Is My Speed Off Fuel Economy?

[Piros1]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Dangerous conclusion! A MH having a front tire blow out at 78 MPH won't be survivorable for the occupants or even vehicles nearby. That is the definition of being a hazard!
Like another poster commented on, it is unheard of to hear of a rear end accident on a highway as long as the vehicles are staying within the posted speed limits. It just does not happen.
Basic drivers training lesson SPEED KILLS!

I have driven big trucks and other vehicles millions of miles all over the country. The key to safety is to drive within the limits of the vehicle, road conditions, driver abilities, confidence, and comfort levels. I keep my vehicles extremely well maintained. I take no chances when it comes the vehicle conditions. My 2015 coach has brand new front tires and the rear will be changed soon. 5 years on the front and 7 years on the rear. I check my air pressures before every trip and check tire conditions as well as do a full walk around every time I make a stop, even at a rest area.

I’m not complaining about folks driving a bit slower as long as it doesn’t cause traffic jambs or unsafe conditions. Drive at what speed you are comfortable and confident at. If weather, toad or traffic is an issue I suck it up and drive to meet the conditions. That’s part of life. Some of you folks seem like you are getting road rage setting in front of your computer. This is a forum not the highway and no accidents have ever happened on a forum.
Good luck and safe travels.

[SlowJoe]

The OP asked about speed's affect on mileage and economy. I do not understand why every thread that discusses highway speed somehow devolves into a discussion with a bunch of advocates debating what a max safe highway speed is. Everyone's driving abilities are different. Everyone's equipment and loads are different. Road conditions are different. Everyone's desires are different. Obviously, there is risk associated with speed, but anyone who drives has accepted this risk. Is 70 mph unsafe? Is 60 unsafe? If 60 is safer than 70, then what about 50? Obviously if safety is the number one concern then 50 is safer than 60 and maybe we should all be going 50? The discussion borders on being absurd because clearly, there is no answer and everything is a trade off. At this very moment, this country has countless vehicles on highways going way above and way below posted speed limits. The overwhelming majority of them will reach their destinations unscathed.


Everyone is free to make their own choices and I personally do not care how fast other people go. I am hopeful that someone who chooses to go slow will do everything possible to avoid holding up others who are traveling faster than they are.



At the same time, I do not care if others choose to travel above the speed limit. If they are safely passing me, then what's the problem? If someone is breaking the speed limit but are not being aggressive, tailgating, or otherwise reckless, then I just don't care. It's their business and they can have the conversation with the police if they are caught.



I believe the most important point is to be respectful of others. It doesn't matter if you are going faster or slower than the other traffic. Obviously the safest speed is zero. Anything above that has risk involved. I do not believe there is some magic number where someone officially moves from "safe" to "unsafe".



Fortunately we live in a country which allows us all to make our own decisions and to live with the consequences.


Safe travels!


Joe

[grindstone01]

Just this weekend in Dallas, a street racer killed a innocent couple and himself. Hopefully there is going to be crack down on speeders but it needs to be nation wide. (I like 55) The problem with speeding is that it effects other people besides just the vehicle operator. SPEED KILLS.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-w...r-deadly-crash


Note: A MH doing close to 80 MPH, is speeding and not safe on any road by any operator. It's putting other people at risk besides wasting fuel.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Just this weekend in Dallas, a street racer killed a innocent couple and himself. Hopefully there is going to be crack down on speeders but it needs to be nation wide. (I like 55) The problem with speeding is that it effects other people besides just the vehicle operator. SPEED KILLS.
https://www.fox4news.com/news/fort-w...r-deadly-crash

Not sure how this matters ? We were not talking about racing MH"S. Just maintaining a safe "flow" of traffic speed. And the people who fear there rigs or being to scared or selfish to do so. As opposed to saving a few gallons of Petro.

[SlowJoe]

Originally Posted by grindstone01

Note: A MH doing close to 80 MPH, is speeding and not safe on any road by any operator. It's putting other people at risk besides wasting fuel.

In about 25% of the country it is legal to go 80mph. In over half it is legal to go 75.



https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Speed_...eed_Limits.svg





If someone puts the time saved at a higher level of importance than the additional fuel consumption then, in the operator's opinion the fuel is not being wasted. They made the choice to save time over the fuel. Others may choose to spend the time instead of the fuel. In the OP's situation going from PA to FL, the difference in time saved would be about 6 hours.



