[Kaine]

So I am looking to trade my 2013 f350 4x4 in for a eco diesel, i use it for work and tow 3-5000lbs on average everyday with a flatbed trailer, I am looking to save some diesel cost since my f350 averages about 13 mpgs with trailer, please reply with info on your mpgs TOWING, experiences and type of trailer. my current driving is a combined hwy and city probably 60/40.

This will help me decide if the switch will be worth it or not!

Thanks
Kaine

 

[10%More]

Tough question to answer because of the variables.

You say the flatbed, which I assume has little wind resistance, is 5K. That's an easy pull for the Eco. Flat, hilly, mountains, speeds, city, highway etc. are unknown factors.

You say the F350 does 13 mpg. Under some conditions that would be real good. Don't know the conditions.

I towed a boxed toy hauler about 5K empty with my Eco. at speeds from 65 to 80 mph. I got less than you say you do. Wind resistance and my speeds were big factors.

I know of two guys with Ecos that pulled. 7,000 lbs with lower box trailers and got in the 15-16 mpg range. Again, speed and conditions are unknown.

Would a trade be worth it for you? Chances are you will get better fuel mileage towing. Enough to pay for the new truck in a reasonable time?

You would have to want to get a new truck. Your F350 is nearly new as it is. Think they finally got those engines reliable so it might last. Yours sure is a whole lot more truck than any 1500 would be.

I came from 1/2 million miles on 1/2 tons. The little 1500 suits my needs but is an adjustment. You may not like that adjustment.

 

[Kaine]

So I live in Oregon but travel the whole NW and norther Cali, I drive perrty much most situations imaginable to the area, my trailer weight is 3k and haul 1-2k on a average rarely more weight but sometimes!

The money part is a write off so not as much a big deal as the fuel savings!

 

[rossn2]

Take your trailer to the RAM dealer and test drive the new truck with trailer attached and look at the mpg's..
Also, be prepared to go thru DEF very quickly towing with the Ecodiesel

 

[10%More]

Rossn2 brought up the DEF issue. My take is your F350 also uses DEF so thought it's an issue, it may not be a new issue with you.

Good idea to test-tow. Doubt a dealer will allow it but you don't know until you ask.

Reality tells me the towing issue is not going to be an issue. Longevity and reliability are still an unknown for BOTH your F350 and the Eco. Remember, your F350 was a new engine to replace the failed 6.0 that preceeded it and turned the world off to Ford diesels. It is big and complex. Don't know how it's reliability history will turn out.

You will like the ride with the Ram 1500 Eco. That another positive worth mentioning.

 

[firemist32]

I have only had my truck two weeks and have towed this 3500lb 14ft enclosed twice for a 100 miles both times. Got 18.8 the first time mostly highway and 16.2 with a city highway mix 2nd time

 

[Kaine]

My ride is rough with the 1 ton! To say the least specially when I go to the seattle area 1-2 times a month!

Def I have no concern over, I just go through the semi truck fuel island top off my diesel and get def for less than $3 per gallon on my f350.

I asked my dealer about towing with a eco on there lot they denied my request due to the truck needs a break in before tow!

And at this point I am very interested in trading for multiple reason 1st off if I could save some cost on diesel fuel and 2nd having a shorter wheelbase would help! And many other reason.

 

[Accused]

Sounds like you're already halfway into bed. Another variable is the rear diff...

Just do your math first!

 

[AnywhereInTX]

Just pulled a flatbed trailer that weighed in at 3k pounds for 300 highway miles (rolling hills, 65-75 MPH, couple small towns I rolled through) and achieved 21 MPG. Towing my car on the same trailer with a total weight of 6k pounds on similar trips I net 16-18 MPG. Hopefully that info helps.

 

[zug]

I just came back from a small trip of 300Km, towing a 10X6 enclosed trailer, total weight about 2500 lb.

I traveled about 110 Km/h (+/- 70mph) most of the way.

Got 12.5 L/100Km which is about 19 mpg.

 

[L.O.A.]

I just came back from a small trip of 300Km, towing a 10X6 enclosed trailer, total weight about 2500 lb.

I traveled about 110 Km/h (+/- 70mph) most of the way.

Got 12.5 L/100Km which is about 19 mpg.

that doesn't seem too bad, usually that's what people are getting as city mileage.

 

[realbull]

3000 mile road trip

just finished pulling a flatbed from Florida to Kansas to pick up piece of ag equipment. going out empty, I got over 21 mpg actual. Coming back pulling 5500 lbs and running 65, i got between 11 and 12 mpg. When i slowed to 55-60 mph, i got 14-15mpg. Running over 70 mph, truck seemed to labor a little, but worked well at 65mph. Took some time to get used to all the shifting between 5th, 6th and 7th. I was very impressed with ride after spending 14 hours behind the wheel each day. Pulling a load will use a lot of DEF. The more I drive this truck, the better I like it.

