Fuel Economy of your Motorhome

[Rich-n-Linda]

Originally Posted by ohhwell

I think the only problem is with whoever told you you would get 11-12 MPG in a 40' DP.

X2!

You will never see double-digit MPGs in 40-foot diesel pusher. Well...you might...if you start your trip at the top of Pikes Peak and check your mileage at the bottom of the mountain.


Rich & Linda

[terry735001]

Originally Posted by ohhwell

Now that is interesting beyond just the MPG. Do you have a write-up on that process anywhere?

yes but my last posting / update dos not talk much about the 350 much any more as this was a temp setup to just get the RV moving for the time being

but there is some video and pics there

http://www.irv2.com/forums/f258/rv-f...ml#post1996782

[62_inrightlane]

I have a 38 ft DP with 340HP cummins pulling a 4,400# toad and average 10.5 MPG over several thousand miles. Some days more, some days less. MPG depends on many factors. To name a few:

1. Wind speed and direction.
2. Altitude
3. Elevation changes on road being traveled.
4. Throttle pressure. Do you drive like you have lead toe shoes or an egg between your foot and the pedal?

Also, I always drive with the mode button on. It makes about 1/2 MPG difference.

If you're in rolling hills you may do better MPG wise with the exhaust brake off as long as you feel safe doing it. Use the little extra downhill speed to push you further up the next hill. Also you may be able to squeeze a few extra tenths of MPG by taking the coach off cruise control, if you are using it, when in rolling hills.

[Martinichuck]

We have the same mh.(2013) We just returned to CA from an extended trip across to Tenn via the gulf coast and back. Our mileage varied anywhere from 8.0 - 9.76 while towing a Jeep Wrangler. Most of the time we cruised at 65.

[Musikboy]

Originally Posted by Skip426

Found it. Please take the time to read this.

Thank you Skip, I am really enjoying reading this. Now that I am home and after 4 trips to Camping World we have enough crap stuffing the bottom cabinets to play camping for the rest of the season. But seriously, I don't think the folding chairs, grille, various soaps and polishes all add up to even an extra 100 pounds. So I don't think that will change my weight profile much.

I doubt I will drive any slower, but I do like the cruise control. I will be adding a Jeep Cherokee as my tow car, not the GRAND Cherokee. Maybe 4,000 pounds? not much else. I wonder how that will change my mileage profile.

But I can't wait to find out! Love my new coach, we have so many new plans and a bunch of new friendships starting. We joined a few groups and will be meeting up with the Cape Codders at a beautiful seacoast location, it will be dry camping. I will need to add a exhaust pipe to vent my generator exhaust up instead of out the bottom of the coach. So much to do!

Incredible that I still have a job!

[Musikboy]

Originally Posted by 62_inrightlane

I have a 38 ft DP with 340HP cummins pulling a 4,400# toad and average 10.5 MPG over several thousand miles. Some days more, some days less. MPG depends on many factors. To name a few:

1. Wind speed and direction.
2. Altitude
3. Elevation changes on road being traveled.
4. Throttle pressure. Do you drive like you have lead toe shoes or an egg between your foot and the pedal?

Also, I always drive with the mode button on. It makes about 1/2 MPG difference.

I would love to get to 10 mpg with toad! I love to drive with my shoes off, so my foot is light on the throttle. I also flip the exhaust brake on and off, I use the momentum of the decline to get up the next incline, like the truckers do.

You said you always drive with the MODE button on. What is the mode button and do I have one?

[Rich-n-Linda]

A 38 ft DP with a 340 Cummins pulling a 4,400 pound toad and averaging 10.5 MPG?

Absolutely no way.


Rich & Linda

[Skip426]

If you didn't get this with your coach. Allison Transmission Manual
Been a while since I read through it but should explain " Mode " button.

[djc454]

Just made a trip with our 2014 Journey 34B, no toad and if I'm to believe the trip computer in the dash, it was 2550 miles and 245 gallons of fuel. That works out to 10.4 MPG if you believe the computer. Gonna do the pencil and paper math on the way back to verify. Didn't use the generation and had 2200 miles on the odometer when we started. I was surprised by the MPG.

[WILDEBILL308]

Congratulations on your new coach. I think you are getting grate mileage. The new coaches with the DEF do seam to get a little better milage.
I leave the retarder switch on all the time I don't want to be fumbling for a switch if I really need it. Perhaps I could get a little more mileage but.
I run most of the time on cruise with the econ mode engaged. Most of the time conditions permitting I run 65-66. Last Summer on 18 fill ups I got 9.96 mpg. I haven't checked milage since I got a new toad (2014 CRV) I was towing a Civic on a tow dolly and now I can tow 4 down.
I think the OP will get a little better milage as he gets more miles on the coach so go have fun.
Bill

[Daveinet]

If this is a brand new coach, it may do better after it is broken in. The inclines will kill the mileage.

[Jupiter]

Congrats on the new coach, Mitch. I have the same ISB 360 in our 36M Winnie. Over the last 5,000 miles I've averaged 9.2mpg towing a CRV. Last trip w/o towing the toad I averaged 10.0mpg. I have less than 15K miles on the engine.

I set my cruise at 62mph and always use the "economy mode" on the Allison panel unless in hill country. Then, I switch off the economy mode so the transmission downshifts more readily minimizing loss of momentum. My previous Cat C-7 350hp averaged 7.5mpg towing and rarely did better than 8.0mpg w/o a toad.

Personally, I'm staying away with performance enhancing modifications. Not saying they don't work to some extent, I just choose to be satisfied with the "factory" set up.

Happy trails!
Joopy

[MSHappyCampers]

Hi Mitch! We get about 8 MPG while towing a Honda Accord 4-down. I drive 60 MPH on Interstates and 4-lane roads, and 55 MPH on secondary roads, depending on conditions. I have the Cummins ISC350 engine.

[pumper9x9]

Fuel Economy of your Motorhome = Oxymoron