Fuel Mileage

[JoeyandJudy]

What is the MPG on the following?

Chevy 3500 Ext Cargo Van with 6.0 V8 300 hp and

Ford E350 Ext Cargo Van with 5.4 V8 255 hp.


Joey
3 yrs D Unit
1 yr T/T

 

[tiredofsittn]

im getn 25 in my powerstroke with straight exhaust taken my time only got about 15 in my ford gaser and alot of places diesel is alittle cheaper

 

[JoeyandJudy]

Thanks for the reply. Trying to decide which van to buy. Both are 2006 models. The Ford is 138" wb and Chevy is 155" wb. I think the Ford is going to get better fuel mileage.

Joey
3 yrs D Unit
1 yr T/T
Soon to be B Unit

 

[greg334]

I have a 1999 GMC diesel, 6.5 Turbo.

I get 17 to 19 MPG depending on the road conditions. Weight does not seem to really affect it, loaded at 3000 lbs I got 17.5 and on the same road with 400 lbs I got 17. My mileage is lower than others; I drive my van at the speed limit, not at 55 or 60 as most do.

I suggest that you take a look at a Diesel van, simply because of the price of fuel. I hear some of the Fords getting 22 to 28 MPG and the duramax van is to get around the same. As for a Ford or GM, I would actually wait until the Duramax vans are out at the dealers to test drive them and compare. I drove one and I liked it better than the Ford I drove two days prior. The thing about the diesels like the power stroke and Duramax is the electronics and how you can change the performance on the fly through several aftermarket devices including your laptop.

 

[LDB]

I don't run a van so this is just thinking out loud on my part. If I were putting together a spreadsheet on vans I'd use 14mpg for gas and 19mpg for diesel as my initial estimators. Running 100,000 miles on gas at 14mpg at $2.90/gal would cost about $20,700. Running 100,000 miles on diesel at 19mpg at $2.70/gal would cost about $14,200. The $6500 spent on gas in 100,000 miles is the upcharge for the diesel engine. Over the next 100,000 miles the $6500 is more profit in your pocket. If the van is run 300,000 miles, which isn't at all unreasonable for expediting, the diesel puts $13,000 more into your pocket as tax free money because it isn't going out of your pocket into the fuel tank. My numbers may be off a little but diesel seems the only way to go and that would add the Sprinter to the suspect list which by all reports gets 21-22mpg and shortens the payback interval and increases the bonus into your pocket. Good luck to you.

Leo Bricker
OOIDA 677319
truck 4958
73's K5LDB
Support the entire Constitution, not just the parts you like.

 

[JoeyandJudy]

Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go with a 2006 GMC 3500 Ext Cargo Van with a 4.8L V8 and locking 3.73. Hopefully with the smaller motor I'll get better fuel mileage and still have enough power for a 1 ton van.

Joey

 

[greg334]

>Thanks for all the replies. I've decided to go with a 2006
>GMC 3500 Ext Cargo Van with a 4.8L V8 and locking 3.73.
>Hopefully with the smaller motor I'll get better fuel
>mileage and still have enough power for a 1 ton van.
>
>Joey

A 4.8L or 301 cu in engine in a g3500?

It sounds a little underpowered to me.

Mileage is not always better with a smaller engine, mainly because it has to work harder (technicaly speaking the higher engine load for the size means that the fuel injectors have a longer duty cycle,meaning more fuel is used).

I fully agree with LDB, up front cost may be more, but longevity and economy wll give you a better payback.

I just got done with a 1800 lbs load and got 17.5 MPG.

 

[tiredofsittn]

also to much upkeep on gassers, and only half the life of diesel

 

[teacel]

In my opinion you are wrong in thinking the smaller motor will save you money.

Yes! You may get a few more miles per gallon running empty, but the smaller motor will have to work much harder, when loaded therefore costing more money, in fuel, for repairs, and maintenance later on. If you are going to buy a vehicle to do a job, why buy one that won't fulfill yours, or your carrier’s needs overall.

I have been running vans for 17 years. Gas is the way I decided to go. WHY!!! Well for one, the gas motor is allot less$$$ and much cheaper to maintain. Gas motors are easier to work on, (I do my own work) therefore saving money over all.

I average 17 MPG running the (2002)=5.7, and 14 MPG running the (2004)=6.0, Chevy’s my personal preference. I did modify the exhaust, running duals from front to back, adding a second from the 'Y' back. This helped fuel mileage by about 3MPG. I just don't like the Fords, as they are small in the cab.