V6 vs. V8 to Pull The Z

ChrisSlicks · 10-24-2012, 03:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

If you want an enclosed trailer definitely go V8. I have a 2011 2500HD with the 6L v8 and wish I had a diesel. ~8mpg with my 24' trailer and ~15 without.

It pulls the ~10,000lb trailer just fine but the gas is a killer. One of the guys has a Ford with the turbo 6 and loves it... gets 15-20 mpg towing his open trailer.

I have the same truck and essentially the same 24' trailer and get 10-11 mpg. The diesel does a lot better obviously.

sig11 · 10-24-2012, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I have the same truck and essentially the same 24' trailer and get 10-11 mpg. The diesel does a lot better obviously.

Wow. What kinda speeds? I would probably be better on gas if I didn't tow at 70-75mph... With 70mph speed limits I feel like I'm getting run over.

ChrisSlicks · 11-02-2012, 09:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sig11

Wow. What kinda speeds? I would probably be better on gas if I didn't tow at 70-75mph... With 70mph speed limits I feel like I'm getting run over.

I try to keep it close to 65, but will do 70 on the flats. I had a trailer tire blow out at 75 mph from what appeared to be tread separation (overheated) and it sounded like someone had dropped a bomb under my truck. Took a while to unweave the separated tread that was wrapped around the axle.

I get the biggest improvement by not trying to steam up the hills too hard. Build momentum before the hill, let some of the speed fall away slowly as you climb and use as much throttle as possible that doesn't kick down a gear until you need it. Using this technique I climb most hills in 5th, and only have to use 4th near the top of the really steep ones. If it needs 4th then I back off a bit and cruise up at around 60.

The savings on a 500 mile tow is about $40. That buys a lot of beer.

MightyBobo · 11-02-2012, 09:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisSlicks

I try to keep it close to 65, but will do 70 on the flats. I had a trailer tire blow out at 75 mph from what appeared to be tread separation (overheated) and it sounded like someone had dropped a bomb under my truck. Took a while to unweave the separated tread that was wrapped around the axle.

I get the biggest improvement by not trying to steam up the hills too hard. Build momentum before the hill, let some of the speed fall away slowly as you climb and use as much throttle as possible that doesn't kick down a gear until you need it. Using this technique I climb most hills in 5th, and only have to use 4th near the top of the really steep ones. If it needs 4th then I back off a bit and cruise up at around 60.

The savings on a 500 mile tow is about $40. That buys a lot of beer.

TROOF. I do the same - accelerate down the hills leading toward an uphill, and feather it as long as possible on the uphill.

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