Full size truck that gets 30 highway mpg+ for under $30K

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Posted: 8/21/2012 10:00:30 AM EDT

Does this animal exist?

eta: mpg

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:02:07 AM EDT

[#1]

My truck can get triple that, no problem.

Gotta watch out for the law though. They don't appreciate folks who know the secret.

ETA: Aw you fixed it.

No. No truck I know will get that. MAYBE a leaned out Diesel with all unnecessary weight stripped. But I doubt it.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:02:38 AM EDT

[#2]

Quoted:
My truck can get triple that, no problem.

Gotta watch out for the law though. They don't appreciate folks who know the secret.

My edit beat you.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:07:15 AM EDT

[#3]

Shit id love to see it. My truck gets like 9-10mpg at best but shes built for speed and nothign else

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:07:21 AM EDT

[#4]

Forget the under $30k part.

I don't know of a single fullsized truck that will actually get 30 mpg at hwy speeds.

18 around town and 24 on the hwy are about the best I've ever had in a fullsize.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:08:15 AM EDT

[#5]

Diesel Toyota Hilux

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:09:07 AM EDT

[#6]

Quoted:
Diesel Toyota Hilux

That's a compact.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:10:32 AM EDT

[#7]

Maybe if you geared one real high and the highways were all flat

Of course, it would take you some time to get up to highways speeds...

...maybe a VW Bus would be a better option for you

Speed

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:10:43 AM EDT

[#8]

Quoted:
Shit id love to see it. My truck gets like 9-10mpg at best but shes built for speed and nothign else

We can land a rover on Mars dangit, we should be able to do this in our sleep. I am considering jumping down into the smaller trucks just for the fuel savings.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:11:20 AM EDT

[#9]

Quoted:

Diesel Toyota Hilux

This. Good luck getting one in the US, though. Best we can get is about 23-24 mpg highway.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:11:41 AM EDT

[#10]

A regular cab, base model Ford F150 with an Ecoboost and 3.15's would probably get close to 25 mpg on the highway, maybe more with a tune.

You could probably pick one up for around 25K or less.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:11:53 AM EDT

[#11]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Diesel Toyota Hilux

That's a compact.

There is no vehicle that meets all his requirements. The Hilux is as close as you're going to get, assuming mileage is most important.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:11:58 AM EDT

[#12]

My Titan, traded that POS, got 10-12.

I'd guess the ford with ecoboost would be the upper limit on full size mpg.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:13:03 AM EDT

[#13]

Quoted:

Quoted:

Shit id love to see it. My truck gets like 9-10mpg at best but shes built for speed and nothign else

We can land a rover on Mars dangit, we should be able to do this in our sleep. I am considering jumping down into the smaller trucks just for the fuel savings.

I'm sure that with Nasa's (former) budget, a 30mpg full sized truck would be more than doable.

Mass producing it at an affordable price might be another story though...

Speed

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:13:23 AM EDT

[#14]

Yeah, tie the sumbitch up to the back of a passing 18 wheeler.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:14:10 AM EDT

[#15]

I believe the new Ford F-150 with the V-6 can get in the low 20s. That's about the best you are going to do with a fullsize truck. My friend has a Dodge 2500 diesel and he can get in the low 20s with it as well. If you got the correct programming device, changed out the gears, and took it very easy on the throttle you might be able to get 30 but the truck would be pretty much useless as a truck.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:14:14 AM EDT

[#16]

lmao 30mpg in a fullsize

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:16:06 AM EDT

[#17]

Not happening without a small diesel and UK gallons, perhaps not even then...

Trucks have poor aerodynamics and I imagine that any tire you'd want on it would not be low rolling resistance.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:20:58 AM EDT

[#18]

The closest you'll get is a stripped down 2WD Ecoboost F-150. They start at around $25k, then spend a little more on a custom tune. You should be around 25 MPG on the highway, for under your budget. That's as close as you're going to get.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:26:28 AM EDT

[#19]

In before the Cummins guys.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:29:16 AM EDT

[#20]

Quoted:
The closest you'll get is a stripped down 2WD Ecoboost F-150. They start at around $25k, then spend a little more on a custom tune. You should be around 25 MPG on the highway, for under your budget. That's as close as you're going to get.

Do they really get that kind of mileage?

I'd love a new truck but I don't drive enough to justify it.

My 2000 F150, V6, 2WD, 5 speed gets 17.2 according to fuelly.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:30:37 AM EDT

[#21]

Quoted:

My 2000 F150, V6, 2WD, 5 speed gets 17.2 according to fuelly.

Really?

