2011 Chevy/GMC 3500 Dually Fuel Mileage

[JimOMartin]

Ok, I love the power and everything else about the truck, but I'm getting terrible mileage (~13 MPG). This is all city/local roads and I'm not jumping on it either. I'm now driving the truck every day, so I'm paying a lot more attention to the mileage. I've tried different driving methods, but nothing is standing out. I'm less worried about the mileage when I'm pulling the rig (~10.5 MPG), but the solo mileage is bothering me. This isn't close to what I've heard others getting.

What are you guys getting, especially those with duallies? Any other thoughts? Thanks.

- Jim

[Rob & Cathy]

What's your typical day of driving like Jim?

Rob

[Mike Clay]

Jim it will stay there until you get some miles on it. Did you get the relflash done on it for the DEF tank issue? My truck is not a dually but it weighs as much as the dually at 9,000 lbs. i get 14 in 35 to 40 mph in town type driving 11.6 towing and have got as high as 22.7 on the freeway at 65 mph. But for the first 8 months I got 12.5 in town. George will chime in but I think he is doing the same type of driving as you are to work and getting about the same mileage.

[JimOMartin]

I drive 11 miles, one-way, to work. Lots of stop and go and all local streets. Speeds range from 25-45 MPH. I did get the DEF reflash done, but no changes mileage-wise. I'm around 4200 miles right now. You're making me feel a little better.

- Jim

[Rob & Cathy]

Like Mikes says I'm sure your mileage will increase as the engine breaks in.

Also, it sounds like you're driving in the worst possible conditions for good mileage with stop and go traffic and with a large percentage of that with the engine still warming up.

Rob

[Travelers]

Jim,
I'll start monitoring the mileage next week going back / forth to work. There are two ways for me to get there; city streets - shortest route or 50% longer distance but all rush hour freeway.

[Mike Clay]

Things change a lot when you get around 18k but you are not going to get great mileage with your work route. I filled up today and had a lot of in town and it came up to 14.2 which is not bad but I have 23k on mine.

[Olbird]

I was just telling Mike last weekend the same thing, I sometimes get as good of milage towing on flat highways at 58 - 60 mph than going to work though town.
I do like to push the pedal driving it town while taking off from a stop.
My truck weight with a full tank, Julie and I in the cab was 9,100 lbs.
I think Mike was 9,000 lbs. with dual fuel tanks him and Susanna in the cab.

[snoking]

I do like to push the pedal driving it town while taking off from a stop.

Me too! With around 325/650-700 at the rear wheels it is fun to drive.

Chris

[campswithcritters]

Ok, I love the power and everything else about the truck, but I'm getting terrible mileage (~13 MPG). This is all city/local roads and I'm not jumping on it either. What are you guys getting, especially those with duallies? Any other thoughts? Thanks.

- Jim

I was just talking to a neighbor camper today and it sounds like you are doing well. He's driving a 6.0 F 450 and getting 11 around town and 9 to 10 towing. He asked me what I was getting, when I told him 7.5 towing and 37 around town and 44 hwy empty he snapped his head around really fast, then I pointed at the Freightliner and Smart Car and told him those were mine!

[Travelers]

64 miles in stop and go traffic to work and the shop and back. Got 13.9 mpg.
Now I owe most of that to watching my Edge Ensight. I try to keep the boost to less than 7# on acceleration. And try to get into 5th lockup at 44 mph. The Edge really makes the truck fun to drive. I mean fun like how fast can I accelerate on 2# of boost. Or at what speed will 6# of boost get me on the freeway. Enough to get pulled over.

[Mike Clay]

Same here 6 to 7 lbs of boost when I take off but mine won't lock the torque converter until I hit 48 mph which in the areas I use to drive lots of hills was to soon. The insight does give you a lot of info, wish I would have had it in Mt rushmore I could have seen what the urea pump pressure was doing.

[Olbird]

I like that quick 25 boost and then let off, what a thrill

[Torben]

George, you want a thrill Go thru the gears in my Orange Rocket Now that's a thrill . We have only been on the road one day and I miss driving the car already