Best Powerstroke
Logistics Pro
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 3,554
Likes: 6
From: Mesick
How many of you are actually calculating MPG versus looking at the trip computer? How many of you live in flat wide open territory with relatively warm temperatures?
I just think there are too many variables to give a tried and true number.
I just think there are too many variables to give a tried and true number.
Fleet Mechanic
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 1,312
Likes: 327
From: San Antonio, TX
I usually get about 18 in my 2003 Excursion 7.3 4x4 with mixed city and highway. Best ever was 22 mpg, but that was really babying it, all interstate. That's hand calculated, not using the "lie-o-meter" electronic readout, which is usually about 10 mpg too optimistic.
My Ex is pretty much stock, but has the 6637 filter and slightly larger tires (285's). Speedometer/odometer is accurate. Also have a Bullydawg controller and keep it set on tow/economy.
If someone told me they hit 30 mpg, I'd have to tell them to put down the crack pipe.
My Ex is pretty much stock, but has the 6637 filter and slightly larger tires (285's). Speedometer/odometer is accurate. Also have a Bullydawg controller and keep it set on tow/economy.
If someone told me they hit 30 mpg, I'd have to tell them to put down the crack pipe.
Cargo Master
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 2,111
Likes: 0
From: Yreka, CA
But you are correct. Every driving situation is different and every driver is different. I have a very light foot so I tend to get decent mileage out of my rigs.
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
I usually get about 18 in my 2003 Excursion 7.3 4x4 with mixed city and highway. Best ever was 22 mpg, but that was really babying it, all interstate. That's hand calculated, not using the "lie-o-meter" electronic readout, which is usually about 10 mpg too optimistic.
My Ex is pretty much stock, but has the 6637 filter and slightly larger tires (285's). Speedometer/odometer is accurate. Also have a Bullydawg controller and keep it set on tow/economy.
If someone told me they hit 30 mpg, I'd have to tell them to put down the crack pipe.
My Ex is pretty much stock, but has the 6637 filter and slightly larger tires (285's). Speedometer/odometer is accurate. Also have a Bullydawg controller and keep it set on tow/economy.
If someone told me they hit 30 mpg, I'd have to tell them to put down the crack pipe.
One thing i'm seeing is the 7.3 seems to be a beast all around.
New User
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From: PACE FL. SANTA ROSA CO.
2001 f350 drw lariat, 3 stage programer 7.3 psd. avg 15 around town,20/23 on the road at 65mph better at 60 in stage 3, when set to stock ford setting it gets 12/14 in town 15/16 on the road. currently have 336,000 miles on the clock.
i'm 70 and looking for a f250 for my truck camper and would rather get a new truck with waarrenty, getting to old to do my own maintenance.guess the 6.7 willhave to do.
Now who can give me some info on what chip or programer would help with mpg , looking to a trip to alaska from pensacola wuth the truck camper which weighs 2300lb , i got 19/20 on a 5500 mi trip in nov. with the camper. LARRY
i'm 70 and looking for a f250 for my truck camper and would rather get a new truck with waarrenty, getting to old to do my own maintenance.guess the 6.7 willhave to do.
Now who can give me some info on what chip or programer would help with mpg , looking to a trip to alaska from pensacola wuth the truck camper which weighs 2300lb , i got 19/20 on a 5500 mi trip in nov. with the camper. LARRY
New User
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
99 F-250 SD Crew Cab, standard bed. Call me a liar if you want, but one one trip from WA to central Oregon back in about 2004, I managed to get 26 based on road miles recorded by the GPS, and total gallons of diesel purchased. I started with a full tank and filled up all the way at the end. I calculated it in the hotel when we arrived. Then I calculated it again. Then I had my wife check me.
The drive was fast and smooth. No cargo, all freeway, cruise control, (at around 70) and the mileage matched up close enough to Mapquest for me to believe that it was correct. I triple checked the fuel slips and unless someone gave me more fuel than I was charged for (pretty darn unlikely) then 26 is the number.
The trip home wasn't even close, but then again, I went out to the coast, picked up cargo and then drove home. I wouldn't expect it to be. 30 might be a stretch, but with everything just right, I'm sure that some amazing numbers are possible, but only on a once in a blue moon basis.
The drive was fast and smooth. No cargo, all freeway, cruise control, (at around 70) and the mileage matched up close enough to Mapquest for me to believe that it was correct. I triple checked the fuel slips and unless someone gave me more fuel than I was charged for (pretty darn unlikely) then 26 is the number.
