78 replies to this topic

[ntsqd]

'96 12 valve Cummins auto trans 3/4t Excab long bed 4wd w/ 6.5' Phoenix. Mpg's aren't checked all that often. Worst was 13, 70+ into a headwind going north on US395, best was 19.8 over Tejon Pass + some US99 held to 1750 rpm (~65 mph) or the same throttle setting that produced that rpm on flat/level while climbing over the Pass.

Edited by ntsqd, 26 August 2016 - 02:15 PM.

[rotti]

LiveLife, wise decision in considering a 3/4 ton truck for our "lightweight" campers.

With my one ton load I get between 10 to 16 mpg with my 12 Chevy 2500HD 6.0 gasser. 16 mpg driving 45 through Yellowstone and 10 mpg getting there at 85 on the Wyoming interstates. Usually somewhere in between those numbers.

[JHanson]

Nice to see some real-world figures here. I get tired of having guys swear to me they get 25 mpg with their Cummins while towing their 30-foot Airstream at 75 mph.

[alano]

My 2010 GMC Sierra 2500 gets about 13 mpg on trips with the camper. Mixed driving with highways, back roads, usually lots of mountains. With the camper on the highway heading to the mountains it gets roughly 16 mph. Without the camper on the highway (a recent trip to San Diego with some furniture in the back) I got nearly 18 mpg.

 

Alan

[GT-Jim]

2012 Chevrolet 2500 4x4 6.0 gas with Hallmark K2 pulling motorcycle trailer with 500 lb. bike. 1900 mile trip out west from SD to ID averaged out to 11 for the entire trip, flat lands, hills, interstate, mountain passes (4000 rpm), tail wind, head wind.  Out west where speed limits are higher, I drive 65-70 on two lanes and 75 on interstates.

[Spitfire]

My 2011 Chevy 2500HD with 6.0 gas and 3.73 rear end gets about 13 MPG with the camper on. My camper is a loaded Hawk.

Edited by Spitfire, 27 August 2016 - 05:35 PM.

[iowahiker]

Best 8 foot bed MPG gasoline while under GVWR truck is Ford F-150 regular cab or extended cab with the payload package.  Our truck payloads 2800 pounds and we carry 2000 pounds loaded/wet Granby without difficulty or modifications and get 15-16 mpg.  If you want to trailer with the camper on or climb rocks then get a 3/4 ton or 1 ton.  Payload package is usually a custom order.

[naz4x4]

2800 for a f150 is pretty impressive. My 84 f250 is similar.

[Vic]

I'll 2nd the 12 valve Cummins which would be 94-98.5 Dodge.  Of all my diesel trucks, my 97 12v was the best MPG. 

 

Like anything else, the pressure on the skinny pedal is going to dictate MPG as much as anything else.  If you are buying used and save a bundle on the right truck, that can pay for a lot of gas over the years.  

[JaSAn]

I run a 2012 Ram 2500 4 X 4, 5.7 gas, auto, standard cab with Grandby weighing in at 7900 lbs.  I get ~16 MPG @ 50 MPH to  ~12 MPG @ 75 MPH (best 21, worst 9 in 52,000 miles).

 

My experience is there are at least 5 things that determine my gas milage (traveling constant speed):

1. Speed
2. Throttle (how consistent am I holding it)
3. Terrain (hills, curves)
4. Wind (what pilots call wind speed)
5. Gas blend (I get about 2 MPG better with NO corn squeezin's).

Add how aggressive I am with throttle and brakes when changing speeds when slowing or speeding up.

 

jim