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Tow rig/daily driver

NoDakRat

Junior Member
41
100
After looking at all these 1/2 ton numbers, I feel pretty good about my Ram 3/4 diesel numbers. Local driving which includes city and short highway driving I'm getting around 18/19 sometimes 20 if I keep my right foot under control. Interstate driving where I typically run 75/80 depending on speed limits, I've been able to get 25+. The only real weight I've towed with it so far was a 9000 lb camper for about a 150 mile stretch on interstate. I kept the cruise on 70 and got just over 15 mpg. I do tow around a SxS back and forth to deer camp several times a year and that brings it down to 17/18. I'm sure these numbers will change over time as I don't have 15K miles on it yet so it's not even close to broken in. I know many like to rib Ram owners, and I don't mind that at all with these numbers. And since my Ram cost 10K plus less than a comparable Ford it was an easy decision for me. Don't get me wrong, I liked the Ford over the Ram for various reasons. I just didn't like it to the tune of 10K more.
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Leaving it
Those are average over the last however many miles. (Whatever its set at, usually adjustable in your settings). Being the farther you drive it the further the mileage goes down while towing. Make sense?

I'd guess real numbers are closer to 6-7 mpg on your set up. Same as our half ton.

Jesse, traveling with kids, you'll have to stop for feeding or bathroom breaks before you need fuel. Drives me crazy, but find a way to enjoy stretching your legs.
 

giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Leaving it
Those are average over the last however many miles. (Whatever its set at, usually adjustable in your settings). Being the farther you drive it the further the mileage goes down while towing. Make sense?

I'd guess real numbers are closer to 6-7 mpg on your set up. Same as our half ton.

Jesse, traveling with kids, you'll have to stop for feeding or bathroom breaks before you need fuel. Drives me crazy, but find a way to enjoy stretching your legs.
 
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giles

Cull buck specialist
Supporting Member
Leaving it
Those are average over the last however many miles. (Whatever its set at, usually adjustable in your settings). Being the farther you drive it the further the mileage goes down while towing. Make sense?

I'd guess real numbers are closer to 6-7 mpg on your set up. Same as our half ton.

Jesse, traveling with kids, you'll have to stop for feeding or bathroom breaks before you need fuel. Drives me crazy, but find a way to enjoy stretching your legs.
 
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Dustinb80

#FACKCANCER
Supporting Member
18,560
198
S.W. Ohio
Those are average over the last however many miles. (Whatever its set at, usually adjustable in your settings). Being the farther you drive it the further the mileage goes down while towing. Make sense?

I'd guess real numbers are closer to 6-7 mpg on your set up. Same as our half ton.

Jesse, traveling with kids, you'll have to stop for feeding or bathroom breaks before you need fuel. Drives me crazy, but find a way to enjoy stretching your legs.
Next time I head out with the camper, Ill try to remember to reset. Im heading to Caesars Creek on Oct 1st-4th. Your wife was supposed to reserve a spot next to mine, but she dropped the ball and someone else booked it.
 

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
Currently get a combined 19-20mpg on my 2500 not towing.
When I was towing Fifth Wheel camper. 10500 lbs dry. Numbers dropped to about 12-13 mpg. These are hand calculated numbers.
 
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5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,785
238
North Central Ohio
I'm a true believer that anyone who is comparing mpg in 3/4 or 1ton trucks, looking for good mileage is insane. Its all subjective. I keep track of mine in a small book, but only for reference. Its nice to keep your eyes on trends to see if something changed like a dragging brake or the impact a set of new tires has.

For the sake of Jesse's situation, its a 1/2 to 3/4 ton choice, not which fuel type in the 3/4 ton. And in that lens, he has nothing to fear mpg wise going from his current 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton, if its what he is looking for.
 

Quantum673

Black Hat Cajun
Supporting Member
I'm a true believer that anyone who is comparing mpg in 3/4 or 1ton trucks, looking for good mileage is insane. Its all subjective. I keep track of mine in a small book, but only for reference. Its nice to keep your eyes on trends to see if something changed like a dragging brake or the impact a set of new tires has.

For the sake of Jesse's situation, its a 1/2 to 3/4 ton choice, not which fuel type in the 3/4 ton. And in that lens, he has nothing to fear mpg wise going from his current 1/2 ton to a 3/4 ton, if its what he is looking for.

Totally agree.

Ultimately the right fit is going to be the setup that can handle the demands safely and hold up over time.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
49,349
288
Appalachia
Like buying a plane or boat, then bitching about the cost of fuel...gotta pay to play!

Kinda like buying the camper, then the truck, right?!? 😂

I do other hauling from time to time (tractors and other farm loads) that having a little more ass would be helpful. It wouldn't be a waste of truck even outside of hauling the camper. And to @giles' point earlier about bed length, I hate my 5.5' bed and the 6.5's in an F150 are hard to find and expensive. The more I compare trucks, a 250 gasser does make a lot if sense for what I'm willing to spend to purchase and operate.
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
49,349
288
Appalachia
Found a couple in Columbus that I submitted offers on via Cars.com. We'll see how bad they want to sell trucks. One is a 6.2L that I can get for $35 more a month than my current payment and a 7.3L that could be had for $65 more. I was willing to go up to $90 more. It seems counterintuitive, but comparable F150s in the same configuration are basically the same price.
 
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5Cent

Dignitary Member
Supporting Member
12,785
238
North Central Ohio
Most dealers on new trucks are only going with list minus any manuf. rebates.

Let me know if you test drive the new 7.3L. I wish they weren't delayed last year during launch, but I'm seeing they aren't hitting their MPG claim so if you want to meet or beat your current 13mpg, be aware.
 
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"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
58,699
288
North Carolina
Found a couple in Columbus that I submitted offers on via Cars.com. We'll see how bad they want to sell trucks. One is a 6.2L that I can get for $35 more a month than my current payment and a 7.3L that could be had for $65 more. I was willing to go up to $90 more. It seems counterintuitive, but comparable F150s in the same configuration are basically the same price.
New or used Jesse?
 

bowhunter1023

Owner/Operator
Staff member
49,349
288
Appalachia
New. If I can swing a new one, I'd rather do that. I figure it'll have 150K miles at payoff (72 months), with more life left in it or enough value to be a good trade. If I need to step into a used one to get the right setup/deal, I'll do that too. Lots of "off lease" low mileage 2018-2019 models out there, too.
 
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"J"

Git Off My Lawn
Supporting Member
58,699
288
North Carolina
New. If I can swing a new one, I'd rather do that. I figure it'll have 150K miles at payoff (72 months), with more life left in it or enough value to be a good trade. If I need to step into a used one to get the right setup/deal, I'll do that too. Lots of "off lease" low mileage 2018-2019 models out there, too.
While in your search, broaden the distance too allow the Maryland area. You’d be surprised at the savings, especially in the used market... But, always check the car fax, fender benders are one thing, but there’s always few out there that get your head too a shaking...
 
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