Whatcha all doin' to increase fuel mileage ?

[GatCat]

Dont forget you can simply add a free flowing muffler rather then a complete exhaust system, that would help both hp and mpg, so long as you keep your foot out of it. Ditto K&N  ( or similar ) filter.Just be advised that some aftermarket filters "filter" better then others, so you don't lessen engine life. Alsok when it is time to replace tires, think about getting a taller set, which will act like a "taller" gear set, lower rpm's at a given road speed, but may lessen towing ability to a certain extent. Certainly  2" taller tires would help.

[PartsMan]

Make sure your truck is not geared too high
Everbody thinks smaller motors and higher gearing make beter millage.
I had a 98 gmc with 4.3 and 4 speed auto.
It got 18-20 highway, but seemed to lug all the time.
I drove it in drive one trip and it got 24.
Turned out that up to about 75mph drive did better than over drive.
My step dad had a 92 350 auto did 18 at 65 got 22 at 75.
You just have to try dfferent things
All trucks are different.

[Buckskin]

I don't worry about it. You guys are going to give yourselves ulcers fretting about a few $.  If your worrying about a couple mpg's then you shouldn't be driving a truck.  I hear those electric cars are pretty good in the back 40.

[Hairtrigger]

I have my Diesel Ram at the dealership. As a loaner vehicle I have a 2006 Hemi powered 2500 Ram. This thing is a fuel hog. The money spent on diesel is well worth it.

[NONYA]

walk!

[ihookem]

 I  have 245 75 16 tires on my gmc diesel. I'm going to 235 85 16 tires.  My truck with 3:73 axle gears can handle a little taller tire because I haul 5000 lbs at most. The new tires will be like having a 3:59 axle ratio. With tires you have to be carefull. Also, if I ever buy a half ton pickup I'm going to go with E rated tires because it is safe at 80 lbs tire pressure and that increases mileage quite a bit. The cost is a hundred bucks a set more or so but it's a safer tire under loads and they seem to wear more evenly and last longer so it may be cheaper in the long run.

[howdy doody]

TRADED IT.

[ihookem]

What did you trade it for , Howdy doody?

[howdy doody]

I got a Ram 2500HD with the cummins/six speed. It has the Big Horn package. I liked the Hemi just fine, but I was discussing getting a trailer and about retiring next year and actually my wife sort of talked me into trading into it. I haven't had a chance to get many miles on it yet either. First I was sick and then busy at work. I'll report in on how the diesel mileage goes. I like the truck a lot so far. First one I have had with a clutch pedal in years. It is noisy at idle, but not that bad at speed.
So, now that I have the bigger truck, I guess a trailer is next. I think I will enjoy RVing, since I go to a lot of shoots away from home that go on for three days and that would give me a savings eventually.

[Hairtrigger]

I got a Ram 2500HD with the cummins/six speed. It has the Big Horn package. I liked the Hemi just fine, but I was discussing getting a trailer and about retiring next year and actually my wife sort of talked me into trading into it. I haven't had a chance to get many miles on it yet either. First I was sick and then busy at work. I'll report in on how the diesel mileage goes. I like the truck a lot so far. First one I have had with a clutch pedal in years. It is noisy at idle, but not that bad at speed.
So, now that I have the bigger truck, I guess a trailer is next. I think I will enjoy RVing, since I go to a lot of shoots away from home that go on for three days and that would give me a savings eventually.

What year is your truck? What gear ratio does it have?
My 2005 has 3.73 gears and will get 22 - 24 mpg empty at 55 to 60 mph.
A truck should sound like a truck! I removed the cat and muffler leaving me with a 4" straight pipe... too much of a good thing.. I put in a stainless straight thru muffler and improved the mileage.

[howdy doody]

What year is your truck? What gear ratio does it have?
My 2005 has 3.73 gears and will get 22 - 24 mpg empty at 55 to 60 mph.
A truck should sound like a truck! I removed the cat and muffler leaving me with a 4" straight pipe... too much of a good thing.. I put in a stainless straight thru muffler and improved the mileage.

2007 and the ratio is 3.92, which is pretty close. Is your trans Allison auto or Getrag standard? I got some miles on it this weekend and it seems to run really well, of course that is with no load. I am going to have to fill the tank for the first time soon and I can figure what mileage I am getting. How long would break in time be for that Cummins? I don't think the muffler is actually a cat muffler on mine. It is called a particulate filter or something like that and it will need to be serviced.

[Hairtrigger]

My tranny is the 48re.
Did you get the 6.7l Cummins or the 5.9l? I am keeping an eye out on what the new 6.7l owners have to say.
My truck's mileage improved at 12000 miles or so. Kind of hard to say as I have played with the Rok Tech timing sensor (great!) air filters and exhaust. I have also had 4 different sets of tires on it... just sets from a previous truck as I was not happy with the traction from the stock michelon's. I have a 4 door 8' bed and the rear spins easily with no weight in the bed.

[howdy doody]

Yes it is 6.7 and they claim 650lbs torque. I have twin turbo arrangement too, but that might be because I live in California and a lot of the engines of all makes and sizes are different here than in the other 49 states. Generally, the mileage is worse and the pricers for fuel is the highest too, that figures.
I'd move on out, but I have strong resistance from the better half and that doesn't appear to be an option for me. 

[Buckskin]

When on the multi-lane freeways I take the inside on turns.

[mikedb]

I did not read all of the rreplies so i am not sure if this has been said before but my idea is to leave the wife and kids at home and go out by yourself.  If they want to ride they can help push off at lights.