How much mpg does it cost to have a 4x4 ... a Dually
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My essentially bone stock CC, LWB Dually 4x4 Auto gets between 16-17 mpg at 65-70 mph on the highway and nearly 20 mpg betwen 40-50 mph on back country roads. City driving is 13-15 mpg depending on the traffic and how warmed up the engine is. These engines like to be worked and be hot. After towing the horse trailer around this weekend, I saw my best mileage ever with a heat soaked engine.
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Don't know about the dually, but a 4x4 generally gets 2-3 MPG worse than an overwise identical 4x2.
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I don't have a dually but I've been pretty pleased with my trucks gas mileage. I just did a round trip right at 750 miles (I'd have to get exact numbers out of the truck) this past weekend. Mileage came in at 19.6 mpg with about 50 miles city driving and 700 highway. I drove either 65 mph or 70 mph depending on speed limit. This was on a set of 265/75/16 Pirelli Scorpion STR's with a vinyl tonneau cover on an otherwise stock truck and just loaded with typical family/kid stuff. On most long highway trips I see around 19.X mpg and in the city I generally see around 16.X. Like I said...I have no complaints about mileage.
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[ QUOTE ]
Don't know about the dually, but a 4x4 generally gets 2-3 MPG worse than an overwise identical 4x2.
[/ QUOTE ]
I suppose the operative word is "generally".
My friend has a 2x4 CC SB Lariat and I have the 4x4 version. His is an '05, where mine is an '03, this is the only other way that our trucks differ.
We both average 19 MPG on combo driving.
I really think that the operator has more to do with it than anything. I also know that wind resistance has more to do with MPG when your towing than does weight.
Case in point; I towed a 7x14' atv trailer empty on trip that was 175 miles one way. This trailer had one of those tailgate ramps that stood up when stowed. The ramp (as well as the rest of the trailer) was made of expanded metal, so it had the "little holes". On the way to the shop (empty), I averaged 14 MPG, on the way back with 2 motorcycles on the trailer (side by side), I averaged 18.5 MPG. These bikes combined weighed in at ~950 lbs., but they broke the wind hitting the tailgate, thus improving my mileage.
Dave
Don't know about the dually, but a 4x4 generally gets 2-3 MPG worse than an overwise identical 4x2.
[/ QUOTE ]
I suppose the operative word is "generally".
My friend has a 2x4 CC SB Lariat and I have the 4x4 version. His is an '05, where mine is an '03, this is the only other way that our trucks differ.
We both average 19 MPG on combo driving.
I really think that the operator has more to do with it than anything. I also know that wind resistance has more to do with MPG when your towing than does weight.
Case in point; I towed a 7x14' atv trailer empty on trip that was 175 miles one way. This trailer had one of those tailgate ramps that stood up when stowed. The ramp (as well as the rest of the trailer) was made of expanded metal, so it had the "little holes". On the way to the shop (empty), I averaged 14 MPG, on the way back with 2 motorcycles on the trailer (side by side), I averaged 18.5 MPG. These bikes combined weighed in at ~950 lbs., but they broke the wind hitting the tailgate, thus improving my mileage.
Dave
[ QUOTE ]
I saw my best mileage ever with a heat soaked engine.
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How do you heat soak an engine? The cooling system is designed to maintain a fairly constant temp. Towing hard more water is let through to cool the engine, idling...less water needed to cool the engine. The thermostat decides this. The block/water reaches it's 195 (not sure the exact figure) within a few miles.
One thing all engines and especially diesel engines like is constant temps. More/less heat and the metal is moving, not good.
I will agree that diesels like a full load and run better. But this is in a stationary unit (IE a water pump). Trucks are set up for intermitting loads. Problems occurs when running flat out on flatlands, no intermitting load there. Usually the manufactors will keep the max fuel level low to avoid burning up an engine. I replaced a v12 once in a big mobile crane. The engine was designed(read fuel pump) for the hills of Europe. They shipped the crane to the US and it burned up the engine driving from New Orleans to Houston(that's flat). We replaced the engine and had the injection pump reset for a fixed load.
Lecture not intended. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif
I saw my best mileage ever with a heat soaked engine.
[/ QUOTE ]
How do you heat soak an engine? The cooling system is designed to maintain a fairly constant temp. Towing hard more water is let through to cool the engine, idling...less water needed to cool the engine. The thermostat decides this. The block/water reaches it's 195 (not sure the exact figure) within a few miles.
One thing all engines and especially diesel engines like is constant temps. More/less heat and the metal is moving, not good.
I will agree that diesels like a full load and run better. But this is in a stationary unit (IE a water pump). Trucks are set up for intermitting loads. Problems occurs when running flat out on flatlands, no intermitting load there. Usually the manufactors will keep the max fuel level low to avoid burning up an engine. I replaced a v12 once in a big mobile crane. The engine was designed(read fuel pump) for the hills of Europe. They shipped the crane to the US and it burned up the engine driving from New Orleans to Houston(that's flat). We replaced the engine and had the injection pump reset for a fixed load.
Lecture not intended. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/biggrin.gif
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I just know that my mileage keeps improving as the engine comes up and reaches equilibrium operating temperatures. I know that for the first few miles the coolant gauge says I am up to temp but the engine may not have hit equilibrium with that temperature. More miles of driving seems to achieve better mileage. Best I have seen is immediately post hauling trailer.
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