New Member 02 F-350 fuel mileage woes

[Joseph350]

Hi all, long time ford owner new diesel owner, I'm averaging 12.5 with a 7.3L please help. There no trick parts as far as i know. Stock height with 35 inch BFG's speedo is calibrated so maybe a chip or flashpack(no clue.) I have changed the air filter,emptied water seperator,and added Stanadyne fuel additive that got me 12.5-13.0 mpg. I tow alot I almost always have a 5,000-6,000 lb enclosed trailer for work and an 11,000 lb 5th wheel toy hauler for play.

 

[atk]

welcome to SDD....

 

[02stroker]

What gears do you have in that thing? Weight + low gears may be the reason for you'r milage woes. Welcome to SDD.

 

[keanoknick]

 

[drmjf]

Howdy, Joseph. Welcome to SDD.

 

[dpantazis]

check you boots on the turbo and the intercooler pipes. if you are seeping oil and loosing boost, that will knock off a chunk.

you may want to change the MAF sensor too. they slowly flake out and won;t throw a code. its a $50-75 part.

 

[black super 350]

mileage

hi joseph,
are you calculating mileage or going by message center average?
is it figured towing or empty? probably not that bad if this mostly towing.

i just traded a 01 7.3 that got 9-11 towing 34' 5th wheel. (#14000) and about 17 empty on mixed local and hyway miles at stock.
after install of hypertech programmer it went to 12-14 towing and 20s empty. these averages are on longer hauls after i got some flat land running, and got away from these Pa. mountains.
if your new to a diesel, don't try to get a hole shot like gas. they're slower from a stop. it takes a little getting used to.
just something to think about.

 

[Crumm]

to the site.

Your 35" rubber is most of your mpg woes.

 

[95_stroker]

I'd say a combination of the tires and almost always towing between 6 and 11K are where your mileage concerns lie. Try that in a big block gasser.

Welcome to the site.

 

[Joseph350]

Thanks from Joseph350

Thanks to all. I don't know what gears,and I am holeshoting like my last truck(99 F-250 V-10 also with 35" B.F.G's ) Thanks again for all of the advice I'll let you know as we go. P.S. I definitely want to lift it 4" probably, 4" cat back, and open the intake (thinking Donaldson Performance), and maybe an efficiency tune or chip.