Truck Gas Mileage

2016 Ram 2500 Diesel Crew Cab 4x4 Long Bed. Just did a 1400 mile round trip from CA to ID and back. Had 1000lbs of ATV and gear in the bed.

Lie o meter says I averaged 20.1 mpg for the whole trip. I'm betting it was more in the 18 to 19 range. Most of the trip was at 70 to 80 mph.

My 96 4x4 MT and 96 2x4 AT both return 18.5-19.5 in all conditions. I suspect if I did all 50-65 MPH highway I would break 20-21.
 
My 96 4x4 MT and 96 2x4 AT both return 18.5-19.5 in all conditions. I suspect if I did all 50-65 MPH highway I would break 20-21.
That's not bad at all.
I49 interstate here in La. has a speed limit ranging from 55 mph to 75 mph. I travel a lot on the 75 mph stretch, but still only travel at 65 mph. This gives me the best gas mileage (21-23 mpg).
 
These are far older trucks than most of you drive. I only currently own the '82 D150.
1988 Dodge D150, 2wd 318 auto --13 mpg local, 15-16 mpg hwy.
1988 Ford Ranger 2wd, 2.3 manual--21 mpg local, 25 mpg hwy.
2008 Silverado 4wd, auto 4.8 non vari-- 16.5 local (E0), 15.0 (E10). 18.0 hwy.
1982 Dodge D150 2wd, 225 slant 6, manual--15-16 local, 17-18 hwy.
 
Here are the gas mile ranges of the trucks in our family.
Fiance's 2017 F150, 5.0L/auto/3.73 gears gets 18-22.
My 98 Chevy K3500 7.4L/auto/4.10 gets 8-13.
My 98 Chevy K1500 5.7L/auto/3.73 gets 14-17.
 
Im not sure if my Suburban counts..but its basically a truck with a topper. (i took the 3rd row seating out).

2003 Suburban Z71 4wd 5.3L 290K miles. I have roughly $3500 in it. It gets an honest 12mpg and around 10mpg when towing.

I constantly debate if a $30-$40K used truck with 10 more mpg is worth it. Financially it is not.
 
Im not sure if my Suburban counts..but its basically a truck with a topper. (i took the 3rd row seating out).

2003 Suburban Z71 4wd 5.3L 290K miles. I have roughly $3500 in it. It gets an honest 12mpg and around 10mpg when towing.

I constantly debate if a $30-$40K used truck with 10 more mpg is worth it. Financially it is not.
My brother owns an 05 Suburban, 5.3L, 223K miles. He has that thing loaded down to the gills with tools. He too took the 3rd row seat out. He just recently bought some new 10 ply tires for it ($135 each from SIMPLE SIMON in BR). A friend we grew up with is the store manager and gave him an awesome deal on the tires.
 
I wish, :D
82_20mpg.jpg
 
I owned an 84 GMC swb that got 5-6 mpg. And, there was NO econo V8 under the hood. :cool:

My 6.2 C-code diesel 2wd with a 2.8 rear and a 5 speed stick would return 28mpg without a whole lot of effort.

What year and what configuration is that add referring to?

Truck pictured has the quad headlights and grill akin to my 82 but some things look off and more 1979
 
EPA has changed the MPG calculation several times since 1981, most recently was for 2016 and older models. "Mileage will be less in heavy city traffic. Actual highway mileage lower". GM could get away with stuff like that 40 years ago but not today. Also that Chevy Special Economy truck used gasoline not widely available today and could not come close to meeting emission controls from today.
 
My 6.2 C-code diesel 2wd with a 2.8 rear and a 5 speed stick would return 28mpg without a whole lot of effort.

What year and what configuration is that add referring to?

Truck pictured has the quad headlights and grill akin to my 82 but some things look off and more 1979
My 84 GMC had the same front end on it like the truck pictured.
 
My 6.2 C-code diesel 2wd with a 2.8 rear and a 5 speed stick would return 28mpg without a whole lot of effort.

What year and what configuration is that add referring to?

Truck pictured has the quad headlights and grill akin to my 82 but some things look off and more 1979
82 square bodies had the turn signals built into the front bumper, my 83 has them behind the grille, no way am I getting 20 mpgs. :LOL:
square_body_grills.jpg
 
My brother owns an 05 Suburban, 5.3L, 223K miles. He has that thing loaded down to the gills with tools. He too took the 3rd row seat out. He just recently bought some new 10 ply tires for it ($135 each from SIMPLE SIMON in BR). A friend we grew up with is the store manager and gave him an awesome deal on the tires.

I also have 10ply on mine Wild Trail CTX ($145 each). I also changed shocks to Bilstein 5100s.. and have been in a battle with the brakes since ive owned it.

When i bought it the previous owner put the cheapest brakes possible and it was like stopping a train. So i upgraded to Raybestos EHT which drastically changed the braking... but alas i think they handle too much heat. I had caliper and hose issues after enjoying the increased braking..

So in summary from my trial and errors i think the 10ply tires are a big help to the ride and handling (65psi). The Bilsteins are still stiff but i can tell that they are getting softer with time. If i had to do it again i think i would just go with Gabriels. I think a mid grade pad is best. FF or similar. If your brothers 2005 has larger discs than my 2003 disregard.. i think sometime in there they upgraded the disc sizes.

My 2003 has 290K miles and except for a small peck in the lifters when its cold is built like a tank.


I have seen these platforms with well over 500K miles. Not the power or torque of the turbos, nor the mpgs but they are steady work horses.
 
96 Tacoma extra cab 293,000mi 3.4l, 20-22mpg mixed driving. Original clutch and rear brakes.
You got only one getting that mileage. I had 97 Tacoma 4 cylinder 5 speed that one trip at 70mph 19 mpg but back and forth to work 17 at most. Worst I got was pulling uhaul trailer for 150 miles 10 mpg. Everyone around here that had 3.4 got 15 to 18. We would take bets on tanks per week which I was 2.5 tanks a week with 500 miles a week.
 
That's not bad at all.
I49 interstate here in La. has a speed limit ranging from 55 mph to 75 mph. I travel a lot on the 75 mph stretch, but still only travel at 65 mph. This gives me the best gas mileage (21-23 mpg).
I was there not to long ago. Pretty country but Police must of been hungry. Lost count between 12 I10 I49 etc.
 
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