LBZ milage on 1200 mile trip

[Brad Pelot]

I went to pick up an enclosed car hauler, and here are my results as close as I can remember. I have pulled several similar trailers from the same place before, so I know about what I have done previously on mpg.
At 75 mph empty 17.1
At 82 empty 15.0
Pulling 24 foot v-nose enclosed car hauler 11 feet tall @ 80 8.1 @78 8.2 @ 70 10.4 Not very impressive to say the least. I think the lbz goes through about 25% more fuel than either of the lb7's before it. I know some of it is the lift and tires, and it isn't broken in yet, bit I just don't think it is going to be nearly as good on fuel as the lb7's were. Sad but true.

[StrangeEngine]

Originally posted by Brad Pelot:
Pulling 24 foot v-nose enclosed car hauler 11 feet tall @ 80 8.1 @78 8.2 @ 70 10.4 My LB7 gets 10.5mpg at 65mph towing basically the same trailer, so from my perspective your mileage looks good.

- Mark

[D-max Man]

Remember, diesels get better milage once they are brokne in. Usually 25-30,000 miles.

[Mark Rinker]

My '01 LB7 with 100K is averaging 12.5.

It always has a 25' gooseneck behind it weighing in at 4500lbs. Average loads are 4-6K. Some as heavy as 10K.

I am very pleased with the mileage and might try to stick with LB7's for awhile simply for their mileage capabilities!

[SoTxPollock]

I'm going to check the posts on fuel mileage to see, but I suspect no engine will match the LB7 in Mileage stock, Torque and Horspower Juiced, because of the lack of certain emission components on the engine and exhaust that were added on later year models. Glad I got the 02. I've got a hunch Kennedy agrees.

[David Proske]

Thats the one thing I don't want to give up on my 03.

I don't understand why in the world the EPA thinks they are improving anything by adding emissions crap to these trucks if they are making the motor less fuel efficent in the process.

[Brad Pelot]

Originally posted by David Proske:
Thats the one thing I don't want to give up on my 03.

I don't understand why in the world the EPA thinks they are improving anything by adding emissions crap to these trucks if they are making the motor less fuel efficent in the process. I agree 100% both of my LB7's would pull much better fuel economy than this one, and that is with edge on any setting or off.

[Driveshaft]

On the breaking in process, if you are constantly pulling loads, it will not take but about 10,000 miles or so to get broke in. Heavy laden makes every thing seat quicker.

[dakota kid]

Right off the dealer lot - and still stock - my 04 lly was much better than my 02 lb7 when I was pulling the camper. Since then I have added different mods to each truck, and switched campers - so I have no way of comparing them now. My guess is that the lly has still got the advantage...

Pat

[Kennedy]

Take off the lift and big tires and you will see the numbers inprove. I think those numbers are plenty acceptable given the speed at which you were traveling.

My LLY is just as good or better than my LB7 on economy...

The addition of 6th gear is not likely going to get you much mpg and the lower revs/noise may entice you to run faster yet further dropping MPG.

[duncan]

Pulling FEMA trailers, 6700 lb and 7400 lb. Drove a NEW truck 7,000 miles in 10 days.
2500HD LBZ.

65mph towing - 10.5 north of Chattanooga
9.0-2 south of Chattanooga
75mph towing - 10.0 north, 9.2 south

70-75mph empty - 20.1 north of Chattanooga/
19.5 south
below 70... sorry, ain't gonna happen.

Through the mountains of W.Va and VA, got 1.5 better mileage towing than on freeway. Go figure.

Wonder why towing down south takes more fuel? Flat level roads, but 50-60 degrees. 30's north.

[canadave]

I'm hoping my LBZ gets a LOT better when it breaks in. Got 5000 km on it and I'm struggling to get 20 MPG(16USMPG) :eek: . Truck is 2WD short box. Got the tires up to 80psi, tried tailgate up,down,off. Thing is I've got a light foot, I could always get 30 MPG out of my 6.5. Truck has the big trailer mirrors on it, can they catch that much wind? I'm going to try the winter front, maybe she's to cold....

[rob from bc canada]

I had a 93 6.5 TD 4x4 8600 GWV long box regular cab standard shift, and I used to expect 23-24 mpg (19.5 US) Highway empty - best ever was 25. I kept track consistently over several years at each fillup. I would get 16-18 hauling my 3000 lb camper around. My speeds tended to be below 60mph due to speed limits here on the island.

My new LLY 9900 GVW gets right around 21 (17.5 us) on the highway empty in similar driving (maybe speed is more 60 - 65 mph now) Hauling the camper it gets 15-16 mpg (13 us) These are based on tank fills divided by odometer readings - the DIC tends to be 1-2 mpg on the optimistic side.

The difference I attribute to the extra weight and height of the rig itself and the extended cab, and the automatic, which eats up some. I had hoped the engine would be slighly more efficient and would give me as good mileage as the 6.5 in spite of the extra weight.

Having only 10k (kms) on it so far, it may still improve a bit after some more breakin. Results so far have been totally consistent (no improvement yet) from the first tank til now.

I do know that doing 120kmh (75 mph) on a relatively flat open freeway from here to Campbell river it will suck up one more litre per 100km's (mileage drops to right down to 20 even (16.8 us)

So there seems to be little difference between the LLY and the LBZ so far???

[ 02-11-2006, 08:46 AM: Message edited by: rob from bc canada ]

[chrisinkanata]

Canadave,

It's the cold temps that are doing you in!!! In the summer, my '02 will go 550-600km on a tank around town. At this time of year, I'm lucky to get 450km. I think it's 'cause the winterized fuel for one thing and I do spend more time idling than in the summer. I notice no difference in fuel economy with or without the winter cover, but it sure is a lot more comfortable to drive around at -20C with the cover on!

Chris

[Brad Pelot]

I am aware of the differences that lift, tires, and speed have on milage, I had 285's on both of the old ones. but i have friends that have stockers, and while the mileage is fairly respectable I do not anticipate these newer trucks getting the milage that the old lb7's got.
Maybe I had an exeptional 03, but it was easy on fuel.

Hey Kennedy, how do you feel about 4" cat delete versus cat back exhaust for egt's and fuel milage. Is it worth getting around the codes and such. I have also considered cat back muffler delete. I respect your opinion ( I know there's no bullshout )

[SC Duck Hunter]

I just bought a 2006 GMC 2500HD Crew Cab 4x4 with the LBZ. I averaged 14.7 mpg on my first tank. I put larger tires on the truck, 295 BFG AT's, and I'm getting 14 mpg on average (this is city and highway driving). Haven't had a chance to get it out on the road yet to really get a feel for highway mileage. I have several friends who have Chevy's w/ the Duramax. They all swear by the Superchip on increasing their fuel economy and power. I'm interested in doing it too, but I'm a little leary b/c I don't want to screw anything up on this truck. Anyone have any suggestions? Does the chip really increase your fuel economy?