 

[SEARAYMAN13]

Walk,, don't run to your local RAM dealer,, have my Laramie longhorn ecodiesel one week. So far in town stop and go,, 20 + mpg,, cant wait to get on road. Ride, workmanship, features are awesome!! No more avalanche for me!! Looking for a folding solid black 4 piece flat cap. Any ideas what good?, thanks!!

 

[10%More]

Realbull,

Good insight into real-world towing. A heavy load at high speed does not go for free. This pickup will do it at about the same price as the 3/4 ton diesels.

Go easy and it's way better. Always remember this 1500 is a Little 1/2 ton with an engine that could.

 

[bruce3211]

Have a Laramie Limited with air suspension, 3.55 axle. First towing trip with my 3600 lb travel trailer was 258 miles. 58 miles was without trailer. First 100 miles to destination evic said 15.5 mpg. When I left for home after additional 58 non towing miles evic was at 17.1. Towing same route home against a pretty tough wind at steady 20 mph and gust higher I ended up at 15.6 for the trip. I am sure some math major can calculate my mileage for the return 100 miles, but I am guessing between 11-13. Half the trip was 55 mph and the other half at 65 and I drove the speed limit. Rolling hill were a part of the equation. I used the tow/haul mode. around July 24th we are leaving on a 4000 mile journey to the great northwest for 3 weeks. I am cautiously optimistic about getting 14-15 for the trip. Will be doing some mountains of course.

 

[Tim]

just finished pulling a flatbed from Florida to Kansas to pick up piece of ag equipment. going out empty, I got over 21 mpg actual. Coming back pulling 5500 lbs and running 65, i got between 11 and 12 mpg. When i slowed to 55-60 mph, i got 14-15mpg. Running over 70 mph, truck seemed to labor a little, but worked well at 65mph. Took some time to get used to all the shifting between 5th, 6th and 7th. I was very impressed with ride after spending 14 hours behind the wheel each day. Pulling a load will use a lot of DEF. The more I drive this truck, the better I like it.

This is the mileage I get pulling my 25' trailer (7000 #) with my 08. We were supposed to take my wife's EcoD on our last camping trip, however, the bed-liner and cover did not come in time.

If you look at the standpoint of physics, it takes the same amount of energy to pull the trailer at the same speeds. The only energy savings between these two trucks is not having to accelerate an additional 2000-3000 pounds.

 

[Kaine]

Thanks for everyone's input I am thinking of ordering 1 this week from dodge!

 

[Rooster225]

One thing to keep in mind that I didn't see anyone mention is the transmission. You need to remember that the Eco's are 1/2 tons and have 1/2 ton transmissions. The way it sounds is you are pretty much pulling something all the time and that is very hard on a transmission. The transmissions in a 3/4 or 1 ton are made for pulling heavy loads all the time. The transmissions in a 1/2 ton are made to do some pulling but are not designed to take the abuse the 3/4 and 1 tons transmissions are. Just thought I'd throw out another point of discussion. Even though I love my Ecodiesel if I were in your shoes I would pick up a 3/4 ton.

 

[Haulin]

Walk,, don't run to your local RAM dealer,, have my Laramie longhorn ecodiesel one week. So far in town stop and go,, 20 + mpg,, cant wait to get on road. Ride, workmanship, features are awesome!! No more avalanche for me!! Looking for a folding solid black 4 piece flat cap. Any ideas what good?, thanks!!

@SEARAYMAN13 I heard a lot of bad things about the avalanche, especially their transmission issues, did you have to go through that.

 

[tgrfan2]

Good discussion and great point, Tim. Stock my 98 D2500 was similar in power and gearing to the 1500D. It weighs roughly 7K and stock I could get 23+ on the highway at 65mph and 18-19 in combination driving. Great mileage compared to the 2004 & 2008 Hemis.
Towing the 31 ft TT, GCW 15K, we had originally I could get 12-13 mpg if I kept it under 65mph. The wife hated any sway so that was her speed limit!
Then came the fiver and with better handling speed increased to 70-75 and mileage decreased to 10 with GCW of 20K+.
It wouldn't be hard to justify the 1500D if I towed much with the Hemi. Unless I have to have 4wd, the constant downshifting and lousy mileage of the Hemi towing the dump trailer drives me nuts.
Another member noted the 1500D downshifts a good bit so I guess we will be waiting until we replace the Aspen to buy another diesel.