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Old 12-14-2017, 01:12 PM   #1
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Increase in gas mileage

We currently have a 30' 2012 Monaco Lapalma gasser with a toad. We are now wintering in Phoenix, and made the trip from Columbus, OH in early Nov. During the beginning of the trip (columbus to Amarillo), I generally drove between 65 and 70 mph. My DW did some mileage calculations while we were stopped in Amarillo, and found that we were getting 5.1 mpg! After hearing this, I made a conscious effort to keep my speed at 60 mph. Our mileage jumped to 7.2 mpg for the rest of the trip! I couldn't believe that lowering the speed by 5 - 10 mph could increase our mileage by 40%!

From now on, 60 is going to be my top speed! Any other tips for increasing mileage, short of mounting a sail on the roof?
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:17 PM   #2
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Reduce weight and slow down are the two top ways to increase fuel economy. Also be sure your tires are aired up properly.
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:18 PM   #3
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Always drive downhill. And with the wind at your back. Besides, speed kills!
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:42 PM   #4
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Head wind makes a big difference. We had a head wind onetime so bad we could barely drive over 55mph in our last RV. Thats one of the reasons we went to diesel. With people running 80mph its not safe to run 55mph.
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:46 PM   #5
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I'll gladly let you pass at 80, I'm sticking to 55. When your front tire blows at 80, you're headin' to the ditch. Less speed, more time for me to get it under control. What's the hurry, anyway, I'm retired.
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:55 PM   #6
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jayc2640 View Post
We currently have a 30' 2012 Monaco Lapalma gasser with a toad. We are now wintering in Phoenix, and made the trip from Columbus, OH in early Nov. During the beginning of the trip (columbus to Amarillo), I generally drove between 65 and 70 mph. My DW did some mileage calculations while we were stopped in Amarillo, and found that we were getting 5.1 mpg! After hearing this, I made a conscious effort to keep my speed at 60 mph. Our mileage jumped to 7.2 mpg for the rest of the trip! I couldn't believe that lowering the speed by 5 - 10 mph could increase our mileage by 40%!

From now on, 60 is going to be my top speed! Any other tips for increasing mileage, short of mounting a sail on the roof?
Maybe not. There are 2 other things that affected your MPG.

1 - Winter gas formulation - you may have gotten it in the north but not the further south you went

2 - Cold temperatures lower your mpg - colder in the north then in the south
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:57 PM   #7
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I'v been watching the shoulders of the highways for all the rear ended, slow moving ( 55 MPH ) vehicles. Haven't see any yet. I drive my MH at 55 - 60 MPH and no ones hit me yet.

I sometimes drive 80 MPH in my toad. Haven't rear ended anything yet, and that's since 1970.
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Old 12-14-2017, 01:59 PM   #8
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Winter gas? Cold temps? Trivial when compared to the effect of speed.
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Old 12-14-2017, 02:18 PM   #9
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Headwinds, mountainous terrain, air temperature (winter/summer), altitude, gas formula (i.e. 85 vs 87 octain)

Hold a regular driving pattern over the entire trip, in both directions, then calculate what you see...

However, we agree, 10 mph can make a significant difference. Our 35ft Southwind weighs about 23,000 lbs with toad, the 275hp Ford V10 is averaging about 7.5 mpg throughout an entire 1500 mile round trip, with various altitudes..

I usually hand around 62-65 mph..
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Old 12-14-2017, 02:20 PM   #10
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I didn't say I run 80mph. I said other people around me are. I normally run with the semis around 65 to 68.
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Old 12-14-2017, 02:39 PM   #11
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Driving 55 in an rv could present a danger of not being seen...hmmm
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Old 12-14-2017, 02:44 PM   #12
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Slowing down saves fuel, remember in the 70's during the oil embargo? The national speed limit was reduced to 55 MPH as a way for the country to reduce imported fuel. If driving 55 is legal, that's what I do. I'm sure many drivers have tried the excuse of doing 80 MPH to a officer in the defense of keeping up with traffic. Besides, driving 55 is so much more relaxing and that's what this stage of my life is all about, relaxing.
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Old 12-14-2017, 02:45 PM   #13
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Originally Posted by cruzbill View Post
I'll gladly let you pass at 80, I'm sticking to 55. When your front tire blows at 80, you're headin' to the ditch. Less speed, more time for me to get it under control. What's the hurry, anyway, I'm retired.
I'm with you Cruzbill! I want to have a good look at what I'm passing by, might even stop for a hike around.
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Old 12-14-2017, 03:10 PM   #14
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I made a conscious effort to keep my speed at 60 mph. Our mileage jumped to 7.2 mpg for the rest of the trip! I couldn't believe that lowering the speed by 5 - 10 mph could increase our mileage by 40%!
Wind resistance increases with the square of the speed, so a 20% increase in speed (from 60 to 72) produces a 44% increase in the effect of the air mass on the front of the coach. Your engine has to burn a lot of fuel to push that out air of the way. Even weight is insignificant compared to that (unless hauling it uphill). On the level, the only effect of weight is slightly greater tire rolling resistance.
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