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Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra Real World MPG Numbers

176 messages,  Last post on Mar 27, 2013 at 12:39 PM

You are in the Chevrolet Silverado & GMC Sierra Forum.

What is this discussion about? Chevrolet Silverado 1500, Chevrolet Silverado 2500, Chevrolet Silverado 3500, GMC Sierra 1500, GMC Sierra 2500, GMC Sierra 3500, Fuel Efficiency (MPG), Truck

Messages Page 18 of 19

#165 of 176 by chuck1

Mar 13, 2012 (11:07 am)

There is no such vehicle as a Silverado Superduty. There is an HD version that may be the model you have. Anyway, there is no way physically that vehicle could be using that much gas and not have a check engine light or other indicator coming on. I tow on a regular basis a 5,000 pound travel trailer with my 2011-5.3 Silverado half-ton. On the worst conditions it gets 8.5 towing.
 
Pulling a trailer (especially a fifth wheel) and fuel economy does not mix.
 
I would suggest looking at the amount of gas (cost) you will use compared to staying in cheap hotels and NOT TOWING and see what pencils out for you.

#167 of 176 Re: [chuck1] by incognito1949

Mar 13, 2012 (11:56 am)

Replying to: chuck1 (Mar 13, 2012 11:07 am)
My mistake.. it's just a silverado 3500.. extended cab 2 wheel drive, dual rear. It does get very poor gas mileage but the 900 mile tow is a necessity and can't be helped. Going to MD Anderson Cancer Center and have 4 cats and a dog which are our babies so putting them down or giving them away is not an option and pet friendly hotels are not 'that' friendly. Bill say's the engine light does not come on so I don't know what the problem is. We had a ford f250 diesel before this one and it got lots better mileage but the tornado's of last April destroyed it with a 150 year old oak on top of it. I guess there is nothing to do but suck it up and make the trip..on a wing and a prayer. Thank you for your help.

#168 of 176 Re: [incognito1949] by chuck1

Mar 13, 2012 (12:49 pm)

Replying to: incognito1949 (Mar 13, 2012 11:56 am)
Yes, Diesels get better mpg when towing. They don't need to "rev" as high to get torque for pulling power.
 
I really don't think you have an issue, except your using a gas truck to pull a fifth wheel. My guess is 99.5% of 5th wheels are pulled by diesels.

#169 of 176 Re: Mileage... [inwellington] by unskinator

Mar 14, 2012 (4:59 am)

Replying to: inwellington (Apr 22, 2011 9:06 pm)
well if u talking imperial gallons then your mileage is not that good because compared to US gallon which is 3.78 liters the imperial gallon is 4.54 liters. So that would lower your MPG figures about 20%. I dont trust those in dash MPG thinks. Best is still to calculate with the miles u driven and actual gas u put in your tank. Smile life is short.

#170 of 176 Re: 04 silverado 5.3 MPG 4x4 [chuck1] by soleri

Mar 15, 2012 (4:46 pm)

Replying to: chuck1 (Mar 08, 2012 5:50 pm)
My truck is all stock except Mufflers. I just started doing only 60 on the HWY and only went up to 17.3. I asked my co-worker with same truck to try this speed as well. Came back with 18 mpg. Both of our trucks our the same. Anyways I have now traded it in for a nissan frontier with 2wd V6. Still tows a lot but I now get 24 mpg. Much better and saved a lot off $$$ just in the first week of driving.

#171 of 176 Re: 04 silverado 5.3 MPG 4x4 [soleri] by obyone

Mar 16, 2012 (12:08 am)

Replying to: soleri (Mar 15, 2012 4:46 pm)
You're comparing an 8 year old full size truck vs a new pint sized truck. I would hope that the mileage would be better. Not so sure on the money being saved as the Chevy was paid off and now you've got monthly payments. Takes a lot of gas to make up for that monthly.

#172 of 176 Re: 04 silverado 5.3 MPG 4x4 [obyone] by soleri

Mar 16, 2012 (8:20 am)

Replying to: obyone (Mar 16, 2012 12:08 am)
Well I did trade it for an 2006 Frontier Crew cab, so the trade was close to being straight up. I just wanted out of the truck before gas went up to $5 this summer and nobody will buy or trade a big truck after that. However, the frontier does not seem smaller. Parked next to my truck at the dealer there wasnt much of a size difference. And the Nissan can tow 6000 pounds still. When I towed my 4500 pound camper with my 5.3 Silverado I only got 7 MPG. Im sure I will do much better now. Anyways, good luck to guys and thanks for the input.

#173 of 176 Re: 04 silverado 5.3 MPG 4x4 [soleri] by chuck1

Mar 16, 2012 (11:19 am)

Replying to: soleri (Mar 16, 2012 8:20 am)
It always amazes me when someone trades a car/truck for gas mpg. The truth of the matter is, if you put pen to paper-as one poster said above it will takes years to come out ahead. You must factor in depreciation, sales tax,tags, higher insurance etc. and it will take along time to come out ahead.
 
The only time it really makes sense is when you are having monthly repairs that equal a payment, or the vehicle is becoming so unreliable you can't trust it. Then it makes sense.
 
Usually there is an underlying reason for the purchase that excludes the above.
 
I get between 9 and 10 towing a 5,000 pound 28 foot travel trailer. RVing is a luxury, one can always stay home.

#174 of 176 Silverado MPG by wgw100

Aug 25, 2012 (10:36 pm)

Apparently I'm fortunate driving an '05 Silverado 1500 extended cab 5.3L with 3.73 rear gears, 4L60E tranny and 2wd. I get 11-12 MPG pulling a Lite 28 ft 5th wheel that hits the scale at 6400 lbs loaded with only propane, about 5 gal water and gray and black tanks empty when traveling. I added a long leaf from a 2500 spring set to the rear springs and the biggest tranny fluid cooler I could find. I considered a 2500HD, but at nearly 1,000 pounds heavier and 8 to 9 mpg...maybe 10, decided to beef up the 1500 with intake, exhaust and ECU chip and see how it goes.

Messages Page 18 of 19

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