Fuel Mileage
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Senior User
Joined: Feb 2007
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Fuel Mileage
I'm sure this has been discussed 100,000 times, but I wanted to make sure I'm not missing anything.
I get about 15 mpg in my 2WD F250 Supercab. When I towed my 12 foot trailer I got about 12 - 13, with my 16 foot I get 8 - 10. The 16 foot probably weighs less than 3000 pounds loaded.
I realize that towing will greatly reduce your mileage, but even my unloaded MPG seems low. And although there is probably lots of BS on the internet, I keep hearing about people getting mid teens towing 5th wheels at 75 mpg. I've got a friend with an Excursion who gets 19 empty, and 12 - 13 towing a 24 foot trailer with more load. His truck is stock.
I drive under 2000 RPMs on the highway. I put on a Juice/Attitude, MBRP exhaust, and AFE Stage one - no MPG gains.
I tow with the Edge in tow mode. Its a little underpowered going up hills. I tried it on a higher mode and it was great, but I've been told thats really hard on the truck.
Fuel filter is changed every other oil change.
Could I be missing anything? Shouldn't I get slightly better mileage?
I get about 15 mpg in my 2WD F250 Supercab. When I towed my 12 foot trailer I got about 12 - 13, with my 16 foot I get 8 - 10. The 16 foot probably weighs less than 3000 pounds loaded.
I realize that towing will greatly reduce your mileage, but even my unloaded MPG seems low. And although there is probably lots of BS on the internet, I keep hearing about people getting mid teens towing 5th wheels at 75 mpg. I've got a friend with an Excursion who gets 19 empty, and 12 - 13 towing a 24 foot trailer with more load. His truck is stock.
I drive under 2000 RPMs on the highway. I put on a Juice/Attitude, MBRP exhaust, and AFE Stage one - no MPG gains.
I tow with the Edge in tow mode. Its a little underpowered going up hills. I tried it on a higher mode and it was great, but I've been told thats really hard on the truck.
Fuel filter is changed every other oil change.
Could I be missing anything? Shouldn't I get slightly better mileage?
Postmaster
Joined: Dec 2005
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Do you have an auto or a standard trans? There are alot of way your MPG can be bad. Mine was going down then i found out one of my brake caliper got stuck, and i had a locked up brake. Found out when the pads were roached and the caliper started hitting the rotor.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Cincinnati, Ohio
One has to ask, how does your truck run? I mean other than crappy fuel mileage, does it have turbo boost, does it sound bad, exhaust smoke, slow off the line? I have read that sometimes diesel fuel grows algae in the tank, because the fuel attracts moisture, and the by-product of this algae is referred to as (bones) and will significantly reduce your MPG's AND it doesn't go away on it own you have treat the fuel and the tank to get rid of it! Have you tried Power Source Diesel Kleen or Stanadyne?
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Eastern Washington State
I've been struggling with the MPG I'm getting, too, but have decided it's doing okay considering. I pull a 13,000 lb 5th wheel travel trailer and am getting right around 9 mpg. Empty, I'm getting around 12-13. I wish it were better, but I have the 4.13 gear ratio, DRW and am running on 100% biodiesel, which has a little less BTUs. So all in all, I think I'm doing okay. Others get better, but most have chips and other mods that I don't have. Mines a 6-speed manual, which I love for the big 5R tow.
It looks like my mileage is best while pulling the 5R running at around 62 mph, RPMs at 2000. I can put the cruise on in 6th gear (OD) and it cruises along very happily, up and down small hills and on the level.
My milage definately improved around 2mpg after I replaced my moth eaten exhaust back pressure sensor tube and replaced the EBP sensor. You might want to check and be sure that tube is clean on your rig.
Please let us know if you get any improvement on your MPG with some changes!!
It looks like my mileage is best while pulling the 5R running at around 62 mph, RPMs at 2000. I can put the cruise on in 6th gear (OD) and it cruises along very happily, up and down small hills and on the level.
