Thanks meat! I'm wondering how far do you push the pedal down on your work truck??
The dealer claims up towards 20 mph unloaded! I know, I know. That is why I'm asking.
Now I'm thinking of going back towards a 1500 with a 5.7 motor.
What do people know about the 1500? Same questions.
My beater f150 gets 14mpg as it is.
Thanks!!
I can help ya there too at least roughly
My work truck isn't even broken in yet, so I should have made that point in the previous point, I've only got about 1700 miles on it right now. I assume it will get a little better as it gets more broken in, but those are the numbers I have generated in the month I've had it.
As far as the 5.3L is concerned.
The truck I had previous to my 2005 8.1L was a 2000 5.3L ...
The 5.3L got anywhere from 16-19 on the highway, and 8-10 mpg towing ... AKA, the 5.3L got exactly the same miledge towing the same trailer my 8.1L did but it didnt even come close to towing it as well because it was wrapping up so hard.
The newer 6.0's that come with the 6 spd allison are a lot better about this than the 1/2 tons with the 4 speeds are, they have an extra gear (not counting the OD gear) to choose from essentially and if I am not mistaken all of the ratios are a lot closer ..... helps out a lot. but, if you get a 5.3 or a 6.0 on a long hill, you're still gonna be wrapping it 4800 RPM to keep 65 mph ...
it all depends on how much you tow. If I was only towing short distances I would be perfectly fine with a 1/2 ton. But I tend to take a lot of long trips and have an enclosed, so the 8.1L was perfect for me.
Back to your question however ... the newer 1/2 ton 5.3L and 6.0L motors have the displacement on demand, and DO get better miledge than their older counterparts.
My dad has a 2008 Vortec Max Silverado 1500, and it gets about 16-18 on the highway, he hasn't seen 20 with it yet I dont think but he also usually has his foot on the gas a little bit too. It tows his 27' Charmac enclosed well enough .... but, he doesn't tow that often.
Overall if I was buying a brand new truck today I wouldn't be unhappy about a 2500HD with the 6.0L .... that probably is the best balance between towing capacity and fuel economy for somone who doesn't need the capability of a diesel (it somone who lugs a lot around all the time)
hope this helps.
I don't know what everyone's opinions on the Ford V10 are (are they still even making that?), but that would be something I am going to look at sooner or later when I get another truck in a few years ... at least if the Environmental Gestapo hasn't outlawed vehicles with a GVWR of over 2,400-lbs by then
