2000 Mile Road Trip
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
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From: Florida
2000 Mile Road Trip
Pretty soon I'll be heading across country. I'll have some weight on board and some in a 5'x8' trailer. I'm guessing 500 to 1000 pounds in the bed and 1500 to 2000 pounds for the trailer which includes the weight of the trailer. I've been reading quite a bit on fuel economy and have read that 2000 rpm or below is the best for mpg's when running 4.10's. 2000 rpm puts my truck between 55 and 60 mph. I always use the cruise control. Is it wiser to just set the cruise at 55 and try to maintain 1800 rpm? I'm guessing the turbo will boost on the hills at that speed, am I correct? I am running 285's which are quite worn but figure that may hurt the mpg's a bit. The cat lives and will probably meet its demise later on.
I do have the Riffraff intake and a 3" downpipe - no other mods -
Thanks
I do have the Riffraff intake and a 3" downpipe - no other mods -
Thanks
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,386
Likes: 1
From: Spokane, WA
Wow, I hope you have a good trip. I can't believe you still have the cat, I think you would do much better if you delete it those things are so restrictive. Are you doing a round trip or just moving? It would be interesting if a round trip to delete the cat on the return. Or just buy the delete pipe (bring a sawzall) and install it mid trip I'm sure you would notice improvement/increase in mpg's. Maybe even save enough fuel $$$$$ to pay for delete pipe.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 1,508
Likes: 2
From: The boonies by Dallas OR
You don't get much of a boost at 1800 RPM. If there is much of a hill you'll be dropping into direct to get the power you need. It still saves fuel to stay at 55 MPH because of the wind drag even if the engine is revving up to pull the hill.
I was able to get 15 MPG with my camper on if I stayed at 55 MPH. I did this when diesel was $5 a gallon, but it really kills me to go that slow.
I was able to get 15 MPG with my camper on if I stayed at 55 MPH. I did this when diesel was $5 a gallon, but it really kills me to go that slow.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
Wow, I hope you have a good trip. I can't believe you still have the cat, I think you would do much better if you delete it those things are so restrictive. Are you doing a round trip or just moving? It would be interesting if a round trip to delete the cat on the return. Or just buy the delete pipe (bring a sawzall) and install it mid trip I'm sure you would notice improvement/increase in mpg's. Maybe even save enough fuel $$$$$ to pay for delete pipe.
I am moving to a fairly quiet neighborhood and really don't want to upset the neighbors with high idle warm ups and so on. I will keep the stock muffler as I have read that it's a straight through design.
So staying out of boost saves fuel? I've got the riffraff intake and will listen for the whistle.
Last edited by Major Marvin; Sep 1, 2011 at 01:50 PM. Reason: spelling
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 777
Likes: 6
From: Florida
You don't get much of a boost at 1800 RPM. If there is much of a hill you'll be dropping into direct to get the power you need. It still saves fuel to stay at 55 MPH because of the wind drag even if the engine is revving up to pull the hill.
I was able to get 15 MPG with my camper on if I stayed at 55 MPH. I did this when diesel was $5 a gallon, but it really kills me to go that slow.
I was able to get 15 MPG with my camper on if I stayed at 55 MPH. I did this when diesel was $5 a gallon, but it really kills me to go that slow.
. Now I wish I took care of the cat early on. I have a feeling that acceleration would be smoother with it gone. That and I would have saved a bunch of mpg's over the past year (since I've had the truck).
Anyone install a gph guage on their truck?
Fleet Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 20,419
Likes: 197
From: AZ
I use cruise all the time but I have to admit it wastes fuel under certain conditions. Cruise will do everything possible to maintain speed. For example, your in rolling hills and your rolling down hill. When you hit the next hill the cruise pours it on. If you do it yourself then on the downhill you can let it gain speed and when you hit the uphill you can ease into it and top the hill below the speed you want to go. Less fuel used. On flat land cruise is great. I think a little turbo boost helps burn fuel more efficient. Just my HO.
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John7894
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