What's your fuel mileage

[RobertN]

What\'s your fuel mileage

Just curious about what some of you are getting for fuel mileage, now that gas and diesel is going up.

I'm getting 10mpg empty, 8mpgw/9' cabover on my '89 F250 4x4 351 with a granny 4-spd.

I'm really toying with the idea of a new diesel pickup. Fuels cheaper, and it gets lots better mileage

RobertN in Shingle Springs Calif

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

96 Ford powerstroke 4x4 supercab. Going down the road unloaded at 60-65 18-19 mpg, 65-75 16 mpg, 80 15 mpg. Towing a trailer no matter if it's a two horse or the big four horse with living quarters 13 mpg.

 

[geneP]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Robert, I'd suggest sharpening your pencil before buying that diesel truck. How many years/miles are you going to have to drive it to repay the premium charge of the diesel engine? You might drive enough, or pull heavy loads to justify one. Around here (Mississippi) diesel fuel is more expensive than gasoline about as often as it is cheaper. Consider the added expense of oil changes, fuel filters, and more expensive repairs when needed.

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Gene,
You also have to factor in the fact that a diesel lasts on the average three times as long as a gas engine and according to Ford's data diesels require less maintenance and have fewer repairs than a gas engine does, no tuneups, etc. With regard to diesel pickups the only the only thing that is different with regard to oil changes and filters is that you have to buy more oil for a diesel. Other than that the change intervals for oil and fuel filters are nearly identical.

You are right though in that if you only plan on keeping one for short term, we always figure it takes about 65,000 - 75,000 to break even on the extra cost of a diesel motor. If you plan on driving one until it dies or at least 75,000 though you can't go wrong with a diesel engine.

 

[Bird]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Robert, my wife's 99 Escort sedan averages 32.769 mpg and week before last when I trailered the tractor to the dealer, returned with empty trailer, then back to get the tractor the next day, my old '81 F250 got 11.9 mpg (I was surprised; didn't expect 10 mpg).

Bird

 

[RobS]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

97 F250HD 4X4 crew cab w/ 460 gas, 5 spd and 4:10 gears. Average over three years was around 11. Best ever was 14. Worst was 6, pulling our 27 ft. fifth wheel. I filled up this morning and set a new record for a single fillup... $54. I guess I'll be riding my bicycle more this summer out of necessity rather than pure recreation /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[Budinohio]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I just bought a new 2000 F-250 4x4 supercab Power stroke automatic I'm getting 16-17 mpg , I almost bought a v-10 glad I went the other route. Filled up the other day for 1.39 gas was 1.69. Last weekend I drove to NJ from Ohio fueloil prices were crazey, I drove the turnpike most of the way and at truck stops the prices of fueloil were as high as gas to .15 cents a gal. higher, and at regular gas stations the fueloil was always .10 - .20 cents a gal. cheaper.

 

[Boondox]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Our Pathfinder (Dog-mobile) gets about 15mpg locally, better on those few occasions when we travel the Interstate. In winter, in 4WD, it drops to an abysmal 8mpg...but at least it gets us home in the worst of the mud/snow/ice. Never been stuck, and at certain times of the year that's very important! I put up with the mileage because it's paid for...and my last Pathfinder was still running at 320,000 miles when the body succumed to rust cancer.

Our Honda Civic (Daily-mobile) gets 35mpg in mixed driving and 38mpg on the highway/Interstate! Unfortunately, with that low ground clearance there are times when it simply can't be driven, and after an ice storm we really need 4WD.

Pete in Northern Vermont

www.GatewayToVermont.com

 

[JimReichard]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I have a 1986 F250 4X4 with 3.55 gears and a 7.3 diesel from a 1993 F350. It gets 21-23 at 55-60 MPH and 18-20 at 75 MPH and above. When I first bought the truck and put the 7.3 in it I thought my fuel gauge was broke or I had 2 bad sending units. Because I could not belive the fuel mileage I was getting. My neighbor has a 1996 F 150 with the 300 six cylinder with a 6' bed and he gets 13-16 MPG and he had a hard time with my big old 4X4 getting better mileage than his smaller 2 wheel drive.

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Jim,
Yes those old 6.9 and 7.3 internationals will consistently get in the low 20's on the highway. Reason they are better than the new ones is because they aren't turboed. We still have a couple of them back home on the ranch. If you take care of them they are pretty bulletproof.

 

[bpence]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I drive a 2001 Ford Explorer AWD with the small 4.9L V-8 (302 equivalent). It gets about 17.5-18 mpg, when I'm able to keep my foot out of it. I kind of like the sound of that V-8 and can just as easily take the mileage down to 13-14 mpg. Oh yeah, it's equipped with the infamous Firestone Wilderness tires, too.

