Fuel Mileage

[TXiceman]

Here are the solutions for better fuel economy.
-Slow Down. RV does not stand for Race Vehicle.
-Only drive with a tail wind.
-Only drive downhill.
-Park it.

Enjoy the coach.
Ken

[Crasher]

I keep pretty good fuel consumption records and find that over the last 9 years and 83,000 miles with 95% of that distance towing a 6400# Avalanche, an 8,000# open trailer or a 12,000# 26' enclosed trailer, it's right at 7 mpg. (Calculated) That's driving 62-65 mph in all wind conditions and over 11,000' mountain passes. I'm ok with that. Today, if I put the transmission in Eco mode and drive 60 mph towing the Avalanche, I'll get 7.6 overall. Once a person gets used to a slower pace, the trip is more relaxing and enjoyable. Our 2,000 mile trip between homes will take 4 days with sometimes 5 hours of the 5th day, but am usually relaxed at the end.

[bigb56]

Originally Posted by computerguy

I agree with Don. VERY FEW people do real MPG calculations over many trips. I do mine in a spreadsheet.
Lots of things matter. Hills, wind is a HUGE one, speed is another biggie, how you fill the tank, etc.
.

Agree, you cannot get an average from 1 or 2 fillups. Even a gallon or two difference in the fillup due to angle of vehicle, foam etc makes a noticeable difference. Once you get something like a spreadsheet going you will see most of the time when you have an unusually high or low number the one before or after it will be opposite and they will sort of balance out.
I use the free Fuelly app for all my vehicles to easily track MPG, fuel cost per mile etc.

[pasdad1]

A cetane booster (diesel additive) will give slight increase in MPG.

ULSD Diesel with a low (<5%) blend of bio-diesel will give better MPG than a high (20% or higher) bio-blend.

Keeping tires inflated slightly higher than needed will give slightly lower rolling resistance than if you let them stay on the low side. Downside is slightly rougher ride.

Turn off dash A/C when not needed. Running generator and roof air sometimes improves MPG.

Let house batteries charge from shore power or generator. If driving with extremely discharged batteries, alternator will work harder causing more drag on engine.

Driving in cooler weather requires less engine fan operation helping increase MPG

In the end, driving in 6th gear at the slowest speed (usually between 55-62) will produce greatest improvement.

[Dr. Mike]

Originally Posted by computerguy

I agree with Don. VERY FEW people do real MPG calculations over many trips. I do mine in a spreadsheet.
Lots of things matter. Hills, wind is a HUGE one, speed is another biggie, how you fill the tank, etc.
My gas V10 with 33,000 miles on it all over the country in all kinds of wind and terrain had (it self destructed 2 weeks ago, 'nother thread, 'nother story) has a lifetime average of 6.2. You can't use it for your estimating yours because I am gas with a toad and just under 26,000 lbs. But I am confident of my average. Some tanks would be in the 7s and some in the 4's.

I took into account the fuel used in the generator. (11.7 hours @ ~ 0.8 gal/hr). I did not take into account the fuel used by the Aqua Hot.
One thing I have learned is to take a photo of the dash including mileage before I start and then when I am done for the day.

Be safe

Dr. Mike