[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Ok, so I figured I would start a thread with my different MPG numbers for the new truck.

I run a dedicated lane, 4,500lbs down and empty back in a J&L Dry Bulk tank for roughly 2,700 miles round trip. My route never changes and it goes as follows:
Westville, IN (US421 to I-94 to I-57) to Tuscola, IL. Then from there I take I-57 to I-55, I-40, I-30 to Texarkana then AR549 to US71, I-220, I-20 to US79 to US59 thru Houston to Victoria then TX185 to Seadrift.

On my 1st trip this week I set my cruise at 1,350rpm which put me at 67mph. I got fuel and avg 7.2mpg for the trip down.
On the way back, i set my cruise at 1,250rpm which was 62mph and I avg 7.85mpg.

Next week i am going to set it at the 1,250rpm down loaded and see if it makes a difference with the 4,500lbs in the tank, which i doubt it will, but ya never know.

[Malaki86]

Since you run the same route with the same freight, I'd do a week at each RPM, then use the average for that week as the MPG for that RPM. Even though minor, things such as the wind, temperature and humidity will affect the MPG's. Just an idea, anyway.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Originally Posted by Malaki86

Since you run the same route with the same freight, I'd do a week at each RPM, then use the average for that week as the MPG for that RPM. Even though minor, things such as the wind, temperature and humidity will affect the MPG's. Just an idea, anyway.

Yes, thats my plan...next week will be at 1,250rpm for the entire trip. Then the following week will be at 1,350rpm for the whole week, then I'll go 1400rpm (70mph) in the states I can go 70 in, the others will be at the 67mph setting

[solo379]

So, what's the point? What are you trying to find out? With that kind of weight, you don't need to worry about pulling power. You want better MPG, you run between 1250-1300 RPM. In your case it's 62-64 mph. You want to drive "faster", you'll have to pay for it. That simple. Have fun tho...

[mitchno1]

in new zealand you could tow that weight behind a 4+4 ute and get 10ks to the litre,just a thought

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Originally Posted by solo379

So, what's the point? What are you trying to find out? With that kind of weight, you don't need to worry about pulling power. You want better MPG, you run between 1250-1300 RPM. In your case it's 62-64 mph. You want to drive "faster", you'll have to pay for it. That simple. Have fun tho...

I just was seeing what the benifits were to driving slower compared to faster....or in this case, if things keep up this way, it will cost me $100 a week to go 4mph faster. Just was shocked at the idea was all. What can I say, i get bored doing the same damn thing each week LOL

[solo379]

Originally Posted by Steel Horse Cowboy

What can I say, i get bored

I hear you....

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Not to mention i did plan on doing some mods such as Pittsburgh mufflers, and maybe a PDI ECM and figured with my run being the same, I could post some REAL WORLD numbers up as I go along.

[solo379]

Originally Posted by Steel Horse Cowboy

i did plan on doing some mods such as Pittsburgh mufflers,

Just for fun, ask any Pete dealer, how much is your muffler. I was thinking about the same thing, or Walker Noise-breakers, but it might be illegal emission wise.

[Steel Horse Cowboy]

Originally Posted by solo379

Just for fun, ask any Pete dealer, how much is your muffler. I was thinking about the same thing, or Walker Noise-breakers, but it might be illegal emission wise.

I will do that tomorrow as the truck is going into the body shop to have the hood hinges replaced as they are bad (and the dealer is covering the total cost!)

I know my truck is not CARB compliant, so it keeps me out of CA anyways, but that's fine with me as I don't like going there. The Pitt mufflers are $275 for my truck a piece... but their same muffler that is 10" shorter, but the same width is $189? Since I'm going to replace the top of the stacks anyways, I think I'll go with the shorter muffler and a longer top stack (tyes it will fit, I measured) so the tops will be basically free! And the are 50 states legal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

"Our new performance muffler solution for the 387

This muffler uses a acoustic louver sound dampening

This muffler is noticeably louder than our Quiet Performance muffler

Up to 50 additional horsepower and improved response

Lower exhaust gas temperatures

Fast return on investment and easy fuel mileage gains

Extra heavy duty construction. "