We have a V8 quad cab Ram that averages better than that.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:30:50 AM EDT

[#22]

Quoted:

Quoted:
The closest you'll get is a stripped down 2WD Ecoboost F-150. They start at around $25k, then spend a little more on a custom tune. You should be around 25 MPG on the highway, for under your budget. That's as close as you're going to get.

Do they really get that kind of mileage?

I'd love a new truck but I don't drive enough to justify it.

My 2000 F150, V6, 2WD, 5 speed gets 17.2 according to fuelly.

I haven't driven an ecoboost, but according to forum posts, they'll get about 25 hwy MPG with a tune, and close to 20 MPG combined. The 5.0L reportedly does pretty well too for a V8.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:33:17 AM EDT

[#23]

http://www.dieselpowermag.com/tech/general/0708dp_1997_dodge_ram_3500_dualie_cummins/

Yes I'm a cummins guy, my 2500 QC 4x4 just got 25mpg on the trip back from Yellowstone. The linked article is very legit, the really did everything right. The only spots I would see for improvement would be lowering it, not drastically but every little bit does help. Not being a dually with the wide ass end fenders, A proper air dam up front. and they folded in the mirrors but you could easily swap mirrors from a car onto it.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:33:27 AM EDT

[#24]

The problem at hwy speeds is wind resistance. One truck mag said that they had tried all of the gimmicks to improve mpg in an truck and the only thing that really made a difference was to remove the mirrors.
My dbl cab Tundra 4.7 gets 17mpg cruzing 70mph, pretty flat, what would it take to almost double that? I don't think that can be done.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:35:02 AM EDT

[#25]

Maybe with some kind of aero kit, lowered, no mirrors, bed cover etc...

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:38:46 AM EDT

[#26]

Quoted:

Quoted:

My 2000 F150, V6, 2WD, 5 speed gets 17.2 according to fuelly.

Really?

We have a V8 quad cab Ram that averages better than that.

Yes Sir. I just looked at my chart on fuelly.

Actually my average is 17.0 Worst is 15.2 Best was 18.8

Thing is, I only drove a little over 4,000 miles last year. Gas mileage for me is almost irrelevant.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:39:59 AM EDT

[#27]

I think its very possible if the manufacturers offered Diesel engines in 1/2 ton trucks.

Now I don't mean by putting a 500HP Diesel in them like the 3/4 and 1 ton trucks. Something like a 4 or 6 cylinder Diesel with around 300HP and lots of torque.

I could see the lighter 1/2 ton trucks getting close to 30 mpg on the highway with a setup like that. However, here in America we're supposed to embrace the hybrid cars for some reason.

I think very soon we'll start seeing more Diesel cars and trucks in the states, because the European emissions standard will be close to what the EPA has already set for us.

EDIT: Think about this.

15 mpg average for a gasoline V8 engine
28 mpg average for a Diesel engine

Current Gas Prices in my Area
87 Octane Gas = $3.44
Diesel Fuel = $3.90

Extra $$ for Diesel option = $3000

Say you drive 15K a year.

15K/15mpg = 1000 gallons of gasoline. So, that's $3,440 a year.
15K/28mpg = 535 gallons of Diesel. So, that's $2087 a year.

That's a difference of $1353 a year. So, it would take about 2.95 years to pay for the Diesel option on a 1/2 ton truck.

Well worth it in my opinion. That is of course if we were ever offered that option from any 1/2 ton truck.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:40:07 AM EDT

[#28]

Quoted:
In before the Cummins guys.

Too late I've been cummins all day

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:41:57 AM EDT

[#29]

My good friend has a 2011 with a crew cab, 4x4 F-150 with a 5.0. It got 20mpg on our trip up to Babbitt grouse hunting and back, which was about 500 miles round trip. 3 adult males, gear and food. Not too bad if you ask me. Also, it has tons of power.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:45:54 AM EDT

[#30]

Quoted:
A regular cab, base model Ford F150 with an Ecoboost and 3.15's would probably get close to 25 mpg on the highway, maybe more with a tune.

You could probably pick one up for around 25K or less.

Yup.... this is close as you are gonna get for a few years. The upside is that the F150 is a fantastic truck, and the Ecoboost
is a solid performer so far.

-ZA

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:46:21 AM EDT

[#31]

Quoted:

Quoted:
In before the Cummins guys.

Too late I've been cummins all day

hehehe nice. There was a guy on the 4btswaps board that did an F150 swap that was getting IRC ~30mpg, I know that the was a company that was doing wrangler swaps 2/4 door and claiming 30+ mpg.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:46:59 AM EDT

[#32]

Quoted:

Quoted:

My 2000 F150, V6, 2WD, 5 speed gets 17.2 according to fuelly.

Really?

We have a V8 quad cab Ram that averages better than that.

