Your best mileage, class A diesel.

[rream]

Originally Posted by WILDEBILL308

Update

I installed a Banks Economind diesel tuner and IQ. One of the features on the IQ is you can calibrate your speed using GPS. I found I was running 5.7% faster than what my speedometer was showing. I also checked using the mile markers for 5 miles at 60 mph. The gps speed and mile markers are close enough. I checked my mileage and on one leg it went from 8.6364 to 9.1286 after correcting the mileage. I wonder how accurate the different speedometers out there and how the differences affect the reported mileage.
We have just arrived at Cherry Hill Park from Texas. Went 30 to 40 then 81 to 64 then 95 to DC. Not the best route to get great mileage but I did an average of 9.1137 mpg. I have been running 60 to 65 where I could. I was getting 8.2446. I don’t know how much the Banks setup helps but I have been running in level 2 and getting an average of .8691 improvements traveling the back bone of Tennessee. That doesn’t sound like much but it’s about $50.00 so far on this trip.
Bill

$50.00 and what did the banks system cost installed. Not much of a payback

[calhyatt]

Originally Posted by slemnah

I can tell you that if you draft a semi he will be pissed because he has to work harder to push the air in front of him with you hanging off the rear. I also wonder why we are all so worried about fuel mileage in our excessively heavy, big engine motorhomes? IMHO I didn't purchase my C13 525hp CAT to worry about the difference in fuel mileage. I bought it because I wanted to climb any mountain while maintaining a safe speed without overworking the motor and I get what I get. If I was that worried about it, I wouldn't own a Motorhome...... Just saying.....

Drafting a semi really is a bad thing to do. It is not safe if you are close enough to gain the desired effect and it really aggravates the driver. I have asked them and most tell me they hate motorhomes right behind them.

[jeryan59]

Originally Posted by Piker

... and yet you know exactly what kind of fuel mileage your coach nets.

For us, mileage was a very important factor when we were considering whether or not to get a motorhome. The difference between 11mpg and 6 mpg would be the difference between going or not going on certain trips. We could have never afforded our last trip of 6200 miles getting 6mpg. Not everyone has the same income to fuel expense ratio. It's awesome that you have achieved a level of success where you don't have to consider the cost of fuel in your rig, but it's just not that way for some.

We bought a motorhome to spend time together as a family seeing the country... It would be great if our motorhome was newer/bigger/faster/nicer, but I consider it a privilege and a blessing to own a motorhome that we can afford to drive, even though it's old and not really all that nice compared to most of the ones I've seen out there on the road. Everybody has a different lot in life... I work hard for what we have, and I do my best to stretch our dollar as far as possible... and fuel mileage makes a difference to us... just sayin'...

enjoy what you have...

-cheers

I have one that gets 6 mpg on its best day, I feel there must be something wrong with it sometimes. I have a 425 hp Cummins and my '99 350 HP Cummins usually would get around 7-7.5 mpg.

I love the lifestyle but I also like to pull my 24' enclosed trailer which I actually get a few tenths better mileage than when I pull 4 wheels down.

[PushedAround]

Not to take this too far off-topic, but I wouldn't be driving anywhere near a Semi. The $%!t coming off the back of them will destroy your windshield. More importantly you can't see what's happening right in front of you and that puts you in a dangerous situation.

[tcopeland]

Originally Posted by PushedAround

Not to take this too far off-topic, but I wouldn't be driving anywhere near a Semi. The $%!t coming off the back of them will destroy your windshield. More importantly you can't see what's happening right in front of you and that puts you in a dangerous situation.

Agree with that.
Who in their right mind would draft behind a semi?
I'm sure we've all seen trailer tires blow. What do you do if drafting?

[chawkins99]

Most drafters say they can stop faster than a semi so it's down to reaction time...

NOT if that semi plows into the back of another stationary semi. Nor if his trailer brake lights aren't working..

I get a lot of buffeting from semis when following close behind. Not from drafting but when one passes and pulls in earlier than anticipated.

Driving too close makes me nervous and I don't like driving nervous.

