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The rear axle ratio is chosen to work on conjunction with the engine size, transmission gearing and tire size to produce some desirable level of performance with a certain size/weight of coach. In other words, you can't look at axle ratio only and make a conclusion.
Some drivers tend to accelerate & decelerate rather sharply and often, while others are more gradual. That can add up to a noticeable difference in mpg over several hundred miles. The more you can avoid accelerating and decelerating, the better the mpg will be.
On my '04 Tradition, there is a noticeable difference between two lane highways and cruising the interstate, even when speeds are close. If I can maintain a steady 62-64 mph for an hour, I see 8+ mpg, but on a two-lane at 55-60 it drops to 7.2-7.6, even when traffic is light. I think it is simply because of more speed variation, e.g. traffic, curves, etc. such that I spend a bit more time in 5th gear rather than a steady 6th. Nothing extreme, but it adds up.
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Gary Brinck
Former owner of 2004 American Tradition and several other RVs
Home is now West Palm Beach, FL
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