My milage definately improved around 2mpg after I replaced my moth eaten exhaust back pressure sensor tube and replaced the EBP sensor. You might want to check and be sure that tube is clean on your rig.
Please let us know if you get any improvement on your MPG with some changes!!
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I have an auto trans.
Truck runs fine. Takes off fine, doesn't blow excessive smoke, etc. Its always been this way since I bought it about 18 months ago with 43K on it. Now has ~60K on the clock. I do put in some Diesel Kleen every couple of tanks. Never seems to do anything, but I do it anyway.
Tell me more about the exhaust back pressure sensor tube and EBP sensor......never heard of either....definitely would like to look into these things if they could be causing issues.
Truck runs fine. Takes off fine, doesn't blow excessive smoke, etc. Its always been this way since I bought it about 18 months ago with 43K on it. Now has ~60K on the clock. I do put in some Diesel Kleen every couple of tanks. Never seems to do anything, but I do it anyway.
Tell me more about the exhaust back pressure sensor tube and EBP sensor......never heard of either....definitely would like to look into these things if they could be causing issues.
Senior User
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 200
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From: Eastern Washington State
Go here for info on how to clean your EBPS tube...
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/ebps.html
There's been quite a bit of discussion on this forum about this recently, too.
http://guzzle.rbmicro.com/ebps.html
There's been quite a bit of discussion on this forum about this recently, too.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 224
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From: San Jose , ca
Indeed a form of microbotic growth will accrete in the fuel, some refer to it as algae, whatever you want to call it, it clogs filters; usually does not get to IP or injectors. There several anti microbotic fuel additives available on the market. Someone familar with the products currently available will please post them.
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From: Ellensburg, Washington
ready for the blow to the kidneys boys........ I get 13-14mpg towing my seven horse Bloomer trailer loaded. I get roughly 17-18 in town unloaded. Anything can be done to improvemileage but I honestly believe its how you drive while loaded down. just my $.02 worth
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
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From: Eastern Washington State
Must be that higher altitude in Ellensburg, Steve. 
No...really...I'm big-time jealous!!! Frustrates the hell out of me that I can't get better. Do you know what that horse trailer weighs fully loaded??
No...really...I'm big-time jealous!!! Frustrates the hell out of me that I can't get better. Do you know what that horse trailer weighs fully loaded??
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Originally Posted by powerstroked162
ready for the blow to the kidneys boys........ I get 13-14mpg towing my seven horse Bloomer trailer loaded. I get roughly 17-18 in town unloaded. Anything can be done to improvemileage but I honestly believe its how you drive while loaded down. just my $.02 worth
Cowboy Steve
Cowboy Steve
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From: Ellensburg, Washington
Wheatina- To be honest I have never pulled it across the scales. Its an aluminuminuminum unit. You figure roughly a horse on average weighs in at about 1100lbs a piece, so I easily have 7700lbs in just horses. I'll try and find some weight info for ya on the trailer itself.
Cowboy Steve
P.S.- where you at in the state?
Cowboy Steve
P.S.- where you at in the state?
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Joined: Nov 2006
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From: Eastern Washington State
We're in the Ritzville area over here...out in the middle of wide open wheat country. What are the specs on your truck...it's not in your signature? Ellensburg is one of my very favorite places in the state...beautiful valley!!
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2004
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From: Ellensburg, Washington
Im an OBS PSD felon out on parol, free to roam the 99+ 7.3 threads, lol.
I run a '97 F250 unit. All I had room for in my sig was my mods and numbers, lol. Yeah you are in the middle of wheatvilletuky arent ya.
Cowboy Steve
I run a '97 F250 unit. All I had room for in my sig was my mods and numbers, lol. Yeah you are in the middle of wheatvilletuky arent ya.
Cowboy Steve
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From: house springs,mo
do you have a lead foot? i do and my last fillup i got 15 mpg unloaded and i burn a lot of diesel (smoke) thats hwy and around town miles together! and my truck weighs 7600 lbs! if i tow my 5000lbs camper i get around 14.9 at 65-70 mph
