8.1 vortec 6mpg??

[99RedRado]

Picked up a 02 extended cab 2500hd with the 8.1 in it to tow my landscaping trailer. The truck as 265 tires with the 3:73 axle ratio, only 48000 on the whole truck. My trailer is enclosed and probably weighs 4000-4500 pounds. Out of the 140 miles I get out of a tank probably 40 of those are highway, the rest is all stop and go traffic and driving up hilly mountain roads. I'm averaging exactly 6mpg through 3 tanks of gas. My old Nissan Titan that used to pull this same trailer got about 8 mpg along the same route. Is this typical for the 8.1? Kinda disappointed with the gas mileage, I was really hoping it would get 8 or better.

[Chris]

Might need full tune up, but 8 will probably be the best you will get towing. It was nt made for double digits, it was made to be a beast

[davester]

Finally, my trucks gas mileage doesn't seem so bad. I've got a '04 Sierra 3500 Cab&Chassis 6.0L, towing maybe 2500 lbs, and I get just under 10mpg.

[KMGZ400]

maybe basic maintenance would help a bit,plugs, filter , fluids etc. regardless of the miles its still an almost 15 year old truck and its an 8.1.. cant expect much in the MPG department when you buy a big block!

[Z45]

Had a friend who was a drywall contractor and had one, GMC 3500, he always complained about the mileage, 10 mpg he claimed was the best he could get. Of course he carrier a lot of tools etc all the time.

[mjoekingz28]

You could try to keep your foot out of it!

[amfr]

Should of bought a diesel. Better all around

 

sent from Florida beech

[Raptordude]

Yeah diesels get amazing gas mileage. My dad has a 98 Ford F-350 work van with the 7.3 diesel, full straight pipe, intake, etc and he consistently gets 17 miles per gallon. However, the new 2015+ 6.6 duramaxes get only around 12-13 in town

 

 

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[mjoekingz28]

My 6.0 got right near 15mpg unloaded all highway on the way home from where I bought it. About 70mph on Interstate 20 for 240 miles or so. Im regular bab long bed, 133" Wheelbase I think.

 

That is with a NV4500 5spd. Now factor in you probaly have an automatic, a big block, riding around town - short tripping, and a heavy load.....

 

 

 

The kicker is a 80,000 tractor/trailer gets 7mpg going all over the country.

 

 

Just keep a close eye on the oil level, until you notice a pattern on when to check/add!

[99RedRado]

I might change out the plugs and wires and see if it improves any. I've got a check engine light that comes on every once and a while and the turns back off. Maybe that's got something to do with it. And yes diesel would be ideal but paying 18k for a diesel that has 200k plus miles is out of the question for me.

[Alexis Baez]

I have a 01 2500hd and i had a problem like that but i change the o2 and plugs . She gets better milage now

[Nick17]

You have an 8.1 motor that is a gas guzzler its equal to the fords v10. 8.1 motor is good for camping a what not but still good for landscaping you just wont see the good results the only thing you could do it put a tune in to help you get better gas mileage.

[twotone74]

I had 2003 Suburban 2500 with the 8.1 liter. I got 9.6 mpg towing a 4500 pound trailer. 12.5-13 on the highway (not towing, but all highway) and about 10-10.5 mpg with a combo of city/highway, no towing.

 

I always joked that I could pass anything but a gas station!

 

[Swimmer8366]

When driving or buying a big block you all ready know the thing is gonna suck gas. It's a big block. Give it again tune a better exhaust a better air intake better plugs better injectors and you should be able to get 8-11 maybe more if your lucky but fix that light first

 

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[big white 3500 denial and]

Picked up a 02 extended cab 2500hd with the 8.1 in it to tow my landscaping trailer. The truck as 265 tires with the 3:73 axle ratio, only 48000 on the whole truck. My trailer is enclosed and probably weighs 4000-4500 pounds. Out of the 140 miles I get out of a tank probably 40 of those are highway, the rest is all stop and go traffic and driving up hilly mountain roads. I'm averaging exactly 6mpg through 3 tanks of gas. My old Nissan Titan that used to pull this same trailer got about 8 mpg along the same route. Is this typical for the 8.1? Kinda disappointed with the gas mileage, I was really hoping it would get 8 or better.

Hate tp tell you but I did own a 2001 2500hd w/ the 8.1 motor and yes I pulled a small 18 ft box trailer on the highway from NY to FL and the best I got was 10 mpg and when pulling my RV which is a 40 ft coach and weights 13000 lbs the best I get is about 6 mpg. SO I hate to tell you the 8.1 is a great motor but it sucks fuel like water.