ORV=lower MPGs?

[kone]

Thanks to all who’ve played along and took the time to pass along your experiences. Being a newbie is not fun, I can remember the same dumb feeling when I got into boating many years ago but thanks to great people willing to help and share I got myself educated and am now able to pay it forward.

In my mind and wallet the difference between 9 and 12 over many miles is worth investigation.

[wa8yxm]

I'm not sure what you mean by ORV's here. IF you mean like a 4-Runner I have no comment.

If you mean a JEEP v/s say a Dodge Neon Well yes. the 4WD version is heavier by virtue of added hardware and that will have an effect on your MPG.

Of course a good WAX job on the big rig has an effect on the MPG too. which is why I waxed mine last week

Also I was surprised when I read MPG ratings on modern jeeps.. LIke half my Neon's (That's when I'm not towing it) I would love to have a jeep but not at less than 20 MPG .

[brulaz]

As already mentioned, aerodynamics, driving style, wind speed and direction, weight are all important.

Have heard of very good mileage from folks pulling Airstreams, as they're built close to the road and are more streamlined.

I keep close tabs on ours. Pulling a ~8500# 2011 ORV TR 240RKS we get ~11 mpg with our 4x4 RAM 2500 diesel, and ~10 mpg with our 4x2 F150 EcoB. I do drive a bit faster with the RAM (~65 mph). And that's over ~44K miles all around N.A.

Prior to the ORV we had a light weight (~4300#), 26' trailer with less frontal area (~20% less?). The 4x2 F150 EcoB averaged ~12 mpg pulling that over 13.5K miles. That's about a 20% improvement in mileage.

[kone]

Originally Posted by brulaz

As already mentioned, aerodynamics, driving style, wind speed and direction, weight are all important.

Have heard of very good mileage from folks pulling Airstreams, as they're built close to the road and are more streamlined.

I keep close tabs on ours. Pulling a ~8500# 2011 ORV TR 240RKS we get ~11 mpg with our 4x4 RAM 2500 diesel, and ~10 mpg with our 4x2 F150 EcoB. I do drive a bit faster with the RAM (~65 mph). And that's over ~44K miles all around N.A.

Prior to the ORV we had a light weight (~4300#), 26' trailer with less frontal area (~20%?). The 4x2 F150 EcoB averaged ~12 mpg pulling that over 13.5K miles. That's about a 20% improvement in mileage.

Very good info. Thanks.

[ajohansson]

Here we go. Wind tunnel testing on all RVs.

[GoLeafsGo]

Originally Posted by wa8yxm

I'm not sure what you mean by ORV's here. IF you mean like a 4-Runner I have no comment.

If you mean a JEEP v/s say a Dodge Neon Well yes. the 4WD version is heavier by virtue of added hardware and that will have an effect on your MPG.

Of course a good WAX job on the big rig has an effect on the MPG too. which is why I waxed mine last week

Also I was surprised when I read MPG ratings on modern jeeps.. LIke half my Neon's (That's when I'm not towing it) I would love to have a jeep but not at less than 20 MPG .

He means trailers built by Outdoors Manufacturing, not Off Road Vehicles.

[Superslif]

Originally Posted by dexters

I think you should look around for another TT. ORV is not only higher then others but they use heavier decals.

My 2005 Aerolite 9' 6" tall 3700 dry 12.25 mpg

My 2013 Aerolite 10' tall 4400 dry 11.25 mpg.

Current Timber Ridge 11' 6" tall 6600 dry 9-10 mpg ( only one trip so far )

[Cumminsfan]

Originally Posted by kone

Thanks to all who’ve played along and took the time to pass along your experiences. Being a newbie is not fun, I can remember the same dumb feeling when I got into boating many years ago but thanks to great people willing to help and share I got myself educated and am now able to pay it forward.

In my mind and wallet the difference between 9 and 12 over many miles is worth investigation.

Agree. It can add up if you tow a lot. I went from 9.5 to 11.5+. It is nice to have the extra 60 miles a tank when things get tight cause I decided to stretch it to the next town for fuel. I have a 36 gal tank and getting 2 mpg more than than I was getting with the previous truck does help.
JMHO though I highly doubt you'll get 12 mpg consistantly with a gasser unless you're towing a smaller narrower (7') lower (9.5"-10') travel trailer.
Something like an Airstream would help.

[dexters]

Originally Posted by Cumminsfan

Agree. It can add up if you tow a lot. I went from 9.5 to 11.5+. It is nice to have the extra 60 miles a tank when things get tight cause I decided to stretch it to the next town for fuel. I have a 36 gal tank and getting 2 mpg more than than I was getting with the previous truck does help.
JMHO though I highly doubt you'll get 12 mpg consistantly with a gasser unless you're towing a smaller narrower (7') lower (9.5"-10') travel trailer.
Something like an Airstream would help.

I do not think the cost or time difference of gas should affect which TT a person buys. Maybe if you take off the ORV decals you might get better mileage.

FULL TIME RVer
mpg miles totlal gallons
9.5 12,000 1,263
11.5 12,000 1,043
220 difference
2.75 cost/gallon

604 dollar difference

Working RVER
MPG Miles Gallons
9.5 4,000 421
11.5 4,000 348
73
2.75

201 Dollar Difference

[GoLeafsGo]

Originally Posted by dexters

I do not think the cost or time difference of gas should affect which TT a person buys. Maybe if you take off the ORV decals you might get better mileage.

FULL TIME RVer
mpg miles totlal gallons
9.5 12,000 1,263
11.5 12,000 1,043
220 difference
2.75 cost/gallon

604 dollar difference

Working RVER
MPG Miles Gallons
9.5 4,000 421
11.5 4,000 348
73
2.75

201 Dollar Difference

Thank you for the dose of reality.

[Lac]

Poor fuel mileage is the cost of doing business owning a travel trailer.
Don’t sweat the small stuff...it’s all small stuff.
The decals on ORVs are fuel killers.

There is always a Toyota Prius with a hammock.

Coops

[Frontier]

6.5mpg with a 5.0liter gasser pulling a 8000lbs tiny house. I bet you can beat that! Think positive!

[dix39]

I would go with the RV that has the features you like and provides the best mpg. Whatever the amount, IMHO, it's better to keep it than to throw it away. I guess that depends somewhat on how much of it you have to begin with.

IMHO, a taller vehicle will be more difficult to control in windy conditions.

Engine rpm will depend on the vehicle gearing. For best mpg I've always tried to arrange that so the engine runs at, or a little past, peak torque at cruising speed. That will vary from engine to engine, especially gas to diesel.

Back when diesel was cheaper than gas determining which was more economical was easy. Now that diesel fuel is more expensive and there are also additives involved it's a little more difficult.

We've always had a 400-600 mile fuel capacity in our RV's. IMHO, more is better, it reduces the "worry" factor and adds convenience.

Steve

[brulaz]

Originally Posted by Superslif

My 2005 Aerolite 9' 6" tall 3700 dry 12.25 mpg

My 2013 Aerolite 10' tall 4400 dry 11.25 mpg.

Current Timber Ridge 11' 6" tall 6600 dry 9-10 mpg ( only one trip so far )

Your 2013 Aerolite agrees well with my experience with a similarly sized trailer (~12 mpg with a 4x2 F150 EcoB).