Efficiency is NOT MPG

[theholycow]

Your truck must not be a half-ton. I assumed so because it has a V6 but I suppose that they put the V6 in the heavier models back then.

http://www.internetautoguide.com/13-...fications.html

1997 Chevrolet K1500
Weights: gross vehicle weight rating (kg) 2,812, curb weight (kg) 2,071, gross trailer weight braked (kg) 2,268, gross trailer weight unbraked (kg) 454, front axle weight (kg) 1,633, rear axle weight (kg) 1,701, max legal load (kg) 741 and max trailer noseweight (kg) 272

Converted to lbs:
GVWR: 6186
Curb weight: 4556
Gross trailer weight braked: 4990

Don't know why GCWR isn't listed there, but that adds up to 9546 for GCWR.

http://www.edmunds.com/chevrolet/ck-1500-series/1997/

An alternative fuel version of the Vortec 5700 V-8 is newly available, but to get it consumers must order a C2500 Regular Cab Longbed equipped with 8,600 lb. GVWR, a 3.73 rear axle ratio, and an automatic transmission.

So even a 2500 model doesn't necessarily come with a GVWR of 8,600; your truck that weighs "7500 lbs empty" must be at least a 2500 model or is severely overloaded.

I'd love to be proven wrong by photos of the GVWR/GCWR label showing that it's a 1500 and has a GVWR of 8500+ (that'd be your 7500 net weight plus a meager 1000 pounds of payload). It would be a freak truck and I'd love to hear what option packages (see the RPO codes on the label in your glovebox) made it happen.