Attention topkick/kodiac owners, mpg help.

Hi guys, I can get a 2001 GMC Topkick 7500 8.1L gas/manual trans long bed (Ex beverage transporter) for about $1800 w/ a new motor in it. I am looking to make a toter home out of it and tow a 38 ft Goose neck. It is supposedly geared high for highway use. What kind of MPG can I expect? I have a 95 Chevy 1 ton dually right now w/ the 454 gets about 10 mpg towing and about 12 empty and I'm looking to either beat or maintain that or very close to it.
I can also convert it to a 94" Cat 3116 turbo mechanical motor.

Any thoughts,
Please feel free to call or e-mail me as my ITA box will fill up quickly.
Thanks,
Trevor Sherwood
616-642-6009
Soldierboy0098@Yahoo.com

 

i have a 93 with a 427 gas motor and it barely gets 10

 

For that price it is a steal, but I'd be against the gas motor. A diesel will last longer, pull better and get better mileage.

We pull with a dodge 1 ton Cummins diesel, its cranked up to around 420hp and we get 13-14 mpg pulling.

 

put the cat in it.it will run forever.Dave

 

Ive seen some of those trucks without the body on. The frames have been greatly modified and Im not so sure they would be strong enough to pull a trailer with. Crawl under it to see how the frame has been sectioned before you buy.

Id never use gas. My gas pickup got me 5mpg and my Cummins is 18 towing.

 

You get 18 MPG loaded? Damn! What MPH do you run at??? I never get more than 14.5 towing but im usually in a hurry. Usually get 19.0 without the trailer.

 

Cat is the way to go . I had a 96 topkick gas motor we ran with 40 ft trailer only 6mpg.

 

Same question, I have a 02 dodge cummins 4wd, with a 38 ft triple axle and only get 8.9 if I keep my foot out of it.. No chip, stock exhaust. I know exhaust will help but just wondering how to get more.. Sorry for the Hijack Trevor.PS agree, desiel is the ticket. Thanks Mitch Bowen

 

Mitch, i have a 02 Dodge, 4wd, 6spd, 2500, i weigh in at 21500 headin down the road. I tow a 40 goose. I average 12-13. 17-19 empty.

Stock everything. Well, minus the H2 wheels. and a few dents.

 

WOW!! My truck sucks--literally--It is a automatic and avearges about 2700 rpm with the overdrive off-- Its a haulin machine but I pay for it---What do I look for ??? no codes , temp is fine, little larger tires.. signed stupmed and broke buyn fuel!!!!!

 

Update on Moparious Maximus fuel milage. We just bought a 48 foot goose neck with a camper in it. Dont know what it weighs but car,tools and mule add up to 5000 plus. We got around 10 mpg running 70 mph. Speeking of heavy car we did a 7.99 at Beech Bend Saturday. Very cold and wet air track was cold but she hooked up on that run.

 

Mine is also an automatic (which I wont do again) and Im a pretty light touch on the loud pedal. Before they changed the fuel I was getting almost 7 with my semi.(53 ft dry van, 9000 Ford, 3406 Cat 400, 80000 lbs) I got the 18mpg on a trip to Eddyville on the two lane. Around the same time I got 19 pulling the flat trailer with a Camaro on board (interstate driving) and 21 with the pickup alone. Moparious, youve seen the truck and trailer. Its not a goose and not real long but it does have the drag coefficient of a concrete block.