Looking for a reality check on mileage. '00 Excursion, 296k miles, just replaced injectors with remans. I also replaced the turbo pedestal with the EBPV delete at the same time (flap was stuck closed) and I've got the 470k-ohm resistor in the actuator wire to block any CEL and/or fault codes.

I just finished a ~2,000 mile round-trip tow from CT to WI and back, pulling a 10,000 GVWR 8'x8'x28' enclosed car trailer (fully loaded). I averaged 11 mpg most of the trip, with 10.5 mpg through the Berkshires and Poconos westbound on I-80 (70mph), and a best mileage of 12mpg coming back from WI to central Indiana (lots of flat land, cruise control set at 67-68, blessedly low traffic in the loop around Chicago, and rolling tolls).

Other comparable mileage checks from the year are ~10.5 towing that same trailer back and forth to NJ and upstate NY over the summer, and 13-15 towing a loaded open aluminum trailer to Alabama last Xmas, with as high as 18 coming back to CT with that trailer empty.

I replaced the injectors last month because they were tired and it was getting hard to start (it starts and runs great now) but I was hoping to get a bump in mileage out of it. That didn't change; it's about the same as it was before.

Granted, I'm pulling a big square box through the air, but is this somewhere around the expected fuel economy for this truck/load, or is there something else I can do to check for issues and to bump that up?

- Greg

 

Greg, FWIW, your MPGs sound in the ballpark...What speed do you cruise at?

 

For this last Wisconsin-to-CT trip we were in no particular hurry so we kept the cruise at 67-69, to keep the revs below 2000 (Internet lore, or true?) That's where we got the 12mpg on the flats from WI to IN, 10.3 through Toll Hell (IN and OH to central PA), and 10.9 through the Poconos and Berkshires. Seems like mileage dives quickly above that speed.

- Greg

 

Those numbers sound pretty good. Weight is not as big a factor as pulling a wall behind you -You could probably put another 3-4 k in your trailer & get close to the same mileage. Keep your rpms around 2k or less when ever you can .The wind resistance is what kills mileage when towing, from my experience. Edit - You type quicker than me,lol. You had the sweet spot at 67- 69, thats the way mine pulls best too

 

Ah well, thanks for the feedback. At least it's better than the 6-7mpg I got with the Excursions' predecessor, a 6.8L V10 Econoline...

I'm giving thought to fabricating an aluminum-framed V-nose for the front of the trailer, something using PIP pins that can hinge away when I need access to the back of the Ex. Gives me something to think about over the winter...

- Greg

 

If it will help to make you feel better Greg, my coach gets 6 MPG on a good day...but I gross about 50K with it.

 

Pullin my 34 ft fiver my dually gets just about what you are gettin ! You stand that big flat front to the wind it's like draggin a anchor!!

Smokie

 

MPG's seem on par, with my 5'er or my 28 foot lark hauler, I get around 10.5 to 11 as well.

 

Youre not far off at all. For peace of mind you could do the usual boost leak checks, etc, but I dont think you are missing much in the MPG market.

 

I usually get 11.5 to 12 pulling a 10k fifth wheel trailer, try to keep between 60 and 65, no higher, closer to 60 is better.

 

I pulled a 3 horse aluminum gooseneck to Ky with 2 horses and back and got 13. 60-65 was about as fast i went with Monteagle Tn being the steepest part. I did not push it or keep it wound up just kind of let it do what it wanted with the OD off. It was comfortable at that speed and the other 5 miles an hour was not really gonna save me any time so i rolled with it.

The last time i went to KY was with a TT at around 7k lbs and got 6mpg on a Dodge truck with 360 in it so I was tickled pink with 13.

 

Coming back from Nationals eh.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. Guess I'm not far off. I'll try some aero mods and keep my speed in check.

Me? Yup, coming back from the SCCA Runoffs at Road America, Elkhart Lake WI. Fun times...next year we go to Laguna Seca in Monterrey Cali, don't think I'm going to make that long tow...

 

Update. I took a road trip from CT to a race track in southern VA this past weekend, without a trailer. Me, two other guys, lots of personal gear. Averaged 18mpg over 1200 miles, driving anywhere from 65 to 75 mph.

Sound about right...?

 

That is VERY good Greg!