Gas Mileage, What Truck, Motor, Towing trailer?

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Ok, So With the gas crunch, Im looking into a larger truck for some larger jobs.

My f350 diesel gets about 18 or so.

I wanted to know some gas mileage for

Frieghtliner FL60 or 70 (earth turf and wood, answer please.)

Ford F650 with caterpilar diesel

GMC 5500 or 6500 (26kgvw) kodiak with duramax diesel,

Do they all get like 6 to 8 mpg like the guy i asked today? When do u need a cdl, when the truck is over 26k and or when the truck and trailer is over 26?

Thanks

[DVS Hardscaper]

Most of the medium duties will average the same milage.

So there are no exact numbers for a Freightliner vs a Ford.

We have a F-650 with a Cummins, 6sp manual. It gets about 7mpg. Sometimes more.

And really its not so much the engine...its the gear ratio that makes the difference in milage of gasoline.

So many different configurations.

As well as the body. Does it have a full cab protector? And so on.


Really what a buyer needs to be concerned with is things like gear ratio, and CAB to AXLE measurements. Improper cab to axle measurements can cause your truck to eat steering tires if the weight is not properly and evenly dispursed on both the front and rear axle.

Also, dealers are quick to try to sell contractors on Allison transmissions. I had one sales rep tell me "this is the same trans they use in the ambulances!" Well, BFD! When was the last time you say an ambulance loaded with soil and pulling a 7000# skid loader at the same time?!! So you need to make sure the trans will also hold up to a fully loaded truck that is pulling a 3000# trailer with a 7000# skid steer on it.

These trucks are expensive. Annual DOT inspections. And big repair bills.

If you're serious bout a medium duty (26,000 gvw and up), then fuel economy needs to be the least of your concerns!

MD is huge on enforcing DOT laws. Are you up for dealing with that?

Since you're in Annapolis, Cummins Power Systems is in Glen Burnie, which means you're not far from having a full fledged manufacturer authorized facility to service it / work on it.

[Itsgottobegreen]

What he said.

Look at a international too. They make a great truck. I am looking at a used 4600 dump for my next big truck.

Maryland is big on the DOT laws. Unfortunately no one will give me a rule book. I am praying I did everything right if I get pulled over.

Also how the heck are you getting 18 mpg with a F-350. My F-350 dump 7.3 diesel, 4.10 gears gets 8 to 10 mpg depending on if its towing a trailer or not.

[CrewCutEnterprises]

Well, Mbrp exhaust and a AFE stage 2 intake system

It helps, Its a single rear wheel f350 with a dump insert. I am going to look into a 4700 or 4900 Int.

Anyideas how to find out US DOT rules and how to get a DOT number for your truck? Also how much weight puts forces you to use a cdl?

[FSully]

Commercial Driver Licenses (CDL)

CLASS A: Any Tractor/Trailer combination that has a GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS.

CLASS B: Any single motor vehicle that has a GVWR of 26,001 LBS. or more, or any such vehicle towing a vehicle of 10,000 LBS. or less.

CLASS C: Any motor vehicle that has a GVWR of less than 26,001 LBS. when endorsements "H" or "P" would be required on the driver license OR any combination of motor vehicles where the towing vehicle is less than 26,001 LBS. GVWR and the towed vehicle has a GVWR of 10,000 LBS. or less, but together they weigh 26,001 LBS. or more.

As far as DOT number..........over 10K GVW you need one..........
http://ntl.bts.gov/faq/truckdno.html

[Itsgottobegreen]

Originally Posted by CrewCutEnterprises

Well, Mbrp exhaust and a AFE stage 2 intake system

It helps, Its a single rear wheel f350 with a dump insert. I am going to look into a 4700 or 4900 Int.

Anyideas how to find out US DOT rules and how to get a DOT number for your truck? Also how much weight puts forces you to use a cdl?

O so thats how you get 18 mpg.

Online filing for the DOT number. Takes 20 minutes. 5 days later you get your paper work. But the rules, I have no idea. I wish some one would tell me.

You need one for your F-350 if its towing a trailer. From what I have been told. A buddy of mine was pulled over in his Dodge 3500 with 18' trailer for not having a DOT number. Its only one set of numbers for each company.

[DVS Hardscaper]

"provided towed vehicle is more than 10,000 LBS."

Actually not completely correct!

If you're combo unit (truck and trailer) grosses over 26000#, even if your trailer only weights 3000#, you're still a combo unit, which requires you to have a minimum of a Class A CDL restricted license. The "restricted" means you dont have airbrake endorsement. Which you only need - if you have airbrakes!

26000# and a trailer of any size is the breaking point. There is no "if this or if that"

But if you're grossing under 26,000# and if you're pullin a trailer that is factory rated at or OVER 10,000# .....you need a class A CDL!

Any vehicles grossing 10,000# or more - you must have a DOT Medical card. This goes for pick up trucks as well. A pick up weighs at least 7000#. A trailer weighs NO less than 2000#, 1 walk behind is 600#? Add up the weight of gas cans, line trimmers, blowers, passangers, and you're over 10,000#!

[Jerry and Sons]

f-350 with a v-10 i average 7.6 miles a gallon towing an enclosed 18 ft trailer.

[drmiller100]

99 f250 4x4 crewcab smokewagon. average 12-18 mpg. 12 is with 15k gooseneck, 18 is empty. 14-15 mpg towing skidsteer, mowers, or other light stuff.

subtract 2 mpg without superchips in race mode. it gets better mileage the more you crank up the programmer.
subtract 2 mpg for winter fuel.

[CrewCutEnterprises]

DR miller, I would assume you are running a diesel??