Ok just a quick Thread for those who wonder abut this stuff.

I just returned from a 517 mile trip pulling my +5800 pound trailer which has a near 1,000 pound toungue weight. The reuslts, perfect. The pull (not drag) was strong and smooth with an average gas mileage of 7.6 miles per gallon-yes 7.6. I traveled from Cinn to Clev (OH) and back. To know this route (I71) is to know that the grade is very hilly both ways. I had no problem staying above 70 the entire trip and usually ran closer to 75. As for those who want to view the girth of trailer I pulled go to www.hearsafegroup.com. It is piuctured there. A converted 22' X 8' x 12' sprint car hauler.

Good Luck to all and enjoy that truck.

 

Damn Brother ski, my condolences. Those are scary numbers!

I'm glad to hear that it pulled well though. I have a long trip - Md. to Florida and back - next week and I'll be pulling my #4000+ bassboat. Most of the terrain is flat once I'm out of this area. I'm hoping for better and I'll post my results when I get back.

1000# is alot of tongue weight - mine is closer to 300#. My previous '01 with the 5.4 got about 11 mpg with a slightly lighter boat. Once on flat ground, I just set the cruise at 75 or so and rarely shifted out of overdrive. I have yet to tow with the '04 and I'm only at 670 miles. Trying to get to 1000 miles before the trip to make sure she's good and broken in!

I wasn't able to reach the link you posted, but I'm guessing that your trailer is shaped more like a brick than my boat is.

I still owe you some better pics of my step bars. They're currently covered with the sludge from our recent snow storm. I'll get on it soon.

 

I think if you had dropped your speed to arround 65 your gas milage would have been alot better. sure it would have shifted out of over drive alot more on the grades but it is better tow up grades out of over drive as it bogs the ingine down and uses more gas. it especially uses more gas on the over all trip at 75 mph because of the higher rpms. just my 2 cents.