Need a new Truck

I was told that aerodynamic drag is exponential. So even a slight increase in speed has a big effect on things when they are not aerodynamic (roof rack with kayak).
I have noticed that with my electric car, that even putting the light weight Hobie Lynx on top really cuts down range dramatically at freeway speeds, but not so much at speeds under 50-60mph. So I now try to stay under 70mph. I'll get there when I get there.

So if you are not liking your gas mileage, drop your speed just 5 or 10 mph down to 60 - 70 or so and see what it does.

I was told that aerodynamic drag is exponential. So even a slight increase in speed has a big effect on things when they are not aerodynamic (roof rack with kayak).
I have noticed that with my electric car, that even putting the light weight Hobie Lynx on top really cuts down range dramatically at freeway speeds, but not so much at speeds under 50-60mph. So I now try to stay under 70mph. I'll get there when I get there.

So if you are not liking your gas mileage, drop your speed just 5 or 10 mph down to 60 - 70 or so and see what it does.

I got fish to catch, I ain’t slowing down!! 

Well I'm embarrassed to say that when I hooked up my trailer to go to Doran, it didn't hitch it up right somehow. So when I was braking it was moving back and forth on top of the ball in the hitch, causing a shock of force to go down my chassis.  I could swear it was coming from the front, but after taking it off the ball and re-seating it, it sat correctly and didn't do that any more.

That said, I'm getting a brake job anyway, as it's probably time.  And still believe there is another potential issue, so will report back.

I am still really thinking that I should get a new ride, and appreciate all the suggestions here.  I'll calculate my MPG today too and see where i'm approximately at.

I was told that aerodynamic drag is exponential. So even a slight increase in speed has a big effect on things when they are not aerodynamic (roof rack with kayak).
I have noticed that with my electric car, that even putting the light weight Hobie Lynx on top really cuts down range dramatically at freeway speeds, but not so much at speeds under 50-60mph. So I now try to stay under 70mph. I'll get there when I get there.

So if you are not liking your gas mileage, drop your speed just 5 or 10 mph down to 60 - 70 or so and see what it does.

Drop it down even more to 55 and see where you are at.  I mean, the speed limit was 55 for a long time because of better gas mileage.

The other thing that really affects gas mileage in trucks is your choice of tires.  Put on those aggressive all terrains (which also weigh more) and watch your gas mileage drop.

Also, I swear my gas mileage drops every time there is a ECU software upgrade.

2017 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.  I get about 21-22 mpg in mixed driving.  I've had it up to 28 when running 55 mph down to San Diego, but that was early in life, and I can't seem to hit even 24 mpg anymore.

-Allen

I was told that aerodynamic drag is exponential. So even a slight increase in speed has a big effect on things when they are not aerodynamic (roof rack with kayak).
I have noticed that with my electric car, that even putting the light weight Hobie Lynx on top really cuts down range dramatically at freeway speeds, but not so much at speeds under 50-60mph. So I now try to stay under 70mph. I'll get there when I get there.

So if you are not liking your gas mileage, drop your speed just 5 or 10 mph down to 60 - 70 or so and see what it does.

Drop it down even more to 55 and see where you are at.  I mean, the speed limit was 55 for a long time because of better gas mileage.

The other thing that really affects gas mileage in trucks is your choice of tires.  Put on those aggressive all terrains (which also weigh more) and watch your gas mileage drop.

Also, I swear my gas mileage drops every time there is a ECU software upgrade.

2017 Ram 1500 EcoDiesel.  I get about 21-22 mpg in mixed driving.  I've had it up to 28 when running 55 mph down to San Diego, but that was early in life, and I can't seem to hit even 24 mpg anymore.

-Allen

True.. Went from 30" Duelers to 32" Toyo OC3s and mpg dropped from 22 to 19.5 lol

I definitely see a difference in mileage between 70+ and 65 and under on my GTI anytime and it's amplified with the kayak on the roof. Just having the bare racks shaves 1-2 mpg off. For the difference in mileage after a tire change -- have you recalibrated your odometer for the larger tires?

Cheers,
Brad

Towing my trailer, looks like my mpg is:

138.5 miles / 10.40 gallons = 13.32 MPG (approximately)

was not driving slow either 

Went from 30" Duelers to 32" Toyo OC3s and mpg dropped from 22 to 19.5 lol

I also have Toyo OC3's, in the stock size for my truck, and my gas mileage probably dropped 2 mpg.  But they sure do handle the snow and ice better.

-Allen

Just having the bare racks shaves 1-2 mpg off.

I noticed similar when I had a bare rack with fairing on my 3 series, about 2 MPG difference. 

Went from 30" Duelers to 32" Toyo OC3s and mpg dropped from 22 to 19.5 lol

I also have Toyo OC3's, in the stock size for my truck, and my gas mileage probably dropped 2 mpg.  But they sure do handle the snow and ice better.

-Allen

I noticed similar drop in my F150, 3.5 ecoboost when I upsized the tires.  On stock tires I was averaging ~23mpg on my commute, now with 285-60-20 (about 34.5"x11.5") Nitto Ridge Grapplers I get about 18mpg.  On long highway trips I can get 20-21, especially if I just set the cruise at 70ish.  I am also almost always carrying or towing something - kayak, alum boat, home construction stuff, etc.  We've rented an 8,000lb 28' travel trailer a handful of times - I get about 11 towing that up Hwy 1 from Concord to Gualala, prob a little better on flatter/straighter highways. 

My van gets 15 mpg towing all the stuff I drag around. 20 mpg rolling solo. Slower is better gas mileage but, ya can't tailgate everyone if you drive slow

Hey Al,

Sorry to hear about your runner. While I know Toyota guys want nothing but their Toyotas which I completely understand because my best vehicle I ever owned was a gen 2 4Runner. Jeep (Stellantis) is having a clearance event on 2024 gladiators. There are base models for under $30k (plus about $5-6k taxes, fees & reg) out there, though you might have to look a state or two over since they have been selling at a discount for about two months. Still you could easily negotiate $15k off sticker locally because they have undersold jeep’s projections the last 2 years.
They are a decent truck but definitely a niche market, but for the price anything new for around $30K is a decent price.

I’ve tracked every gallon of gas I’ve put in my Ram, and I used to get around 18/22mpg with the stock 17” rims & GY Wrangler SR-A. Then I put on 20” rims and Cooper Discoverer AT3s and get about 14/20mpg on city/highway. (Yes I recalibrated too) I don’t regret it though because I love the feel & relative quietness of the Coopers. Raising a truck, even just a leveling kit like mine will fuck up the already-limited aerodynamics. It’s really hard to drive 55-60 on the freeway these days, and I’m a fairly patient dude.

My Honda Ridgeline is truck enough for my needs (all my off roading is done on two wheels). It's a really comfortable ride and should tow up to 5,000lb. Having a trunk in the bed is quite convenient as well (except when I put a kayak on top of the lid and then need to get something out). You're welcome to give it a test drive if we're ever at the same lake! Honda usually has some pretty good incentives, I got my Sport model for $36,000 out the door brand new, financed through Honda at a pretty good rate.

Ugh, just what I feared when the mechanics got to take a look at it.  The calipers need to be replaced, which doubles the bill to almost $1000 bucks.  I would have much rather put that money into another vehicle, then put more into this one. 

If it'll make you feel better having miserable company...

My service advisor says my Audi etron needs a new EV traction battery to the tune of $11K.  That's the second battery, after they warrantied the initial one.  Only 84K miles, what a total POS, and I suspect the warrantied battery was a reconditioned unit that Audi snatched out of pick n pull