I've done about an hour of reading by using the search. A summery would be that fuel mileage improves as the truck's mileage increases. Most of seeing mid teens without anything behind the truck and 9-11/12 while towing. I had a supercharged/intercooled 8.1 Suburban that had plenty if power but would only give me a best of 7.8 MPG while towing an enclosed 24' car hauler. My '05 will only give me a best of 10 pulling the same load (about 9-10,000lbs and towing at 70-75 MPH). I at least expected to be in the 12-13 MPG range based on the glowing mileage reviews that diesels get. Mileage without a trailer is pretty good. I have about 14/15 with a mix or highway and country road driving. I play with it a little too so I'm satisfied with that.

Besides the usually (slow down) has anyone found any ways to pick up a few MPG? I'm currently running a Volant induction, Edge with Attitude (level 2 while towing and 3 without anything back there plus a Cool Dual exhaust). It's time for more power so a Suncoast tranny and converter will probably be coming soon!

Keep the RPM's below 2000 for best mileage. Also keep the fuel and air filters maintained.

Nothing at all has helped me out other then what you stated, slow down. I found 65 seems to be OK.

Your trucks look GREAT!!!!!!!!!:cool2: :cool2: :cool2:

go to www.turbo3000d.com and check out there product. lots of testimonials. interesting reading for sure. :)

Keep that EGT gauge under 600*.

Use the cruise at 70 mph or less...........

Buy a TDI, and park the truck when its not absolutely needed for work.

I have a 04.5 CC DW pulling a 2 car enclosed at 17200lbs empty , with 2 cars I have been 22 thou to a bit over 26 thou , this truck gets consistent 11.6 to 12.2 with trailer and 18+ at 75 mph empty .Mods are as follows -edge juice # 2 most all the time/banks cat back monster exhaust/banks air filter/245x75.16 Mich. tires/lowered 6 rear 3 front. Has had flash. I Love my DA ! could not be more pleased 37,000 miles just over 1 year old,I think I got a good one,Chevy swears they are working the OHeat problem out and I am on the list.

I too have noticed that the milage drops after 70mph. I dno't pull much with it, so I can't help you out other than that.

Can't say that anything has really helped my mileage out more than the transmission upgrade.. Seems to put more usable power to the floor, but that could just be my imagination. Predator seemed to up the milage as well. Juice/egr/catless/exhaust/intake didn't really do much except give it more power, I really did not see an increase there.

I noticed a big jump in mileage after losing the Kitty and muffler :ro) .

and then a little bit more with the powerpup

exhaust will help out, but its about the only upgrade besides a tuner that will. Buddy of mine is getting 90 more miles a tank with his complete exhaust change.

Iam only getting 16.5 on the highway at 70 mph. Iam very disappointed in the mileage iam getting, maybe it will get better as the mileage increases. I am running the edge juice on level 1.

Put it on a Jerr Dan flatbed powered by a Cummins (just can't say that da-n Dudge word). I got 16 town, 18 hwy (65mph) average on my stock 02. My stock 05 (same exact vehicle with same equipment except has 4" exhaust) gets 10 to 11 town, and 13 to 14 hwy (65 mph). All hand calculated. 05 also has less power. The mileage is VERY disappointing as is the power, but I love the truck other than that.

the rumor is that mileage almost flips a switch and gets good at 10k miles.. I am at 8k so I am not far away and am waiting for this change. with the price of diesel these days anything helps

I guess I am one of the lucky ones. My LLY gets 19 on the HWY and 17.5 around town. My LB7 only gets 17 on the HWY and 13 around town. I average 14 towing my fifth wheel with the LLY and 10 with my LB7, Yes thats hand calculated. I have 24,000 on my LLY and have seen no improvement with increased miles on the odometer. My LB7 has over 260,000.

write letters to congress? $2.60 is rediculous ;)

I'm with briano, mileage seemed to increase after 10k, not significantly, but mixed driving, I'm averaging about 18mpg.

I have 13,000 miles on it & don't see any changes yet in mileage. Seems like its getting worse. Going to change the filter & see what happens then....

I have a 04.5 CC DW pulling a 2 car enclosed at 17200lbs empty , with 2 cars I have been 22 thou to a bit over 26 thou , this truck gets consistent 11.6 to 12.2 with trailer and 18+ at 75 mph empty

That's awesome for your combo! I'd be on the bottom end of happy if I got 12.2 with my trailer that weighs less than half of that. The towing mileage is what I'm really concerned with. I usually start to look for fuel when I show a range of 50 miles left. The truck usually needs about 28 gallons when I stop. That ends up being between 255 - 280 miles depending on the mileage for that tank. I was expecting 375+ from a tank while towing when I purchased the truck.

Here is a rundown on the mileage that I saw on my first towing trip -

24' enclosed hauler with no car -

10 MPG - level 2 tune - running between 65-75 - some slow driving because of traffic/snow

9.1 MPG - level 1 tune - 70-80 MPH - getting into the hills of PA

10.9 MPG - level 3 tune - about 70-75 MPH

11.3 MPG - level 3 tune - 70-75 MPH

8.9 - level 2 - running at about 80 MPH most of the time

There were a few other tanks of fuel. The numbers are pretty much the same.

