Community Forums

RSmoak · 05-29-2006, 10:25 AM

Gentlemen,

Many of you may have realized that I am doing my research well in advance of purchase. You may also realize that I'm utilizing your experience and expertise to this end.

That said, I am seeking MPG info from each of you light duty desiesel owners who tow 5ers under 12K. Please include info on year, drivetrain, loaded, and unloaded. I really appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Ralph

RSmoak · 05-29-2006, 10:25 AM

Gentlemen,

Many of you may have realized that I am doing my research well in advance of purchase. You may also realize that I'm utilizing your experience and expertise to this end.

That said, I am seeking MPG info from each of you light duty desiesel owners who tow 5ers under 12K. Please include info on year, drivetrain, loaded, and unloaded. I really appreciate your help.

Thanks,
Ralph

cwsoules · 05-29-2006, 12:09 PM

See my info below. Towing a 10.4K 5er I get usually 11 mpg. With a tail wing up to 13 a few times, and in the Rockey Mts 9.5 or better. To be safe I reset the trip miles every time I refuel and assume we get 10 mpg. Any time after 200 miles I will stop at a convienent stop where the price sounds good. My fuel tank holds 34 gallons.

RSmoak · 05-29-2006, 12:24 PM

CW,

Have you never checked it unloaded?

Rick A · 05-29-2006, 05:19 PM

I drive a '99 F-350 crew cab dually 2X4 automatic with 4:10 rear completely stock and 207,000 miles. I average 15.5 mpg unloaded and 12 towing our 2006 Wildcat 31QBH fifth wheel. The trailer loaded for travel is right around 10K lbs depending our destination and how long we are traveling.

TXiceman · 05-29-2006, 05:25 PM

We are over 12000# with the 5er. See signature for the rig. With a pretty good load onboard, we generally get 10 to 11 MPG running 65 to 70 MPH. Once got 11.9 MPG. Solo, we normally get 15.5 to 16 MPG at 70 MPH. Last solo road trip we managed to get 17.4 running 70 to 72 MPH in east Texas.

Ken

charliez · 05-29-2006, 07:02 PM

I have a 99 CTD, 3.5 gears, bone stock, and about a 7-8K 5'er. I get 19-20 driving every day and about 12 -15 towing. The weight really deosn't change those numbers when we load heavy (extra ice chest and firewood), but when we hit wind is when the numbers drop below 15.

I have a buddy that has a very heavy 39' 5'er and he has the 3500 ctd, edge ez chip and gets 23 towing. Don't know what he get driving every day.

powerboatr · 05-30-2006, 09:28 AM

empty at 70-75 mph 15 mpg maybe 15.8 on right days
loaded and pulling the fiver 11 solid. at 70-75

Jumbo Jet · 05-30-2006, 10:03 AM

2004 Dodge Ram Cummins Diesel 2500 4 x 4 Quad Cab LWB - 7,200 lbs. 49,200 miles on truck 3.73 Diff - Automatic transmission

Keystone Laredo 29 BH - 8,900 lbs.

65 mph - no headwind - 14 mpg

70 mph - no headwind - light tailwind - 12.5 mpg

70 mph - 30 mph headwind - 8.8 mpg

Empty - best yet - 70 mph - 20.5 mpg

Empty around town - stop and go traffic - 17 mpg

The Big Kid · 05-30-2006, 09:46 PM

03 Ram 3500 QC empty wieght - 8550 lbs
fuel economy empty - 16-18 around town 18-20 highway. with 4.10 gears, I keep the speed around 62 Mph.

trailer 06 Wilderness 2952BS
10,550 lbs
fuel economy 9-12 mpg depending on how fast I decide to pull the next hill, and ambient wind conditions.

Two Bit · 05-31-2006, 05:32 AM

2002 F350 CC dually 4x4 automatic 4.10 differential 7.3 liter diesel. No hotrod modifications.

17-20 empty, 10-13 towing high profile 12,000lb fiver. Maximun speed is 65 both towing and unloaded. At that speed RPM's are at 2050.

Frontal area of trailer/wind drag has biggest impact on mileage unless pulling very heavy up very steep grades. Tall fivers with "stand up bedrooms" will cause more wind drag and lower mileage.

To compare, our old truck (F250 auto 460 gas engine) used to pull same fiver & got 5-6 MPG towing & 10 empty>