8.1mpg Towing

[jimalove]

I'm thinking about buying a new HD with the 8.1,can anyone give me an idea as to what mpg I can expect towing 11000# 5th wheel?


Thanks

Jim

[Rocinante]

Hi Jim,
I get a consistant 11 MPG towing a 12K TT @ 60MPH, (13.5 MPG best / 9.3 MPG worst).I have just reprogramed my D/A with a Superchips set at the TowSafe mode and started using Stanadyane diesel fuel additive. I'm anxious to see if these changes improve my towing MPG under the same conditions. I leave for a 4 month trip to AK on June 1, I'll let you know if things change

[Rollingon]

Jimalove asked about 8.1 gasser, and it looks like you're quoting Duramax mileage. Big difference!

[byronlj]

When I had my '01 8.1 I was getting about 7mpg @ 70mph. My fifth wheel is about 1,000 lbs heavier than yours.
Dave

[Dannyboy]

I had a 2002 Avalanche 2500 with the 8.1. I was lucky to get 9 around town empty. When I hooked up my 8000LB boat i was getting 6-7mpg.

[gchest44]

We had an 01 with the 8.1 with a gcw of 33,000-35,000 and we got 3.5-4.5 mpg. When we switched to the diesel we started getting 7-9 towing the same load.

[bitna]

We have a 28bh wildcat. Loaded around 9500 lbs. I get approx. 8.5 mpg with our 2500HD crew 8.1. with 4 passengers. Not pulling I have recorded 16.9mpg highway

[Steve N AZ]

My 8.1 Avalanche 4x4 gasser towing a 16' 4500# tandom gets an average highway MPG of 6 to 7.

My Duramax 4x4 dually towing a 50' gooseneck trailer hauler weighing in at 19,800# gets the same.

Both doing highway speeds 65 to 70 MPH, same road and conditions. Do the math the diesel does the same towing over 4 times as much wieght.

[BozDMAX]

When I saw the title of your question, I thought to myself - 8.1 MPG? Wow, I have to tow 16K at about 75+ MPH to get that!

[moondoggie]

Good Day!

Most of us are gonna drive where we

[DalesWS6]

I just traded in my 01 8.1 2500 HD Crew Cab, it got 7.3 mpg towing my 24' car trailer loaded to atlanta from pensacola fl. My new duramax got 11.2 on the same trip pulling the same mph. My 8.1 empty would get 11-12 mpg at 70 if u drove like an egg was between your foot and the gas pedal the duramax driven the same gets 18.5. I loved my 8.1 but it isn't feasible to own with todays high fuel prices in my opinion, thank goodness they came out with employee pricing so i could afford a new duramax!!!