After the car was loaded (level 2 tune unless noted) -

9.0 MPG - 75-80 MPH

8.6 MPG - cruise set at 80 MPH 95% of the time

8.9 MPG - 80-85 MPH

9.6 MPG - 70-75 MPH

10.2 MPG - 70-75 MPH with the level 1 tune

I believe the RPMs were at about 2300 while doing about 75 MPH and 2500 or so at 80.

All of the numbers above were calculated by hand and the tank was filled to the rim each time. I found the display to be off by about .5-.7 MPG (reads high) and the fuel used was off by about 2 gallons when it was time to stop (reads low).

I never saw the low fuel light at any point. The most I needed was 29 gallons. Does anyone know what point that comes on?

Still using winter fuel by any chance?

Yes and no. The trip above took me from MA to Bowling Green Kentucky to pick up a Corvette. I then continued to Panama City Beach and then back to MA. I'm not sure at what point south the fuel changes.

Its the federal government thats dipping their hands in our pockets for Diesel. I am in So Cal, look at the taxes when you fill up next. CA tax is 17 cents while Federal tax is 27 cents. 44 cents in TAXES.........................Come ON

Does any body know if Federal Taxes on fuel has gone up since the Iraq war? Is some of the funding coming from fuel taxes?

one thing I found ,you can have 30 miles of range and have a low range warning and be on the side of the road in 5 miles in a headwind with a slight pull ,very embarrassing , was 3 miles or less from fuel stop ,I don't go beyond a qtr tank on the guage anymore with the trailer on. fuel tank size is not realistic for a truck like this ,I will for sure add more soon ( been saying that for a year!)

My 2004.5 LLY has 17K on the clock and I can get 20-22 MPG on the hiway with the cruise set to just a hair below 65mph. I've been doing mixed HW and around town and my DIC says I'm getting 19.3 MPG. Obviously this is all unloaded with a cap. Your 2005 may need to loosen up a bit before your milage improves. Just let the truck sip the fuel and you're there - get into that right pedal even a little and the milage goes to hell.

I don't have my manual handy. What size tank is in these trucks? Mine is a crew cab, long bed.

I'll usually start to plan my fuel stops when the needle gets to 1/4. 50 miles on the DIC tells me to pull in soon. Most of my stops were with 40-50 miles on the display. I've fun out of gas in my Caddy by relying on the display. Granted it was my fault for pushing it to just under 1 gallon left but I thought I would have made it the last 1/2 mile. The uphill did me in.

32?

I just read a thread in the Performance section (http://dieselplace.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27721 that recommended having the Edge's low boost setting at 1 for good fuel economy. They were talking about power level 3 with 1 for low boost. I wonder if this would be helpful for me while towing. I think I have mine set at level 4 or 5.

My lly according to the DIC is getting 17.4 at 72 MPH. Average of about 14.8 in town with my foot in it on the third setting. Has all terrain 285s as well. My milege went up first after the exhaust was pulled, including the cat, then went up again with the afe stage two, A little more with the egr unplugged, then a little more with the blocker plate and egr plugged back in. I must admit, when I first got the truck I was not happy with the milege, but it was easily overlooked considering the price tag, Now Im very happy, other than the price of fuel here in So Cal. I live 20 miles from 2 major refineries, and am in a valley surrounded by oil fields, and am paying the highest average in the country. SUCKS MAJOR.

What RedSoxFan said. My STOCK 05 CCSB D/A with bed cover and 3500 miles gets the same MPG. Keep the rpm down when accelerating and keep speed below 70. I find 60 to 65 is best. Stanadyne Performance Formula seems to have helped a little.

I don't have my manual handy. What size tank is in these trucks? Mine is a crew cab, long bed.

I'll usually start to plan my fuel stops when the needle gets to 1/4. 50 miles on the DIC tells me to pull in soon. Most of my stops were with 40-50 miles on the display. I've fun out of gas in my Caddy by relying on the display. Granted it was my fault for pushing it to just under 1 gallon left but I thought I would have made it the last 1/2 mile. The uphill did me in.

36 I thought... Here is a tank for you Tom... a 75 gallon repacement tank... http://www.supertanks.com/ I am going to get one soon myself... No wonder you are getting such bad mileage.. driving 75/80 mph! :eek:

VR

If you are towing a tag along or 5th wheel you can get one of these to help with the mileage... http://www.go-rv.com/coast/do/catalog/page?dealerId=531&pageNum=444

VR

i fall in the lucky catagory with milage. with just the pred i got 21- 22 at a hair under 70. 18-19 at 75 and 80. at 83 i could get 19 even. around town i got 16-18 depending how much i beatit and how long it idled. now with my lift and tires i get 18 at 75 17.5 at 80 and 13-15 around town. towing a 5 k trailor i got 11 at 80 and 13.5 at 65. i normally dont beat on my truck. i use cruise allot and rpm's are rearly over 2k around town.

yamaha,
are those numbers hand calculated or are you going by the DIC?

Drive at torque peak for best mileage -- thats the fact. It happens to be a
bit slow (like 62 mph), so that is even better for mileage.

