Diesel pickup mileage while towing

[kroppe]

Hey folks,

I am checking out diesel pickups for my next vehicle this coming spring. It will be used, maybe a 98 or 99 model year. My question is, what fuel mileage do you get while towing a trailer, and what do you get "dry" on the highway. I drive a lot of highway miles to work, so I want to know what to expect day to day.

If you reply to this post, please let me know what truck you have, what mileage towing/not towing and how big your trailer/5th wheel is. Thanks.

I have heard some people get 22-25mpg with their diesels on the highway, unloaded without trailer. That's livable for me.

[POLARBEAR]

but i got a lead foot.:D my 2001 dodge ram quad cab 4x4 2500 withturbo cummins diesel impressed me with its pickup, it will do 105 mph and so will a black semi on i-80.(that is another story.)
mileage varies with conditions so much. but the trip computer runs it around 12 to 15 with 2 sleds on a aluminum trailer. the only time i see it get 20 mpg is when i go around 65 to 70. at 1800 rpm, 60 mph i had about 23 mpg. i dont generally drive 65. i think i have the 373 gears but it may be 410. not positive on that. you have to really want a diesel. it is noisey, smelly, not every station has fuel, and it requires a little more maintenance. i like the dodge. the truck rides nice. i thought i would get a little better mileage. also i only have 27,000 miles on it . it is not broke in yet. p.b.

[WALLEYE MIKE]

I too have a 2001 Dodge diesel. While towing a truck camper and a boat up north I got 12MPG. And let me tell you I was loaded, probably overloaded. Yet still had good get up and go.

[kroppe]

Thanks for the input guys.

Mike, what highway mileage do you get with no trailer, camper or cargo in the truck? In other words, just you driving. The Dodge diesel with quad cab is looking pretty attractive right now.

[huntingfool43]

I have a 1995 Chevy Z-71 Off Road with a 6.5 turbo and am not impressed at all. Running emty I can get 18 to 21 depending on where I get fuel. Have a 22 ft Starcraft Islander and it gives the truck a heart attack. Am lucky to get 11 mph pulling the boat. I think the weight of the boat and trailer is around 3000lbs.


Steve

[TimT]

Kroppe, you might want to hang out over at the forums at pickuptruck.com. I'm not trying to discourage you from discussing it here, it's just that with a few months to spare, you might learn about the ups and downs of all makes and engine types. Personally, I'd hit all of the dealerships while the weather is good, and drive every potential tow vehicle there is. (That is if I weren't a GM employee family member.)

[WALLEYE MIKE]

Kroppe, don't know for sure, but must be around 20MPG.It's going to depend if you go 55 MPH or 70 or more.

[Young Steve]

I have a 99' f-250 with the 5.4 V-8. It has the bigger rear end and trans and it only gets around 13 - 15 mpg with out the trailer. I have a 30' 5th wheel with a 12' slide out. The trailer weighs 7,640 empty probably closer to 8,200 loaded and gets approx 8 - 10 mpg pulling it. I really like the truck alot I just need a little more engine for those hills up north. I'll be doing 70 mph at the bottom of the Z-bridge and by the time I get to the top I'm only doing 50 mph!!:eek: