So before I was getting 16.3mpg, and the last fillup (with 240lbs of sand) got me 14.8mpg.

Does that sound like an average change with that much weight?

Dont forget gas stations put more alcohol in the gas in winter time so it wont freeze so thats prob another reason why your gas milage is down..

I gave up watching my mpg with the 3.0 I just drive the damn thing and dont worry lol. Even adding sandbags I could careless what i get lol.

Also looks like you got oversized tires for your ranger compared to the stockers, Im assuming your truck came with 14 inch stockers So even with the new tires your not calculating the right mpg.

Hmm...I didn't consider the alcohol increase, so that might be a contributing factor.

Otherwise, I already know that the bigger tires affect the speed by ~8% (using some simple math), so the #'s I posted are actual mpg values...not the ones I get through my odometer. If that was the case, then I'd only be getting 13.7mpg on my last tank

ya i stoped also lol ive been gettign 10-12mpg without sand lol the BF AT'S did very well with yesterdays little snow we got didnt really slide much but stopping forget it lol i'm like a big sled.

I know I have a 4.0 but with my sand (280 lbs) and the winter gas I filled up last night at got about 18.5, that's down from my usual summer time number of 21, so I would say the drop you got is better than mine. Mind you, 90% of my driving is stop and go........

I am with you guys on that issue... I normally get right aroung 16MPG around 220 miles a fill up with my 33's. I put in 300lbs of sand bags...(is that to much?) and now my last fill up I only got about 185 miles on that tank. Maby I should take a bag out.(60 lbs each)

Go with what you feel comfortable with. I just put another salt bag in the bed and I'm now around 200lbs, which is good for me. If you're serious as to what everyone has or different set-ups, try the search, as this has been discussed before.

i doub tthat adding the sand will really matter, your trucks designed for weight and its just like having a fat guy with you in the passenger seat...

i dont add any weight. my big fat butt is enuff weight.

i use to put 2 sand tubes that are 80lbs each and 1 25lb bag of rock salt but now i got some good AT tires and its doing fine.

but make sure the sand is above the axil and no anywhere else. if the sand is behind the axil it could make u do a tail whip when going around corners and not expect it. it swings around with the truck around a bend and the momentum can be eboufgh to make u loose controll.

i just fill my gas tank every time it is bad weather seems to be enoufgh for it.

How long, if at all, do you let the truck warm up in the morning? The longer you let it idle, the more gas you waste. That will affect your calculated mpg, but your actual mpg may not have changed.

That could explain why my truck started pinging like hell after my last fill up.

"Also, a lot people don't let their motor warm up enough. They just start it up and go. You're not going to get nearly as good gas mileage with a cold motor vs. hot/normal temp. motor. Now this would affect people more that travel a short distance as their motor doesn't have any time to warm up.

Another thing, check your tire pressure. It may have gone with the cold temps."