04 gmc upset at fuel milage

[roadrat68]

I know this is an on going thread about fuel mileage. But I can

[markrinker]

Sounds about right for an enclosed trailer.

[fourtenposi]

A trick I found to improving fuel economy while pulling a box trailer is find a semi running fast and stay behind him, let him break the air for you. I have watch my MPG go up 1-2 MPG running 70 behind a semi. Normally I get around 12 pulling my box about 65 and have seen 13-14 running 70 behind a semi.

[roadrat68]

Ill have to try the running behind a truck.

Does anyone have any idea about mods to make the mpg. better?

[FleetFilter.com]

The problem with mods-to-gain-mpg is that you'll spend $300 to save 1 mpg. The math doesn't work.

Therefore, the only things you can do are the free things: sufficient air pressure in tires, keep filters clean, drive like "grandma", and draft behind 18-wheelers.

The best solution is a gear-venders overdrive unit - that thing gains the Ford trucks a solid 3-5 mpg better, but it costs $1800. Worth it?

[LanduytG]

Worst economy pulling a 26 ft 5th wheel was 10.2 going 70mph with a big head wind in eastern Colorado clinbing to 6300 ft. Best was 13.4 doing 55-60 in the mountains. My overall economy is 11.8. Speed is everything when it comes to economy. Try to keep it are 2000 rpm or less. But even at 10.2 I don't concider that to be bad for what it was doing. It could be a gas and getting 7 or 8 if your lucky.

Greg

[Kennedy]

The injectors will not necessarily help with mpg and on a bang for buck they fall way low on the scale. Exhaust and an Edge box, or maybe one of the early VA programs would be my suggestion, but 10-11 is right there for a dually which I've seldom seen cross 16-17 empty consistently...

Fuel treatment like FPPF Total Power improves the cetane and can help make a poor fuel good with modest economy results. Beyond the economy part it's just plain good for the fuel system...

[tanker]

I'd say you are about right with MPG. On our 5800 mile trip out to the rendezvous in Salt Lake, I averaged 10.6 mpg. Its the speed that cuts into the fuel, as much as weight, plus frontal area of the trailer. I grossed at 20,365lbs and ran mostly at 65mph, although I had it up to 80 a few times. This average included some solo driving at three of our destinations, but also running up through Rocky Mountain NP. at 12,183 feet elevation at 30 mph or less under full throttle. So all in all I'm pleased with the fuel economy I got. The best ever was almost 22 mpg solo at 63 mph, and around home I get about 16 mpg. Our feet on the throttle also plays a big part. ;)

[cos]

I dont know about you guys, but I pull nearly 100k miles per year on my D/A's, and if I could average 10mpg all year long - I'd be a really happy guy....