BAD gas Mileage

[garyl44]

I have a 1998 Mountain Aire 37ft on a ford chassie. It also has a tag axle, with the last year with a 460 gas. I only get around 5 miles to the gal. Never above 6. It is getting to exspensive to drive with gas so high. I was just wondering what other RVers were getting with the same type of rig. I also have the complete Banks system with the transmission shift module also from Banks. I was wondering if it would help to have computer reprogramed. Ford did not think it would help. Garyl44

[garyl44]

I have a 1998 Mountain Aire 37ft on a ford chassie. It also has a tag axle, with the last year with a 460 gas. I only get around 5 miles to the gal. Never above 6. It is getting to exspensive to drive with gas so high. I was just wondering what other RVers were getting with the same type of rig. I also have the complete Banks system with the transmission shift module also from Banks. I was wondering if it would help to have computer reprogramed. Ford did not think it would help. Garyl44

[garyl44]

To original post I have never yet got up to 6 miles to gallon. I drive between 55 to 60. Mostly 55. I keep tire pressure to 80lbs. I know things about motor homes third one I have owned. The other ones were 454s. First time with Ford. I bought the unit new. I could use some good advise. Thank you

[Maca3780]

Hi garyl44,
I have 1997 MountainAire 37ft with a tag axel, on a Ford chassis and the V-8 460 with the complete Banks Power Pack, and I'am doing 6,5 miles per U.S. gallon (9 in imperial gallon). The engine have 30 000 miles on it and it's running on 10W30 Mobil 1 synthetic oil. I drive at 62 miles per hour (100km/h) on the highway. And I'am very polite wiht the gaz pedal. The only advise I can tell you; clean your K&N air filter (change the little one under it to, he look like a mustache) change your spark plug for platine one.

Are you running with the engine A/C on often? I don't know how much difference it can make but it surely don't help for the gaz/milage. For my part I rarely put the A/C on. We live 3" below north pole, so we don't need it that much.
The front caliper on mine have a tendacy to grip so it made a restriction. I change both. I have to re do the one on the left front end this sping.

Hope it help.
Ciao

[george henry]

You are not alone , we all get bad gas mileage. But it is a Condo On Wheels.

["007"]

Welcome both garyl44 and Maca3780 to the Newmar forum and irv2.
I got the same mileage with my 98-99 coachs with Banks sys also. The Banks gave you some extra power in the rear tires but didn't improve mileage.
Brazels RV has been working on improving mileage on the Ford V-10 engines not sure what they have done for 460 engine. The link will give you the number to contact and they are one of our sponsors and will help you out with questions.
The engines I had were V-10's with Banks and most mpg I could get was between 6-7 on flats thru NC.SC ON #95.
I'll also short cut your question to Ford chassis forum which they monitor.
Gary did you ever have your coach weight for correct tire pressures for your type tires maybe you have to big a foot print on road surface and need more air in them.
My present coach on WH Chev-8.1 engine will give me 7.5 to 9 mpg after reprogram from Brazels where I was before only getting 6.1 to 6.9.
Enjoy the forums and do post often.

[N8XV]

I had a Ford pickup several years ago with a 460. It got 6.5 MPG running empty of loaded with a camper plus pulling at travel trailer.

[TomBr]

Mine is a 1994 Coachmen on the F-53 with the 460, completely stock. I have averaged 6.94 mpg over the last 7,000 miles. I haven't been in mountains much except for east Tennessee, and normally run in the 65 mph range. My normal running weight is about 15,500 lbs, as I have only a 32 foot unit.

[chicken legs]

I had a 1994 Fleetwood 31 foot with the 460 and full banks system, exhaust, air , and trans kit. It got 8.5 mpg under almost any condition. It had great power on the hills and really performed well and consistently. I'd look hard at banks to help out the 460 it really wakes it up.

[Harm]

I had a 1991 Pace Arrow 35' single axle with the Ford 460 and never got over 5.5 MPG with stock motor whether towing or not.
I think it's just the nature of the beast!

[Racedog]

We have a 92 Winnebago Chieftain, 32' running the Ford 460. I keep mileage records and in the last year with a total of 8000 plus miles we have averaged 10 mpg. I tend to run at 60 on the highway (sometimes a little faster) and on shorter, close to home trips I run just a hair under 60. I also am polite to the point of probably making anyone behind me crazy when I start out from a stop. Trying to get up to speed quickly is a monster mileage killers in these rolling homes.

I also add a quart of Lucas gas additive with each fill up. The stuff costs about $10 a quart but I swear by it. We have just a hair under 50,000 miles on the Winne and have had no major engine issues. We keep the oil changed like clockwork and use Mobil 1. We check the engine regularly and replace fluids etc. The coach runs extremely well and strong. No addons to the engine, just a stock 460.

R

[jupoa]

On a trip of a little over 2400 miles my 97 Aerbus 3250 got just a hair over 7 miles per gallon. I use 10W30 Mobil 1 and run Michelin tires with 85 psi. The thing is, I set my cruise for 70mph, headwinds and long grades permitting. On really long grades I just mash the pedal and do the best I can. The power train is stock as far as I know.

[hookonrv]

I have a 89 winnobago, 460 fuel inj. ,with a C6 trans ( no overdrive) and get 6 - 7 , occasionally close to 8 on the freeway.
Wonder a banks system will help a older unit like mine?

[TXiceman]

6 to 7 mpg is about all you can get with the rig you have. What will help more than anything is to slow down.

We had a 89 34' Pace Arrow with the 454 Chebbie engine and lots of times all we could do was 5 to 6 mpg trying to run 70 mph and towing a dinghy.

ken