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  1. #1
    Fireside Member
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    Truck- Trailer combos and vehicle performance.

    I'm not sure if this is the place to post this? We just completed a 5,000 mile trip out west with our 2021 Reflection 337RLS and our 2020 Ford Super Duty. Everything went awesome! No issues with truck or 5th wheel. The truck has the new 6.7 diesel with a 10 speed trans. I am very impressed. I found that driving at 65 mph was most efficient in 9th gear. Up and down he mountains with almost no down-shifting (except going downhill of course with engine brake on). 90% of the trip was towing the 5th wheel. After 5K miles, to the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier and back- 13.4 mpg.
    Dan and Deb
    2021 337RLS
    2020 Lariat Super Duty 6.7 Diesel Crew Cab Max Tow, Air Lift 5000

  2. #2
    Long Hauler
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    Congratulations on having a trouble free trip. 13.4 mpg is great for that size fifth wheel trailer, and it beats my 11 mpg with my like size Reflection fifth wheel.

  3. #3
    Site Sponsor
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    That fuel economy is impressive. After 20,000 miles, I am at 12 MPH combined with only 7K of those miles towing my 303. I generally keep it at 65 MPH or below while towing. It must be the 10 speed that makes the difference.
    2019 F250 Platinum, 6.7, LB, FX4, High Capacity Tow Package
    B & W Companion
    2019 303RLS

  4. #4
    Seasoned Camper SteveTN's Avatar
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    Sounds like a great trip. We've had similar experience with our 337 and Ram 1 ton diesel but haven't headed out west yet.
    Steve and Peggy
    Based in beautiful East Tennessee
    2016 Reflection 337RLS
    2017 Ram 3500 CCSB 4x4 CTD

  5. #5
    Site Sponsor
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    Quote Originally Posted by RVing in Michigan View Post
    I'm not sure if this is the place to post this? We just completed a 5,000 mile trip out west with our 2021 Reflection 337RLS and our 2020 Ford Super Duty. Everything went awesome! No issues with truck or 5th wheel. The truck has the new 6.7 diesel with a 10 speed trans. I am very impressed. I found that driving at 65 mph was most efficient in 9th gear. Up and down he mountains with almost no down-shifting (except going downhill of course with engine brake on). 90% of the trip was towing the 5th wheel. After 5K miles, to the Tetons, Yellowstone, and Glacier and back- 13.4 mpg.
    What rear gear do you have and what is you solo fuel mileage with the new 6.7

    I am asking as I am on the fence whether to get the 6.7 an deal with the DEF and service cost issues or get the 7.3 gas and live withe the 8-10 gas mileage while towing and 14 solo. Thoughts? BTW my Reflection 150 series 220RK is under 9K GVWR
    2018 Reflection 150 Series 220RK 5th wheel with 6K axle upgrade. B&W 25K OEM Companion, Steadyfast system, 2022 F350 SRW 6.7 King Ranch 8' bed, Trailer reverse lights, rear spare tire holder, storage tube, sumo springs, Victron MultiPlus 12/120/3000, and Solar

  6. #6
    Long Hauler bertschb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by powerscol View Post
    What rear gear do you have and what is you solo fuel mileage with the new 6.7

    I am asking as I am on the fence whether to get the 6.7 an deal with the DEF and service cost issues or get the 7.3 gas and live withe the 8-10 gas mileage while towing and 14 solo. Thoughts? BTW my Reflection 150 series 220RK is under 9K GVWR
    I get about 22mpg unloaded at 65mph with my 2020 F-350 6.7 w/3.55 gears. I got 11.7mpg on my recent 1,000 mile trip towing my 15,000lb Solitude.

    As for the DEF and additional cost for diesel oil changes - that's a super minor cost that IMO gets way overblown. Hundred bucks a year maybe? The price of a steak dinner out with your wife? There are a couple reasons to avoid the diesel engine. The diesel option itself is expensive. It reduces the payload rating of the truck. In some places diesel fuel costs more than gas.

    But, when it comes to towing, a modern diesel (and especially the new Ford 6.7 w/ 10 speed transmission) makes towing a breeze. Steep hills and heavy loads are effortless experiences at low RPM's.

    You don't "need" the 6.7 with your 9,000lb 5th wheel. But I guarantee you will enjoy the towing experience more with a diesel. Plus, if there is even a 10% chance that you'll get a larger RV some day, get a diesel now. A LOT of people start with smaller and lighter RV's and get larger rigs (and trucks) later. Get the right truck now and skip the F-250. The F-350 gives you an extra 1,000lbs of payload for basically the same price and the same empty ride quality.
    Brian & Kellie
    2020 Solitude 310GK-R, FBP, 1,460w solar, 540ah BBGC3, MORryde IS w/disc brakes
    2020 F-350 Platinum SRW Powerstroke Tremor, 60g TF fuel tank, Hensley BD3-F air bag hitch

    Previous setups:
    2019 Solitude 373FB-R, 2019 F-350 Platinum DRW Powerstroke, Hensley BD5 air bag hitch
    2016 Reflection 318RST, 2016 GMC 3500 Denali SRW Duramax, Hensley BD3 air bag hitch

  7. #7
    Big Traveler Txfivver's Avatar
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    Brian that 22mpg is crazy good mileage, I think this new 10 speed is the cats meow. Who would have thought a 450 with 4:30 gears would get 18-19 at 65-70 mph but mine will. I have not towed very far with it yet but next month will be it's first test, about 500 miles to Lake Conroe and back. My '19 350 with 3:55 gears and a 6 spd would only get 10 mpg max towing my Solitude the same trip so this will be a good comparison. Here's a shot running empty to Houston last month, cruise on 70, not sure the gas 7.3 can touch that.Click image for larger version. 

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    Last edited by Txfivver; 09-22-2020 at 03:17 PM.
    2019 Solitude 375RES Onan 5500 Splendide W/D Samsung res. fridge
    2020 Ford F450 Platinum dually 6.7L 4:30 gears
    B&W Companion for Ford puck system 20K lbs
    Jeff

  8. #8
    Seasoned Camper
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    13.4 is good. I usually get around 11.5 with a little "in town" driving. 65 mph seems to be the sweet spot.
    Unloaded mileage is 19 to 20 at 70 and 14 or so around town, pretty good for a heavy dually.
    2019 Reflection 312BHTS TT Sold

  9. #9
    Fireside Member
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    That’s awesome mpg! My 18 6.7 250 3.55 gears got 11.2 on a similar 5400 mile trip earlier this year to Arizona, Utah and Colorado pulling our 20 337rls. Max speed towing was 65. I get about 16 unloaded and that’s driving it hard typically +10 of speed limit. I’ve been considering moving up to a 450 with the 10 speed. That mpg would pay the difference pretty quickly.

  10. #10
    Seasoned Camper Dive Bar Casanova's Avatar
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    What brand DEF do you all use?

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