As I mentioned above, everything is a trade off and it's all about individual choices, comfort levels and needs. I just hope that people are respectful while making their choices.

[Mr.Mark]

Driving a motorhome at 80 (the speed limit in Texas and other places)..... is crazy!

They are rather safe rolling/handling down the road, they are not safe in a crash. In a regular motorhome the house could come off of the chassis.

There are no airbags and no real bumpers.

Be safe out there folks!
Mark

[SlowJoe]

Originally Posted by Mr.Mark

Driving a motorhome at 80 (the speed limit in Texas and other places)..... is crazy!

They are rather safe rolling/handling down the road, they are not safe in a crash. In a regular motorhome the house could come off of the chassis.

There are no airbags and no real bumpers.

Be safe out there folks!
Mark

What is safe in a crash? It all depends on what the circumstances are. Is there a serious difference in crashing in a motorhome at 65 over 80? Maybe... Maybe not... Again it depends on the circumstances.



Motorcycles aren't very safe if you crash them at 80 either, but I have been riding them all my life. It is calculated risk that some people are comfortable with and some are not. Some people would not be comfortable riding a motorcycle at any speed or driving something as large as a motorhome at any speed.



I fully support people working within their comfort levels. I just don't see why some people are so adamant that it is so unsafe when vehicles travel safely at these speeds across the country everyday and the percentage of accident occurrences (let alone serious ones) are a minuscule percentage.



I am not advocating reckless or unsafe behavior. Driving 80 in a motor home in congested traffic conditions and not maintaining a proper following distance is obviously not a good idea. However, going 80 on an open highway in good conditions is not any more inherently unsafe than anything else involving travel in a motor home. I would bet a lot of money that there are many times more low speed collisions with obstacles or other vehicles than high speed collisions.



Driving a motor home requires a different mindset to accomplish safely. I have had a CDL for over 25 years and I have been working with, working on and operating large vehicles since I was 14. It is not for everybody and some people are never fully comfortable with it. I think it is great that they recognize that they are getting outside of their comfort levels and strive to remain safe.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by SlowJoe

What is safe in a crash? It all depends on what the circumstances are. Is there a serious difference in crashing in a motorhome at 65 over 80? Maybe... Maybe not... Again it depends on the circumstances.



Motorcycles aren't very safe if you crash them at 80 either, but I have been riding them all my life. It is calculated risk that some people are comfortable with and some are not. Some people would not be comfortable riding a motorcycle at any speed or driving something as large as a motorhome at any speed.



I fully support people working within their comfort levels. I just don't see why some people are so adamant that it is so unsafe when vehicles travel safely at these speeds across the country everyday and the percentage of accident occurrences (let alone serious ones) are a minuscule percentage.



I am not advocating reckless or unsafe behavior. Driving 80 in a motor home in congested traffic conditions and not maintaining a proper following distance is obviously not a good idea. However, going 80 on an open highway in good conditions is not any more inherently unsafe than anything else involving travel in a motor home. I would bet a lot of money that there are many times more low speed collisions with obstacles or other vehicles than high speed collisions.



Driving a motor home requires a different mindset to accomplish safely. I have had a CDL for over 25 years and I have been working with, working on and operating large vehicles since I was 14. It is not for everybody and some people are never fully comfortable with it. I think it is great that they recognize that they are getting outside of their comfort levels and strive to remain safe.

I believe you are right. And people that actually lack the skill to operate these justify impeding the flow of traffic as a way to make up for that. When they should just admit it and hire a driver or just park it . Or at least stay OFF the interstates.

[Crasher]

Originally Posted by Mr Ted

I believe you are right. And people that actually lack the skill to operate these justify impeding the flow of traffic as a way to make up for that. When they should just admit it and hire a driver or just park it . Or at least stay OFF the interstates.

This discussion sure has drifted off the topic of fuel economy. So are you're saying that anyone driving slower than you is impeding traffic or are they just impeding your need to drive faster? Even when the passing lane is open? I doubt that we would all be safer driving 80 as some do to avoid impeding, when over 90% of motorhome tires have 75 mph maximum speed rating. Mine are rated for 81, but I'm more comfortable at 15 under their max.

