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Old 10-31-2019, 06:45 PM   #1
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Question about gas consumption

I would like to have your opinion. If we take 2 diesel trucks, one would have a towing capacity of 18,000lbs and the other a capacity of 30,000 lbs, if we tow a 13,000lbs fifthwheel with both trucks, is the truck that has a better Towing capacity will be more fuel efficient since it is farther from its limit so force less than the first. If there is an economy is it advantageous to pay more for this truck. Will the fuel economy be big enough to justify paying for a more expensive truck. What would be the advantage to buy the truck that has a towing capacity of 30,000 pounds versus one that would have a towing capacity of 18,000 lbs
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Old 10-31-2019, 07:06 PM   #2
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Not necessarily. The truck with more capacity is probably geared with a numerically higher (3.70 vs 4.56 etc.) and may need more RPMs to equal the same speed. I had a 1996 Dodge 2500 5.9 Cummins with a four speed trans. with 3:54 rear gears. At 65 mph I got a steady 10 mpg towing my trailer. I now have a 2005 Dodge 3500 with the 5.9 with a four speed trans. and 3:73 gears. The same speed now gets me 10 mpg on a good day with the same trailer. Best not to worry much about the mileage and get what you want!
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Old 10-31-2019, 07:19 PM   #3
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The truck with the 30,000lb capacity may have the exact same engine like in Ford F-250 and a F-450. Both with the same 6.7 power stroke engine. If both a F-250 and a F-450 towed a 10,000lb trailer I am guessing the fuel usage would be real close.
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Old 10-31-2019, 07:37 PM   #4
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If you can afford either one and something to tow, the difference in fuel would not be an issue.

Weight also plays very little in the equation. Wind has far more to do with mileage.
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Old 10-31-2019, 07:49 PM   #5
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Franky55 View Post
I would like to have your opinion. If we take 2 diesel trucks, one would have a towing capacity of 18,000lbs and the other a capacity of 30,000 lbs, if we tow a 13,000lbs fifthwheel with both trucks, is the truck that has a better Towing capacity will be more fuel efficient since it is farther from its limit so force less than the first. If there is an economy is it advantageous to pay more for this truck. Will the fuel economy be big enough to justify paying for a more expensive truck. What would be the advantage to buy the truck that has a towing capacity of 30,000 pounds versus one that would have a towing capacity of 18,000 lbs
No, towing capacity will not change fuel economy. If you're comparing diesel trucks, I am pretty sure that any comparable year on any brand will be within 5% fuel economy of any other with the same load.

As others said, wind resistance is the equalizer.
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Old 10-31-2019, 09:37 PM   #6
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Originally Posted by Franky55 View Post
I would like to have your opinion. If we take 2 diesel trucks, one would have a towing capacity of 18,000lbs and the other a capacity of 30,000 lbs, if we tow a 13,000lbs fifthwheel with both trucks, is the truck that has a better Towing capacity will be more fuel efficient since it is farther from its limit so force less than the first.
No. A 1 ton pickup will get about 10 mpg towing that trailer. A class-8 truck, which has significantly better towing capacity, will only get about 7. Both being diesel. Gearing and the base MPG of the tow vehicle matter. In the class of vehicle you're talking about, almost doubling the GCWR of the vehicle means you'll have a much heavier and differently geared truck.



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Originally Posted by Franky55 View Post
If there is an economy is it advantageous to pay more for this truck. Will the fuel economy be big enough to justify paying for a more expensive truck. What would be the advantage to buy the truck that has a towing capacity of 30,000 pounds versus one that would have a towing capacity of 18,000 lbs
There might be a very small economy advantage depending on exactly which vehicles you're talking about, but it will never be enough to make up a higher initial purchase price. With a 13,000 pound 5th wheel, there really isn't an advantage. You'll have plenty of safety margin with the smaller truck.
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Old 11-01-2019, 07:43 AM   #7
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A SRW truck will get better miles per gallon than a DRW truck simply because there is less rolling resistance. That is about the only difference I know of.
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Old 11-01-2019, 10:16 AM   #8
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A SRW truck will get better miles per gallon than a DRW truck simply because there is less rolling resistance. That is about the only difference I know of.
What ive figured out between a 3500 vs a 5500 is that the mileage will be similar. The 3500 with highway gears has to work harder so it uses more fuel. The 5500 doesnt have to work as hard but it has to spin faster to cover the same ground. Unloaded is where youll see the difference.
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Old 11-01-2019, 09:45 PM   #9
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Wow Thank you all. I read everybody and I realy appreciate the time you took to gave me those answere.
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