Fuel economy???

[dennyv]

I have a 2001 Itasca Suncruiser with the 8.1 vortec. I was told by the salesman to expect to get around 10 to 11 miles a gallon (he wouldn't lie to me or would he} anyway I seem to be getting 6.3 mpg. Is that normal or should I have it looked at. MH only has 31000 miles and seems to run very weel, just a little thirsty. Thanks

[homeless]

Run between 55 and 60 and keep your foot out of it going up hills. I let mine lug down until it gets to 45, then I will tickle it to drop into a lower gear.

[M&EM]

dennyv,

Your mileage is in the ball park. Follow previous posters advice and keep speeds down below 65 on the flat.

MPG depends on many variables: wind, vehicle loading, driving habits, and road conditions.

I have experienced an average MPG of 7.1 over the last 88000 miles calculated by fuel put in over that period. Generator usage adjustments varied that by less than .05 mpg.

That said, I have also seen 9-10 mpg on some trips.

I have also seen 5 on some too.

Marty

[StevenNSteph]

Originally Posted by M&EM

dennyv,

Your mileage is in the ball park. Follow previous posters advice and keep speeds down below 65 on the flat.

MPG depends on many variables: wind, vehicle loading, driving habits, and road conditions.

I have experienced an average MPG of 7.1 over the last 88000 miles calculated by fuel put in over that period. Generator usage adjustments varied that by less than .05 mpg.

That said, I have also seen 9-10 mpg on some trips.

I have also seen 5 on some too.

Marty

What he said.

I have averaged 7.18 full-timing in a W-24 with a 8.1. I try to keep my speed around 55-60. The one time I ran it 70+ my MPG dropped to 6.1. Also pulling mountains and headwinds impact the MPG a lot so I tend to go up slow and slow down a bit if fighting a big headwind.

[WeatherTodd]

you should have bound the salesperson to that statement...lol.

Aint no way you're getting that MPG in a class A. 6-7 is a more realistic #.
Dont know what your rig weighs...but look at the square footage cutting through the wind let alone the weight.
There is no "economy" when it comes to these units. If you cant fathom that... well youve got a long painful road of you.

[KSCRUDE]

We average about 3 to 7, give or take. I don't even check it anymore. Just try to keep it on the top half. Be we usually dry camp and run the Jenny a lot in hot weather, and some in cold. It is what it is. I fuel up, and usually throw the receipt in the trash at the pump. Don't really care. The bigger you go, the more fuel you will burn. It's still cheaper then a hotel, and you sleep in your own bed.

[89sandman]

You can get 10-11 going downhill with a tailwind, besides that your not ever gonna see that kind of mileage. If you own a MH why worry about mileage??? Cause they only get bad and worse When I'm selling one and people ask about mpg I just tell them if you have to ask you can't afford it...

[gruelens]

I was told by the salesman to expect to get around 10 to 11 miles a gallon...

Go back and ask the salesman to demonstrate those results on a test drive with him/her behind the wheel. Until that time, expect less ..... I get 7-8 mpg pulling a Saturn with a W25.5 chassis and Banks aftermarket kit (driving conservatively).

[Tyler6357]

What can I tell you? Hmmmm. This is all I can think of to save money on gas.
- Always have the correct tire pressure in each tire before you leave
- Wax coach and clean front window! A clean smooth exterior can improve gas mileage
- Travel light! If you don't need it, leave it at home!!
- Plan each leg of your trip around wind forecasts so you always have a tailwind. Literally, go where the wind blows you (or wait till the wind blows in the direction you want to go)
- Drive like you don't have brakes. A friend told me this once. The idea is to glide to a stop using your brakes as little as possible.
- Keep water tanks at near empty when traveling
- Don't put on heavy awnings that screw up the aerodynamics of your coach! Instead use a light canopy that you can take down and stow away for travel.
- Plan out your gas stops at the cheapest gas stations possible
- Try fueling to half full at about 6 lbs per gallon times say 50 gallons. Why pay to haul fuel we usually have to stop to get the kinks out of the old bones anyway?
- Lower average speed and enjoy the ride
- Get behind a semi and drive in their draft.
- Use a light, fuel efficient toad or when possible, none at all.
- Take shorter trips (I hate this option!)

[Wayneey]

During each trip, I calculate fuel mileage each time I fill the tank and consistently get ~7.5 MPG towing a 2008 Honda CRV. Sometimes it'll drop to around 6-6.5 MPG if it's been an uphill battle into the wind. Other times it'll be a touch over 8 MPG if the winds behind me going downhill. The few times I've traveled without towing I got closer to 9MPG.

As others have said, you're mileage is in the ballpark!

Wayne

[Tom N]

>7 on a good day.

<7 on a bad day.

[dennyv]

Thanks for all the replies. I appreciate the info.

[Tony in SC]

Originally Posted by dennyv

I have a 2001 Itasca Suncruiser with the 8.1 vortec. I was told by the salesman to expect to get around 10 to 11 miles a gallon (he wouldn't lie to me or would he} anyway I seem to be getting 6.3 mpg. Is that normal or should I have it looked at. MH only has 31000 miles and seems to run very weel, just a little thirsty. Thanks

Yep!! You got lied to!! We do the antique tractor show circuit. I wanted a small class A with a big engine (not easy to find). I bought an 06 HR 30' with the 8.1 To pull a tractor to the shows with. The motorhome weighs only 17000lbs. It has dual Flowmaster mufflers, and a crossover pipe upfront. With no trailer in the NC mountains I get 7.1. Greenville, SC to the coast , I get 8.4. This is at 61 mph. I think on a flat straight trip I might get 9mpg. I am pleased with this. Tony

[bruceh]

There used to be a computer joke:

Q. What is the difference between a car salesman and a computer salesman.

A. The car salesman knows when he is lying.

I think that RVs are in between, these guys are not necessarily RVers, they are salesmen.