Community Forums

FredV · 08-24-2014, 06:48 PM

We had a 27' 5th wheel towed by a 2000 GMC 2500 pickup .Our best mileage for our gas powered rig was 9 mpg . We could only get 14 mpg touring around in the truck . Now with our 2000 Tropi-cal towing our HHR we get between 7.0 and 8.2 mpg. The real difference is that we get 28 to 36 mpg while touring in the HHR. The 5:38 final drive ratio isn't conducive to good gas mileage either.

70gsconvt · 10-22-2014, 09:10 AM

Just filled up after about 600 miles.....7.5 mpg. Not too horrible I guess.

rlyons · 10-30-2014, 10:30 PM

The ones claiming 12 to 14 are either the liars or the drinkers.

you can expect 6.5 to 7 and maybe sometimes 8 but that is about it. Why are you in such a hurry? Life is too short, I drive 62 and enjoy the scenery, your arrival time will be within minutes between 62 and 70, slow down and enjoy life.

Lincolnut · 10-31-2014, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rlyons

The ones claiming 12 to 14 are either the liars or the drinkers.

you can expect 6.5 to 7 and maybe sometimes 8 but that is about it. Why are you in such a hurry? Life is too short, I drive 62 and enjoy the scenery, your arrival time will be within minutes between 62 and 70, slow down and enjoy life.

What he said...............Slow down..............

Mike

wa8yxm · 10-31-2014, 08:04 AM

7MPH with a 31 foot and a Diesel sounds about right.. I get 8 with gasoline and a 38' Motor home towing a 4,000 Lumina APV, bit less towing a 2500 pound Dodge Neon (And yes I know way th difference, two valid reasons, only one of which is obvious (improved air flow with the Lumina).

I found 55-60 MPH gives best gas millage with my rig, Faster the fuel gauge goes down faster than the speedometer goes up.

Washing and Waxing also helps.. Without a towed I'd get around 9MPG less I'd just waxed it, hit 11 then but I'm not sure it was all the wax (Breeze may have helped a bit) once hit 13.8 but I had a real nice breeze helping that day (Weather bureau said 100MPH directly astern I mean the tumble weeds were going STRAIGHT down the road and way faster than I was) .

But your 7 for a 31' with a Diesel sounds reasonable.

Virago-Rider · 10-31-2014, 08:17 AM

Just did a trip through the twisty turny hills of NW arkansas, pulling a chevy Uplander on a tow dolly. Got 7 mpg

🚌🚍🚌
1998 Thor Windsport 33SL on 1997 F53 chassis.
2007 Chevy Uplander TOAD.
1985 Yamaha Virago XV700

Sent from my iPad2 using iRV2 - RV Forum

Tetonchief · 10-31-2014, 08:22 AM

Aerodynamics are a huge factor. For a personal vehicle I have a 2009 Scion xB (the 2nd generation toaster) with a manual trans. At 55-62 mph I can get over 30mpg, at 70-80 the mpg drops like a rock to 26-28 mpg. Those figures (55-62) are even when I am fully loaded and towing my Harley on a Kendon trailer (I don't tow the Harley over 65 mph). Easing away from stops and planning stops well in advance with letting the vehicle slow with minimal brake usage helps a great deal too.

TeJay · 11-01-2014, 07:55 AM

V-Rider,
Did you travel up or down the old I-540 (new I-49)? That's a beautiful drive through the mountains. We live in the Rogers area and travel that route often and never fail to love and appreciate it's beauty.

TeJay

Virago-Rider · 11-01-2014, 08:02 AM

The gps said we were on 540. But, all the signs on the highway said 49.

Yes, very beautiful. We came down 65 from branson to 412. Then over to 540/49.

Down to 30 mph on some hills, but I wasn't in any hurry.

🚌🚍🚌
1998 Thor Windsport 33SL on 1997 F53 chassis.
2007 Chevy Uplander TOAD.
1985 Yamaha Virago XV700

Sent from my iPad2 using iRV2 - RV Forum

bamaboy473 · 11-01-2014, 08:13 AM

Call me a crazy drunk, or very lucky to have what I have.

37' weighs in at 25,000 pounds, and has 12,500 miles (which is just at break-in for a Cummins 300HP, from what we hear)

non-mountain driving from AL to TX and back saw 9.5 on average. About a 50/50 split of interstate and rural roads. 61-62 was our most common speed.

TeJay · 11-01-2014, 02:06 PM

V-Rider,
Yep they changed the signs a few months ago. I guess it's going to be a new N S route practically splitting the U.S. from International falls MI way south to who knows where.
You passed withing 10 miles of my house.

TeJay

sheprrick · 11-02-2014, 06:55 PM

*TeJay
It is a 2014 Ford F53 Chassis manufactured 12 of 2013 and the coach is a
2015 Forest River Georgetown XL Built June 2014.
It has the Ford 8.6 CI V10 engine 5 speed Transmission. The TOE IN issue is
very hard to understand as the Factory screwed up and sent this unit to
Johnstown Ohio before having it brought back to Elkhart dealership. I had
the front end aligned in Sioux Falls SD and the chassis inspected by the
Jordan Ford dealership at Mishawaka, Indiana, who also moved the front sway
barb mounting that did tighten the suspension a little. The rear sway is
mounted to the frame via the rear strut bars.
I am in Florida now and Thursday past while coming thru Vienna Ga, there
was a gust of wind that sent the right side into a dump truck, breaking his
fender mirror and damaging my right mirror to the point I am waiting for a
new one to come in.
I think I am going to add the stabilizer bar to the front and the TRAK bar
to the read. After that my only choice would be in my opinion find a
different coach.
FYI I have Michelin Tires that on my last journey to Florida I had place
the front tire pressures at 85 lb based on a message posted by RODZ.
I will advise when I get further done.
sheprrick

wackymac · 11-03-2014, 04:09 AM

You can't get a real MPG reading in 300 miles, IMHO. You need to put MORE miles on it to get a good average. We put 6000 miles on our MH in one trip and averaged 8.3 MPG driving 55 to 60 mph.

brobox · 11-03-2014, 04:41 AM

I have a theory about those that slow too much, (55mph) to save a mile per gallon. If you travel 80 miles per day less (10mph for 8 hours) over 5 days that is 400 miles. 400 miles less traveled is another night in an RV park, now over $35. a night average. There went the fuel saving unless you are a Walmart camper.

To the OP 7 MPG is very normal. I am breaking in a new MH and will be pleased when I reach the 7 MPG range.