The other killer thing is the tires. Keep the stock low-resistance tires. Remember
that when you are travelling at 70 mph, the top of the tire is traveling at 140 mph
in the opposite direction. Drag goes up like the square of the speed, so those
big agressive tires are real milage killers.

hey frank ep,
sounds like a good plan but those stock tires look like -:t , cant keep them on there for much longer):h

That 75 gallon tank is a big boy! I was looking at another brand that holds 56 gallons. 75/80 MPH isn't to bad when the actual speed limit is 70. We were able to make some good time then. I can't tow at 60-65 (takes to long to get where I'm going). I'll usually cruise at 70-73 in 65 zones.

I've thought about the air deflector before. My Hallmark was like a big wall behind the truck so I bought an ATC trailer with a 4' "V" nose. This should help break the wind much better -

http://www.tbyrne.com/trailer1.jpg

yamaha,
are those numbers hand calculated or are you going by the DIC?
all numbers are hand calc.
i get called every name in the book when i post my milage but i know what i get. any one willing to fill my tank go for a cruise and fill it again is welcome to.:muahaha:

what setting are you running your predator on? just installed mine yesterday with the 65hp toon. shweeet

So the speed limit in MA is 70 mph for cars, pickups with trailers and big rigs too? Or is it 55?

VR

go to www.turbo3000d.com (http://www.turbo3000d.com/) and check out there product. lots of testimonials. interesting reading for sure. :)
Let us know how it works out for ya...:lol:

You will begin losing MPG after 60 MPH. Should you really be driving that fast with such a heavy load anyway???

I'm getting around 17MPG now thats up from 15 and thats without any mods, I intend on adding(purchasing) a complete exhaust system along with a DIABLO Predator so I can add a little more pulling power. I just needed to pay off the VISA before I added more to it;) .

run propane and get 30mpg

No wonder you are getting such bad mileage.. driving 75/80 mph! :eek:

VR
Maybe that's my problem? LOL hard to go slow when it rides so nice at speed. Just need some shocks & maybe air ride. Need to look more into it.

I have a 2004 1/4 lly crew cab four wheel drive. I get 12.5 in town empty and 9 towing. I drive 65 mph. What is wrong with this picture. I am reading all these guy's getting 17Plus!

I'm getting about 10.7 around the city...I've tried running 3/1 on the edge and no difference..I guess it doesn't help when you have a 12" lift right?

No offense, but these mileage posts are always amazing/annoying/ridiculous.

I like getting good mileage as much as the next guy, trust me. There are so many variables to consider, though.

I find that I get pretty large mileage swings from one tank to another, and I try to drive pretty conservatively.

Do you really think somebody living in Montana is gonna be able to get the same mileage as somebody living in a flat, sea-level type area? I don't think so!

I can get 17.5 MPG, hand-calculated, driving 70 MPH most places in Montana if I keep my foot out of it and don't idle a whole lot.

But this is by no means an absolute value--some tanks I'll do slightly better, but a lot of tanks come in at closer to 16 or even the occaisonal 15 MPG.

I remember one tank this winter than went something like 10 MPG with no towing! I was 20 below for a week, and she high-idled for hours at a time.

i changed my exhaust to the MBRP xp series, and head pipe and lost 3 mpg. can anybody help me out with this problem? 2004.5 LLY 2500hd 4x4 crew cab shortbox.

I had a 2002 8.1 with allison lifted 6 in 35 in tires geared 4:56...9-10 mpg in town empty 12 hwy.Towing my toy hauller 10,000 plus 5.5-6 mpg..
I purchased a 2005 lly with the same impression.Great milage and power...Same exact lift and tires,edge,aircleaner and exhaust...10-12 mph empty in town 13-14.5 on hwy.Towing my toy hauler is 7.5-8....Wow I am saving a ton...not really that impressed yet...I only have 6k miles on it...I geuss I need to wait for the big boom at 10k....we will see??????????

This is my second diesel and neither one saw ANY change at 10,000 miles.

i have found that if you draft (not tailgaiting ):h ) behind a big truck, your mileage goes up

Just drove like a maniac on the backroads to Vegas. My truck could not have been driven harder!! 80+mph most of the drive, and as fast as she will go for 40 miles...95mph. I love when it safe to pass, flash the brights, pull out and go! Must have been blowing good smoke, behind the monster tip is black soot...nice!
Oh, I did the math 3 times, round trip 500 miles...15.07 MPG WOO HOO!
Well I have that out of my systen, now I will be a good boy....not!
Den.

i have found that if you draft (not tailgaiting ) behind a big truck, your mileage goes up

Hey, that's cheating! :) I had to do this once years ago. Was getting very low on fuel so I pulled up before a big rig and drafted for awhile. I guess he didn't like me back there because he slammed on the brakes for no reason at one point.

I can remember when i was only getting like 14 or so mpg when i had about 10,000 miles - 15,000 miles. Now that im up to 24,000 it is definetly getting better. Like 19.3 best so far at about 75 mph . I dont understand why it took so long to get it but it did . I drive it like a bat out of he## since the day i got it ! I run Edge w/***. on 5/5 daily !!!