Auxiliary gas tank for better mileage?

[FordLovinGMCDrivin]

Hey guys, got any recommendations for auxiliary gas tanks that are decently priced? Or hell, ways to increase my mileage? I'm getting 11.5mpg right now in my 07 Sierra Classic 2500 with just over 116k and I've got an hour commute to work every day. She's a stock truck running the correct size Kumho Road Venture ATs. Is there any maintenance I should do? It seems like my only option right now is to either get a tank for the bed of the truck, a programmer or sell it and try to get a diesel...or one of them new 5.0 Fords since I hear they can get 20 lol.

[00Silverado4x4]

I'll start with, has it always gotten this kind of fuel economy or has it been going down as you add on miles?

 

When was the last tune up? Plugs, wires, filters (air, fuel), throttle body cleaning, fluid changes (all). Also, check O2 sensors, catalytic convertor condition, tire pressure, alignment. There are many variables when it comes to fuel economy. I just completed a round trip of about 500 miles and my truck got about 14-15 mpg. The truck had over 360k+ miles on it when I bought it. I've done a lot of routine maintenance and slowly my fuel economy has been going up. It also helped to keep my speed down and try not to gun it.

 

Also you could get the engine tuned such as Black Bear and they can do some good. How much I don't know personally, but Black Bear is highly recommended and they are a Vendor here that can help you through the process.

[uh6tdrvr]

Well the first question is do you need a 2500? If you don't then any of the 1500 series or manufactures are going to beat any of the HD trucks in fuel economy. I only say that because you mentioned the 5.0 and the 5.3 will top the 5.0 in fuel economy. If you really need a HD you could look for something newer with a 6 speed and might squeak a couple extra out of it but it will not beat a diesel as far as fuel mileage goes but you will have to weigh the extra cost of the vehicle and compare real world dollar per mile cost. That is the largest reason most people with hd's have them. If you drive your truck around empty then why do you have an HD?

Secondly if you add a larger tank isn't going to give you any better fuel mileage its just going to hold more gas. As far as mileage, any of the brand 1500's will beat mpgs unless your loaded.

So with all that, why do you have an hd truck?

[BlackZ71Silverado]

Adding more fuel will in no way give you better mpg's. Where did you get that idea from?

 

 

 

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[SouthernSilveradoGuy85]

Adding more fuel will in no way give you better mpg's. Where did you get that idea from?

 

 

 

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It would make it worse since there's more weight.

 

As for the OP, since you're talking about trying to find the Ford 5.0 then that tells me you don't need a 3/4 ton so you surely don't need a diesel since diesel cost more to maintain. I say sell it and just get a 1500/150. By the way, it's will be very hard to find an F150 with the 5.0. I don't think you can even order one with it and starting with the '16 model (might have started with the '15s) you won't even get a V8 option in the F150 anymore.

[kstruckcountry]

Adding more fuel will in no way give you better mpg's. Where did you get that idea from?

 

 

 

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He does not mean that he wants an aux tank to increase his mpg. He wants it to increase his mileage per tank.

 

But the size of the fuel tank isn't the problem... Something is wrong

[sahls01gmc]

I'd say look at what your "needs" are for the truck. Does a diesel get better mpg's? Sure, but diesel fuel costs more, maintenance is higher, initial purchase is higher......

 

Many 1500's get close to 20mpg's

[Silverado4x4]

I don't understand what he wants and don't know why he thinks by adding a aux fuel tank will increase his mpg's. So what is it more mpg or miles per fill-up which doesn't make any sense either unless he lives and travels in a area with hardly any gas stations.

[FordLovinGMCDrivin]

He does not mean that he wants an aux tank to increase his mpg. He wants it to increase his mileage per tank.

 

But the size of the fuel tank isn't the problem... Something is wrong

Nailed it!

[FordLovinGMCDrivin]

I'd say look at what your "needs" are for the truck. Does a diesel get better mpg's? Sure, but diesel fuel costs more, maintenance is higher, initial purchase is higher......

 

Many 1500's get close to 20mpg's

My dads 5.4 Triton gets 16 on a good day. I maintenance and purchase price doesn't really matter to me. I've owned a Powerstroke before and it never broke me when I had to get something done

[FordLovinGMCDrivin]

I'll start with, has it always gotten this kind of fuel economy or has it been going down as you add on miles?

 

When was the last tune up? Plugs, wires, filters (air, fuel), throttle body cleaning, fluid changes (all). Also, check O2 sensors, catalytic convertor condition, tire pressure, alignment. There are many variables when it comes to fuel economy. I just completed a round trip of about 500 miles and my truck got about 14-15 mpg. The truck had over 360k+ miles on it when I bought it. I've done a lot of routine maintenance and slowly my fuel economy has been going up. It also helped to keep my speed down and try not to gun it.

 

Also you could get the engine tuned such as Black Bear and they can do some good. How much I don't know personally, but Black Bear is highly recommended and they are a Vendor here that can help you through the process.

A tuner could be an option so I'll definitely have to check Black Bear out. Air was just done, plugs I'm just trying to find the time to do. Fuel, I've personally not done and I got the truck with 105k and I'm climbing up to 118k. Never cleaned the throttle body but it's definitely something I can do. O2 and cat condition, I have no clue. I can see needing O2 sensors in the future but a cat? I'm not so sure

[FordLovinGMCDrivin]

 

It would make it worse since there's more weight.

 

As for the OP, since you're talking about trying to find the Ford 5.0 then that tells me you don't need a 3/4 ton so you surely don't need a diesel since diesel cost more to maintain. I say sell it and just get a 1500/150. By the way, it's will be very hard to find an F150 with the 5.0. I don't think you can even order one with it and starting with the '16 model (might have started with the '15s) you won't even get a V8 option in the F150 anymore.

I could get by either way. I got this truck because it was available in all honestly and the price was right. 2016 F150's still have the V8 option. They only introduced that engine 5 years ago I think so it'd be silly to toss it aside just because the have a 2.7 and a 3.5 Ecoboost. I've heard mixed reviews about the 3.5 and I know a lot of guys who just wouldn't buy one when the V8 is doing really well.

[Babyhauler]

You need a 1500. I would avg about 19-20 on a sales call an hour away & back in my 05 1500 crew 2wd, 200k mi, 3.23 gear, speed limit. 23 best. Dailey avg about 15. Hand calculation, compu showed .6 to 1 over. Fresh O2's, plugs & knock sensors made best mileage. My son gets 13-14 mpg going to Taco Bell and school and higher on the road.

My 02 2500HD, 6.0, 4x4 crew gets 9-10 daily, 6.9 towing, 12 best one time. 161k mi. Hand calculations. New plugs, knock sensors, and O2's.

My 04 2500 Diesel, 4x4, crew cab, MBRP dual w cat delete, CAI, 191k mi hits about 10 towing, 12 empty w Edge tuner w Attitude monitor set on mileage. Compu shows about 4 mpg over manual. Smokes you out at idle so injectors are dumping too much fuel at idle.

9-11 is about avg of most 2500 owners I have asked so I do not think you will improve that unless you change gears. That wont help much.

I would hope an 08 or so 1500 2wd, 6 speed would hit 20 regularly on the road.

You could save $4,000 a year with a 30 mpg vehicle at 100 mi day x 5 days x 50 weeks at $2.50 gal. That was not the question & may not be the answer, but it helped me when I was on the road a lot. A $5000. hooptie civic or accord would save miles on the truck but would not be as cool. A friend bought a $4,000 diesel Jetta and avg 50 mpg so he could park his Raptor during the week.

I'm through rambling now. Good luck.