Hunting for a new tow rig/DD

marvilusone

marvilusone

Well-Known Member
Joined
Oct 21, 2007
Location
Charleston, SC
Here's the deal. I've got a 1995 C1500 @ 220k and it's getting time to put some decent money into it if I continue to tow with it. I currently get around a 15mpg average DDing between city & highway. I know there are more capable tow rigs out there that actually get better mileage DDing than I am getting now. I've been looking at either a newer GM 6.0 gasser, older 7.3 turbo stroke, or an older Cummins. From what I've been reading on the other thread about the 6.0, it gets better mileage than I am now. The question is what kind of mileage are those with stock or fairly stock 7.3's and Cummins diesels getting? I'm looking for real world #'s not window sticker or some other media source. The ideal rig would be under $6k. I am also open to other options on different drivetrains not mentioned above. Headed to the trails I tow around 5k to 6k lbs so whatever the drivetrain is I need it to be in a 3/4 or 1 ton chassis as the 1/2 ton has treated me well since I already had it but I believe it's towing time has come to an end. Whatever I get I will most likley keep for a long while so longevity and cost of repairs are factors as well. Thanks in advance.
 
my 99 f250 gets no better than 17 unloaded staying out of the skinny. i mostly tow with my 02 sierria 5.3. never really complains, has never let me down and has hauled loads to GA, WNC,VA,SC....pulls great. 14 towing 17 around town...most loads are xjs or zjs 3500-6000 pounds i cant justify pulling with a diesel the way diesel fuel is and i hardly haul over 6k so if it was up to me only hauling 6k max and down i would get a nice optioned 1500 or 1500 hd.
 
real world, i can get, maybe... MAYBE, two days out of $20 of diesel. that was when it was at $4.70/gal and only driving for school (about 20 min. each way) and work (to/from, lunch, close misc. stuff). It's a 97 F250 PSD.

PS: quite heavy right foot with deep gearing (4.10s?)
 
95 F350 7.3psd 4x4 4.10gears....towing getting 14 to 15. Not towing 18 to 20 with a 5 speed manual. I drive very light footed most of the time.
 
I will agree with rockmafia. (i bought one of his 2wd cummins trucks)

I can easily squeeze out 20 by keeping my foot out of it and taking my time in mostly interstate driving. The problem is i DD it, I have a 3.5 mile commute, and rarely drive outside of town or even get up to 55 mph lately. Pure city stop and go driving on the last two tanks netted me 16 mpg both times. Not terrible, but hurts, knowing that the truck can pull 20.
 
rockmafia said:
Both of the 2wd cummins trucks I've had got 20+ mpg. 15 or so towing.
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awspence said:
I will agree with rockmafia.
I can easily squeeze out 20 by keeping my foot out of it and taking my time in mostly interstate driving. The problem is i DD it, I have a 3.5 mile commute, and rarely drive outside of town or even get up to 55 mph lately. Pure city stop and go driving on the last two tanks netted me 16 mpg both times. Not terrible, but hurts, knowing that the truck can pull 20.
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Ditto... My '93 D350 CTD w/ auto (2WD CC Dually) netted 21+ empty coming back from Asheville (trip up was 16mpg w/ 100 miles in town = VERY heavy right foot at the lights :flipoff2:). Recently pulleded a '65 Cuda to Greenville, SC and got about 15mpg towing approx. 5500#
 
Thanks for all the great info guys. I had a 2005 Ram 4x4 QC with the 5.7 Hemi and towing package offered to me today from my girlfriends family for a killer deal with low low miles. Has anyone had any experience with mileage/towing on these?
 
I dont know what tranny the Hemi truck has, but id check into it.
Our industrial engine salesman has an 07 Dodge 4wd with the small (4.7?) V8 at 52k he is on transmission #4.

Now almost all those miles are either towing a trailer or at least 1 engine in the bed...
 
Search some forums for the mpg the hemi's get. I thought about buying one till I saw how crappy the milage is on them. Guy in our club has towed with one. It screams in 2nd gear going up any decent sized hill.
 
marvilusone said:
Thanks for all the great info guys. I had a 2005 Ram 4x4 QC with the 5.7 Hemi and towing package offered to me today from my girlfriends family for a killer deal with low low miles. Has anyone had any experience with mileage/towing on these?
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For the money you'll spend on that - you can have a nice, comfy DD (or a fast , fun DD that still pulls down 21mpg like I did) AND a good tow rig.
 
I had an 05 Grand cherokee with the hemi.... got 13-15mpg... mixed driving
 
a friend has an 03 2500 4x4 QC with the Hemi and auto, he gets 14.5 avg with normal driving and gets 12.5 towing a jeep or small enclosed with it... it doesnt have any trouble towing... He put on a programmer, which really woke it up though...
 
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