[jrs1958]

Like my friend told me when we had a sport fish. If your worried about fuel don't own one.

[davidahn]

Originally Posted by Piker

For us, mileage was a very important factor when we were considering whether or not to get a motorhome. The difference between 11mpg and 6 mpg would be the difference between going or not going on certain trips. We could have never afforded our last trip of 6200 miles getting 6mpg. Not everyone has the same income to fuel expense ratio. It's awesome that you have achieved a level of success where you don't have to consider the cost of fuel in your rig, but it's just not that way for some.

We bought a motorhome to spend time together as a family seeing the country... It would be great if our motorhome was newer/bigger/faster/nicer, but I consider it a privilege and a blessing to own a motorhome that we can afford to drive, even though it's old and not really all that nice compared to most of the ones I've seen out there on the road. Everybody has a different lot in life... I work hard for what we have, and I do my best to stretch our dollar as far as possible... and fuel mileage makes a difference to us... just sayin'...

Well said, Piker. I think we all tend to forget that we're not all in the same boat. Some of us could buy 5 King Airs all cash just so our best friends can come with us, others can barely afford a 20-year old fixer upper. Some of us could care less if we got 1.5 MPG, while to some, every single MPG matters (especially the longer your trip!).

The American notion that bigger = better and that owning the best will make you happy has been proven false. But getting better gas mileage and saving money won't bring you happiness, either. Spending quality time with family and friends and being out in nature have been proven to increase happiness. So get out there in whatever RV you've got, and make some memories!

David

[HeavyH2O]

When we were looking at a Class A DP, we opted for a compact DP since mileage was a bit more livable around 11 to 12 MPG. Makes for a decent experience with a 90 gallon tank. Get to drive by a lot oif gas stations

[Vsilvester]

1st real trip in our new to us 05 43'MADP flat towing a 2012 jeep rubicon 4 door

We are in love with the power and ride what a pleasure to drive I was nervous at first of the size
I averaged 7.5. Mpg from Connecticut to myrtle beach our average speed was 65 to 70
It has so much power I had to watch my speed just love it WOO HOO !

[Alan JS]

The comparison of traveling along in a DP vs a gasser doesn't find words well.
Our Georgetown XL althought new, rattled and groaned at every bump and hill.
All you could hear was wind and the underpowered Ford v10 straining to haul 22000lbs of cargo and people.
What a luxury to realize you can cruise at 70 mph on hills.
Honestly I am much more comfortable and safer at 62-64 mph and mileage is significantly improved.
Planning diesel stops with a 100 gallon tank helps immensely on longer trips.
The engines purrs along with nary a groan or belch. Close to 8.5-8.7 with 450 hp cummins on mostly straights here in the southeast.
Fit and finish matter with flat slides as opposed to cheaper slides surrounded by rubber. You really can't compensate for exposed edges and rubber gaskets to seal a slide in.
The better built motorhome sound solid and you can feel a quality chassis when you drive on. It's not just the mileage but how you coach drives the miles.
We used to arrive wearied at the end of only 250 miles due to being bounced all over the road.
A solid DP will deliver you to your destination with acceptable mpg and a pleasurable journey.
Amazing mpg and a terrible ride doesn't impress me much if your fillings are loose.

[bldrbob]

Sort of like the guy who buys a boat to save money on the cost of fresh fish.

[Alan JS]

Originally Posted by bldrbob

Sort of like the guy who buys a boat to save money on the cost of fresh fish.

Exactly. How did you know?

[Stanmawyer]

Trip from Dallas, TX to Ocean City, MD

American Heritage 45 ft. C15 Cat Acert engine. 600 hp, 1950 ft/lbs torque
12.5 KW Generator running constantly, powering 3 roof air conditioners, fridge, etc.
Towing 4900 lb Jeep Commander Limited
Average speed 68 mph
Crossed 3 mountain ranges ( went up and down on cruise control)
Mostly highway driving

5.6 mpg.

I'd love for it to be better, but I do love the hill-flattening torque of my big Cat!