I never thought it was stupid...????
Future Sprinters
- Thread starter LDB
- Start date
I never thought it was stupid...????
I hear the 2016 is supposed to be completely redesigned new body and everything. Hoping for 30 MPG at 70-75 MPH, I will bring my $ to the dealer when that exist
Tired of going 64 mph just to get my 27 mpg !! I want to be able to pass semi's, in the mean time they're passing me night and day.
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I go 64 MPH and get 18 mpg. Quit whinin'
Speed would really help though on getting the loads there on time, especially in the mid west and western states where its a wide open road! Get a Sprinter and you can share the same numbers
KickStarter6
Veteran Expediter
I go 64 MPH and get 18 mpg. Quit whinin'
How?!?! My vans very close to yours and I get 14 loaded(up to about 1500lbs) or unloaded. Also mine maybe off because I've drove thru West Virginia, Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Kentucky and Tennessee a lot.
KickStarter6
Veteran Expediter
Mine must be broken lol. I don't have cruise in my van so my throttle isn't as steady but still.
Speed would really help though on getting the loads there on time, especially in the mid west and western states where its a wide open road! Get a Sprinter and you can share the same numbers
Loads are rated at 50 mph INDUSTRY standard....every hour he is gaining 14 miles or 14 minutes....time is not an issue unless someone has their head up their butt, bidding loads based on speed vs safety....
This ain't Nascar. Drive like there's a stinkbomb under the pedals. In other words, be gentle with your van, just like with your girl. They'll both reward you
AGREED...880,000 miles and same drive shaft and universals and rear end!!.....
Take a dozen people driving same spec vans from the same maker. Let's say they all limit their speed to 64mph. Here's what you'll find.
Most of them will follow too closely so they'll be on the brakes more often, killing momentum and using more fuel to catch back up to their too close following position.
Many, while holding a top speed limit, will jackrabbit up to that speed rather than very gradually accelerating. If there were a tachometer to be seen theirs would be regularly touching 4k rpm before shifting while a couple of the drivers will very rarely exceed 3k rpm.
The combination of those two factors alone will mean the 1 or 2 drivers habitually driving for mpg will lose a minute or three per hour to the tailgating jackrabbits while getting 10-25% better fuel economy overall.
Most of them will follow too closely so they'll be on the brakes more often, killing momentum and using more fuel to catch back up to their too close following position.
Many, while holding a top speed limit, will jackrabbit up to that speed rather than very gradually accelerating. If there were a tachometer to be seen theirs would be regularly touching 4k rpm before shifting while a couple of the drivers will very rarely exceed 3k rpm.
The combination of those two factors alone will mean the 1 or 2 drivers habitually driving for mpg will lose a minute or three per hour to the tailgating jackrabbits while getting 10-25% better fuel economy overall.
KickStarter6
Veteran Expediter
This ain't Nascar. Drive like there's a stinkbomb under the pedals. In other words, be gentle with your van, just like with your girl. They'll both reward you
Umm I guess I'll have too cause my ford isn't gonna be getting any less thristy
Mine's a 4.6. If yours is a 5.4, you might lose one mpg.
Also, drive defensively (especially looking far ahead) so that you're not always on the brakes; also, it might help to shift gears a little bit so that you can stay off your brakes.
Lastly, cruise control. Great when it's flat, but in the mountains your foot and your ear can be a lot smarter than the transmission.
If nothing else, just drive it like you're buying the gas; cos you are
Loads are rated at 50 mph INDUSTRY standard....every hour he is gaining 14 miles or 14 minutes....time is not an issue unless someone has their head up their butt, bidding loads based on speed vs safety....
Time is a issue, when you're dead heading 170 miles to pick up a load in Amsterdam NY at midnight and it's due at 4pm in Charlotte the next day. Some of us need some sleep. Some can go through the night, everyone has there own sleeping schedules. Sometimes you're fading quick when 3-4am hits. I've always found there is never enough time built into these loads. I recall memories of running back to the truck at TA after fueling just to get the wheels moving again to meet time requirements.
That being said maybe with a "new and improved" future sprinter and a nice $2000 air ride seat I will be able to improve my longevity and stamina behind the wheel
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KickStarter6
Veteran Expediter
Mine's a 4.6. If yours is a 5.4, you might lose one mpg.
Also, drive defensively (especially looking far ahead) so that you're not always on the brakes; also, it might help to shift gears a little bit so that you can stay off your brakes.
Lastly, cruise control. Great when it's flat, but in the mountains your foot and your ear can be a lot smarter than the transmission.
If nothing else, just drive it like you're buying the gas; cos you are
I just have the little 4.6, it does well enough pulling itself along when loaded even heavily but is by no means a powerhouse. I do think if it was a 6spd transmission it'd help it out a lot. I don't exactly drive in fuel saver mode tho
Air ride seats make anything nice and comfy.
Yours is what, a '13? Four speeds or 5?
Tire pressure is another biggie: try 65 up front and 75 or 80 in the back. Also, mind your weight, whether it's your own or how much stuff you're schlepping around. Toys like an Xbox, etc add pounds you pay to haul whether you're making money or not.
KickStarter6
Veteran Expediter
Yeah it's a '13 with a 4spd. All I have in it is an Xbox, small LCD TV, my bed, and about a weeks worth of cloths. I have scaled it with me in and I came out at 5450 I believe. Can't say for sure unless I go get the ticket out of the van
KickStarter6
Veteran Expediter
5450? Tires filled with helium?
That's not a lot of stuff, good deal on that. Mine weighs 6220, full tank, stuff, etc. I am a bit fluffy, but not too awful bad
I met up with billg in northern ky just south of cincy and we compared our weights. My extended E250 with my stuff weighted about 1k less than his express 3500 SWB. He does have a lot nicer setup than me and his generator is mount where I just move mine around in the back. I have no insulation or any kind of interior stuff, I don't even have a passenger seat in my van anymore. I more less have a white metal van with a wood floor and a drivers seat.