Quote:
Originally Posted by ps2fixer
Ironically, a dually was in my list of machines to buy, like you said, a truck for being a truck. If you don't haul anything that actually requires duals, you could run single tires in the back, 2 less tires of wear to expense for, and the lower rolling resistance of 4 tires on the ground instead of 6.
About the only thing I kind of wanted was a truck that was new enough for my OBD2 reader (scan gauge 2). Instant mpg is kind of nice to have, but with out it, it's still possible to learn and improve on tank to tank fills.
It's interesting you got so much worse mpg while hauling a vehicle. With my T100 hauling a Camry or another Toyota pickup (not T100, the smaller ones), I generally got better mpg while in tow than empty. I think it's because of the things you mentioned, basically preserving momentum when possible and planning ahead more. I didn't really try to push the T100 for mpg too much, but no areo mods, driving 45mph home one night from my parents, I hit around 25mpg average. In my tacoma I could hit about 27mpg doing the same thing (also 4x4, manual, but standard cab, same engine). One difference is, I used a car dolly, I suspect you used a car hauler?
So far it seems diesels like high gearing. I'm kind of glad the red truck has 3.55 instead of the 3.73 or 4.10. My dad would prefer the 4.10, but he generally goes all out with loads too.
Does your Dodge have a double overdrive transmission? The Ford 6 speed is creeper gear, 2nd - 4th are normal gears, then 5th for over drive, 6th for a 2nd over drive.
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I have thought about pulling the duals off, but for as little as I drive the truck I don't think it's worth the trouble. Although I have not done an A-B comparison to see how much difference it actually makes. I did actually blow one of them out on my trip with the U-haul trailer and it was nice to have no problems with the second tire right next to it. Sometimes I do wonder what kind of MPG I could pull with a regular cab 2WD 2500... But I do not regret getting this truck at all since it seems to have been taken care of and never owned by a 16 year old.
Yeah, I think aerodynamics were the main killer when I was towing that car hauler - same thing when I have a bunch of stuff stacked up in the bed, even if it's only 1500 lbs. or so of equipment. If I hadn't been trying to maintain ~60ish on the interstate with that trailer and the car on top of it, it would've done much better. The trailer itself was almost unnoticeable but once I put the car on you could tell it was there at higher speeds. I bet it wouldn't dip much from normal unloaded figures if I were doing 45-55 MPH. I can't really complain about the fuel economy though.
That's pretty impressive fuel economy with the Toyota and a trailer. I would've been in the market for one, but they're not cheap either if rust free (even around here) and definitely can't handle as much trailer weight as I needed - similar to your reason for upsizing.
I would personally hate having 4.10s in this truck. I don't think I'd want the RPMs any higher at 65 MPH but I'm also not trying to tow a 20K trailer or something. 14K is the most I can legally do and that's adequate for me. The NV5600 6-speed that Dodge used in these has a creeper first gear and then only one overdrive gear, with 5th being 1:1. I like the gearing. Top gear could maybe be a little taller, but not significantly.
I too agree that having an automatic in a diesel is pretty awful. I haven't driven a newer truck with one, so I assume they've significantly improved, but then again you don't get a choice anymore. No more manuals
