Okay, 10 MPG (About) Towing a Trailer

[OnTheGo]

Thanks to all contributors for the information.

How about wind deflectors? Do they help with MPG.

Thanks again,
Dale

[clutch]

From what I have read the pay back is right around a million miles. A topper helps a little bit on a travel trailer but on a 5er the front us usually on the high side. They work better on over the road trucks, but then they usually top a million miles.

[OnTheGo]

Thank you, Clutch,

I had a feeling the answer was going to be in the negative because I see so few out there. But it's nice to know. I think I'll just relax and enjoy the ride and take whatever I get as far as MPG goes.

Thanks again,
OnTheGo

[clutch]

Originally Posted by OnTheGo

Thank you, Clutch,

I had a feeling the answer was going to be in the negative because I see so few out there. But it's nice to know. I think I'll just relax and enjoy the ride and take whatever I get as far as MPG goes.

Thanks again,
OnTheGo

That is what most of us do. Just relax and enjoy the sceenry. I try to not let a fuel stop ruin my day. You can usually save 5 or 6 cents per gallon by paying cash. On a long trip that takes away some of the pain.

[Seann45]

Wind deflectors... how often do you see guys driving around with the wind deflector up and no trailer behind? I see it all the time and at that point it is COSTING you $$$

[Boss Wagon]

The best way to increase your MPG is to decrease your speed. Simply cutting back 5 mph (where it can be done safely) in any 60 mph + zone will produce substantial gains.

[kcconawa]

Originally Posted by Boss Wagon

The best way to increase your MPG is to decrease your speed. Simply cutting back 5 mph (where it can be done safely) in any 60 mph + zone will produce substantial gains.

My 7.3 seems to get its best mileage (11.4 MPG) right around 63MPH (1750 RPM). When I slow down, the mileage goes down in the rolling hills as you are geared down so much quicker. I did a 600 mile test tourning California with its RV 55MPH and my mileage dropped almost 2 MPG.

When I speed up to 65-66 MPH, the MPG also goes down and the faster I get, the worse it gets.

[Seann45]

Originally Posted by kcconawa

My 7.3 seems to get its best mileage (11.4 MPG) right around 63MPH (1750 RPM). When I slow down, the mileage goes down in the rolling hills as you are geared down so much quicker. I did a 600 mile test tourning California with its RV 55MPH and my mileage dropped almost 2 MPG.

When I speed up to 65-66 MPH, the MPG also goes down and the faster I get, the worse it gets.

I played with that last fall heading down to SoCal for the winter... watching my tach I found the speed where my top overdrive just kicked in.. got the best mileage.. doing that on the way home I went from 10 mpg to 13.11 as checked by my GPS

[Christopher Gilmer]

Pulling our 314...my Burb get 6mpg...that big block is thirsty...any ideas how improve that??

CG

[rodro123]

Originally Posted by Christopher Gilmer

Pulling our 314...my Burb get 6mpg...that big block is thirsty...any ideas how improve that??

CG

Have you tryed the K&N Air Intakes as a replacement air filter to increass the mileage and horsepower? http://www.knfilters.com/

[Christopher Gilmer]

I currently do not have an K&N but did put on a Trueflow Intake with an Magnaflow catback....she sounds nice...just get 6 pulling and 12 to 13 unhooked...3:73 rear end, she will pull a house of a foundation but just can't pass a gas station!!

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Christopher Gilmer

Pulling our 314...my Burb get 6mpg...that big block is thirsty...any ideas how improve that??

CG

Is that the 6.0 liter engine? 6mpg, wow you can see the gas gauge move!

[rodro123]

Well I quess you have tryed air and muffler. How about these tips.

Keep your engine tuned up. Incorrect fuel ratio, bad spark plugs and incorrect spark timing can have a big effect on gas mileage.

Don't use your air conditioner (A/C) unless you really need it. The A/C compressor puts an extra strain on the engine.

Make sure your tires are properly inflated. Under inflated tires cause more resistance to travel.

Avoid stop and go traffic by taking alternative routes or less congested travel times.

Use a good engine oil, preferably a synthetic or standard oil treated with a friction reducing oil additive. These have been known to improve fuel economy by as much as 12%.

Use your cruise control whenever possible.

Keeping your highway speed at 55 mph can improve you gas mileage by as much as 25%, compared to 65 mph.

Avoid trying to increase speed while climbing a hill, your engine is already working hard trying to overcome gravity.

Keep your windows closed when possible. Open windows actually reduce gas mileage

[hammer]

I believe that, that is the nature of a big block. Big engine = lot's of gas

[Christopher Gilmer]

I agree with Hammer...its the price I pay to have a big gasser...I just can't justify the cost of the diesel (I wouldn't use it much for 7 months) and no one really makes a gasser in that class anymore...(I had a Ford salesman when looking at Excursions tell me that the 8.1 is a brute, the 6.8 V-10 not quite as stout, no replacement for displacement I guess). So I guess I keep the old girl running!

[Rustic Eagle]

Originally Posted by Crabman

Is that the 6.0 liter engine? 6mpg, wow you can see the gas gauge move!

No, 'Chris' is referring to his 8.1L big block gasser.

As I recall 7.5 MPG was the worse my 6.0L gave me with a combined TV/TT loaded weight of 14,700lbs., but I was also wrestling a nasty head wind.

Bob

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Rustic Eagle

No, 'Chris' is referring to his 8.1L big block gasser.

As I recall 7.5 MPG was the worse my 6.0L gave me with a combined TV/TT loaded weight of 14,700lbs., but I was also wrestling a nasty head wind.

Bob

I see is that a V10 or the old 454? I once drove a 6 wheel 1 ton crabtruck, late 70`s model, with a body, loaded with crabs against a strong headwind. It had the 454 in it. That was the fastest I ever saw a tank of gas disappear.

[Christopher Gilmer]

GM went from the 454 V-8 to the 496 V-8 gasser...I had a 454 in a 98 3/4 burb...torquey, not like this one though! Both were hard on fuel...big trailers require big iron!

[Crabman]

Originally Posted by Christopher Gilmer

GM went from the 454 V-8 to the 496 V-8 gasser...I had a 454 in a 98 3/4 burb...torquey, not like this one though! Both were hard on fuel...big trailers require big iron!

Wow I`m behind the knowledge curve on the big GM engines! I guess Dodge and Ford make the V10`s.

[Seann45]

ONE WORD... BULLYDOG.... get their power programer for you vehicle/engine you will see results.. that is if you can keep your foot out of it....