Since we've owned our 2002 Chevy Duramax/Allison Dually, it's
interesting to see how different our mileage has been changed
as the RV's have increased in size.

With our Lance Camper (3000 lbs), we averaged about 14 mpg.
With the Weekend Warrior Toyhauler 22' trailer (10,000 lbs) about 11 mpg.
With the new Weekend Warrior 33' 5th wheel (14,000 lbs), it's dropped to 9 mpg.

All the above mileage averages are included pulling lots of California
and Western State mountain grades.

Has anyone noticed a major improvement in mileage by installing the
"Edge" or "Juice"?

The Duramax sure has enough power to pull the hills, and I certainly
don't need to be going 65 MPH going up steep grades...... That is
not what I'm interested in. However, if I could realistically bump my
mileage significantly by adding a power chip, I'd consider it.

Has anyone had success stories? And..... if so, does the stock (non-CAT)
exhaust need to go too?

NO! But the power is AWESOME!

Ben

NO! But the power is AWESOME!

Ben

Hi Ben,

Thanks for being honest :)

I picked up about 3 mpg running on level 2. Towing or not, same increase.

I don't have anything on my truck yet...but my dad's 02 gets 11 pulling a 36 ft Cedar Creek 5th wheel with a superchips tuner...
I'm getting ready to install an AFE air intake on my truck next week when I get home from Daytona (vacation) Gonna put it on the dyno before and see if I gain any HP with it as well... Hoping to gain some MPG too...

Similar results here; good power increase while DIC showing 2-3 mpg increase. I get 6-8 mpg Teton in tow. Last combined weight just shy of 30,000 with fresh water and propane full all others empty. Drives surprisingly well while just got to make habit of 80 psi in those tires. All 12 + spares.

A power chip, etc, will impact the accuracy of the computer display, so you really need to hand calculate the mileage.

Based on previous posts from those that hand calculate, the chips, pgmrs, etc seem to gain about 1/2 to 1 mile per gallon, based on hand calculations.

There is a limit in how much power you can safely add, due to the increase in exhaust gas temperatures.

I doubt that you would be able to run anything while towing 14k lbs without constant attention on the pyro gauge.

Even if you got 1 mpg better (I think your mpg would drop) it would still never come close to paying for itself.

. Even if you got 1 mpg better (I think your mpg would drop) it would still never come close to paying for itself.

I think you hit it on the nail...... For now, my truck stays stock :ro)

With my 32' 5th wheel- 9mpg; Pulling a 15k horse trailer, which has a much lower profile, 11-12mpg. I run on level 2 on the flats and in high winds I reduce to level 1 or 0 because of exhaust temps. I do not see any improvement on mileage. Just more fun!

My TST has helped mileage a bit by allowing me to run in OD more often, although I do have to watch the EGT. Biggest help for mileage has been Biodiesel - B20 to be exact. Crudely calculated, a 10% to 20% increase, depending on the conditions. I was shocked.

With diesel fuel nearing 2.50 a gallon in most places...it wouldn't take long to recover 2-4 hundred dollars if you did alot of driving with 1-2 mpg increase. And the 02 that the superchips programmer is on doesn't have the HUD so everything on it is hand calculated... When running empty no matter how I drive it, 80+mph it averages 17-18 MPG with the programmer...

It takes fuel to make the power to pull the load!

how about puting a wind deflector on the roof of your truck kindal like semis have to gain MPG. that should help alot if you inprove the areodinamics.

horse trainer, may I ask what part of the country that you live in, where you get your biodiesel, and approx what percentage of total fuel you burn that is biodiesel?

many thanks,

travis

56.......I just added the J/A to my truck along with the Mike L. tranny cooler. As previously stated. My DIC milages and fuel consumtion are off. Less fuel consumed and better milage than hand calculated. I am seeing 1mpg on level 3 empty. Towing with the Lance at a gross wt of 16,900lbs with the full rig in sig. my milage towing in level 2 is directly proportional to my speed or weight of my foot. It varies from 9.6 at 70-75 to 11.5 60-65mph. That being said I can tell you having that extra horsepower
is well worth the cost. If you are familiar with the Cuesta Grade out of San Luis Obispo I used to pull the top 1/3 in 3rd gear at 53mph egt's unknown. Now with the J/A I pull it at 63 mph in 4th gear at 1315 degrees. The difference is huge. My tranny temps never go over 188 degrees...........Cal

I have just finished towing over 10,000 miles with a 35 foot Cardinal with a 12'9" height and a very flat front. Mileage was between 7 and 12 mpg depending on a few factors:
1). Wind - the worst culprit of all
2). Speed - slower is better to a point
3). What gear we were running in - seemed to get better mpg in 5th than in 4th, even at a slightly higher speed
4). Elevation gain - no controlling it, not sure if a power box helps or not

We do have a Supertank 75-gallon fuel tank. Did not provide better mileage but made whatever mileage we did get much more tolerable.