I Got Tired of 8mpg Towing

2beagles · 05-06-2008, 09:34 AM

Our '98 Expedition was getting about 11 mpg around town, and 8 mpg towing the coach, so we bought this:

1999 F-250 Crew Cab 7.3 Powerstroke Diesel

I've been getting 15.5 mpg around town, and we'll see Memorial Day WE how the towing mileage is. I just need a new drop for the WDH 'cause the reciever on the new one is 4" higher.

MACK C-85 · 05-06-2008, 12:00 PM

Another one jumps to the "Dark Side"

I went from 12.5/13 mpg dry with 9.5/10 mpg towing to 17/18 mpg dry and 13/14 towing when I "crossed over"

Of course, the $4+ a gallon fuel doesn't help much.

I was lucky though, my 1500 sits high due to the OFF-ROAD package so my towing gear swapped right over to the 2500. Yeah, I'm a Dodge guy, that is until MACK starts making pickups

Congratulations on your "new" tow vehicle, you'll be amazed at the difference.

Honda03842 · 05-06-2008, 01:40 PM

I'd like to see trailers designed that are truly light, beginning with an aluminum frame and aluminum wheels, making it possible for a vehicle that gets good mileage to tow a decent trailer.

We bought a little Sunline to use for our trip to Labrador. It weighs 2035 pounds loaded (wet). The only thing wrong with it for two is the side bath. However I'm certain if a trailer was made as light as possible that a 20 footer could come in under 2500#s and I could tow it with my Honda.

We've towed the Sunline with the Honda and it's almost invisible. Normally we get 26 miles to the gallon and towing we get 20.

Now our motorhome is another story all together.

Our goal is get the lightest 20 footer possible for our next rig.

Norm Milliard
1982 Sunline15.5SB
2004 Honda CRV 2004

GhettoMedic · 05-06-2008, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACK C-85

Another one jumps to the "Dark Side"

I went from 12.5/13 mpg dry with 9.5/10 mpg towing to 17/18 mpg dry and 13/14 towing when I "crossed over"

Of course, the $4+ a gallon fuel doesn't help much.

I was lucky though, my 1500 sits high due to the OFF-ROAD package so my towing gear swapped right over to the 2500. Yeah, I'm a Dodge guy, that is until MACK starts making pickups :shock:

Congratulations on your "new" tow vehicle, you'll be amazed at the difference.

International make one, it's HUGE

Mooney · 05-06-2008, 07:57 PM

That's a nice lookin' ride! I am picking up my new-to-me Chevy tomorrow (my brother David (Ghettomedic) put up the dealer's photos for me (thanks kid!)) in Hudson...

Norm, there already is a light, aluminum framed trailer with gusseted holes through the frame to further lighten it- I think they're "Trail-lights" or something like that- there's one parked next to our Sunline in the storage lot.

The mechanics there say they aren't worth the propane leak to blow 'em to bits though...

Anyone see the Bigfoot coach review in the previous Trailer Life? $56K for a TRAVEL TRAILER!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Hematite · 05-07-2008, 05:19 AM

Chris, best of luck with your "new" tow vehicle! The 7.3 is an awesome engine. I have a WD shank that is too long for my application. Let me know if you can use it. It's the longest biggest drop shank available.

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...pic.php?t=1782

MACK C-85 · 05-08-2008, 11:36 AM

Now, Ghettomedic, don't you have those Intertrashional and Freightshaker gut-buckets up there in Mass

(Now before any of the Brand Bashing Police come after me....that was a joke. I have used both International and Freightliner chasised ambulances and they both do the job admirably

)

But, in my humble opinion, if I'm not looking at a bulldog butt, I'm not driving a real truck

GhettoMedic · 05-08-2008, 06:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MACK C-85

Now, Ghettomedic, don't you have those Intertrashional and Freightshaker gut-buckets up there in Mass

(Now before any of the Brand Bashing Police come after me....that was a joke. I have used both International and Freightliner chasised ambulances and they both do the job admirably

)

But, in my humble opinion, if I'm not looking at a bulldog butt, I'm not driving a real truck

I have used the freightliner ambulances with my old FD, What a HORRIBLE ride!!!! They have since replace one of the two with a Ford F450 Truck Frame.

emam · 05-21-2008, 05:48 PM

Being as you have the 7.3L you could always put a Grease System on the motor for under $2000 and you'd be using only recycled oil from the local restaurant. Most will give it away for free!!!