The best my buddys' '07 Ram Hemi quad cab 4x4 ever got was 17mpg on the highway. He averaged 15-16 or so.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:57:20 AM EDT

[#33]

Quoted:

...maybe a VW Bus would be a better option for you

Speed

VW actually makes a diesel light truck but our EPA won't let them import it.

Posted: 8/21/2012 10:58:30 AM EDT

[#34]

Quoted:

In before the Cummins guys.

The computer on my '05 Ram says I'm getting 22mpg, but actual calculation reveals 18 on the hwy.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:00:40 AM EDT

[#35]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Shit id love to see it. My truck gets like 9-10mpg at best but shes built for speed and nothign else

We can land a rover on Mars dangit, we should be able to do this in our sleep. I am considering jumping down into the smaller trucks just for the fuel savings.

I've had both.

I drive a compact and lust after a full size, but don't want to pay the gas penalty...........I also don't need the big motor, as I don't haul really heavy shit enough or tow with it.

Other things to consider about smaller trucks.

Unless you are going 4x4, tires are cheaper. Oil is cheaper, etc. Takes up less space in garage/driveway (or, you can put it in the garage at all)

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:02:50 AM EDT

[#36]

I put a magnet on the fuel line of the V8 F150, and now I'm averaging about 61-62 around town.

Totally worth it.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:03:56 AM EDT

[#37]

Quoted:
A regular cab, base model Ford F150 with an Ecoboost and 3.15's would probably get close to 25 mpg on the highway, maybe more with a tune.

You could probably pick one up for around 25K or less.

I know a guy with a new Ecoboost....and he gets around 20 on the highway.....with a tail wind.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:03:58 AM EDT

[#38]

I have a 2011 f150 and I avg 16-17 mpg. I'm in Texas hill country though

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:04:32 AM EDT

[#39]

Quoted:

Quoted:
Shit id love to see it. My truck gets like 9-10mpg at best but shes built for speed and nothign else

We can land a rover on Mars dangit, we should be able to do this in our sleep. I am considering jumping down into the smaller trucks just for the fuel savings.

I've had both.

I drive a compact and lust after a full size, but don't want to pay the gas penalty...........I also don't need the big motor, as I don't haul really heavy shit enough or tow with it.

Other things to consider about smaller trucks.

Unless you are going 4x4, tires are cheaper. Oil is cheaper, etc. Takes up less space in garage/driveway (or, you can put it in the garage at all)

I would love a Taco, but I'm not sure my 6'2" frame would appreciate it.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:08:00 AM EDT

[#40]

Quoted:
A regular cab, base model Ford F150 with an Ecoboost and 3.15's would probably get close to 25 mpg on the highway, maybe more with a tune.

You could probably pick one up for around 25K or less.

No seriously...

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:09:34 AM EDT

[#41]

Quoted:
I put a magnet on the fuel line of the V8 F150, and now I'm averaging about 61-62 around town.

Totally worth it.

I put a water/hydrogen kit on my fuel intake. Adds 18 mpg.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:11:25 AM EDT

[#42]

Quoted:
Does this animal exist?

No.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:23:00 AM EDT

[#43]

This thing is a beauty

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:28:28 AM EDT

[#44]

Quoted:

Quoted:

My 2000 F150, V6, 2WD, 5 speed gets 17.2 according to fuelly.

Really?

We have a V8 quad cab Ram that averages better than that.

Yes Sir. I just looked at my chart on fuelly.

Actually my average is 17.0 Worst is 15.2 Best was 18.8

Thing is, I only drove a little over 4,000 miles last year. Gas mileage for me is almost irrelevant.

I had a 2001 F-150, supercab, V6, 5-spd... got 16-18 running around suburbia like my ass was on fire, and 20-22 on the highway.

Posted Via AR15.Com Mobile

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:38:09 AM EDT

[#45]

Quoted:
Maybe if you geared one real high and the highways were all flat

Of course, it would take you some time to get up to highways speeds...

The highway would have to be downhill, possibly with a tailwind.

I've hit 27MPG in my suburban under such circumstances.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:42:01 AM EDT

[#46]

Quoted:
I know a guy with a new Ecoboost....and he gets around 20 on the highway.....with a tail wind.

What configuration? There's a big difference between a base model 2WD with a high gear ratio, and a fully loaded 4WD crew cab with 3.55s or 3.73s.

Posted: 8/21/2012 11:47:17 AM EDT

[#47]

I think it could exist. IF a lot of the belt-driven accessories were removed from the engine and replace with electronically-driven accessories, I think we'd see a lot better fuel mileage and, possibly, longer lasting engines. That's just my $0.02. It's only an idea though, I've never actually sat down to crunch the numbers so I couldn't really say one way or the other whether it's actually feasible to do that.