Quote:
Originally Posted by slowmover
Glad to see your truck isn't any heavier. My 2001 Dodge Ram V8-318 was at 5,218-lbs "empty" (driver + full fuel). 12-mpg isn't bad in consideration, it's better than what some report for towing. That truck of mine had neither decent mpg nor towing power which is why it was traded for what I have now.
The tweaks I mentioned have to do with setting up the weight-distribution hitch according to certified scale readings. The adjustments to bring the combination to "fingertip control" in all situations may take several tries. But the reduction in steering and braking applications per 100 miles will drop dramatically (noted by Kenworth and Cummins as central to improving big truck FE). It will also help in dialing in the best tire pressures across the rig, and make any readings of temps or pressures otherwise as low as possible (to complement or make clear of error your other FE changes).
Travel trailer axle alignment, a set of shock absorbers & balancers, plus the elimination of brake drag on both vehicles (and on the truck: any -- even minute -- steering gear-induced "wander") are the balance.
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I wasn't real thrrilled with how heavy it is, but it certainly could be worse. Mine is a 2WD work truck so it doesn't have many options or a heavy front axle to push around. That long bed adds a fair bit of weight, especially with the canopy and it means an extra 10 gallons of fuel when full.
I need to fiddle with my hitch a little to get it set just right. I think I still had too much weight in the rear so I need more preload. I might be able to get some slight gains while towing, but I'm not expecting a lot. I've only got the 4.8L V8 which I wanted for optimal mileage during most of my driving (not towing) even if it may not be optimal (but still adequate) for towing.
One thing to note, around here there aren't many flat roads like I remember in Texas. It's generally either up a hill or down one.