19.02

The most I put in the tank at one time was 32.53 gallons. The gauge was just above the empty mark and I was off the freeway searching for a diesel station. Miles left on Distance to Empty gauge was less than 40. I do not like to get this low, usually start looking for fuel at 1/3 tank. Try to buy fuel at Flying J but not always possible. (Would like to add an aux tank but can’t handle the extra weight when towing.)

Best mileage was 25.8 driving at 45mph. Worst towing was 9.3 with a quartering head wind.

The mileage is about 10% lower than what I was getting with the ’97 Dodge 2500. Possibly because the front drive train on the '03 is always turning and ads some drag. Both have the same rear gears or 4.11 and 4.10. They turned about the same RPM at the same speeds altho the '97 was an auto and the '03 is a 6 manual.

 

Great report, i think your mpg is pretty good considering 410 gear and 4x4. Looks like wind and speed are the major culprits when getting poor fuel mileage. I noticed from your towing speeds that the truck seems to handle that weight very well, i have heard others on here complaining about not towing heavy loads very well, especially on hills, but all seem to be autos, i guess 6spd is the way to go. Your report came at a good for me as i am considering moving up to a 3rd gen. truck soon

rob

 

Great information, Papaduck! I wish that I were as meticulous at keeping records as you are.

DeWain

 

When I made the trip to Maryland I was on I-40 and there is a 5 mile 6% grade between Nashville and Knoxville. I had the cruise on and started the bottom of the hill at 65 MPH. I figured that I would have to down shift at some point on the climb. Never touched a thing, topped the hill doing 57 mph. Was passing most eveything that was towing, including some autos that weren't.

Just put a dial caliper on the tires, spare has not been on the ground. New tread depth is 490/1000 in. Worn tires are at 220 to 238/1000 in. Tread worn off = 270, leaving 220/1000.

40k /270 = 148 miles per 1/1000.
I plan to have 1/16 in. remaining at replacment. 1/16 in = 63/1000. That will leave 157/1000 of usable tread left. 157 x 148 = 23,236 miles of tread left. Good wearing tires, if all goes well should get 63k out of these tires!!!

Also checked the hours - 995. Average speed 40.9 mph.

 

Ya know, I couln't have bought info that good. Thanks for giving to us for free.

Casey

 

need too no what is the antifreez smell in my1997 dodge is,when I turn the heater on. Its adiesel. about190.000 on it.

 

Keep you eye on the coolant level. You have a leaking heater core.

 

Listen to this man when it comes to cooling issues. He's had more than his share of problems.

 

Papaduck Good info on the tires,what brand might they be, didn't see that mentioned in your report. I also measured tread depth when i installed new tires, it's a good way of monitoring for proper tire pressure, alignment problems, proper balance and overall wear patterns.

rob

 

The tires are B F Goodrich Rugged Trails A/T. They are the ones that came with the new truck. The wrangles that came with my '97 were replaced at 38k and would hydroplane at 45 mph in heavy rain.