Jeep Wrangler Forum banner

Gas Mileage on Trail

4K views 18 replies 16 participants last post by  H8SPVMT 
#1 ·
Has anyone cataloged their offroad MPG, entirely on dirt, especially in 4LO?

I just did a ~25mi run, with 80% in 4LO, and I don't know how much to trust the EVIC. I watched the number drop from 17.7 at the 5mi mark, to 15.6 about 20mi in. Unfortunately, I did not think to reset my average or timer at the trail start.

The fuel level gauge is also completely non-linear in its readout so that's of limited use. Seems to clear 1/2 of the tank in 1/3 the distance (the easy third, no less).

I am trying to plan a backcountry excursion which is currently at 340mi (if I can stop adding waypoints) from gas station to gas station. If I conservatively assume 15mpg the whole way, with 18gal tank and two 5gal cans, I am looking at 420mi of range. Realistically, at least half of this should be in HI gear so I think I could probably expect more.

Would love some real numbers if anyone has them. Otherwise I will just have to do some "homework" on the trail. *appearing sad and trying not to smile*
 
#2 ·
MPG on trail

I recently returned from CO where I logged about 1500 trail miles. We were in Silverton so a lot of the trails start within a few miles of town. I checked the MPG by miles / gallons not the EVIC. MPG ranged from 8.5 to 11.5. My Jeep is a stock Sport S auto with Rubi BFG's ran at 15 psi. Unless a lot of the route is easy roads I would not be comfortable with 28 gallons.
 
#5 ·
I reset mine when starting the Rubicon trail 4.3mpg
 
#6 ·
trusting the computer is insane. fill before the run. clock the mileage. record the gallons to refill.

and trusting us in insane. even honest answers might not be accurate for your use/application.
 
#19 ·
Trusting the computer is insane. Fill before the run. Clock the mileage. Record the gallons to refill.

and trusting us in insane. Even honest answers might not be accurate for your use/application.
The trails you are going to run will be different than the trails I drive. Your driving habits differ. Different climate most likely.

Keep a log of your gas usage for say a month. Fill before and after each trip as close to the trail head that you can.
Rate the trails that you drive. Then you'll have a basis for your off road fuel consumption.

Personally, I don't recall going anywhere off road here on the east coast where I burned more than a half tank.
 
#7 ·
Ouch.

Maybe I'll put a RTT on a 500gal fuel trailer. lol
 
#8 ·
Yeah, it's a tough job to have to spend time on the trail, but someone has to do it! ;)
If it works out better for you, you would be welcome to finish up the projects on my rig, and I'll fill in for you on the trail. Buddies got to look out for each other... :rofl:

If you are going to be in 4-hi, and flowing along at 20+mph average speed, your 15mpg may work.

I did the Mojave road which is a lot of sand washes, climbing up over 4,000' ASL and dropping down through canyons. Averaged 12.5 mpg with the auto. Trail speed over the 2+ days was a bit better than 25mph averaged over the 140+ miles.

One thing to consider is when off road it is much safer, and better for your fuel pump, to not drop below 1/4 tank.
So better to calculate with 14 gallons in the tank too work off of.

Let me know if you want to switch, I'll have the tools warmed up for ya. :D
 
#13 ·
The last 400 or so miles in the 2015 JKU have been all sand ranging from soft steep dunes to sandy trails and the open beach. Very little 4 low but a lot of heavy on the throttle climbing and pulling through deep stuff. I've been running about 10.
 
#14 ·
Lots of good info here guys, thank you.

Using the 1/4 tank rule and estimating 12mpg average due to lots of 2wd, 4-5th gear roads, I think I can still make the whole 340mi if I add one more gas can. And with the 1/4 tank left to preserve the pump, that gives me ~40mi reserve, just in case.

We'd be staying at a lodge in the woods half way through. Maybe I can work out a deal with them to have two cans ready to go, so I don't have to carry it all.

I'll definitely have to get Comanche Scott to do some testing to get the numbers of my rig worked out, but you guys have given me a good baseline to plan from.

Thanks!

Now, I got to get to work on Comanche's rig. He wants an aluminum spoiler welded to the hardtop. Not sure why (or how), but it's his machine and it's what he wants. ;)
 
#18 ·
Big aero wing to the rescue!

Lots of good info here guys, thank you.

Using the 1/4 tank rule and estimating 12mpg average due to lots of 2wd, 4-5th gear roads, I think I can still make the whole 340mi if I add one more gas can. And with the 1/4 tank left to preserve the pump, that gives me ~40mi reserve, just in case.

We'd be staying at a lodge in the woods half way through. Maybe I can work out a deal with them to have two cans ready to go, so I don't have to carry it all.

I'll definitely have to get Comanche Scott to do some testing to get the numbers of my rig worked out, but you guys have given me a good baseline to plan from.

Thanks!

Now, I got to get to work on Comanche's rig. He wants an aluminum spoiler welded to the hardtop. Not sure why (or how), but it's his machine and it's what he wants. ;)

Right on! The welder will be ready. :)
Wheeling brothers got to stick together... :rofl:

Hope the trip is epic fun! :thumb:
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top