I have a Ford F-250 with the 6.7 Gasoline engine. I get 13 mpg empty but when I hook on the gooseneck trailer I get 8.5. Will a 2020 Ram 3500 and the Cummins do any better? From what I have googled looks like diesel is no better. I thought that is why everyone went to diesel pickups. What has your experience been?
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Fuel mileage hauling: Diesel V Gas
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elephantrider
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insta torque is why folks drive diesels, vs. gas. I get around 9.5 - 10 towing my 38ft bp rv. it weighs around 10.5k.
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Diesel makes its power at lower rpms so it’s a more pleasant towing experience, and it also develops the power sooner so it’s better for acceleration. Better fuel economy is a nice perk.
A gallon of diesel does have more BTU’s than a gallon of gasoline, which is why they burn less fuel for the same amount of work.
Your F-250 has a 6.2L gas engine, not a 6.7L gas engine.
What kind of gooseneck are you towing? What does it weigh?
I usually get 9.5-11 with my 5th wheel at around 21K GCW, and 9-10 with a toy hauler at around 22-24 GCW that only gets towed in the mountains. Towing the horse trailer with 3 large horses can get me 12-14 if I’m not doing 75+.
Many years ago I towed a 14’ enclosed trailer from MT to WA with my 05 Cummins and got better mileage than my brother who I caravanned with in his 06 Hemi that wasn’t towing.
A gallon of diesel does have more BTU’s than a gallon of gasoline, which is why they burn less fuel for the same amount of work.
Your F-250 has a 6.2L gas engine, not a 6.7L gas engine.
What kind of gooseneck are you towing? What does it weigh?
I usually get 9.5-11 with my 5th wheel at around 21K GCW, and 9-10 with a toy hauler at around 22-24 GCW that only gets towed in the mountains. Towing the horse trailer with 3 large horses can get me 12-14 if I’m not doing 75+.
Many years ago I towed a 14’ enclosed trailer from MT to WA with my 05 Cummins and got better mileage than my brother who I caravanned with in his 06 Hemi that wasn’t towing.
What you're doing wrong is trying to compare mpg towing YOUR trailer to someone else mpg towing THEIR trailer. Not 2 trailers would tow the same and it's not only weight but also trailer's profile, elevation, weather, speed, all will affect the mpg.
I've had a Tundra with 5.7 for a long time, everyone knows they're pigs on gas but I could compare what I was getting towing my little 5k lbs TT with Tundra vs HO RAM.
Tundra: empty 16-17 mpg, towing 9 mpg
RAM: empty 18-18.5 mpg, towing 13-14 mpg
Tow speed 60mph
Other notable differences: RAM appeared not even noticing that little TT behind it, no downshifts going up steep hills, no screaming of the engine, phenomenal exhaust braking - I don't generally touch my brake pedal unless you're almost coming to a stop. Was worth the upgrade even though I've sold that TT and the truck is pretty much a DD, but I don't live in a city so it always gets a work out anywhere I go.
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
It could have the 6.8L too and that would make the fuel millage numbers line up better.
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Good point, didn’t think about the V10.
silver billet
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In addition to Mega HO's point about everybody having different numbers and you need to compare your own instead, also keep in mind that there is a large difference between 9 and 10 mpg. Only sounds like 1 insignificant mpg, but I prefer to think of it in percentages. There's like 10% difference there, even more if you can go from 9 to 11.
That difference doesn't matter if you're pulling your RV down the road once a year for 2 hours, but for guys who do it regularly or constantly (full time RV'ers etc) a 10 percent reduction in fuel is very welcome.
That difference doesn't matter if you're pulling your RV down the road once a year for 2 hours, but for guys who do it regularly or constantly (full time RV'ers etc) a 10 percent reduction in fuel is very welcome.
H3LZSN1P3R
You're doing it wrong
If 1MPG is that big of a deal financially then you likely cant afford to be out camping….. its only ~100$ difference crossing the whole country not a big deal at all
CaptainMike
Well-Known Member
Yeah, when driving these heavy vehicles and towing heavy loads I pay very little attention to fuel economy. It is what it is and 1 or 2 or 3 mpg's equates to very little of the total cost of any given trip. I'll trade torque and power for mpg's every time.
Exhaust Brake
Aux Fuel Tanks for extended range
More likely to find diesel only in the truck lanes to avoid cramped/crowded car lanes with the trailer hooked up. (But spoiled by the Maverick RV Lanes in UT that have the full selection, good for fueling toys)
Aux Fuel Tanks for extended range
More likely to find diesel only in the truck lanes to avoid cramped/crowded car lanes with the trailer hooked up. (But spoiled by the Maverick RV Lanes in UT that have the full selection, good for fueling toys)
