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Please Calibrate My Expectations (Fuel Economy)

Discussion in 'Trip Reports' started by Steve89gt, Sep 22, 2018.

  1. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:30 PM
    #1
    Steve89gt

    #1
    Steve89gt [OP] New Member

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    De-badged, De-chromed, TRD CAI, TRD Exhaust, Bilstein 5100s, Fuel 18 x 9 wheels, BFG KO2s 275/70/18, ESP Underseat Storage
    Ok, so I get it: I bought a “low tech” (whatever that means) truck with a decade-old engine design, a six speed tranny and 4.30 rear gears. I’m an engineer, I can do the math, and the Tundra platform design doesn’t equal “bueno fuel economy”. That having been said, I got 8.6 mpg on my road trip yesterday, whilst towing a 5000 pound trailer. She is lifted and has BFG KOs, so... yeah. Regardless, that 8.6 number seems waaaay too low to me. Feel free to tell me why my expectations are out of whack. Discuss!
     
    Steve89gt, Sep 22, 2018
    #1
  2. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM
    #2
    Warreng

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    Warreng New Member

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    Expectations are out of whack because everyone knows the Tundra is not great on gas.
     
    Warreng, Sep 22, 2018
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  3. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:39 PM
    #3
    Grumpy Uncle

    #3
    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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    well-here-we-go-again-well-here-we-go-again-19227422.jpg
     
    Grumpy Uncle, Sep 22, 2018
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  4. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:42 PM
    #4
    Steve89gt

    #4
    Steve89gt [OP] New Member

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    Apologies... was there something more compelling to discuss? :)
     
    Steve89gt, Sep 22, 2018
    #4
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  5. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:44 PM
    #5
    Grumpy Uncle

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    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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    4:88s and Auburn LSD, dealership faux Pro, 35" BFGs on XD wheels, OME Lift with Dakars
    Not a diesel
    Truck between 5800 and 6400 lbs
    Trailer 5000+ lbs
    I've read other members getting 6 and 7 MPGs I would say you faired better than them.
     
    Grumpy Uncle, Sep 22, 2018
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  6. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:47 PM
    #6
    Grumpy Uncle

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    Grumpy Uncle Pushing string down the hall SSEM #10

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    Nope, just razzing you a little. I dont think you can do much of anything without taking away from reliability.
     
    Grumpy Uncle, Sep 22, 2018
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  7. Sep 22, 2018 at 2:48 PM
    #7
    Larmand

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    Larmand SSEM #6

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    I get 11.5 MPG, with 275/70 18 KO2s, with Bilstein 6112s top setting and 5160s with CB +2 shackles, without towing anything. Id say you 8+ mpgs while towing is doing pretty good
     
    Larmand, Sep 22, 2018
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  8. Sep 22, 2018 at 3:04 PM
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    greengs

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    greengs New Member

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    Lift and tires kill fuel econ even when not towing anything. Truck is rated for 14 mpg combined. Lifted and tires would take you down 2-3 mpg. I'd say you did great if you you did 8-9 mpg towing.
     
    greengs, Sep 22, 2018
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  9. Sep 22, 2018 at 3:10 PM
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    Steve89gt

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    Steve89gt [OP] New Member

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    Agreed my friend, and I’m all for the friendly pooing-upon...:)
     
    Steve89gt, Sep 22, 2018
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  10. Sep 22, 2018 at 3:12 PM
    #10
    ninjajay

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    ninjajay Posting from the toilet

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    How fast were you going? What size KO2? Too many variables.
     
    ninjajay, Sep 22, 2018
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  11. Sep 22, 2018 at 3:16 PM
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    Ike74

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    Ike74 New Member

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    If you lift and you want to get better millage, you'll have to re gear to accommodate the larger setup. I would say regear to 4.88s and you would do better. Otherwise, expect your current MPG

    in November I'll let you know how a bone stock CM does towing a 7x14 v-nose trailer weighing in between 5-7k. I'll be going 1,800 miles
     
    Ike74, Sep 22, 2018
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  12. Sep 22, 2018 at 6:13 PM
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    Steve89gt

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    Steve89gt [OP] New Member

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    #neverpostontundrawebsitewhistshitfacedpleaseforigiveme.com...:)
     
    Steve89gt, Sep 22, 2018
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  13. Sep 22, 2018 at 7:32 PM
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    Ericsopa

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    Ericsopa Old man and the sea

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    Bone stock, I manage 9-10 mpg pulling a 4500lb boat/trailer with T-top. You're not doing bad at all.
     
    Ericsopa, Sep 22, 2018
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  14. Sep 22, 2018 at 7:36 PM
    #14
    dud13

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    dud13 níl aon tinteán mar do thinteán féin

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    Friend of mine towed a 28’ (ish) camper on a 1000 mile trip when he bought his ‘07 (when it was new) he got 9 mpg. So that sounds about right.

    Tundra pass everything on the highway but a gas station.
     
    dud13, Sep 22, 2018
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  15. Sep 22, 2018 at 7:39 PM
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    4x4_Angel

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    4x4_Angel Perfectly Imperfect Tomboy....TTC #132

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    :rofl::rofl::rofl::rofl:
     
    4x4_Angel, Sep 22, 2018
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  16. Sep 22, 2018 at 8:03 PM
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    landphil

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    landphil Fish are food, not friends!

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    Dafuq? You trying to copy me?
     
    landphil, Sep 22, 2018
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  17. Sep 23, 2018 at 11:32 AM
    #17
    bobeast

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    bobeast really old member

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    - Bull Bar - LED Bunny Burners - AMP retractable running boards - Headlight leveling retrofit - P3 Brake Controller - 60% rear seat delete - relocation of Sub to rear wall - Bilstein 5100 x4, top setting with 2 shims per side - Coach builder +2 rear shackles w/carrier bearing drop - Firestone Air bags - on-board compressor with auto-leveling - Dual Undercover Swing Boxes. - P285/65/R20 (34.6") BFG TA KO2's - TRD Front skid plate - Pop & Lock Tailgate lock - Remote Tailgate mod - LED Headlights - Nav Bypass - iPhone integration - Serius/XM retrofit - 25% front tint - Bizon electric tonneau cover - Power folding tow mirror upgrade - 2010+ leveling Headlight mod - Auto-fold mirror mod. - one-touch lane changer mod - Flash to open garage opener mod - Rigid H/L fog light upgrade - Pushbutton / Remote start mod.
    8.6 when towing a 5k trailer is not that far out of whack. I get around 10 with a similar sized trailer, and 14.6 average when not towing. Lots of variables. Some trailers really catch the wind, hills have a big impact, lots of stop and go has a big impact, driving style, etc.

    For comparison, I'm running the same tires on a lifted DC (2008)

    EDIT: as @BlueBottle pointed out, I should have mentioned that my numbers are calibrated for the larger tires.
     
    Last edited: Sep 23, 2018
    bobeast, Sep 23, 2018
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  18. Sep 23, 2018 at 11:47 AM
    #18
    BlueBottle

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    BlueBottle not a PRO

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    See fine print
    What size tires you running? As an engineer you should also equate for larger diameter tires which cause your odometer to be off. If you add that to your equation you may actually be getting better #’s. If you have a hypertech speed recalibrate disregard what I just said!
     
    BlueBottle, Sep 23, 2018
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