Miles per gallon September 13, 2020, 02:40:38 am Would anyone know the miles per gallon of a 24 TK vs a 31 TB? I am aware there are a lot of variables, but I would think the shorter 24 foot TK would get a higher value than the 31 foot TB. Likewise, I would think the newer LDs would be more efficient. Any thoughts?
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #1 – September 13, 2020, 03:01:08 am Hi Wingersky. AH! a question asked by people used to cars. 10 mpg. Pretty simple. Some people get as much as 10.5, and some get 9.5. If towing the mpg can be in the 8.9 range. I suspect the new chassis will get better gas mileage. Maybe as high as 10.6. All of the models/floorplans get about the same. If you actually use the generator, it uses gas from the same tank, so it throws off the statistics. When the gas prices were higher, a few years back, Lazy Daze did offer a chassis with a V8 instead of the V10. A really big mistake to get the V8. That engine choice worked harder, got about the same mileage, and wore out faster. I would suspect that resale was harder, and hurt the value way more than any savings in gas, if any. The major effort to push a hole in the air, was about the same no matter the length. Weight is not as much of a factor as you would think. Of course pulling another vehicle does add 3-4 thousand pounds and complicates airflow, especially up hills. The best way to get better mileage is to drive slower. I think a lot of us drive consistently in the 55-65 mph range. If too slow you become a hazard to others, too fast and you are more of a hazard to yourself. As Joan would say: YMMV RonB 4 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #2 – September 13, 2020, 08:46:09 am An old rver once told me, "If you are worried about the gas mileage don't buy an RV" Even when gas prices were over $4, we just stayed an extra day or two at an RV park keeping our daily spending average about the same. 1 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #3 – September 13, 2020, 08:52:32 am In the past, I’ve noticed many RVers add a Banks system. Is that to improve gas mileage or power, or both?
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #4 – September 13, 2020, 09:02:59 am I added a Banks system along with a 5 star tuner for the RV and Banks system. Before I got 9.5mpg, after 9.0mpg. But the difference is night and day. The 31ft RV is underpowered and scary to drive in the hills. With the system the RV moves along quite nicely and is much more pleasant to drive. I typically drive at 60-62mph. BTW, the Banks hedders are very well made and fit perfectly.
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #5 – September 13, 2020, 09:06:58 am One day while filling the LD fuel tank at around +/- $100. a motorist filling next to me said "Wow, isn't there a better way to travel?" I replied that I just spent around what one night in a decent motel/hotel would cost. Also we have our own toilet, bed, and can eat meals we like. One always takes their health chances with who is preparing the food in restaurants and what is being served. We also can sleep in inexpensive beautiful locations far away from noise and bright lights. He had no other comment. 7 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #6 – September 13, 2020, 09:08:49 am Pretty much what Ron said; I have a 24', don't tow, the engine is in very good "tune", the rig weighs under 12k (gvwr is 14,050) going down the road, I rarely exceed 60 mph, and the mpg still averages about 10. If one's driving includes a lot of up and down mountain driving, mileage will be less overall. The V-10 is a big engine (in a heavy vehicle) and it sucks gas. I have no idea if the 7.3L V-8 (and the 6-speed transmission in the E-450) will offer better numbers.The mileage question is often the first one that people ask when considering RV ownership; it's not an insignificant concern, certainly, but, IMO, fuel costs go with the territory. Equal, if not more, attention might be given to the costs of maintenance, repairs, replacements, equipment upgrades, insurance, licensing, travel expenses, and all the rest of the $ that owning an RV removes from one's pocket; the initial outlay for buying just starts the process, and if one has financed the purchase, particularly for a long period, regular "outflow" is guaranteed. Again, this goes with the territory; RVing can be a great lifestyle, but it is not an inexpensive one. YMMV, for sure. 3 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #7 – September 13, 2020, 12:04:11 pm what, where, and how you drive have much to do with approaching a theoretical maximum MPG.Anyone's 24TK weighs significantly less than my 31 IB. Three impediments to high mpg in the West are the Rockies, Sierra Nevada and Cascades. Hills and winds factor in. At least 45 of my 48K have been in tow. Gas in California builds in a 1 mpg penalty due to the air pollution additives. I use a back-of-the-envelope figure of 8 mpg for planning purposes and overall usually range between 7 & 9. My record best towing was 11 mpg Southbound on US 395 South of Bishop with a 40 mph tailwind. I took a look at my records over the last 5 years and the LD cost about $0.70 per mile over 36K miles which included gas, registration, service, parts and the like. I think that a better measure of costs that mpg. Update:Went back over the figures which included a line item for parts. There was a minor expense of about $6,200 for solar in the figures. Backing that out, maintenance costs were about $0.51/mile. Fuel costs went about $0.25/mile
