Community Forums

Lancy · 02-17-2015, 12:55 AM

I have a 2012 Monaco Vesta 35PBD. Purchased Nov 2013. Put 17,000 miles on it and still not getting more than 8.1 mpg, a far cry from the advertised 14mpg. Navistar recall for calibration completed two months after purchase. Tried different speeds, no towed vehicle for first 5,000 miles and now tow 3000lb toyota truck with no significant change in mpg average. Usually drive good roads using cruise control at posted speed limit or just below. If anyone has suggestions on what to do to improve mpg, would be appreciated. Also, have the much talked about check engine light intermittantly. No wobble at the moment but lately feel slight wobble after going over bumps at highway speeds. Any help would be appreciated.

edsperfect · 02-17-2015, 05:32 AM

Of course the manufacturer calculated the mileage on a flat road with an empty coach, no water, little fuel. You add bedding, dushes, a load of water and more the milage will go down

spritz · 02-17-2015, 06:01 AM

I get 8 miles no matter how I drive her w/toad and with out toad I get the same. 55 or 60.
I agree with the other poster.
I have never gotten the millage that the Manufacturing Company's say I'd get.
When I drove OTR I got 6.1 at 75-80,000 lbs so I thought I would get at least 11-14 mpg with my MH.

Hasn't happened yet.
JS
Tim

PushedAround · 02-17-2015, 06:09 AM

Sounds very low to me as well. I get between 9.5 & 10 pulling our toad, and we go quite a bit heavier than you do. I'd expect mileage above 10 for your Vesta. 14 sounds unrealistic as many diesel pickups pulling light trailers can barely get that.

Pa Miller · 02-17-2015, 06:11 AM

Wow I can't believe they claimed they could get 14 mpg !

ahicks · 02-17-2015, 06:37 AM

I can't believe somebody would believe a manf. spec. like that....

I've NEVER been able to hit a manf's mileage spec. with anything.

NITEHAWK · 02-17-2015, 06:50 AM

Remember, you are driving a vehicle that has all the attributes of a brick! A headwind can knock your mileage way down. Our 36' diesel coach, towing a Geo Tracker, went from an average of 9.1 MPG down to 5.2 MPG when bucking a headwind of 35 MPG.
Tire inflation can effect your MPG, along with any air restriction on your air intake. Always check the air filter.
Steady smooth acceleration from a stop until attaining the optimum speed and RPM will help. I watch my tach and try to drive at the speed that keeps the RPM low while holding the speed I desire. I reach speed, let up on the accelerator, and then gently step down on the accelerator until I get the speed up to what I want. Does it work? Don't know for positive but I like to think so. I've been doing it for 56 years.

wa8yxm · 02-17-2015, 07:41 AM

8.1 sounds about right for a 35 footer to me.

doc · 02-17-2015, 08:49 AM

ahicks has a point. When we had a 2000 Itasca Horizon with the 300 Cat engine, we spent a good deal of time in the great plains states. Headed west one season and it was like it was not using any fuel at all. Very quiet. Pulled over to check the towed and the tires and when I opened the door to step out the wind was blowing so hard to snatched it out of my hands. Got a little of 11 that trip.
Texas across Oklahoma wind out of the SE and I thought we would never get there. Mileage was almost 7. Wind about the same speed. Aerodynamics is just another long word when talking about the design of these monsters

grassy · 02-17-2015, 08:54 AM

People actually the estimated gas mileage of a new vehicle.. ? There has been bunches of TV shows showing how this is a trumped up number...

GaryKD · 02-17-2015, 09:00 AM

Hi Lancy,
If you would like to compare with me, here are my stats:
1. flat Interstate highway
2. cruise control engaged and travel at 60 MPH
3. no wind (to help or hurt)
4. total weight being moved is 37K lbs +/-
5. 10 year old coach with 99K miles
6. Cummins ISC 330 HP power plant
7. not too hot or cold

I average 7.9 to 8.4 MPG. This is confirmed with the Scan Gage and manual filling of the tank. All this being said, any of the above mentioned items can throw the MPG out the window.

If you can determine the environmental conditions are as stated and you travel at 60 MPH, one could compare my results with what you get. All things being equal, if you are considerably lighter than me, you should be at a higher MPG.

CampingCajun · 02-17-2015, 01:35 PM

Even under optimal conditions with everything right it is still a large brick on wheels.

Lanny1763 · 02-17-2015, 02:06 PM

One of the first things I was told when getting into RVing, it's expensive. If I can average between 7-8 towing the toad, I feel like I'm doing o.k. It figures that while I'm wintering down in lower AL, diesel prices are around $2.50 and I'm not driving!!!

CampDaven · 02-17-2015, 02:28 PM

I get 7.5. 37.3K lbs and toad.
200 mile avg move is <100 bucks. My Wrangler takes over from there.
Previous rig was about 10 with 26K lbs plus toad. Was advertized at 14.2 dead empty, flat course. No surprise there.
The right foot does a lot plus or minus.