1423 miles on 166.5 gal of fuel

[tracer]

Just did 1,423 miles empty from McCammon ID (south of Pocatello) via I-15 south, I-84 east, I-80 east to Rochelle, IL (just south of Rockford, IL). Left McCammon's Flying J with full tanks and cruised at 1,300 RPM and 61 MPH to the Pilot truck stop here. The tanks took 166.5 US gallons to 'full' which means my fuel mileage over the past 4 days has been ... 8.7 MPG!!! So, whoever says CAT engines are fuel guzzlers, take notice. What I think helped me achieve this MPG:

1. new air filter installed 2 weeks ago
2. air-to-air hose clamps have been tightened, and one extra clamp has been added; after this pulling power increased and boost went up
3. extrude honed exhaust manifold
4. performance freeflow muffler
5. tires: pressure has been checked after the cold weather set in
6. fuel: anti-gel in tanks
7. engine speed: CAT recommends to keep the RPM between 1,300 and 1,350; the trick is to have a DIGITAL tachometer because the dashboard one will always lie (mine says "1,250 RPM" when the digital says "1,300").
8. trailer: my Wilson step only weighs 10,100 lbs and iis very low (minimum air resistance).

[bikerboy]

maybe you had a tailwind

[tracer]

maybe you had a tailwind

Half of the time it was blowing sideways, and there were quite a few hills.

[Roadhog]

Wyoming hwy 80 has some fierce cross winds.
Does this include idling time?

[no_worries]

I just did almost the same trip...lots of west wind blowing this week. Did Portland to Chicago 3 weeks ago, same route, 8.2 mpg with 10,000 in the box. 550 hp, 63-67 mph, and no fancy gadgets.

My point? One trip doesn't mean a thing, it's all about conditions. Did the same trip last week and didn't even make 7 mpg.

[Copperhead]

Most trucks will do better than drivers think for fuel mileage when driven right. My '06 International 9400i with ISX, 13spd, 3.42 rears averaging 35,000 lb in the box consistently busts 7 mpg year round. That is all fuel for all miles and idling and calculated (not the dash display). Not uncommon for mid to high 7's during warmer months and low 7's for colder months. In real bad weather with high winds and heavy loads, I rarely get below 6.5 mpg on a bad day. When all the stars are aligned and the winds are right, even loaded I can put away 8+ mpg.

Good numbers, Tracer!

[Orangetxguy]

I dunno man. You shoulda looked at your map Tracer. You coulda turned right out of the J and cut a good 200 miles off that trip by coming across US30 to LaGrange WY and Little America on I-80. Fewer hills, less traffic...and better scenery!!

[tracer]

Most trucks will do better than drivers think for fuel mileage when driven right. My '06 International 9400i with ISX, 13spd, 3.42 rears averaging 35,000 lb in the box consistently busts 7 mpg year round. That is all fuel for all miles and idling and calculated (not the dash display). Not uncommon for mid to high 7's during warmer months and low 7's for colder months. In real bad weather with high winds and heavy loads, I rarely get below 6.5 mpg on a bad day. When all the stars are aligned and the winds are right, even loaded I can put away 8+ mpg.

How fast do you usually drive? At what RPM?

[tracer]

No, no, no. I actually did a delivery in Soda Springs, Idaho down that Highway 30. Going 2 times over that monumentous mountain was enough. Google Maps says - McCammon, Idaho to Little America, WY: 185 miles, 3 hr 25 min via Hwy 30; and 245 miles, 3 hrs 54 min via I-15, I-84, I-80. So, the route I took was 60 miles longer not 200 but I lost only 30 minutes which means Hwy 30 route is slower, if you divide miles by driving time. 54.25 MPH average for Route 30; 62.8 MPH average for I-15.

[tracer]

Wyoming hwy 80 has some fierce cross winds.
Does this include idling time?

