The new truck has about 3,000 miles and is getting horrible milege while towing. I went to NYC last week with a heavy load and got just under 6 mpg loaded. I also had a trip to Pittsburg with only 1600# on the trailer and got just under 10. My trailer weighs about 6400# empty. I could run the 03 with the VA on 150 and still stay about 10 with a heavy load and get 15 with an empty trailer. Is this the going rate for MPG towing?? I am putting the ATS in in the morning and running the Pred after that to see what improvments can be made. I guess I may also look at an intake also. Any ideas would be appreciated.

You need to get some more miles on it. Alot of folks are seeing mileage go up dramatically after break-in. May take 12K or more.

I pull a 8000 lb 5th wheel and get 11.5 MPG (hand calulated) with 5000 miles on it. I have my E/A on level 2 when towing. I live in the Seattle area and we have a lot of hills.

What speed are you driving at and were there head winds? Are the miles hand calculated? Since there is nothing in your signature to indicate otherwise, it appears your suspension and tires are stock.

If you were doing 60 mph and the shape of the load was not to unusual, then you may have problem. I would expect much better than 6 mpg under normal conditions. Seems most of the folks towing big 5th wheels get around 9 mpg. You can always take it to the dealer and have them scan for codes and check the balance rates. (Be sure and remove the power add-ons first.) Please let us know what you find out.

Agree with BH in AZ. I just did a trip from Sacramento to Houston with 14000# fifth wheel with my '05 starting with about 3000 miles on it. I got 9 MPG roundtrip according to DIC. The trip on the 40 has some very steep climbs and I was dealing with 25 MPH side and head winds in NM and TX. I was towing at about 70 MPH. At the lower speeds in California I was getting ~11 according to the DIC. I travelled ~62 MPH . I hope my mileage improves also...

What speed are you driving at and were there head winds? Are the miles hand calculated? Since there is nothing in your signature to indicate otherwise, it appears your suspension and tires are stock.

If you were doing 60 mph and the shape of the load was not to unusual, then you may have problem. I would expect much better than 6 mpg under normal conditions. Seems most of the folks towing big 5th wheels get around 9 mpg. You can always take it to the dealer and have them scan for codes and check the balance rates. (Be sure and remove the power add-ons first.) Please let us know what you find out.
now that I can check balance rates... could you tell me what the norm's are... or where to find the schedule for the rates? thanks

I tow a 7000 lb Travel Trailer. Stock tune 13 - 15 avg. Predator Tow tune (40hp) 13 - 15 avg.

Grayman, SRW or DRW, enclosed or open trailer? That's an awfully light load to impact mpg's like that. Speed please? :confused:

There's mucho discussion on the forum about how unreliable/inaccurate the DIC's are for computing mpg's. Concensus is to check them by hand. JJ :)

now that I can check balance rates... could you tell me what the norm's are... or where to find the schedule for the rates? thanks

I believe the numbers are between +/- 4 when in park, at idle or +/- 6 when in gear at idle. The engine must be warmed up first.

Sounds like he got just under 10mpg towing 8,000lb with a 8,000lb dually, probably on winter fuel. I would check inflation pressures, trailer bearings and brakes. He's not down too far.

thanks BHinAZ

Speed is around 65 or so. I hand checked one tank and the DIC was a little high about .3 mpg. I had a fairly tall load. The ATS install had a glitch so the job is half done and won't be completed until later in the week. I will hand check a few more tanks this week and see how she does.

I pull trailer w/8000lbs daily and i get the best mileage with predator on 65hp. that is 13 mpg. I put 230000 on my 99 gasser and got no more than 10 mpg towing. so i am happy with 13. When i go to coast in south texas from austin, i get 18-20 and that is going 75-85 the whole way.

I just put 265's on my truck and know the DIC is off, will having the ECM reprogrammed will this fix the DIC?

I towed my 5ver this week end to the beach I have a 47 gallon tank guess what I got 330 mile on 47 gallons this is crap I have 18,000 miles on my truck. I am sick of my lemon.

Well, I've got the ATS in mostly... still need to istall the Co-pilot. I also wired up the finger stick and started running the pred on the 40hp setting which seems to have helped the fuel milege a fair bit. I'm going to Pittsburg tonight so I will have a better idea with a load. If I can stay above 9 I will be happy...... maybe.

mileage definately sucks on my o5 lly while towing