towing - Diesel Forum

8hondo · 05-31-2005, 10:48 AM

i have a 2004 4x4 f350 with the 6.0 diesel.
i tow a 8ooo lb. travel trailer. i was wondering what type of milage you guy's are getting towing about the same weight on the freeway.
also did anyone notice a difference after changing their fuel filter upon the 15000 mile range. also what is your set-up as far as load leveling bars. i tried running 3 links hanging and 4 links hanging and still get a bouncy ride. any suggestions?

NCHornet · 05-31-2005, 02:49 PM

I have the truck in my sig and I pull about the same weight as you with my 30ft tt. I have the 7.3 and usually get 10-12 towing. The mountains 10 and down to the beach 12. There is no way to answer how many links on your W/D set up. You must go through the set up process step by step. When you are done the trailer should sit level and your WD bars should be parallel to the frame on the TT. The front of the truck should not raise at all when hitched up. On mine it is the 5th link leaving four loose, but it all depends on the height of the truck, trailer and type of hitch being used.

8hondo · 05-31-2005, 03:45 PM

did you install that wood dash kit your self? if so how much did it run

scottbob99 · 05-31-2005, 03:58 PM

I get between 11-13 towing a full three horse gooseneck.

SmokeyWren · 05-31-2005, 09:02 PM

[ QUOTE ]
i tow a 8ooo lb. travel trailer. i was wondering what type of milage you guy's are getting towing about the same weight on the freeway.

[/ QUOTE ]

My mid-profile 5er has a GVWR of 7,900 pounds and it will barely clear my 12' high barn door. And like most RVers, it's loaded to the gills when on the road, so my GCW is about 16,000 if I don't have the tag trailer tied on behind the 5er.

MPG is dependent on lots of factors. Terrain and wind direction can make a one or two MPG difference. But speed is the biggest consistent factor.

If I try to keep up with traffic at 73 MPH, then about 9 MPG. Slow down to 70 at 2000 RPM and I get about 10 MPG. Slower to 67 and about 11 MPG. And I now almost always cruise at 62 MPH at 1,800 RPM and I get about 12.

TC88 · 05-31-2005, 09:23 PM

I tow a 10K lb Titanium and get 10.5 MPG, but have gone as low as 9.25 MPG. These engines are a lot differant than the 7.3's they spin faster and need to. My 7.3 would pull at 1800 fine this one needs to be at 2000 or better yet 2200 or it down shifts a lot and spins a lot faster. I have tryed as smokey says keeping speed down but while it will work on flat and level, the RPM need to be kept up in the hills or you will be running 2700 up the hills. So you will need to run faster in the hills to get better mileage. While these motors will get good mileage empty they do not towing heavy. My 7.3 would do better mileage towing but it had 3.73 rears, but it would pull at a lower RPM then the 6.0 will. just my .02 worth