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #8 – September 13, 2020, 12:31:52 pm Quote from: joel wiley - September 13, 2020, 12:04:11 pmI took a look at my records over the last 5 years and the LD cost about $0.70 per mile over 36K miles which included gas, registration, service, parts and the like. I think that a better measure of costs that mpg. Previous discussions have come up with a figure of around 50 cents a mile. Inflation, I guess.Be sure to factor in the weight of the bumper sticker that states, “I’m spending my children’s inheritance in gasoline.” 😁
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #9 – September 13, 2020, 12:49:08 pm For anyone looking at a rig old enough to have carbureted intake, as was our '83FL, note that mileage is highly altitude dependent. E.g., while traveling in coastal areas, our 22' rig would average about 9 - 10 mpg. Travelling through Yellowstone, we were lucky too get about 6.5 mpg, and the going was slow.Steve
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #10 – September 13, 2020, 02:16:12 pm Right around 10 mpg if the driving is somewhat "average" and the speed is keep in the 60 mph range. If you want to hold it at 55 on the flat close to sea level you might see 12. I'd like to see the new V8 pick up 1 mpg. Frank
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #11 – September 13, 2020, 02:31:07 pm For what it's worth, I installed a full Banks system in my 2003 midbath. The difference in power was barely noticeable, and there was no difference in gas mileage. If I had it to do over, I wouldn't. 2 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #12 – September 13, 2020, 02:52:58 pm I've got the last of the old V-8's in my 96. It's a big gas hog, that's for sure.Average is about 8 mpg but it has plenty of power to get me where I want to go.I'd like a different transmission than the E4OD, something with more gears than 4 would make a difference I think.The newer 6 and more speed automatics are pretty impressive these days.
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #13 – September 13, 2020, 04:38:37 pm Quote from: Ross and Beverly Taylor - September 13, 2020, 08:46:09 amAn old rver once told me, "If you are worried about the gas mileage don't buy an RV" Even when gas prices were over $4, we just stayed an extra day or two at an RV park keeping our daily spending average about the same.You ought to fill up a cruising boat. We had excellent mileage @ 1.7 GPH cruising at 7.5 Knots. Cummins 250 Turbo with a 200 gallon tank. 1 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #14 – September 13, 2020, 04:50:34 pm Quote from: Steve - September 13, 2020, 12:49:08 pmFor anyone looking at a rig old enough to have carbureted intake, as was our '83FL, note that mileage is highly altitude dependent. E.g., while traveling in coastal areas, our 22' rig would average about 9 - 10 mpg. Travelling through Yellowstone, we were lucky too get about 6.5 mpg, and the going was slow.Carburetors suck, they are an obsolete device that should have disappeared many years ago.Our 1983 22' FL got terrible gas mileage, always less the 8-MPG, we get better mileage in our 2003, while towing on level ground. Climbing long, steep grades, while towing can knock the mileage way down and it's best to have your co-pilo (if you have one) to drive the top of the grade. It saves a lot wear and tear on the LD and the driver.The best rigs for maximum mileage are the 2002, and older 23.5' E350s. They are lighter, have a higher rear axle gear ratio and get an additional 2-3 MPG. The also only have an 11,000-lb GVW.Larry
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #15 – September 21, 2020, 02:43:53 pm We get about 8.8 mpg and are towing a 2017 Sonic. The good news is that when we are on the road the Sonic's mileage goes from 30 mpg to about 300 mpg. 1 Likes
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #16 – September 21, 2020, 03:11:50 pm Most common questions from looky lou's MPG and how many does it sleep.
Re: Miles per gallon Reply #17 – September 21, 2020, 07:23:18 pm Quote from: DPhilbrick - September 21, 2020, 02:43:53 pm. . . The good news is that when we are on the road the Sonic's mileage goes from 30 mpg to about 300 mpg. [/color]I have the same problem with the CRV when I don't leave the key in the ACC position. When in ACC, the odometer doesn't turn over. MPG maxes out at 250. 1 Likes
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