Sunline back home

Galaxiedriver · 10-10-2012, 07:07 PM

Our Sunline is back home in Pa for a few days. My brother was inducted into the South Side High School Hall of Fame in Beaver County and I have always wanted to do some family research in Gettysburg. We are at the Drummer Boy Campground in Gettysburg for a couple days. Leaves are beautiful.

**JohnB** · 10-11-2012, 05:36 AM

Paul, how does the new truck tow? Curious on your gas mileage and what speed of towing it is at. Trying to compare engines/transmissions to the bricks we pull down the highway...

Galaxiedriver · 10-11-2012, 06:56 AM

Hi John,

I love this truck. It is smooth, quiet and does a great job towing. I typically get 9 to 10 mpg depending on terrain. On flat roads like Ohio it gets very close to 10. I accelerate easy and ususlly drive 60 to 70.

I have constant mpg average readout constantly on the instrument panel so I get to watch it closely. Mileage also depends on gas type. The best mileage on this trip was with a tank we got at Walmart in Dayton. The worst was on some cheapo station in Chambersburg. Only getting 8.7 on that stuff.

Very happy with it.

Paul

**JohnB** · 10-11-2012, 08:16 PM

Paul,

Good to hear. Your doing better than I am. My weights are larger, my TT with full water is 9,980#. Yes I filled the camper.... However weight in this case is not as bad as the large profile camper we are hualing.

However you have an extra gear and I'm sure some more efficiency in the engine. My 5 speed in tow haul will drop down to 1,750 rpm in 5th gear when I'm towing 60, 55 or even 50. This is not like my old 4 speed in the Suburban that held a gear and an RPM.

The gas I get really makes a big difference. I use to be able to get 100% gas. No longer can. This vintage engine does not like ethanol. I get approx 7.5 to 8.5 towing on 10% ethanol and it changes some over the year.

Question:

Is your engine a flex fuel engine?

What RPM does your engine run at when towing 60 mph and using tow haul?

What rear axle ratio is yours?

Glad to hear you like the truck. I really like mine other than the drinking problem she has but she has no problem in the towing department.

John

Galaxiedriver · 10-11-2012, 09:19 PM

Yes, my engine if flex fuel but I don't normally use anthing more than the 10% ethanol. I filled up with Getty 87 today and am headed back to Missouri from Gettysburg tomorrow. I'll check that RPM for you on the way. I'll have to look up the ratio in the morning too.

Paul

rebellious78 · 10-12-2012, 08:47 PM

Havw a safe trip..I am sure with that new truck you will have no problems.. We used to spend a lot of time in the Gettysburg area. In fact we were just up there yesterday.

Galaxiedriver · 10-14-2012, 01:10 PM

Here's the scoop on our trip home.

Truck gears are 3.73. 6.2 L flex fuel, F250.

On the trip home from Gettysburg to Columbia, MO we averaged 9.2 mpg. That included the mountains of route 30 from Gettysburg to Breezewood then I 70 the rest of the way. From Indiana onward we had a strong headwind at about 45 degrees.

55 mph 5th gear 1900 RPM
60 mph 5th gear 2000 RPM
60 mph 6th gear 1600 RPM

Highest gas price $3.95 in Gettysburg, lowest $3.56 in St. Louis.

Great trip and glad to be home. Next trip, Branson for Veteran's week and some Bugling.

**JohnB** · 10-14-2012, 07:48 PM

Thanks Paul

6th gear doing 1,600 RPM, that helps. The lowest my 5 speed will do is 1,750 rpm at any of those speed ranges.

I also have the 4.10 rear end and 18" tires. I think yours are 17's.

While the 3 valve V10 has more torque, the 6.2 will hopefully keep advancing. Mabye a 3rd valve?

I see Ford this year did add the 6 speed to the 3 valve V10 in the F650 as an option to offer better fuel mileage up agasint the diesel.

2012 Ford F-650 with 6.8-liter V-10 Gas Engine - YouTube

Hope when I need a new truck they will have this all figured out...

My 2005 3 valve 6.8 V10 with the 4.10 rear end is rated at 21,000# GCWR.

For 2012
The 6.2 valve V8 with the 3.73 rear end is rated at 19,000# GCWR

The 6.2 valve V8 with the 4.30 rear end is rated at 22,000# GCWR

I wonder if the 2 mpg advantage the 6.2 has will equal out to the 3 valve 6.8 if they connect the 6.2 with the 4.30 rear end? Most likely.

For your camper, your truck is a really good match. Enjoy it!

Thanks for the info

John