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Member
Posts: 149
Location: Appleton, WI | With the ever rising fuel costs I'd love to here from some of you on what is working to pull your boats around and what kind of milage your getting doing the job.
I have a 03 F-150 supercrew and I gotta say it sucks the fuel to drag a 19ft. lund with a full windshield around. It dose a wonderful job, I hardly know the boat is back there but I'm getting 9-10 mpg at best pulling my boat and 13-14 everyday driving. This sucks!! Please dont make this thread a grudge match on what manafacture is better. Lets make this a info finding place to find out what is working and what is NOT! I'm just starting to think about a different truck and would love to here some different view and ideas on what's really working. |
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Member
Posts: 794
Location: Elgin, Illinois | I have a very heavy 19' Tracker on a single axle trailer... I too have an F-150 SuperCrew, 5.4L, w/ 3.55 rear axle 4X4. If I keep my foot out of it and run 60-65mph on a level flat 4 lane with the cruise control I can squeak out 15 mpg in overdrive (on very level terrain).
Tuned up and running 1/2 regular and 1/2 midgrade seems to help, around town (and at a 5 cent total increase in cost, less than 2%, it seems to add more than 2% to the total mpg). If I am conservative I can get 12-15 around town and almost 19 on the highway. But that drops dramatically above 65mph. Also, check your tires every day, in town tat can drag you down 3-4mpg if they are under inflated by 5-7 lbs. (mine are right at 35 lbs every day). Also, oil changes, etc. and keep the A/C off as much as possible (don't run the defrosters after the window in clear).
As far as towing. Do you have atonneau or cap, they help. ANd, tow with your boat covered, that really helps! Make sure the trailer tires are inflated also. |
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Member
Posts: 149
Location: Appleton, WI | Wow thats great!!
I guess the 3.55 rear axle makes a HUGE differance. My truck is equipted with the 3.73 gears and I dont think i've EVER had 17mpg any time as long as I've owned this truck!! Thanks for the info I'm going out with tire gauge in hand right now!
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Member
Posts: 16
| I run a 06 Dodge 1500, with a hemi, and 4 10 gears.At 70 mph, its only turning 2000 rpm. If I stay around 70, I can get about 14 to 15, pulling a boat. At one time , I had a 2000 dodge, and that thing got about 7. You talk about bad. Good luck Doug |
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| I also have a 03 F150 extended cab 4x4, 3:54 gears, 5.4 with a full cap. I am running a K&N air filter and a Gibson exhaust system. Last saturday I made a run to Cabela's in Richfield (I live in Menasha) at 70mph on cruise, I got 19.1 mpg, checking the mileage as carefully as possible. When towing my Lund pro-v 1775, I get 12-14 mpg. I try to avoid using gas that contains ethanol, and keep my tires properly inflated. What kind of tires are you guys running? I have a set of BFG all terrain T/A's mounted on another set of wheels that I run in the winter. When the BFG's are on the truck the mileage drops off by about 2mpg, they must have more rolling resistance. The stock Goodyear wrangler r/t tires definately yield better mileage, but no traction for winter driving. Also get ahold of a calibrated tire gauge. If you know someone who works as an instrument mechanic or is into stock cars, they can help you out. I had an expensive gauge that read 5psi low at 40psi. |
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| Maybe if you guys slowed down you would be amazed at the mileage you get |
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| I have a 2002 Ford f250 with a 5.4 liter V8 and pulling a 20ft Lund.Can I use the overdrive when pulling? I was told to never use the overdrive when pulling. This would help out my gas mileage
Thanks,TJM |
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Member
Posts: 3899
| I use OD on my 97 F150 5.4L when on relatively flat terrain. If the tranny is continually kicking down, I'll hit the OD OFF button. 206K on it, and was only scared a year ago that the tranny was on the way out. A trip to Ray's, and new fluid and filter, it was fine. I change the fluid and filter once a year now.
I just did a bunch of exhaust work on the truck, and while I had the piped hanging, I replaced the O2 sensors in front of the cats. What a difference! Back uo over 17 empty, and I'd say about 14 pulling the boat. I never pull over 65 anymore, either.
Edited by Shep 5/5/2008 11:52 AM
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