I'm thinking about getting one of those PPE computer upgrades. Since fuel is up to $3.69 I would like to try something to improve mileage. I'm kind of new at this Medium Duty Truck stuff but other people are telling me it won't help in mileage, just power. I have a 04 C4500 pulling a 14,000 LB fifth wheel camper. Any thoughts?

I think the answer is relative. When more power is available, most people use it. Faster acceleration, higher sustained speeds, and faster hill climbs equals more fuel use. However, if you get a programer and still drive slow(er) like you do now, then mileage will probably improve.

You will probably not save enough money in fuel costs, to offset the cost of the programmer.

So these folks that tell me they get 16 to 18 towing with a chip or computer change are just full of bull? One guy with a 06 3500 chevy duramax said he got over 25mpg with a PPE programer not hauling. I hate to spend all that money needlessly.

I get 9-10 towing in the flatlands with no hills. And around 13 empty. I have probably tried every single economy tune in the Efilive library and can never get 16-18 towing and have never even gotten close to 25 empty.

A tuner didn't seem to help mileage any...but it sure does tow a whole lot better though.

im looking to get a PPE tuner for an 07' 5500. which tuner would you use? all the instructions say not for use on medium duty trucks, is there a different tuner or just use the same one as the light duty's?

Best call Dan at PPE for the correct information. Most all of the tuners work on the 4500-5500 trucks. I use Efilive and have used the Edge also.

So these folks that tell me they get 16 to 18 towing with a chip or computer change are just full of bull? One guy with a 06 3500 chevy duramax said he got over 25mpg with a PPE programer not hauling. I hate to spend all that money needlessly.

I had a 2003 D-Max 3500. I got 20 mpg on a regular basis with stock tune. The Kodiak will NEVER get that much. Same engine, different truck. My 3500 was about 6,900 pounds, my Kodiak is 13,500 light. That is twice the weight. It being three feet taller and having lower gearing doesn't help matters any either. A good programer and a light foot might net you 1 or 2 mpg at best.

I'm thinking about getting one of those PPE computer upgrades. Since fuel is up to $3.69 I would like to try something to improve mileage. I'm kind of new at this Medium Duty Truck stuff but other people are telling me it won't help in mileage, just power. I have a 04 C4500 pulling a 14,000 LB fifth wheel camper. Any thoughts?

I have a ts preformance module for my 6500 "cat 2136".
My milage is about the same. Maybe a little lower.

I suspect it would be better if I had a differn't trani? I have a 4 speed Alison. If I had a 6 speed and the truck could grab a higher gear the milage mite improve but with only 4 gears there is no gain.

A little more power for the hills but nothing to right home about.

Later,
Don