Towing with my new truck. What'd you think I meant?

Anyhow, I'm very impressed with how effortlessly this truck tows. Granted our camper isn't that heavy, but wow, what a difference from my old truck. I clipped along route 80 at 62 mph and the rpm's hung around 1500 in 6th gear with tow/haul mode engaged the whole time. The exhaust brake was impressive to me, but I have nothing to compare it to, so take that for what it's worth. But I actually had to accelerate on some of the steeper downhill grades when in the mountains.

The mileage was in the upper 10 to 11 mpg range. I hope that improves as the truck breaks-in more. About 200 miles into our trip I saw the "cleaning exhaust filter" message and was able to observe the effects. The mileage dropped considerably and the engine oil temp went up to 228. It lasted about 15 minutes and then I saw the temps drop and the mileage climb.

Towing up and down the Catskills " hills" was a pleasure and I was surprised to see the mileage only dropped into the low 10's. Again, the exhaust brake impressed me.

This is the first leg of our journey so I have more towing to look forward to. So far, so good.

Dave,

PS: Fueling at truck stops is a treat. The fuel nozzle doesn't shut off automatically in time to prevent spillage onto my new trucks paint. At one stop there were so many semi's idling around me that I couldn't hear the filling sound in my truck so it overflowed a bit even then. Another learning experience!

 

You have a '15 I assume ?

If so you are not wrong the exhaust brake does work well. I have had other trucks with and with out exhaust brakes to compare to.

These things do tow Nice don't they 👍👍

 

Mine will shut off automatically at the truck stops. I set the nozzle on the slowest speed of fill or the first notch to engage the flow.

 

Yes, it is a 2015 Sledhead.

Scott, I'll definitely set the nozzle at the slowest fill rate (first notch) on our next fuel stop. Thanks for clueing me in on that. I'm use to the gas nozzles, set them on the highest fill rate and they stop before overfilling.

Dave

 

The tank on my 2011 overflows very easily. First notch on those big truck stop pumps still creates a mess. I have to keep my ear near the tank and I'm sure I look silly.
Even the gasoline sized small diesel nozzle's at the local stations overflow if I'm not listening for the gurgle.
From there I can ease more fuel in for another minute or two if no one is waiting.

 

hm.. did not have that problem on my 12 250 SB or now my 12 350 DRW longbed

 

There must be something wrong then. I have never had a spillage. Maybe check the return line to see if it is kinked or something?

 

Heading from the Catskills to Cape Cod tomorrow so I'll have the opportunity to use the "first noth" fueling method. I'll let you know how that works for me. Lucky for me diesel fuel doesn't harm the paint when wiped off quickly (as far as I know).

Dave,

 

Solid YES to pumping on the slowest flow rate with all diesel pumps. I find that some pumps are more sensitive than others, definitely not consistent.

Your best clue is to see how much diesel has been spilled over time at the pump you are using. A pump with a touchy flow stop will usually be a clean pump area.

 

Second leg of our trip completed yesterday. Got about 11.2 mpg towing into a good head wind pretty much the whole time so I'm pleased with that. Especially for a new truck. Close to 600 miles since I saw the last "exhaust filter cleaning" message but with all the long hills and towing maybe the exhaust is getting hot enough to keep it clean without a regen.

And using the slowest notch on the pump fixed my overflow spill "problem". Thanks again Scott (Senix).

This truck is a complete pleasure to drive when towing. And when not towing too!! Continue to be impressed so far. I hope the towing gas mileage continues to creep up.

Dave,

 

Or you know, they put up a sign instead of fixing the pump nozzle. Sorta like the road crews that put up 'Rough Road' signs instead of fixing them lol.

This one was a high flow pump for big trucks. I dunno flow rate in m³/hr but I couldn't let go in time when I heard the gurgle.

 

Wow Trent big tank on your big truck. LOL

 

Ford puts that size of tank on all Canada spec trucks because the gas stations are so far apart.

 

Either a big tank or else he left it unattended for a long time and now there's a hazmat team surrounding his truck.

 

Good one !
I'm going with both of these. LOL