Do all Campers lie?
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Freshman User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Do all Campers lie?
Wife and I went camping this weekend pulling the 5er behind. Mine is a 2002 F250 PSD CC Lariat 4x4 pulling a 27 fifth wheel weighting around 9 grand. Anyway the camper next to me was driving a 2000 XLT SC 2wd PSD pulling about a 35 foot Holiday Rambler Presidental 5er. Got to talking about our trucks and I asked what kind of milege he got towing that beast. 18 mpg he answered. Excuse me, I said. I meant towing the camper. He said that was correct, 18 towing and 20 not towing. I asked if his truck was stock and he said the only thing he's done was to add a Banks exhaust system but he was getting that before the installation. Now the best I can do with my 7.3 is 18 empty, 12.9 towing @ 55 mph, 11.8 @ 65 and 10.5 @72. Took all I could do to keep from saying Bullcrap
2002 F250 CC Lariat PSD 4x4
1998 Expedition EB
1969 GTO ragtop 4spd
2002 F250 CC Lariat PSD 4x4
1998 Expedition EB
1969 GTO ragtop 4spd
Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,788
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
10-13 mpg pulling any reasonably sized trailer is all that most people report.
I pulled my 16' open trailer (1400 lbs.) from TX to Canada at 65-70 mph with my '99 SD SC PSD and only averaged a little over 16 mpg. It was pretty young at the time (<10,000 miles). With a little more break-in, might have gotten 17 mpg.
I pulled my 16' open trailer (1400 lbs.) from TX to Canada at 65-70 mph with my '99 SD SC PSD and only averaged a little over 16 mpg. It was pretty young at the time (<10,000 miles). With a little more break-in, might have gotten 17 mpg.
Post Fiend
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 11,314
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I would have at least asked if he was a fisherman too, and how big was his last fish caught !!!?!!!
He was probably using the Ford overhead mileage calculation !
He was probably using the Ford overhead mileage calculation !
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Junior User
Joined: Jan 2001
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He is not only full of it regsrding his mileage, I would think he is seriously overweight pulling a 35' Holiday Rambler with that truck!
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Logistics Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Mansfield, TX USA
Originally posted by jskufan
I suppose a difference in rear axle ratio could account for some difference ??!!??
I suppose a difference in rear axle ratio could account for some difference ??!!??
Acceleration while towing was leisurely to say the least.
Also, some people run aftermarket overdrive units and get in the low 20's unloaded on the highway.
Tuned
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 417
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From: Olympic Peninsula, WA USA
Maybe he had a Chip installed? Putting a chip in will really screw up the overhead computer (it reads very high mpg). Even my V10 truck reads about 0.5mpg high consistently and that's with a totally stock truck.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 653
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From: Florida
If he isn't being truthful, it's because he's just plain wrong. I have an'03 6.0 psd, and ican get 20mpg empty running 65mph. But let me put the trailer and tractor behind it (about 6000#) and my mileage drops to 13-14mpg. No way is he getting 18 with that great big heavy air brake behind him.
Junior User
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 78
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From: Chugiak, Alaska
I haul an 8.5 foot camper and tow a 9,000# boat and only get 11 MPG at 55 to 60 with lots of hills. Stock from the factory, 90,000 on 1999 4X4 PSD Maybe if I just add 3 or 4 thousand$ worth of mods I could get it up to 13 or 14 mpg.
Post Fiend
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 6,096
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From: Mesa AZ
CaptKen,
I've had similiar conversations myself. Some people believe their own BS I guess. Best I've gotten unloaded is 19.5 mpg while forcing myself to keep my foot out of it (62-65 mph) and 10 mph loaded 19,000 lbs GCVW. Worst I've gotten is 5.5 mph. 20,500 lbs combined, 80 mph average with slight headwind. My last tank of city driving yielded 15.8 mph which I was completely thrilled with.
BTW, I couldn't help noticing your sig.....gotta love them goats! I myself have a '68 ragtop. Looking for a '67 because I love that style too (plus it's my birth year). Have you seen the new models? Whatcha think?
I've had similiar conversations myself. Some people believe their own BS I guess. Best I've gotten unloaded is 19.5 mpg while forcing myself to keep my foot out of it (62-65 mph) and 10 mph loaded 19,000 lbs GCVW. Worst I've gotten is 5.5 mph. 20,500 lbs combined, 80 mph average with slight headwind. My last tank of city driving yielded 15.8 mph which I was completely thrilled with.
BTW, I couldn't help noticing your sig.....gotta love them goats! I myself have a '68 ragtop. Looking for a '67 because I love that style too (plus it's my birth year). Have you seen the new models? Whatcha think?