I just got back from my first road trip with my SuperCrew Lariat. I have 4x4 and the 3.73 LS rear end. I averaged 20.3 MPG on the trip. Some of the driving was up and down some steep grade hills. Although most was highway driving with WAY too many small towns to slow down, or stop in. The entire trip I had the A/C on. I couldn't be happier! My only mod is a Retrax bed cover, it obviously helps.

mikebaby

 

Just a thought here,you may want to get that calculator recalibrated.No one gets 20.3 mph on a 04 f150 supercrew with 3.73 gears.

Mike

 

I did. Do a search, there are a few others that have as well.

mikebaby

 

Was that using the onboard computer or actually calculating the fuel used at fill ups?

 

That is kinda hard to believe but I would be happy to. I have seen about 18MPG so far but I do not have a cover on my bed. I really suck gas in town and run about 12-13MPG

 

Well, really, a bed cover doesn't help once you get going. A pocket of air is created in your bed, so you don't really get any drag. I'm no ME or AE, but that's my understanding!!

I'm headed on a 6 hour trip later this week, so I'll post my results next week.

 

I think it's quite possible. I got 18 mpg on the only trip I've taken with my truck. I have a 5.4L 3.73 4x4 Lariat. It was 180 highway miles plus about 30 in town and driving around the parking garage at SeaTac. Without the city driving it would probably hit 20 mpg.

I've just about drained this tank and the rest has been all in town driving and it's still over 16 mpg on the computer. Comparing fill-ups with the computer has come very close (+/- .2 mpg).

 

I get 14-15 around town on my 3:55 Supercrew. Yesterday I played tour guide for mothers day and run around town. the avg speed was 50--55mph and I reset the econmy gauge twice. I avg 20.3 all day. awsome. Being nice on the gas pays off.

 

I am a ME and I would have to disagree, the turbulent air rolling off the back of the cab creates a high pressure eddy, the air clearing the immediate back of the cab slams right into your tailgate and pushes against it the entire time you are driving, builds up to an flows over the back. Any cover does help reduce drag, besides at low speeds there is no really credible drag effect it only effects you when you get going.

 

I'm guessing your bed cover helps a lot. I can't even get close to 18 mpg.

Grim

 

I'd be happy to get close to 15.............I'm lucky to break 13. I have the 4.6 with 3.53, don't think it is LS. I have a tonneau and changed the muffler. I don't think I'm too hard on the gas either. I'm going in soon for the 5,000 mile check up and get the updated reflashes everybody is talking about.

TJ

 

On a positive note, good for you!

 

It is possible!

I have a 04 XLT, 4.6/ 2WD/3.53/4000 miles.

I generally average 16.8- 19.6.

But last week did 21.8 mpg on a trip on state hiways mostly averaging 50-55, and 1/3 freeway averaging 65-70... engine was hardly working, rpms were 1500- 1900 most of the way. I was on cruise control most of the time....

I was suprised to get over 21 mpg-- I calculated by hand. I also use 89 octane, and the truck mpg has gotten better the last month or so as it breaks in.

So under ideal conditions it can be done.

Joe

 

as Clicker points out, it can be done. but i would bet that most of us don't drive 50-55 mph and therefore we don't see that kind of gas mileage. if i drove 50-55 mph on the freeways here in LA the old ladies and the 18-wheelers would run over my ***.

 

My father swears that he gets 2mpg better on gas from the Rochester NY area when he comes up to visit and help out my grnadparents than he does on gas from the Baltimore MD area. I know there are a huge amounts of different gas formulations sold around the country, it might be hard for all of us to compare b/c it may very well be the formulation of gas is different and produces different effects on similar trucks. Just a thought.