Hello from SD, WE just got a 2002, diesel ram, 5spd, 4x4 ,quad. We pull a 26ft travel trailer about 5000lb.With 1000 miles on it the MPG is about 13. Is that about right to start with? I thought it might do better than that, because the 96 V-8 Dakota I traded in, got 9 to 11 pulling the same camper. At least the fuel is about 15 cents a gal cheaper than gas around here. We love the pickup but would like a little better MPG. Any input would be great, and thanks in advance.
phox_mulder
07-05-2002, 09:36 PM
Mine started out around 13mpg average.
Now at 15mpg average, at 4,000 miles.
Has been as high as 17mpg average.
Rumor is that after breakin, 10,000 miles, it will go up to around 20-22 average.
Not to bad for an 8,000 lb truck.
You should get better, since I have an auto tranny.
phox
dodge_em
07-10-2002, 01:56 PM
Economy will increase with mileage on the motor. Actually, breaking it in pulling a trailer is one of the best things for it. Could lower break in time quite a bit. I am averaging around 18-20 with mine right now, but I have a heavy foot which could account for the sub-20mpg thing. You won't be disappointed with your choice. Keep in mind too, that the diesel Ram is much heavier than your Dakota was as well. But overall, between lower fuel costs, and lower maintenance costs, you will see decent savings with the diesel.
--dodge_em
mjamgb
07-11-2002, 02:57 PM
Best I manage with my '97 is 21.7 MPG goin' "downhill" to LA from northern Nevada (three tall passes). Typical with the camper on at 75MPH is 15 MPG with the auto tranny, OD engaged, air on, and two mountain passes.
"boppin" around nets me on the order of 18 MPG.
I have some issues with the fuel delivery (white smoke, haven't bothered to address it yet... lean, right?) and the tranny (I don't like autos and I'm sorry I got one).
Oh, bone-stock truck otherwise.
Mike!
RED121572
07-21-2002, 08:39 PM
Ive got a 99 long bed, quad cab 24 valve. When I first bought the truck with 5,000 miles on it, I was getting 19-21 MPG. A year later, I put the biggest tires on it that would fit the stock rims. I then averaged 17 MPG. Now, with smaller tires and 95,000 miles on it, I am getting 20 MPG.
Its too bad these trucks are about as aerodynamic as a refridgerator, they could come close to 30 MPG.
dodge_em
07-22-2002, 08:30 AM
Red,
With the bigger tires, it throws off your odometer as well as your speedometer. Bigger tires mean you are going further than your odometer is showing, and also faster than your speedo is reading. Anyway, your mileage may not have been as different as you think with the bigger tires. If you ever run the bigger tires again, try this. Next time you are on a long interstate run, pick a section of road and using the tripodometer so that you can see the tenths of a mile record (or remember) what your mileage is at a given mile post. Check it again after 100 miles (if you are going that far without stopping). You may be surprised to see that your odometer may only register 90some miles.
glen
08-13-2002, 11:19 AM
I have an almost identical set up and we're in the same boat. The last I checked I'm up to 15 MPG but is getting better all the time.
angrypuppie
08-28-2002, 10:21 PM
I have a "91 dodge cummins diesel, when I first got, (a year ago, 193,000 miles) I was getting 15.5 mpg city and highway, empty and as high as 21.3 all highway, I am now running a blend of approximatly 5% soy bio-diesel and city/ highway mileage has gained about 1.1 mpg, haven't had it on a long highway run yet with soy diesel. I have been running soy diesel about 8 months and have had no problems with it. Angrypuppie
misterbobbyjoe
09-03-2002, 10:45 AM
My '01 1-ton dually with HO Cummins & 6-speed has 35,000 on it and gets a consistent 15 mpg empty, 10 - 11 mpg with 2200 lb. pickup camper pulling a 9000 lb. trailer. This is the same as when new, so I don't know if they improve with miles or not. Used to have a '97 3/4 ton with automatic that got 20 mpg empty and 10 - 11 loaded the same way. Traded it because with an automatic, it just wasn't rated for such a load. Otherwise it was a GREAT truck - same as the '01!
gomer34
03-30-2004, 11:25 AM
Funny you should mention tire size decreasing mileage. I bought my diesel from a dealer about 7 weeks ago and it had a new set of Dunlop Radial Rover A/T D range 28575R16 tires on the truck. According to the door sticker, 24575R16 is the stock size. I have to look at the speedo constantly since it feels like I am going faster than what is actually displayed. :)
03huffer
04-12-2004, 02:31 PM
Don't know yet what I get because I just put a set of BFG 315's on mine and don't have the speedo recalibrated yet. I can tell you that, with stock tires and over 20,000 miles on the truck, the last time I towed my 5500 lb toy hauler I got 20.3 in the hills of east Tennessee on a run of about 200 miles. I regularly get 24 to 26 not towing anything on the interstate.