[Mr Ted]

Originally Posted by Crasher

This discussion sure has drifted off the topic of fuel economy. So are you're saying that anyone driving slower than you is impeding traffic or are they just impeding your need to drive faster? Even when the passing lane is open? I doubt that we would all be safer driving 80 as some do to avoid impeding, when over 90% of motorhome tires have 75 mph maximum speed rating. Mine are rated for 81, but I'm more comfortable at 15 under their max.

You need to read this thread in its entirety and you will understand it better

[Mr.Mark]

Originally Posted by SlowJoe

What is safe in a crash? It all depends on what the circumstances are. Is there a serious difference in crashing in a motorhome at 65 over 80? Maybe... Maybe not... Again it depends on the circumstances.



Motorcycles aren't very safe if you crash them at 80 either, but I have been riding them all my life. It is calculated risk that some people are comfortable with and some are not. Some people would not be comfortable riding a motorcycle at any speed or driving something as large as a motorhome at any speed.



I fully support people working within their comfort levels. I just don't see why some people are so adamant that it is so unsafe when vehicles travel safely at these speeds across the country everyday and the percentage of accident occurrences (let alone serious ones) are a minuscule percentage.



I am not advocating reckless or unsafe behavior. Driving 80 in a motor home in congested traffic conditions and not maintaining a proper following distance is obviously not a good idea. However, going 80 on an open highway in good conditions is not any more inherently unsafe than anything else involving travel in a motor home. I would bet a lot of money that there are many times more low speed collisions with obstacles or other vehicles than high speed collisions.



Driving a motor home requires a different mindset to accomplish safely. I have had a CDL for over 25 years and I have been working with, working on and operating large vehicles since I was 14. It is not for everybody and some people are never fully comfortable with it. I think it is great that they recognize that they are getting outside of their comfort levels and strive to remain safe.

What is safer in a crash is like a motorhome that I have, real bumpers, total monocoque chassis and a crash avoidance system built-in. But, I know not everyone can buy a Prevost (newer with the advanced features) but the older Prevosts give you that Monocoque chassis and real bumper protection.

I think you are certainly capable of driving safely with your experience and licensing. Motorcycles are so dangerous, not the motorcycle guy, all the nuts out driving around them!

Be careful out there! Safe travels!
Mark

[Cincy Steve]

Originally Posted by SlowJoe

I do not understand why every thread that discusses highway speed somehow devolves into a discussion with a bunch of advocates debating what a max safe highway speed is.

Or boasts of personal driving prowess.

[Rob_M]

Back to the original topic... fuel mileage vs speed.
Watching my Scanguage, I’ve found that wind direction and wind-speed effects my mileage more than mph. Usually heading south towards the gulf we are bucking a pretty strong headwind / crosswind, and unless we are trying to get to the rv park before it gets late I run 65 in a 75mph speed limit. On the way back north with a tailwind I bump the cruise up watching the mpg and usually get better mpg at 75 than I did running 65 heading south.

My experiments have revealed no clear “sweet spot” as conditions have effected mileage more than ground speed.
I do know that my rig with Gale Banks programming seems to run more efficiently at 1800-2000 rpm. I have gotten a tic better mileage in 5th vs 6th on some backroads. Your results may vary lol.

[rarebear.nm]

What ever I'm driving I practice defensive driving. I want room in front of me to see what's happening and have space to act if/when required. These rigs don't stop or turn like a car. Thus I do not drive an RV like my cars.

I drive at or below the posted speed limit regardless what the rest of the crowd is doing. Typically I'll drive 63-67 regardless if I'm using our 5th or our MH. I also call those slugs of cars wolf packs and try very hard to stay out of them. They are crazy, IMO. Other day I had a wolf pack pass me and then a bigger idiot doing perhaps 90+ passes and not being able to get through the wolf pack pulls to the right shoulder and proceeds to the entire wolf pack on the shoulder. I backed off the speed a little more for a few moments.

On the open road I'll stay in the right lane. In cities I'll pick a right of center lane, frequently behind a trucker by a few hundred yards and stay put unless I need to do a lane change.

I'm responsible for the safety of my rig and not the pleasure of other drivers.

As for fuel milage. I'm in the camp if you have to worry about it much you probably should not be driving an expensive RV.