Ideas to increase F350 MPG (DIY Cyl Deact?)

[mwilliamshs]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

1. Cylinder deactivation REQUIRES valve deactivation. Without it you can expect minus numbers for mpg improvement.

2. 460 Fords get the same mpg fully loaded or completely empty.

1. True, as proven by experimentation and a realistic understanding of pumping losses

2. False, as proven by experimentation and a realistic understanding of the conservation of energy.

[Frank Lee]

Yeah, you'd sure think so, but it seemed that F250 always got 13 mpg NO MATTER WHAT. All my other smaller-engined vehicles showed noticeable mpg variability due to loads and conditions.

[mwilliamshs]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Yeah, you'd sure think so, but it seemed that F250 always got 13 mpg NO MATTER WHAT.

Then it wasn't sufficiently loaded to require the production of more power to perform more work which would invariably require more fuel. A tank average might not show it depending on the use of the vehicle but science works every time.

[Frank Lee]

Duh

[mwilliamshs]

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

...460 Fords get the same mpg fully loaded or completely empty.

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

...it seemed that F250 always got 13 mpg NO MATTER WHAT...

Originally Posted by mwilliamshs

Then it wasn't sufficiently loaded to require the production of more power to perform more work which would invariably require more fuel. A tank average might not show it depending on the use of the vehicle but science works every time.

Originally Posted by Frank Lee

Duh

You'd think so...

[Frank Lee]

Allow me to rephrase: F250 driven empty = 13 mpg. F250 pulling triple axle trailer and 14,000 lb John Deere tractor = 13 mpg. Tank-to-tank calcs. Could be fill errors. Pre-gas logging era. But very minute mpg variation just the same.

P.S. Truck totalled about 15 years ago. Cannot retest. Sorry.

Thank you for your valuable time.

[Miller88]

My father has a 2001 that gets 13MPG. It's a 5.4 with 4.10 gears.

However, towing a trailer that weighs 2000-3000 pounds, it jumps to 15.

[Fat Charlie]

Trailers can mean a lot more DFCO. Even if you don't have it, their inertia can mean a lot less load at times.

[mwilliamshs]

Originally Posted by Miller88

My father has a 2001 that gets 13MPG. It's a 5.4 with 4.10 gears.

However, towing a trailer that weighs 2000-3000 pounds, it jumps to 15.

Originally Posted by Fat Charlie

Trailers can mean a lot more DFCO. Even if you don't have it, their inertia can mean a lot less load at times.

Yes, DFCO can increase significantly with a trailer as can aerodynamic efficiency as the trailer fills in the tow vehicle's wake. Especially evident when I haul the Lance slide-in camper and tow an enclosed cargo trailer compared to the camper alone.

[pete c]

You should find something like this. I would also put a boat tail on it that could serve as storage for the bikes.