Well after some real seat time towing with this truck and my 5er over a long distance I thought I would give my impressions on the latest technology.

Right now I am in Kansas. I traveled I68 out of Western Maryland, across Ohio, Indiana, Illinois, Mo and then in KS.

I got 8.2 mpgs coming out of Maryland then more like 8.5 on average since.

We are probably overweight coming in at a combined 25K or so.

I would have thought I would be better once we hit Ohio and started down hill.

So this is not any better than my 6.4.

Plus is no active regens at all in over I think 1200 miles so far. That. is much better.

Oil temps have been pretty good. I hit 242 coming out of Maryland on one grade. The coolant gauge actually moved over the right side of the little icon in the gauge, completely clearing it. So if it reads like previous trucks then that would be around 235F coolant temp on that one stretch.

Tranny temps have held stead at 199-210F. I have been using tow haul and leaving the tranny in D going across I 70. When I hit the Rockies it will be in manual mode only. No complains about the tranny at all.

Motor has done well, no issues at all.

I had one moment just inside the IL border where all the traffic stopped real quick. Everyone was standing on the brakes and trying not to hit each other. This is where I was thankful for the integrated TBC and hydoboost brakes.

The truck and trailer stayed straight as an arrow. With my standing as hard as I could on the brakes they were trying to lock up but the anti locks worked on the truck and the trailer follow suit.

I don't know how much force the brake have now on the SRW's but the hydro to me allows for more force and I needed it.

So that is about all for now. tomorrow will hit Monarch pass and then down the other side giving that manual mode a workout.

 

Great report Scott. For the mileage how fast r u driving.

 

Howdy Scott.......

As noted below........2011 F-350 Crew Cab, Long Bed, SRW.
2010 Raptor 3 axle, 41.5 ft, 18,000 lbs gross. I do not know what the weight is at this moment. Less than 18K I am sure. No "Toys". Garage is 7 yr old Granddaughter's bedroom. Fresh water is full.....105 Gals.

We tow at 65 mph unless the speed limit is less.
Tow-haul mode, Auto......I do use the "flipper" switch to force it down a gear (seldom) while going downhill, tapping the brake usually causes it to downshift on it's own.
I am used to a lot of up & down to include grades as much as 8% for more than a mile.

I left Great Falls Montana 18 June.....Spokane WA.....Condon WA......Prineville Reservoir State Park.......South Beach State Park.......Nehalem Bay State Park.
Overall Mileage: 9.2 mpg
There are times in Montana I will do: 10.2 - 10.7
There are times on this trip: 8.4 - 8.7

The truck does need a Real Exhaust Brake. The engine braking does keep me from being on the brakes all the time.......But 6% and 8% downhill grades with 35 - 25 mph twisted roads keeps the engine rpm up to as much as 4000 rpm. Kinda high for my liking.

The truck drives Great !! Comfy and quiet ! The 5th wheel does Not push the truck around. The rig is rock solid !!

 

Great reports! I start the first long haul with our rig in just about two weeks. Not going near as far as you guys, but from Atl to Myrtle Beach. Really looking forward to it. Safe travels to you guys! Maybe someday I'll have enough time off to head out west myself. Always wanted to do that.

 

I run 65 mph with cruise control on.

I expected a bit better since up and down the east coast I was getting 10.2.

Glad I am in the neighborhood of everyone else.

Being high profile at 13'6" I guess does not help.

 

Nice write up Scott and Roy!

 

Wow, 8.2, would have figured you would do better then that.

I use to average between 10.5 - 12.5 depending on the trip. We are in New Jersey, so if south mostly flat, if north, hills involved.

We have a "heavy" toyhauler.

My milage dropped to 9 - 9.5 when the dealer did the PCM reprogram that I specifically asked not to be done.

No help from ford either for 20% reduction in fuel economy thanks to the mechanic not paying attention to the repair order.

 

That 2011 MPG decrease programming update still annoys me. It's amazing how so many 2011 owners have noticed this.
I can't remember if anyone figured out what changed.

 

We're not @ 18k, more like 15-16k but high profile 5er too...

When rv'ing could care less about the mpg, except to know when that lil 26 gallon tank starts sucking air, but guessing in the 8 to 10 range?
oh, and I "may' creep up a bit on the speed given the new LT tires, though

the only 'hills' I have seen other than Texas and Losing-annie slow grades would be across I-20 from DFW thru Atlanta to Hilton Head, SC...
so the only time I used tow haul was when slowing down to help the brakes via the downshifts...
usually would put the tranny in manual mode 6th gear once in cruise and just let the turbo and my eyes do the hills...
anything less than 3% it would just pull up if I saw it in time and gave it a little boost...

don't know if that driving style helps or hurts mpg (see above!) but it sure helps the 'drama' of the downshifts, hard acceleration back up to speed, and upshifts until it overshoots the speed, then cycle again

I just let the turbo do the work - it was a lot calmer and relaxing.... this is the BEST Ford I've had - even with the stinking Sync nav issues !

 

Just downloaded my "gas cubby" info.

Since August of last year I did (approx):
9000 miles, 11.9 MPG 749 gallons for $2800 is cost.

If I got back my 2 mpg average lost with the re-program it would have been:
9000 miles, 13.9 MPG 641 gallons for $2400 is cost.

So, the re-program costs me roughly $500 a year in increased fuel.

The August data starts on 089/28/13, so 2 months short of a years use.

 

I'll be hauling our Wildcat back to the factory in Elkhart for some warranty issues this July. I'm planning on a nice relaxed trip with the 6.7 pulling us along.

 

well, we are in Colorado. We stopped for the night in Salida, Co.

Truck continues to do well. Although the fuel mileage is lower than I expected when traveling and you have your second home behind you plus the family I just want the truck to run right and get us there.

It is doing a fine job of that.

I am wondering though about the cooling capacity. It seems to me that the temp guage is getting quite a workout.

It was 103F today but I don't recall my 6.4 moving near as much to the right as this one does.

Here is a couple of pic! first one is a campground that we stayed at in Kansas, the other is the road (HWY 50) towards Canon City, CO

 

Subscribed, love the updates, please keep em coming!

Also, so I spy JT Strongarms on your 5er?

Love those things, did wonders for mine.

 

Do you feel more stable on this trip with the DRW vs. your old SRW?

 

Yes, those arethe JT's you see. They help a lot!