Better Gas Mileage W/ SRW Vs Dually?

72chevy4x4

I'm considering a new sprinter and was wondering if anyone can comment, in general terms or specifically re: the sprinter, will you get better gas mileage with a single rear wheel versus the dual rear wheel option (typically 2500 vs 3500). Assuming rear differential and all other factors being the same.

Chris Johnson

My 2004 Chev 3500, Duramax, Allison Trans, 4 door, hard tonneau cover is currently 17mpg, warranty expires in 850 miles...now for the chip which should bring me up to 22-25 mpg.

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Chris

72chevy4x4

any numbers from a box van equiped with the duramax? Not sure what the style of box is called-I've seen the 12' with lots of doors on either side.

dougger222

The chip isn't going to help with fuel mileage much. What it will do is trick your computer into thinking it's getting better fuel mileage than stock.

A SRW will get better fuel mileage than a DRW in most cases.
A tonneau cover will get better fuel mileage than a topper in most cases.
A 4x2 will get better fuel mileage than a 4x4 in most cases.
A manual tranny will get better fuel mileage than a auto in most cases.

Ran the F250 from 40K-252K miles with both an empty box, fiberglass tonneau cover, and fiberglass topper. The best mileage is either with the cover or empty box. With the topper average about 1-2mpg less than without. Mileage varies from 13-17 mpg but have gotten has high as 18.5 on a few occasions.

The DRW on the other hand doesn't matter what it's doing it gets around 12 mpg.

The Excursion averages 14-17 mpg but when on the open road gets 17-19 mpg. Wife drives daily 8 miles one way to work gets 14-15mpg.

All are diesel of course.

72chevy4x4

the question I posted is in concern to buying a newer vehicle with a SRW versus DRW, mileage concerns and what may be more important, getting stuck on a jobsite in a non-4x4 SRW truck. When the ground is soggy, my C2500 diesel w/ posi still gets stuck-on the otherhand, my heavier box truck w/ DRW can usually drive out of the muck b/c of the wheels-maybe I made up my own mind!

I've bested 18.25 in my diesel suburban-the mileage numbers of the excursion are tempting!