I don't idle, I use my bunk heater when it's cold. Unless it's 0F (-18C). Then I might idle for an hour before going to bed - if the truck sat for a day or two. When my battery is properly charged, the truck starts okay.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I don't idle, I use my bunk heater when it's cold. Unless it's 0F (-18C). Then I might idle for an hour before going to bed - if the truck sat for a day or two. When my battery is properly charged, the truck starts okay.

I've got to get my Webasto in this truck. I took it out my IH before I sold it but haven't had time. Well, I'm now freezing my azz off.

Your mpg seems good to me. Even with a empty box, my 05 IH w/ACERT only got 6.5mpg on a good day. I hated it

[tracer]

I've got to get my Webasto in this truck. I took it out my IH before I sold it but haven't had time. Well, I'm now freezing my azz off.

Your mpg seems good to me. Even with a empty box, my 05 IH w/ACERT only got 6.5mpg on a good day. I hated it

Check your turbo system for leaks: charge air cooler; air-to-air hoses (especially where clamps are); exhaust manifold etc.. Lose your ACERT muffler. Last but not least: do a Dyno on the CAT. It'll be worth every cent you pay for it.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Check your turbo system for leaks: charge air cooler; air-to-air hoses (especially where clamps are); exhaust manifold etc.. Lose your ACERT muffler. Last but not least: do a Dyno on the CAT. It'll be worth every cent you pay for it.

I sold the truck a few months ago, so I'm not worried about it. I now have 1998 engine and dont worry about my mpg seeing I'm getting close to 9 out of it overall LOL

[Aufgeblassen]

So you got 8.5 MPG. My '06 Volvo w/ 465 HP Volvo D12 routinely gets 9.0 MPG when I'm MT. And that it with a heavier box trailer. If I had your trailer, I could get 9.5-10.0 MPG.

[firebird_1252]

So you got 8.5 MPG. My '06 Volvo w/ 465 HP Volvo D12 routinely gets 9.0 MPG when I'm MT. And that it with a heavier box trailer. If I had your trailer, I could get 9.5-10.0 MPG.

thats damn good.. but my company truck has a 515 detroit.. 10 speed 3.58 gears.. runs 66 and i'm a bit rough on it with alot of stop and go..almost like clock work.. 7.5mpg.. when it was turned up to 76mph it went down to about 6.8.. oh yeah and it pulls like an animal. i talked to my buddy yesterday that has a 6nz 550hp, 18dblod, 3.36 gears in a 379, he runs between 6.5 and 71 and he's averaging 6.1..

by the way to the people that i said them long nose trucks cant get ok milage.. i was wrong.

[tracer]

So you got 8.5 MPG. My '06 Volvo w/ 465 HP Volvo D12 routinely gets 9.0 MPG when I'm MT. And that it with a heavier box trailer. If I had your trailer, I could get 9.5-10.0 MPG.

Have you ever counted the gallons of fuel purchased in US gallons versus miles driven?

[solo379]

Have you ever counted the gallons of fuel purchased in US gallons versus miles driven?

I doubt it..And that's in my opinion is the only fair way to count. What you have paid for, not what some dashboard display said. And the more miles is the better. Most important is your average!

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

I doubt it..And that's in my opinion is the only fair way to count. What you have paid for, not what some dashboard display said. And the more miles is the better. Most important is your average!

But also, if you go by the PUMP, you could be between 3-10gallons off too. Just last week I filled my tanks to the bottom of their filler-neck, then for the heck of it I added 6 gallons, it was still at the same spot on the neck. I'm just saying. 6 gallons on each tank made me loose 1mpg....... **** it too hard to judge. the dashboard display actually accounts for HOW MUCH FUEL passes thru the injectors which gives you a BETTER reading.

I honestly don't trust either method and just know I make WAAAYYY more than I spend, so I am happy LOL

[solo379]

But also, if you go by the PUMP, you could be between 3-10gallons off too.

I know. That's why i've said the more miles you run, the better your estimate will be. I also fill it up at a very few familiar locations, so the angle my truck and tanks stay, is always the same.