I use to own a 2000 Dodge Ram 2500 Cummins with the terrible 47RE automatic transmission. I learned anything over 69 MPH, and the fuel economy decreased. The 5.9liter Cummins sweet spot is about 1800-1850 RPMs; incidently, the 3.9 liter, 4BT Cummins sweet spot is about the same. Anyway, really babying the driving I could get 20-21 mpg, running stock tires and empty bed. I had the LONG bed; greater than 8feet --- yes, you can put a full sheet of plywood (4'x8') in the back and it still has a little bit of room to slide between wheelwells and between the front wall and tailgate. The most I ever pulled with it were the following pics.
When I was pulling the trailer empty going down I-65 from Birmingham,AL toward Pensacola, FL,
, my mileage dropped for sure. I picked up the Deutz 4 cylinder diesel (for sale!!!) in Pensacola, then drove over the Panama City and got all the rest of the stuff --- Perkins 3 cylinder diesel for sale & Waukesha 4 cylinder diesel for sale. On the return trip, my fuel economy was barely above 10mpg, but I figure the road was more hilly than my 2nd trip.
The trailer in question was a 20foot, 10K rated trailer with trailer tires. I always carried 2 spares, floor jack, and appropriate safety equipment. The second trip, I drove from home to Loranger, LA to pick up a step van. My return trip top speed was about 60MPH due to the trailer handling; anything above 64MPH and the trailer would start to sway. Stopping at the church was deliberate! I wanted to check the chains and say some prayers. My fuel economy was about 12 mpg on the return trip. I found it amazing that these wasps rode on the nest from LA all the way back to Memphis. It was raining when we loaded the StepVan, so maybe that's why they were all on the nest. They weren't very happy in Memphis; thank goodness they didn't have to live here too long.
Please note I have a flashing light taped to the rear of the step van for evening driving. I decided to sell this big trailer and if I ever get another big truck and trailer again --- the trailer will definitely be a gooseneck.
