First Towing Experience
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
I average 11 to 13 with 5er in sig. Max 3 axle or higher speed in Ca. is 55 so I set cruise at 60. If I were to take her to 65 or 70 I would probably be about where you are for mileage. That extra 10 mph with that load and increased wind resistance devours fuel. Go fast or save fuel. Your choice. That's not counting the cost of a very expensive ticket to boot. 
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,199
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From: High Point, NC
I agree - slower speeds = better MPGs, but here in TX most highways/interstates are 70/75 MPH... people will run you over for doing less - esp in the metro areas. Not that I let that bother me, but everything here is so darn far from everything else, doing 55/60 will take FOREVER!
As far as tire pressure - when towing I increase the tire pressure in both the truck and the TT always has max PSI. I have load range E on the truck and load range D on the TT.
Anyhow - the purpose of this post was not to start a rant about MPGs vs drag vs rain vs speed vs tire... well, you get the idea; I drove a gasser for years, I am well versed in all of the MPG factors. The purpose was to share my first towing experience in the PSD over the V10 I formerly had and to get some feedback on my EOT vs Water temps, as this is something of conumdrum to me. I have a lot to learn about this engine!
As far as tire pressure - when towing I increase the tire pressure in both the truck and the TT always has max PSI. I have load range E on the truck and load range D on the TT.
Anyhow - the purpose of this post was not to start a rant about MPGs vs drag vs rain vs speed vs tire... well, you get the idea; I drove a gasser for years, I am well versed in all of the MPG factors. The purpose was to share my first towing experience in the PSD over the V10 I formerly had and to get some feedback on my EOT vs Water temps, as this is something of conumdrum to me. I have a lot to learn about this engine!
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 348
Likes: 0
Hey Mark,welcome to the "DARK SIDE" LOL!! I'll try to help. The deal with the ECT & EOT temp. differential is that the rule of thumb is for your EOT to be no more than 15 deg. more than your ECT for SUSTAINED periods AFTER the truck is FULLY WARM traveling at HIGHWAY speeds. The one thing I am not 100% sure on is the fact that you were towing. I THINK the rule of thumb is based on an empty truck but hopefully someone else more knowledgable will chime in and clear that part up. If you are outside the 15 deg. temp. differential this means that you need your oil cooler either rebuilt or replaced. (some have flushed their cooling systems with varying degrees of success also).The issues that stem from a blocked oil cooler are (obviously) excess oil temps. and also the possibility of a ruptured EGR cooler.The reasoning for this is that the EGR cooler is after the oil cooler in the path that the coolant flows which can "starve" the EGR cooler of coolant causing the solder joints to overheat and give up. Once again I THINK you're okay given the fact you were towing showing the 16 deg. diff. but someone else will chime in and clear that up I'm sure. If I were you,I'd drive the truck without towing and see what SUSTAINED temp. diff. you come up with at HIGHWAY speeds. Enjoy that new ride brother,and let us know how your temps. look!
Hotshot
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 13,834
Likes: 26
From: Middle Tn.
Under sustained speeds while towing on flat ground in 100+ temps I still do not exceed the 15 degree diff. You will be all over the place however climbing, cresting or going down hill. Everything is based on constants.
Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2009
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From: AZ
Agreed ! I hit 20 plus splits hitting some wild pulls ,, it always settled down after the crest .. I was freaking out because there are no easy #'s to follow ..
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Posting Guru
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: High Point, NC
Update on H2OTemp/EOT:
I haven't done any long runs since the last trip towing my TT - but this week I had to go to a conference in Austin. Anyhow, running empty with ambient temps in the mid 80's to low 90's, I watched the H2O and EOT's and saw a spread of 9* to 12* - with water being int he 185/189* range and EOT running 194*/208*. Of course the higher temps were pulling a hill or sitting in stop/go traffic (which SUCKED in SA/Austin).
So conclusion: I think my towing temps were fine if we consider the above as baseline. That being said - I probably need to do a coolant flush and add a coolant filter as future insurance.
Thoughts?
I haven't done any long runs since the last trip towing my TT - but this week I had to go to a conference in Austin. Anyhow, running empty with ambient temps in the mid 80's to low 90's, I watched the H2O and EOT's and saw a spread of 9* to 12* - with water being int he 185/189* range and EOT running 194*/208*. Of course the higher temps were pulling a hill or sitting in stop/go traffic (which SUCKED in SA/Austin).
So conclusion: I think my towing temps were fine if we consider the above as baseline. That being said - I probably need to do a coolant flush and add a coolant filter as future insurance.
Thoughts?
Elder User
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 821
Likes: 1
From: Nashville
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