Cruising Speed ?

[RVPioneer]

Originally Posted by Calson

Diesel varies but state and in California where we have refinery monopoy it sells for $3.60 or $0.30 more than premium gas at the pumps.

Doing as much of your traveling in the morning before the winds come up (and the traffic) will help somewhat in terms of fuel economy and not having to deal with head or cross winds. A 18 mph crosswind exerts as much force as a 12 mph headwind.

Fuel prices vary wildly in CA, particularly diesel. I’ve seen as much as $1.00/gal difference in diesel between 2 gas stations that are less than 1/2 mile apart. We recently paid $2.79/gal for diesel at a Costco in S Cal. At many stations it is the same or less than premium gas.

A couple of years ago CA added 30-odd cents per gallon in fuel taxes to the price of diesel. Gas tax went up about 12 cents at the time.

Theoretically, there would be a headwind in one direction and a tailwind in the other. Unless you’re on a bicycle, in which case it will always be a headwind. An effective headwind of 10mph will not necessarily have the same impact as going 10mph faster. There will be more aerodynamic resistance, however rolling resistance and engine speed will be the same.

It can be financially beneficial to shop around for lower fuel prices. With diesel closer to $2 than $3, the OP should be able to travel each direction for $600, rather than $900. So they’ll have an extra $600 to drop at Wally World.

[Flyer15015]

RVPioneer,
That's what we're counting on !!!
We'll see, if the gas buddy app does it's job.


Mike in Colorado

[wolfe10]

Originally Posted by Flyer15015

RVPioneer,

We'll see, if the gas buddy app does it's job.


Mike in Colorado

It DOES!


Search by state (could be a price war somewhere), by your route, and then use Google satellite AND street view to make sure you can get in and out.

[saddlesore]

Originally Posted by Mr.Mark

Agreed.

My 6 speed Allison will shift into 6th at 55 mph and I'll be running 1,200 RPMs.

Mark

Yup our best mileage seems to be 62 to 66 mph..1150/1250 rpm the 4060r shifts into 6th @ 62/65 depending on terrain/wind.
mpg 7 to 8 , weight 46k [not towing]

[wolfe10]

AND, some coaches are geared such that there is really no "best MPG" speed.


Said another way, if you don't go into 6th gear until a speed at which "aerodynamic resistance" it really significant, you may find a slower speed in 5th gear is your answer.


Said, yet another way, if you don't go into 6th gear until 67 MPH, I PROMISE YOU that MPG will be a lot better in 5th gear.

[vanlieremead]

A few points:

1. Speed is the square of power and power is the square of fuel consumption. Faster you go, the worse the mileage.

2. I’ve found 1700-1800 rpm a good travel “speed” for my coach. This equates to 60 mph with an Alison 3000 and a Cummings 7.2. (360/800)

3. Get a fuel card and fuel at either Petro or Loves. I get diesel around 1.92 at Petro and about 2.40 at loves with the discount. There is a great thread on irv2 concerning this. Great deal and you fuel with the truckers.

[RVPioneer]

There’s nothing quite like a fuel economy discussion a 7mpg.

[bhammond1980]

We run at 65 mpg in cruise when it's permissible. In our coach that's about 1,400 - 1,500 rpm in 12th gear. We normally weigh 45,000 - 54,000 lbs and tow a 5,000 lb. jeep. In perfect conditions we get 8.5 mpg.

Our coach has the Detroit series 60, 515 hp, 1650 lb ft torque, 12 speed ZF autoshift trans.

[Flyer15015]

Originally Posted by RVPioneer

There’s nothing quite like a fuel economy discussion a 7mpg.

Actually, the discussion was started to kind of "confirm" that what I perceive as the "sweet spot" for cruising in our Senaca was 62-65MPH.
Which we did.

Secondarily, that a trip to Lazy Days in Tampa to look at class "A" gassers
that are a bit more streamlined and use a less expensive fuel, would be worth the trip.
Which we have not.

OOOPs, did I say "streamlined ? Silly me. In looking at the class "A", gas or diesel, offerings FROM ALL MAKES after 1987, to me they look "butt ugly !"
Especially up front!!!
Lipstick on a pig...........

Mike in Colorado