MH mileage reduced because of Toad?

[Chipster123]

Greetings,
Just got out ‘19 Allegro 34PA, only 5K miles on it. My question is: what has been your experience with the mileage being reduced when one has a Toad behind ??? I realize the type of toad vehicle, it’s shape, weight, and aerodynamics are going to play a big part. Can I expect a 5%, 10%, 30% reduction in my mileage? I mean does a small car like a Mini Cooper increase the mileage by disrupting the low pressure area behind the coach?
As you can tell,,,, I’m confused. (not a new situation) Or am I overthinking it?

I’d appreciate any comments.

In GOD we Trust

[Old-Biscuit]

You are overthinking it....

Your MH is a Box on wheels pushing thru the air

Wind resistance is key factor in MPG

Large trucking firms add side skirts, cap deflectors, rear dampeners to gain ever little % increase in MPG because they travel 100,000s miles each year

RVs get 8-10 MPG best case be it a Box on wheels or truck/trailer combo

Will less wind drag due to toad increase your mileage....maybe
But it would take measurements in a wind tunnel to come up with the difference

Hookup...go camping...enjoy

[alank]

What kind of mileage do get just driving the coach, or do you know yet. If you don't know, I assume you don't know about pulling a car. I've never driven our coaches without a car, so I don't know, we always need a car, so it always goes with us, doesn't make any difference what the mileage might be without it.

Another poster here on the forum said he got better mileage pulling a Chev Equinox sized vehicle behind his coach than he did pulling his small car that is comparable to the Mini you asked about. Apparently, the larger SUV fit the wind stream behind the coach better than the small car.

Don't mean to add to your confusion, but some things just have too many variables for a definite answer.

[zombiewoof]

Steady state, flat roads, your toad will have little effect on mileage. It is only rolling resistance under these conditions, which is minimal. Hauling an extra 3000 lbs going up mountains will have more of an affect. I have a totally different motorhome (Allegro Bus) and toad (Wrangler JLU). My toad costs me about .3 MPG.

You’re overthinking this. Go forth and enjoy the adventure��.

In COMMON SENSE, CRITICAL THINKING, SCIENCE, and FACTUAL DATA we trust.

[Treetopguy]

I have a 2021 Allegro red 340. I average 10 to 10.5 mpg while pulling a 5,000 lb. lincoln MKX.
the 10.5 was a trip from OKC to Myrtle Beach, SC. The 10.0 was a trip from OKC to Spearfish , SD.
The few times (twice) I have not used a toad , I got 11.1 mpg.
That's all I can tell you from experience.

Sent from my SM-G950U using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

[dmctlc]

We have a lincoln MKX about 4300 lbs towed by our 45'DP. I'd say I'm probably losing about .2-.4 mpg depending on whether flat or very hilly. I had another AWD Lincoln MKX when we had a Class A Gasser V10 and it probably had about the same loss IMO when we drove only the Class A and DW drove to places closer to where we lived.

[SamKVA]

Originally Posted by Treetopguy

I have a 2021 Allegro red 340. I average 10 to 10.5 mpg while pulling a 5,000 lb. lincoln MKX.
the 10.5 was a trip from OKC to Myrtle Beach, SC. The 10.0 was a trip from OKC to Spearfish , SD.
The few times (twice) I have not used a toad , I got 11.1 mpg.
That's all I can tell you from experience.

Sent from my SM-G950U using iRV2 - RV Forum mobile app

I'm impressed you get get such good MPG. We average 7.8- 8.2 up and down the East Coast U.S with or without the TOAD. Travel with your TOAD and don't think twice about MPG. Can't really enjoy the visiting areas without it.

Sam

[Unplanned Tourist]

I pull a 2010 Ford Ranger with bicycles and a dry box. It weighs right around 4000 pounds. The mileage drops by around 10% with it behind.

Our rig is a 2008 38+ foot MH with the 8.1 Chevrolet Workhorse W24 chassis. Depending on the fuel and tank levels, it's around 22,000 pounds. Lots of hills around and I try to stay under 60 mph.

Your mileage may vary.

[Crasher]

One thing you can be sure of is that your MPG will not go up with the Mini behind. You're adding more weight to move down the road and four more wheels with rolling resistance. A 5-10% reduction in economy is normal from my experience. Buy a toad for your personal riding comfort and utility and not for towing efficiency. The mileage difference between a 3,000# and 4,000# toad will be insignificant. I pulled a 6300# Avalanche because it is the best overall vehicle I have ever owned.

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by zombiewoof

Steady state, flat roads, your toad will have little effect on mileage. It is only rolling resistance under these conditions, which is minimal. Hauling an extra 3000 lbs going up mountains will have more of an affect. I have a totally different motorhome (Allegro Bus) and toad (Wrangler JLU). My toad costs me about .3 MPG.

You’re overthinking this. Go forth and enjoy the adventure��.

In COMMON SENSE, CRITICAL THINKING, SCIENCE, and FACTUAL DATA we trust.

Best answer.


Yes, it depends on terrain. Little effect on flat roads. More on grades.

[Orrin]

I pull a 2014 CR-V behind our rig and it makes very little difference. Your speed with make more effect on your fuel mileage.

[dizcom]

You probably won't notice a difference. With our current rig we get about 8 MPG. Up hill, down hill, toad, no toad, wind, rain, pixies, it doesn't matter, we get about 8. Our previous coach was a gasser and we had the same experience. Overall, it didn't matter, we got the same mileage with the toad that we got without it.

[MtCamper]

I don't think you'll see enough difference to calculate any mpg change. I never tried when we had our DP but I've towed the current setup enough both with and without the Jeep that I think the Jeep costs about .5 to 1 mpg. Not significant enough to worry about. The situation may change if you are towing with a Class B. A toad may cut more into their mpg.

[Chipster123]

To all who responded to my mileage query… THANK YOU!!! As usual, Great info for my one little brain cell to digest. Basically,,,, keep the rubber down,, tow what makes you feel good, enjoy LIFE & being on the road//camping, & take it easy with the right foot…

In GOD we Trust