Tires BFG AT versus On road Small truck

[HSutcliffe]

Wondering what the difference in milage would be between my current tires 31"BFG AT tires on a 2003 Toyota Tacoma V6 4x4 and more of a road type tire? The BFG have been great tires and I will probably end up getting at least 65K miles from them but when they are due to be replaced I am wondering what I can do to increase my dismal 17-19mpg.

[SVOboy]

Well, number one, learn some driving techniques, number two, aero mods, and as for tires, road tires would have a lower rolling resistance, I am fairly sure.

[Red]

I found zero difference between my BFG AT KOs and the stock GYs my Jeep came with

[budomove]

Originally Posted by HSutcliffe

I am wondering what I can do to increase my dismal 17-19mpg.

I would say get some narrow tires like on the old army jeeps, that should give you a lot lower rolling resistance, and weight.
You may not be able to use your rims, though.

[HSutcliffe]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Well, number one, learn some driving techniques, number two, aero mods, and as for tires, road tires would have a lower rolling resistance, I am fairly sure.

19mpg is the absolute best. Thats using the egg on the accelerator technique, cruising down off ramps, rolling to stop lights using the speed limit to make the lights etc. The Truck is completely stock except nerf bars. As far as aero mods the only thing you can add to a 4x4 is a tonneau cover but there is debate on those increasing mileage (considering the cheapest one is about 300.00 it would take a long time to return that investment on 1-2 mpg increase)

[HSutcliffe]

Originally Posted by SVOboy

Well, number one, learn some driving techniques, number two, aero mods, and as for tires, road tires would have a lower rolling resistance, I am fairly sure.

19mpg is the absolute best. Thats using the egg on the accelerator technique, cruising down off ramps, rolling to stop lights using the speed limit to make the lights etc. The Truck is completely stock except nerf bars. As far as aero mods the only thing you can add to a 4x4 is a tonneau cover but there is debate on those increasing mileage (considering the cheapest one is about 300.00 it would take a long time to return that investment on 1-2 mpg increase)

[lovemysan]

The best cover for a truck is one that starts at the top rear of cab and archs gently down to the top of the tail gate. Diesel power had write up about a guy getting 26mpg with his f250.

[Sludgy]

Originally Posted by lovemysan

The best cover for a truck is one that starts at the top rear of cab and archs gently down to the top of the tail gate. Diesel power had write up about a guy getting 26mpg with his f250.

The older 6.9 and 7.3 liter Ford diesels got much better mileage than my 6.0. Same thing is happening at Chevy and Dodge. The need to improve emissions and the horsepower race are killing diesel mileage, which is the only good reason to drive a diesel. I'll never buy another one, unless one they finally build one in the 4-5 liter range.

[basjoos]

There are more opportunities for aero improvements on my truck than there were on my Civic. Trucks have terrible aero. The entire underside is a aerodynamic nightmare what with all the fuel tank, support beams, spare tire, and whatnot hanging out in the breeze. Also the grill intakes are sized to provide cooling for the most powerful engine option towing the heaviest load under the hottest expected conditions. So the grill intake is massive overkill for just normal driving, especially in the winter. I had to drive my Ford F150 4X4 for a few days while my Civic was down for repair and by just taking some tape and grill blocking it, I was able to raise my FE from the usual 18mpg to 23mpg. If I have to tow something and need the extra cooling, I can just rip the tape off for that trip. As soon as it warms up and I get the time, I plan to do some underbody panelling to clean up the underside and improve its atrocious coasting ability. And the wheel wells are way oversized, especially on a 4X4 with the wheels mounted halfway out of the bottom of the wells (partial wheel well skirts?). Hopefully I can get it up to at least 30mpg when all is said and done.

[Ryland]

I agree, making your truck more airodinamic should be the very first step, I would sugest useing either black inserts in the grill to block it off, or useing some contact cement glue on some silver space blanket (less then 2 dollars) on to your grill block of choice to make it nice and silver.

what size tires do you have right now? 265/70 R16 right? something like a 245/70 R16 will let you use your same rims, give you a slightly narrower and lighter tire, and not alter how your spedo reads.
Otherwise continetal makes a 225/75 R16 that can take up to 65psi, altho they are slightly smaller around, but they are 40mm narrower, and would fit 16" rims.

[honda4me]

I lost 1-2 mpg going from 245/75/16 Michelin LTX A/S to 265/70/16 BFG A/T. I'd expect to gain most, if not all, of the mpg back by going to stock size (245/75/16) Michelin A/T. I'm sure I'd gain some back just by going to stock size BFG A/T's. Stock size Michelin A/T's would be my pick for best mpg with good off road traction. Rotate/balance every 5,000 miles & they'd probably last 80,000+ miles. When Michelin was rating them, they rated 9 out of 10 for mud traction. You can read reviews at TireRack.com.
I gained a little mpg with each of the following: adding a topper; 100% synthetic oil in motor, transmission, differentials; Michelin tires (low rolling resistance); driving technique.
05 Tacoma, V6, 4x4