What a difference ....

mitchntx · May 22, 2006

I got my first real taste of LOUSY gas mileage this weekend.

Fully loaded, the gross weight of my trailer is over 9000 lbs.

Turned south, straight into a 10-15mph head wind. The front of the trailer was like pulling a barn door sideways.

It appears I got around 8 mpg on the way to the track traveling around 65.

I had a tail wind coming home and I think I got 9 mpg and kept it closer to 70.

mmmikkke · May 22, 2006

If I'm not mistaken, you're running an 8.1 with the allison trans... I'd say 9 is pretty good. Lousy would be down around 4 or 5 mpg, IMHO.

mitchntx · May 23, 2006

Yessir ... 2K1/CC/SB/8.1/Ally

I was suprised that the truck got better mileage at 70 than it did at 65. I attribute it to, not just the tail wind, but the fact that at 70-73 mph, the RPM is up around 2300 and not at 1900 like a 63-65 mph.

It rarely shifted down at the higher speeds.

Superman TNT · May 23, 2006

8 or 9 mpg is not bad at all. I tow a 9,000+lb 5th wheel and get abount 6 - 7 on average. I typically tow at 65 - 70. If I were pulling into a head wind my mileage would be worse, 5 - 6. I didn't appreciate how significant the gas mileage factor would be when I bought the truck. Don't get me wrong I really love my ride . . . but next time I will get the D max. People keep saying they get 12mpg towing 10,000lb 5th wheels with the Dmax. I mainly use my truck for towing so gas mileage is a factor I will have to consider next time around.

Tom

PS BTW > > > is that a WS6 TA in you advatar? Is that the car you're taking to the track? I have an 02 WS6 in mint shape. I only drive it in pure sunny weather . . . car only has 7,000 miles on it. I love that car . . .

mitchntx · May 23, 2006

PS BTW > > > is that a WS6 TA in you advatar? Is that the car you're taking to the track? I have an 02 WS6 in mint shape. I only drive it in pure sunny weather . . . car only has 7,000 miles on it. I love that car . . .

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Tom, it's not a WS6 .... just a TA with a Raptor hood.

I tracked that car for years and it held up amazingly well. Had lots of LGM suspension and a big motor. But, I sold the car about 6 months ago. I miss it, but no regrets.

I found the Camaro/Mustang Challenge series a couple years ago and I race wheel to wheel with a '96 Trans AM.

It's a spec series and is very affordable racing.

S competyitive track car can be built for under $8000, a set of Toyo spec tires will last almost a whole season and I changed front brake pads 1 time last year. I've replaced an alternator and a PS pump.

I change the oil after 3 race weekends.

And that's it!

And to keep this on topic ....

I was expecting 6 mpg. But went 210 miles on a 24 gallons of gas.

Diesel vs Gas ....

I understand that a diesels gets better mileage. But in the grans scheme of things, 3 or 4 mpg is not very significant, especially when the price of diesel is as much if not more costly than gasoline.

Further, the maintenance costs on a diesel are 2 or 3 times that of a compareable gas truck. And heaven forbid you get a load of bad diesel ....

And the initial cost of a diesel powered truck vs a gas powered is a large pocket full of change.

A diesel will accelerate and handle big loads better, granted. But the cost of that luxury is more than I could justify, especially to really uise it 6 weekends a year.

And finally, I know a diesel will outlast a gas motor 3 or 4 to 1. Unfortunately, the motors are wrapped in identical packages. Suspension, trans and body issues die well before any motor problems creep in.

JMHO

Bart2500HD · May 23, 2006

Diesel vs Gas ....

I understand that a diesels gets better mileage. But in the grans scheme of things, 3 or 4 mpg is not very significant, especially when the price of diesel is as much if not more costly than gasoline.

Further, the maintenance costs on a diesel are 2 or 3 times that of a compareable gas truck. And heaven forbid you get a load of bad diesel ....

And the initial cost of a diesel powered truck vs a gas powered is a large pocket full of change.

A diesel will accelerate and handle big loads better, granted. But the cost of that luxury is more than I could justify, especially to really uise it 6 weekends a year.

And finally, I know a diesel will outlast a gas motor 3 or 4 to 1. Unfortunately, the motors are wrapped in identical packages. Suspension, trans and body issues die well before any motor problems creep in.

JMHO

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Very well said comparison. I feel the same way, but I get to factor in very cold winters on top of what you said. I'll put up with a few MPG less for the big block.

Superman TNT · May 23, 2006

Your old TA looks just like WS6, white with black interior.

The racing series sound like real fun. I have tracked and watched racing for years and as soon as I get to stop paying for my ex I may get into a series like you describe.

Back on subject . . . I know the initial out lay for the D max is more but so is the resale. I was able to nearly steal my 8.1 because everyone is so hyper about gas and mileage. Someone lost a PILE O money on my truck and it wasn't me. The Dmax guys don't get hit like that.

For me the difference in towing mileage is a lot greater since I am only getting about 7mpg with my camper attached. Going from 7 to 12 would be a 70% improvement in mpg. That is a lot! beyond that my normal milage is about 11. They say the dmax is getting 18. That is still a 50% improvement, again a lot.

I have had diesels before . . . I don't like the noise (Dodge) and the lack of seat of the pants performance.

Anyway we'll see . . . I'll have this one for a while for sure.

mitchntx · May 23, 2006

I was able to nearly steal my 8.1 because everyone is so hyper about gas and mileage. Someone lost a PILE O money on my truck and it wasn't me. The Dmax guys don't get hit like that.

same scenario here.

Guy had this 8.1 and traded it in on a D-Max. He took a huge loss on the 8.1 AND paid a huge PREMIUM on the diesel ... for 4mpg. How can folks fiscally justify that kind of transaction?

And I understand the percentages. But even so, the $4000 it costs to get into a diesel vs a gas will buy a lot of ethyl!

However, any way you slice it, it's a sh!tload of cash.

OT: The TA Raptor hood is a Firehawk clone. It is a real, functional ram air.

rcpd34 · June 5, 2006

I was able to nearly steal my 8.1 because everyone is so hyper about gas and mileage. Someone lost a PILE O money on my truck and it wasn't me. The Dmax guys don't get hit like that.

same scenario here.

Guy had this 8.1 and traded it in on a D-Max. He took a huge loss on the 8.1 AND paid a huge PREMIUM on the diesel ... for 4mpg. How can folks fiscally justify that kind of transaction?

And I understand the percentages. But even so, the $4000 it costs to get into a diesel vs a gas will buy a lot of ethyl!

However, any way you slice it, it's a sh!tload of cash.

OT: The TA Raptor hood is a Firehawk clone. It is a real, functional ram air.

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Love my 8100; all three of 'em! I agree, it takes too long for the diesel to pay for itself. According to GM, you gotta put 15000 miles/yr on it for 6 years to break even. And that was at $2.00/gal. Now, it must be closer to 10!

snoman · June 5, 2006

Love my 8100; all three of 'em! I agree, it takes too long for the diesel to pay for itself. According to GM, you gotta put 15000 miles/yr on it for 6 years to break even. And that was at $2.00/gal. Now, it must be closer to 10!

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If you run the number it take a lot more than 90K over 6 years to do it. Beside fuel and added cost there is maintainance and insurance too (truck cost more to replace so premium is higher). It use to be around 120 to 150K when diesel cost less than gas but being that diesel cost as much of more than gas and will likely cost a lot more again this winter, (it was 75 cent more a gallon here last winter) I do not think that you will ever break "even".