The 1998 F-150 2wd my wife drives has the V-6 motor, automatic, and she's able to squeeze 18-18.5 mpg out of it. When I drive it, I average around 16 mpg. But, I'm usually hauling stuff or pulling something.

The Kubota B7100HST is running about .8 gallons per hour when mowing, about 1.2 gallons per hour when bush-hogging, and about 1.5 gallons per hour pushing snow. When bush-hogging and pushing snow I use 4wd, so that probably accounts for a little bit of the increase.

Bob Pence

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I have a 95 Chevy 4x4, extended cab and 8 foot bed, manual 5 speed and the 6.9L turbo diesel. I get between 16-17 mpg. I have gotten as high as 19-20 when driving 55 mph. First gear is REAL low and I only use it when I have a load or slick conditions. If I had a higher 5th gear or a 6th gear I think I would get 20-22 mpg.

I have around 70,000 miles on the truck and plan on keeping it for at least 5 more years. When I was looking to get this truck I asked any diesel truck owners I could find what kiinda milage they got as well as how many miles they were getting on the vehicle. I was told to expect at least 300,000 to 500,000 miles on the truck before EVERYTHING but the engine fell apart. The engine would still be going good.

How many miles can one expect on a diesel pickup truck? What are you guys seeing?

Later...
Dan McCarty

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Dan,
Dodge Cummins is definitely the most bulletproof and longest lasting diesel out there. 400-500k is not uncommon on them. Next best is the powerstroke, probably around 300-400k. From everything I've heard and the mechanics and people driving them the Chevy is the worst. Least horsepower and torque of the big three and usually 200-300k average use on them. Problem with the Chevy motor is that it's basically a gas engine converted to diesel. The cummins and powerstroke are built from the ground up as a diesel. That's why Chevy discontinued that engine and went with the Isuzu diesel to try and catch some of the market that Dodge and Ford have run away with with regard to diesel pickups.

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

I wanted a Dodge or a Ford when I was looking for a new truck. Dodge had some diesels but they were $32,000 and up. The Ford dealers had no diesels in stock. I messed up and forgot about the dealer that is in the town near my property but I looked all over for trucks and the only one I found with a manual and a diesel was a Chevy. If the dealership near my house give me a good price on a truck I'm sure the next one will be a Ford. But that had better be in another 5-10 years! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

BUT, I drove an Isuzu moving truck a few years ago and it really impressed me. It was the largest truck the rental place possessed but it got decent MPG and was very manouverable. One the new Isuzu diesel has few years on it I might buy a Chevy.

The only problem I have had with the Chevy diesel is the fuel pump. They replaced it under warrenty and actually extended the warrenty. I felt comfortable with the Chevy diesel since its the same engine in the Humvees. I had not heard of any problems with those engines so I felt safe. Then, a couple of months ago a motor pool LT in the Army at Ft. Stewart called in to the Car Talk show on PBS with the exact problem I had with the fuel pump! I knew the answer but the Car Talk Brothers did not! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

I hope I get at least 200K on the truck. I have a JD loan to pay off! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Yes, you're right Dan they did have alot of problems with those fuel pumps. The reason that the army went with the chevy diesel is because chevy gave them such a good deal on the price. Back when you bought yours chevy was the cheapest diesel out there. Now with the new isuzu they're the most expensive. I wouldn't worry though you should go 200k easy. You are sure right about manuals and trucks though, they are very rare!!!

 

[bpence]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Did you call Click & Clack and let 'em know the answer about the fuel pump? They'd have probably given you a T-shirt for that one.

Bob Pence

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

That new Chevy is ONE expensive pickup. I saw one at the farm show with the new diesel, new tranny, four door, leather seats, etc. 42-43,000 dollars! OUCH! Heck of a profit margin for GM. I paid 27,000 for my 95. The new drive train is nice but it ain't 15K nicer!

I don't know the prices on real work/contractor trucks, the ones up from the pickups, but if I have to pay 40K+ for the next pickup I might look for a vehicle with more capability.

Later....
Dan McCarty

 

[dmccarty]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

When I heard the show I was on the property and I only had a cell phone so I did not call. I think the call would have cost more than the shirt! /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif I did want to email them but never got around to it..... /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif

Later....
Dan

 

[cowboydoc]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Mine was pretty close to that Dan. In 1996 I paid $26,100 for a supercab, 5 speed, XLT, powerstroke diesel Ford. I just priced out a new one, 2001, with the same configuration as mine and it was $35,300!!!

 

[scruffy]

Re: What\'s your fuel mileage

Dan, a neighbor in California bought a new ton and half flatbed (to replace his totalled truck) with toolboxes down the sides, paid $52,000 + or - for it (don't remember what he said it was exactly). It was as plain as you could get....abolutely nothing fancy or extra, except for A/C, and the upgrade radio.