The trip home wasn't even close, but then again, I went out to the coast, picked up cargo and then drove home. I wouldn't expect it to be. 30 might be a stretch, but with everything just right, I'm sure that some amazing numbers are possible, but only on a once in a blue moon basis.
Tuned
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 341
Likes: 4
I've only had my 99 7.3l F350 4x4 dually crew for a little over a year. I've tracked every gallon of fuel, odometer reading and price for a little over 12,000 miles and logged it all in a journal along with maintenance records etc.
The best I've ever gotten is 16.5mpg....running 62 mph with the cruse control set, unloaded, on the interstate.
Average as close as I can tell, with about a 50/50 mix of city driving unloaded and pulling a two horse trailer is about 13mpg.....
Worst tank was 11.5...all trailer pulling through the mountains on that tank.
I do like the way the truck pulls the trailer......should have bought one a long time ago....It's great at what it does.
The best I've ever gotten is 16.5mpg....running 62 mph with the cruse control set, unloaded, on the interstate.
Average as close as I can tell, with about a 50/50 mix of city driving unloaded and pulling a two horse trailer is about 13mpg.....
Worst tank was 11.5...all trailer pulling through the mountains on that tank.
I do like the way the truck pulls the trailer......should have bought one a long time ago....It's great at what it does.
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Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 317
Likes: 1
i just bought a 01 f-350 srw 7.3 about 8 months ago.my best was 15.1 town/backroad onloaded.towing my 30ft camper and dump trailer full of coal 13 was best.only mods are intake and 4 inch turbo-back.
remember everybody drives different to.if i would really baby it i could get better.
and i feel like you shoulda bought one a while back also.
remember everybody drives different to.if i would really baby it i could get better.
and i feel like you shoulda bought one a while back also.
Postmaster
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 2,565
Likes: 2
The only Power Strokes I've ever heard getting over 20 mpg are the ones with a programmer and a propane setup in the bed. The 6.7's can get over 20 stock. Otherwise they mostly get mid to high teens running interstate at reasonable speed and not towing with the 7.3L being the best.( prior to the 6.7)
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 23,174
Likes: 1,678
From: Stephensville WI
99 F-250 SD Crew Cab, standard bed. Call me a liar if you want, but one one trip from WA to central Oregon back in about 2004, I managed to get 26 based on road miles recorded by the GPS, and total gallons of diesel purchased. I started with a full tank and filled up all the way at the end. I calculated it in the hotel when we arrived. Then I calculated it again. Then I had my wife check me.
The drive was fast and smooth. No cargo, all freeway, cruise control, (at around 70) and the mileage matched up close enough to Mapquest for me to believe that it was correct. I triple checked the fuel slips and unless someone gave me more fuel than I was charged for (pretty darn unlikely) then 26 is the number.
The trip home wasn't even close, but then again, I went out to the coast, picked up cargo and then drove home. I wouldn't expect it to be. 30 might be a stretch, but with everything just right, I'm sure that some amazing numbers are possible, but only on a once in a blue moon basis.
The drive was fast and smooth. No cargo, all freeway, cruise control, (at around 70) and the mileage matched up close enough to Mapquest for me to believe that it was correct. I triple checked the fuel slips and unless someone gave me more fuel than I was charged for (pretty darn unlikely) then 26 is the number.
The trip home wasn't even close, but then again, I went out to the coast, picked up cargo and then drove home. I wouldn't expect it to be. 30 might be a stretch, but with everything just right, I'm sure that some amazing numbers are possible, but only on a once in a blue moon basis.
This is why you keep an average. Inaccurate high number (and subsequent low numbers) tend to balance each other out.
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 91
Likes: 0
2002 F350 7.3 15-18 MPG
I just got back from elk hunting and averaged over 17 MPG, not towing but It's a F350 Crew cab short bed 4x4 auto with a MBRP 4" exhaust, AFE stage II intake, gauges and the Edge evolution programmer, 35" rubber and 3.73 gears. I get 12-14 towing my 12K LBS fifth wheel. Hope this helps. I have driven all of the powerstrokes and I LOVE the 7.3!!!! Mike.
New User
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
From: SE Louisiana
After 2 full months my stock '06 (6.0L) consistantly gets 18 mpg in combination driving. A friend picked up an '04 (6.0L) last year with 30,000 miles. It has at least one tune, and he is averaging 24. On the road, when tach is 2K, speedo is 70. I cruise just under that.
