V10 - "Gas Hog?"
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
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From: South West MO
Originally Posted by Weevil
Got my new topper installed 3/10/05 and drove 45 miles,filled with gas and it took 2.90 gal for 15.51 mpg! I'm still sceptical but I did let the nozzle shut off 3 times. I'll know for sure if this is right or just a fluke when I check next time.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 588
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From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
I know the feeling.. My last truck was a SB chebby with the 5.7L, 29 gal tank and I got @ 10 MPG towing, it was not very far between fuel stops which was not a bad thing because wife and I usually changed off driving between stops. My beasty truck is brand new, less tha 6 hours on the motor. Now this may ruin my reputation as "the gas hog guy" but the MPG is going steadly up. I got a solid 10MPg last time out . I think this beasty may get 13 or 14 no tow.Of course we are in Northern, ohio pretty flat around here. We are making our annual pilgrimage to Camper world tomarrow about 50 miles on the interstate...I will check the MPG. I expect GOOD things...
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 588
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From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
I take back my 'Gas Hog" handle for the V10..MPG challenged maybe..Ran out to camper world today..The motor has got 8 hours on it.Hit the interstate, got it up to 62MPh at 2000RPM's (4:30Diff) Set the cruse ran 30 miles out and 30 miles back..all interstate pretty level..did 13.7 MPG..it gets better with every hour of motor time..tell you the truth I did not expect to get 13 no tow ever. I'll bet this beasty will get 14 or better no tow once it gets some time on it..My Varooom , varoom days were 30 years ago. I think I was listening to too many of you young wippersnappers with a heavy foot..
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
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From: South West MO
YOU done good !
Originally Posted by richfaa
I take back my 'Gas Hog" handle for the V10..MPG challenged maybe..Ran out to camper world today..The motor has got 8 hours on it.Hit the interstate, got it up to 62MPh at 2000RPM's (4:30Diff) Set the cruse ran 30 miles out and 30 miles back..all interstate pretty level..did 13.7 MPG..it gets better with every hour of motor time..tell you the truth I did not expect to get 13 no tow ever. I'll bet this beasty will get 14 or better no tow once it gets some time on it..My Varooom , varoom days were 30 years ago. I think I was listening to too many of you young wippersnappers with a heavy foot..
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
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From: South West MO
Real funny
Also funny is that if I don't change my ways here soon I'll have 2000 miles on it in one month ! Maybe the shock of the gas bill on the credit card will get me back to reality. My last truck an '86 chebby (shouldn't complain as it was pretty trouble free) was a gas hog but it didn't matter. For the 15 years I had it I only ave. 2500 miles a year. Just used it when I needed a truck. I still plan to do that with the V10 but for now I just like to drive it ! Just hit 100 posts. Better act growed up now that I'm a senior.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 588
Likes: 1
From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
I only use this beast to tow..Right now I am trying to get it broke in. I averaged less that 8000 miles per year in my Chebby tow truck 95% of that with a camper in tow. Got 9-11 MPG towing with the Chebby would be a happy camper if I matched that with this big truck and I am sure I will. I never expected much in the way of MPG but so far it is better than I expected... It is smooth and quiet but it rides kind of rough..It rides like ....you know.....a truck....
Posting Guru
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,713
Likes: 16
richfaa , A monster truck like yours getting that kind of mileage. Wow. I got the same truck as you in a SRW and these things are big. I am very pleased with my fuel useage. If I hotrod it I pay but you know what we have an 02 Honda Accord Vtech 4 banger and It is a great car but if you hotrod that little girl, her gas mileage is no screaming hell.
My biggest problem with my V10 is I drive it when I should drive the Honda but the Honda is just not as much fun. 7 weeks now, the novelty should be wearing off this new toy but its not. Glad you like your truck. Take care, Wrench.
My biggest problem with my V10 is I drive it when I should drive the Honda but the Honda is just not as much fun. 7 weeks now, the novelty should be wearing off this new toy but its not. Glad you like your truck. Take care, Wrench.
Guest
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 7,988
Likes: 55
From: north west new jersey
wearing off? no the bseg keeps getting bigger. take care of your rides guys it's a unreal combo
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From: Long Island USA
Originally Posted by Weevil
LOL how we are happy with 13.7 !! My mpg seemed to go up a little since I put topper on but maybe it is more due to getting broke in ?
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
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From: South West MO
Originally Posted by krewat
I get 13.5MPG with an open bed, and 15 with a cab-height cap (topper)... it's definitely a gain... tried it a few times on long 400+ mile trips, with and without. Every time, I get 1-1.5MPG better with the cap than without.
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
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From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
I still have the open bed.Going to get the Fold-a-cover on the bed since it will close over a Fifth wheel hitch. For those of you with the 5er hitch take a look at WWW.foldacover.com interesting...
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
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From: South West MO
Originally Posted by richfaa
I still have the open bed.Going to get the Fold-a-cover on the bed since it will close over a Fifth wheel hitch. For those of you with the 5er hitch take a look at WWW.foldacover.com interesting...
Elder User
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 588
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From: N.Ridgeville, Ohio
I can't provide any first hand information since I do not have the fold-a-cover on the truck.My information comes from another Rv forum that I belong to and several members have the cover on their trucks. I will ask about the MPG.My guess is that it would be as good as having a topper?
FTE Leadership Emeritus
Joined: May 2004
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From: Melbourne, Aus
A well designed topper (one with curvature at the rear) will be better.
As it creates less turbulance at the rear of the vehicle (by allowing air to follow the body around the back)
Without a tonneau cover, it effectively creates a high pressure area in the bed - as air gets sucked into it - and this effectively acts a tonneau cover. There is a little turbulance, but not as much as you might expect.
At higher speeds (80mph say) you might see around a .5mpg improvement (this is an estimate) with a well designed topper you could see as much as 1.5mpg (again an estimate).
As it creates less turbulance at the rear of the vehicle (by allowing air to follow the body around the back)
Without a tonneau cover, it effectively creates a high pressure area in the bed - as air gets sucked into it - and this effectively acts a tonneau cover. There is a little turbulance, but not as much as you might expect.
At higher speeds (80mph say) you might see around a .5mpg improvement (this is an estimate) with a well designed topper you could see as much as 1.5mpg (again an estimate).
Senior User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 213
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From: South West MO
Testing?
There have been some scientific test's done on mpg difference with tail gate up vs down. I wish they'd do some with covers, toppers, of different designs etc. I wonder if someone might have already done such a study? You'd think the topper, cover, camper folks would do this. If results were neg. I suppose they'd not want it known.