The Burning Issue - Truck MPG becoming a major headache...

[TGB]

... Last tank averaged 21.5MPG with log deliveries and a bit of towing. Supposed to manage 37MPG on the combined cycle.

 

Well that's manufacturer hype. The rules are, that engines only have to be tested and repeatable figures gained. Doesn't state the engine has to actually be in a working vehicle. So manufacturers regularly have the engine in question running in a test rig. Specially filtered air, pre lab tested fuel, engine already warmed to optimum temp. at start of mpg testing, new oil for each test, new filter for each test, no fuel wasted by friction driving wheels or hauling weight of an actual vehicle. The engines are rig run accelerating and decelerating to simulate a vehicle attaining specific speeds and staying there for a given time.

 

So motorway/extra urban are tested at a constant speed. Urban on a collection of combined max. speeds, with min.-max.-min. revs. over a manufacturer chosen time. And combined is just an exercise in simple maths.

 

Is it any wonder then, that you fail to attain the quoted manufacturer max. mpg. They don't say the vehicle is capable of x-mpg. They merely specify that the engine is capable of such.

 

Why not just pack in and go and work at Asda? If it ain't the fuel costs it's machines breaking, awkward customers and your logs are too expensive brigade. I have considered this many times and you just never know.

Ay. But not everyone could walk to work in 10mims. at a big store. Plus, not being outside, would drive you stir-crazy.

 

But I take your valid point. If it were just money, stacking shelve often pay better.

Edited October 28, 2014 by TGB

[richy_B]

I would look at a different pick up the l200 is very low geared with an old style direct injection engine. The hilux after 2000 has the d4d common rail engine which is a bit better. Maybe look at running on all terrains rather than mud terrains this could give you back 4 mpg. Make sure the new vehicle is running right with no faults in the ecu and we'll serviced. Changing engine oil every 2000 miles on a l200 may pay dividens as the service interval is 3500 and you are towing and off road. £20 for an oil change seems a bargain compared to £6 a gallon for fuel.

 

I've got a '05 L200 and completely agree about the gearing. At 2000rpm in 5th gear I am doing about 48mph (sat nav indicated). You push it to 55-60 and it really starts howling. I am mainly in London so traffic is bad and find I average 20-26mpg. Towing a mini digger for two weeks in stop start traffic I got 200 miles from a full tank (70 litres) - Ouch! Having come from a '07 Ranger and '08 Hilux before that it is noticeable how much more of an 'agricultural' feel to it. As a run around/quoter I use a 125 scooter - 90mpg, free parking, £17 tax and it is a company use only vehicle you get 100% VAT back on it.

[Woodworks]

Sorry TCD for going slightly off line here.

 

Interesting TGB

 

How long have tests been done like this? I ask as in the past with cars have always been able to beat the combined figures on a good run but recent experiences with newish vehicles have never managed to even meet them.

[codlasher]

Perhaps this is not yet a normal train of thought, but why not consider staying out two nights a week? I used to stay in a static caravan for three nights and it saved travelling.

 

I used to offer the contractors who came to do the thinning & forestry programmes a quiet, secure & 'facilitated' yard to stay in. The majority used to stay all the working week and go home on Friday around mid day. I know this would not be something you'd get in and around some forest sites in the far North but certainly worth thinking about.

 

I had one pair of contractors who insisted on taking two, yes two 4x4 trucks back and forth to their base every day. A 90 mile one way trip so 180 miles return x 2 is 360 miles!!!! Each day. They did half the job and were so short on time, pleasantness and general attitude that I 'let them go'.......After 1000 tons. The new crew who came the following year to finish off the remaining 2000 tons had a lovely caravan and the job went smoothly.

codlasher

[aspenarb]

Bottom line is two ton of 4x4 with the aerodynamics of a brick will never be a recipe for an economical vehicle. We cant get away from the need for these vehicles but if you find yourself doing loads of road miles it makes perfect sense to run a small eco chariot that knocks out 50+ mpg no matter how hard you drive it. I have never run a calculator over it but I am sure I am quids in for running a combination of both.

 

Bob

[Woodworks]

This site might be of interest for a bit of research Browse All Cars | Fuelly

[Daveyboy]

Thing about modern diesel engines sounding like a bag of rocks is an easy fix. They were designed to run on diesel but diesel ain't diesel anymore. They've taken the sulpher out of it so the top end gets all rattly - it isn't being lubricated.

The fix is to pour half a litre of mineral 2 stroke oil in with every tank of diesel. You'll notice a difference after the second tank. Quieter and better mpg. Tried it myself and it works.

[Mark Bolam]

Slightly different circumstances, but I'm thinking of getting a little runaround to save putting miles on my Transit at about 21mpg.

I reckon half the time I'm only driving to jobs where I don't need the truck, pricing, or going to pick up random small items.

 

You see some really tidy little cars like 1.0 Fiestas and such for well under £1k.

Need to sit down and do the maths.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

[mixedangased]

i run my m3 hilux tipper 50/50 derv and rapeseed oil,cheep as chips ;-)

[Daniel Jiggins]

Slightly different circumstances, but I'm thinking of getting a little runaround to save putting miles on my Transit at about 21mpg.

I reckon half the time I'm only driving to jobs where I don't need the truck, pricing, or going to pick up random small items.

 

You see some really tidy little cars like 1.0 Fiestas and such for well under £1k.

Need to sit down and do the maths.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Arbtalk

 

 

I had a little fiesta van 1.4 tdci but stupidly sold it I am seriously considering buying something similar again for pricing, Getting parts and floating about in.