Half Ton Truck Mileage Survey

[Blaze]

Hi guys,

I'm looking to upgrade my truck to a newer one and wanted to get feedback from those of you who are running them right now regarding mileage since I put on 20K/yr. I'm looking for a 4x4 half ton crew cab and would like to hear REAL city/hwy numbers for these trucks:

* 2004 or newer GMC/Chev 1500 4x4 with 5.3l

* 2004 or newer Ford F150 4x4 with 5.4l

* 2004 or newer Dodge 1500 4x4 with 5.7l Hemi

Please share any other details that would affect mileage - mods, if you're a lead foot driver or granny style, axle gearing, etc. Also interested in hearing any major issues with any of your trucks. Thanks for your input!

Blaze

[Dozer]

Everytime it read one of these post I get kinda confused! There are so many things that effect milage! I have a 00 1/2 ton chev and I get 13.5 average whith 285 tires. I bought the truck from my father who boutght it new. He got between 16-17 if he tried with 265 tires. I got 14.5 with 265s. All my #s are daily driving no long trips. Now my dad has a 02 1/2 ton with 245 tires on it and it gets 17 but gets 13 with a trailer. Put a 2 place Floe behind mine with 285 tires an it gets 11 no matter whats on the trailer. Bottom line you wont get the same milage as anybody else just too many variables. Btw those 5.3 chev moters are kinda a joke they are way to high strung with no bottom end touque, its more of a car moter. Id go back to the 97 1/2 ton with a vortec 350 that I had before this one anyday, that was a all around much better truck! That thing would out pull a 5.3 anyday!

[slipperybob]

That's right, you can do a lot to change the mileage of your vehicle. Anything and everything to changing tires types and sizes, aerodynamics from bumper to fenders, the whole air intake to ignition/combustion and exhaust process, swapped CPU chips, and even coasting your truck in neutral down hill.

Flames and racing stripes only makes a parked vehicle looks fast and mean, but still cool. LOL's

[DinkADunk]

I love it. A 1500 is a truck? I thought those things were just parts cars for real trucks (2500-3500 diesel's) My 2007.5 GMC Sierra 2500HD w/Duramax-Allison gets 14-16mpg in town and slightly north of 20mpg on the highway if kept under 70mph. Put the Lund Fisherman on the back and it still gets 18-20 mpg on the highway.

If I were in the market for a 1/2 ton I would buy something used for a few years until GM puts out the 1/2 ton with a smaller Duramax Diesel in it (2010, 4.5L Duramax)

[Dbl]

 Originally Posted By: kjgmh

2006 F150 FX4 SuperCrew w/ 5.4L

1st 20,000 miles highway 15, city 12-13, 10-11 towing.

After I hit 20,000 now get 17-18 highway, 15 city, 12-13 towing.

I keep a pretty close track of the milage and it was as soon as it hit 20,000 miles, was kind of a pleasant surprise.

Same truck, same year, same mileage, same experience. I keep track of every drop of gas that goes in.

[sjburnt]

.

[sparkyaber]

Airjer- what are you seeing for mileage for the new 5.7 liter Tundras? My friend just bought one, and he gets about 13-16 depending on city or highway. I have heard that they like to drink gas. My wife's Sequoia's computer says she is sitting at 15.2 mpg lifetime. She only has a short drive to work, and most of her driving is done around town, mileage increases greatly on longer trips.

[Black_Bay]

Be careful comparing mileage and tire sizes. Changing tire sizes, larger or smaller than stock, will throw your speedometer off and therefore your mileage. You might still be getting 20 mpg but since the speedo is off you may calculate it at say 25 mpg.

Small diesels would/will be a great addition to half tons but unless the price for the engine option is similar to a gas engine and diesel prices drop there won't be a lot of buyers. It would take a LONG time to pay for itself.

[Dozer]

If those Gm half ton diesel performs the way thy say it is going to Im gonna have one of them bad boys!Even though itwill cost more and doesnt make up for all of the extra cost in fuel milage it would just be great to have. I think it is what alot of people are looking for. There are alot of 2500HDs out there that never pull anything that a 1500 couldnt handle. Like I said if they are even close to living up to all the hype I gonna have one of them in my garage!

[Jeremy airjer W]

 Originally Posted By: sparkyaber

Airjer- what are you seeing for mileage for the new 5.7 liter Tundras?

I haven't even serviced on yet!

[Ray Esboldt]

2005 F-150, 5.4 engine, 8 foot box supercab, 4.10 rear end.

I have only had this truck for a couple months, so it's been winter driving only. It does about 14 on the highway, and a lot less in town. Now, I know zippo about gear ratios, but I would assume that rear end contributes to the lousy gas mileage. I am hoping it makes up for itself in the act of towing.

I think I said my next truck would be a Yota, but my God are they expensive used. Plus, there weren't any sitting around with an 8 foot box and an extended cab. I still can't get away from the positives of having a long box. Someday, I'll listen to AirJer and buy a Yota.

[Lip_Ripper Guy]

My last tank was only 14mpg also. I think I have the 3.73 rear end. Any vehicle I've ever owned has been real heavy on gas in the winter.

[L_Cappo]

i have a 2005 5.3lt 1/2 ton z71 crew cab i average 16.6 miles to the gallon

[fishin58]

Being a salesman I maybe a little biased, but I read through all of the previous post's and they hold pretty true to what different customers have told me. I am a GM dealer but believe me I have dealt with all the domestic products. Dodge 12-14 Ford 14-16 and GM 16-18. These numbers I believe to be very true and it looks like it is true based on the majority of these posts. I am partial to the 5.3, I was a firm believer in the 5.7, but I have asked our mechanics here and they said it is not even a contest between engines: durability, gas mileage and upkeep of engines, all in favor to the 5.3. I can not say too much about the yote's, I have heard from some they are pretty comparable to Fords numbers.

[sparkyaber]

 Originally Posted By: Ray Esboldt

I still can't get away from the positives of having a long box.

Amen! my friends give me grief all of the time for my crewcab long box! Guess who gets the call when a lot of stuff needs to be moved. You can put a lot of stuff in an 8' bed with a topper on it.