We'd do this in a heart beat to save in fuel costs, but they dont make the systems for the 6.0L we have in our 2003 PSD

Nice truck by the way! I really like the Kayak Racks

Lode · 05-22-2008, 01:11 AM

I also have the 7.3L in my 2000 F350. I love it. It's my weekender and tow vehicle so it's just over 78K on the odometer. I use it to tow my boat at 8k and have no complaints with handling or how it pulls the hills here in PA.

I came across this today from a buddy who owns a catering business.

I've put some feelers out to a few people in hopes that I can get on location with someone who has some experience with making biodiesel. I feel safer maintaining my vehicle through an unmodified engine to cut the price of my fuel through a blended biofuel.

Take care,
Jason

emam · 05-26-2008, 08:07 PM

Hey Jason, here is a link that might give you some help

www.goldenfuelsystems.com

Also, just go to any store that sells a large amount of magazines and flip through a few issues of Diesel Power. There are dozens of advertisements for making your own Bio-Diesel.

If we lived at home, I'd be running Veggie and supplimenting it with my own Bio-Fuel made in the garage. Once you make the intial investment for the equipment, you're talking $0.20 per gallon!!!!

Lode · 05-26-2008, 08:35 PM

My concern with consideration to a SVO mod is living where I do. It gets cold in PA. I also am afraid to do any engine work mods with such a 'young' diesel and comprise it's components.

I'm angled right now at wanting to produce a B100 fuel for summer and use a blended bio for wintertime use and to help with my mother's heating bills. At my estimation it's the cheapest and safest for me to get started meeting my need for 'piece of mind'.

I talked to my old science teacher from HS this weekend and he told me the district bought equipment a few years ago and it's been on moth balls, unused. He indicated he's actually been in the market for an old diesel to do the same. I also had a talk with a few friends who guided me to who's making here bio in the county(they said 1500-2000gals a year) Remarkably their 'green center' is a farm that's only a couple miles from where I live. I'm going to go by at 1st chance and see if I can get a tour of their solar field they just put in(they sell back to the power company) and some information.

I'm very interested in your solar set up as well. I use a much smaller scale set up when we boat and we're on the water for a few days anchored out... 15W panel up on the bimini with one flow regulator. Saves running the motor to charge batteries.

Take care,
Jason

emam · 05-26-2008, 09:27 PM

As of today Memorial Day, Cindy and I have camped 110 days without being hooked up.

The other 38 days have been in some sort of campground where we had full hook ups. Except for last week, while we were in Death Valley and the heat was 117 degrees, we've never wanted to be able to run anything that we havent been able to run.

We had to go find a campground where we could run the A/C when it was that hot. Or Refer wouldnt even work! THe coldest we could get the refer to go down to was 60 degrees.

I'd recommend at least a panel or two to anyone who RV's. Unless you're going to be going at it fulltime or pretty serious, then it is alot of money, but you'll never have to worry about finding a campground.

The batteries are the main thing. Our 4 6-volts keep us powered up with no worries.

Mark · 05-27-2008, 06:58 AM

EMAM,

after all this "off the grid" living, do you ever see yourself using technology like this if you ever return to "stationary" living?

BTW,
I think you need to call PBS or Travel channel, and get yourself a show to keep this lifestyle going!

Mark · 05-27-2008, 08:33 AM

Check out my latest post:

http://www.sunlineclub.com/forums/ph...?p=13433#13433

emam · 05-27-2008, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark

EMAM,

after all this "off the grid" living, do you ever see yourself using technology like this if you ever return to "stationary" living?

BTW,
I think you need to call PBS or Travel channel, and get yourself a show to keep this lifestyle going!

If and when we ever go back to a stick house, it will be run completely off of a solar grid and wind turbine. We were looking for a wind turbine and talked with one guy who builds them specific to what you need.

I about choked when he came back with a design for an 8,000 watt turbine that cost almost $8000! That's way too much for an RV, but I told him to save the plans and when we get another house, he'll be the first one I call.

I just cant see ever paying an electric bill again.