Ultimate Test Cross Country and back 7,000 miles plus! - Diesel Forum

Iggy2 · 05-13-2005, 06:28 AM

Hi All!
As I promised a few months ago I planned a cross country trip pulling my 27ft Laredo 5th wheel trailer from Sacramento to Florida and back.
Well folks this is my first report probably 3 that I plan.
Trip started May 1, 2005 and we should be back in Sacramento around June 25th.
Fun on the road...

Trip Report May 13, 2005

Overview:
• This trip was from Sacramento CA. to Florida and back.
• Pulling 27 ft 5th wheel approx loaded weight 10,000
• Truck has no MODS and I use Motorcraft Oil
• Speeds 55 to 70 mph depending on location & conditions
• 50% of the time I used my cruise control and no tow haul mode.
• Truck tire pressure 65 psi (Perrelli Tires)
• Trailer tire pressure 65 psi
• I always fill my fuel tank to the opening after pumping slow.(No Harpooning)

Trip Distance so far is 2,893 miles
Total diesel fuel used so far: : 242
Averaged MPG: 11.9545
Best mileage 15.8 mpg (tail wind)
Worst mileage 10.85 mpg (head wind and climbing)
In most cases 12 mpg
Best MPG seems to be between 1,750 rpm’s and 1,900 rpm’s

Cheapest fuel was in Norman Oklahoma $1.979
Most Expensive was in Sacramento California $2.499
Total fuel cost as of May 13th is $547

Oil Level has not changed since the start of the trip.
No maintenance issues so far.

I plan on changing oil and all filters on my way back. (Oil, Fuel and Air)

Trip Stops so far
Started in Sacramento CA
Bakersfield CA
Surprise AZ
Albuquerque NM
Amarillo TX
Oklahoma City OK
Shreveport LA
Biloxi MS

Write me if you have any questions. [img]/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

superf350 · 05-13-2005, 08:43 AM

Thanks for the info! I'm going on leave on the 23rd and will be driving from San Diego, CA to New Port, OH. I won't be towing, the truck will be loaded though, I've got to drop off some BIG tires in St. Louis.

rmjmotorsports · 05-13-2005, 01:38 PM

Why would you change the air and fuel filters? Certanily not the air filter, it has a guage telling you when to change.

As for the fuel, I would only do that once a year. I took mine out after a year and they were almost as clean as the new one's going in.

FamilyRide · 05-13-2005, 02:48 PM

Was up in Okla. last weekend and by far, that's where the cheapest gas and diesel was. First time I've seen gasoline below $2 in quite a while.

Flywheeler · 05-13-2005, 06:39 PM

Thanks for the info! Your fuel mileage is exactly the same as what I get with my truck.

OMCUSNR · 05-14-2005, 02:55 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Why would you change the air and fuel filters? Certanily not the air filter, it has a guage telling you when to change.

As for the fuel, I would only do that once a year. I took mine out after a year and they were almost as clean as the new one's going in.

[/ QUOTE ]

Depends on what the ODO says. 15K for the fuel filters, 30k for the Air.
Don't trust the filter minder for the air unit. It never moves until the filter is completely clogged.

Iggy2 · 05-16-2005, 08:14 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the info! I'm going on leave on the 23rd and will be driving from San Diego, CA to New Port, OH. I won't be towing, the truck will be loaded though, I've got to drop off some BIG tires in St. Louis.

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad my 1st Report was helpful on your trip.
Weare now working on my second report.
We are in Florida along the coast near Pensacola and Panama City.
Not sure what is our next location.
Drive safely.

Iggy2 · 05-16-2005, 08:17 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Why would you change the air and fuel filters? Certanily not the air filter, it has a guage telling you when to change.

As for the fuel, I would only do that once a year. I took mine out after a year and they were almost as clean as the new one's going in.

[/ QUOTE ]

I just brought them with me just in case.
Air and Fuel will be on hold until I see a reason to change.
I do plan one oil change and need to find out where I can buy Motorcraft Powerstrike oil. Walmart used to carry it but seems they stopped.

Any help folks.

Iggy2 · 05-16-2005, 08:20 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the info! Your fuel mileage is exactly the same as what I get with my truck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Glad to hear that your mileage is about the same.
All in all I can honesty say that depending on the weather and hills I get most of the time 12 - 14 mpg pulling my 5th wheel.
I am very happy with that as well as the performance.

Good Luck on your PSD

Iggy2 · 05-16-2005, 08:24 PM

Small update.
Today I drove until the low fuel light came on and I was starting to worry because I was no where near any towns.
Long story short when I filled up within 10 miles I topped off the tank with 34.5 gal which means I had 4 more gallons left.
(I also fill up to the cap)

JohnBoyII · 05-16-2005, 10:07 PM

Iggy,
think you're smart to carry a spare fuel filter set with u....

who knows when u might go to the wrong station and get some "bad stuff" and it be a Sunday nite in "Podunk, the middle of nowhere with nothing open"

And as far as the air filter reminder letting you know when to change it....
mine has never moved since I got my truck over 50K miles ago....
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