Tell us your FUEL ECONOMY for your setup

[saldogwood]

I am new here, and I am trying to figure out the best setup to use based on fuel economy.&nbsp; I am open to using any thing full-sized (no cars or mini-vans) hi-top van, a box truck, a step van, a motorhome, a truck with travel trailer, gasoline or diesel.&nbsp; I am very flexible, but as I do my research, I am not finding much info on MPGs.&nbsp; There are a few sites that give the EPA ratings of most vehicles, but they don't usually cover the one-ton vehicles most often used for full-timing.&nbsp; And I definitely haven't found any websites stating fuel economy for motorhomes. I just want to hear from all of you what kind of fuel economy you are getting with whatever your set up is.&nbsp; Try to keep it to actual calculations of MPGs and not estimates.&nbsp; Be as specific as possible.&nbsp; Thanks in advance to everyone who posts.<br><br>Year Make and Model of your van, rv, or towing vehicle<br><br>Body style,is it a hi-top, an extended cab or crew cab truck, is it 4X4, 3/4 or 1 ton<br><br>Engine model and fuel type<br><br>Length and Weight of your travel trailer if you tow one<br><br>Modifications or conditions which you believe affect the MPGs, such as roof mounted racks, towing a toad, etc<br><br>Tow vehicle MPGs when not towing<br><br>Percentage of highway and city driving<br><br>Is there a way to make this first post "sticky" for each subsequent page of this thread?&nbsp; So that any one posting on page 2 and on can see the list of criteria?

 

[saldogwood]

Perhaps a moderator may see fit to start a new forum category to discuss fuel economy.......?

 

[twokniveskatie]

We are not adding any new categories for a little while, but all suggestions are welcome and added to my list. On the road right now but will be reviewing the whole format to see what changes need to be made. Thank you for the idea!

 

[Mouldy]

Good idea!<br>98 Dodge Ram 1500 Quad Cab, 5.9L Gas V8 4x4 pulling a 2003 Rockwood 25 foot TT @ approx 3800 lbs loaded<br>I average 8.25 mpg pulling it at 62 mph. I've got 265/75 R16 Firestone Destination AT tires.

 

[BamaDuke]

1999 Tioga by Fleetwood, 25 ft Class C motorhome.<br>Ford V-10 with Allison Auto Trans.<br>Several long trips: one at 60mph, 500 miles, 10.1 mpg<br>&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; One at 68 mph, 650 miles, 9.3 mpg<br>Both were in somewhat hilly terrain, early spring trips so did not run the cab AC much. <br><br>Just a word, though, as I drive only about 5000 miles per year.&nbsp; Fuel costs are the least significant and most easily changed of all of my expenses.<br><br>Bama

 

[Willy]

'92 F250 extended cab 4x4, 351W, 4spd auto, 9 1/2' slide-in Vanguard camper (70's) and abt 11mpg through the mountains. ..Willy.

 

[Suanne]

When traveling with hubby, dog and parrot, we are in an '01 Slumber Queen Adventurer 20' Class C that is built on a Chevy Express 350.&nbsp; We average 10 MPG, gas,&nbsp;while driving mostly on the highways, keeping up with passenger-vehicle&nbsp;traffic.<br><br>Suanne

 

[saldogwood]

<em>Quote:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Just a word, though, as I drive only about 5000 miles per year.&nbsp; Fuel costs are the least significant and most easily changed of all of my expenses.</em><br><br>Bama,<br>I hear you on this.&nbsp; I've done a lot of thinking on that too, and I've done a lot of math.&nbsp; My plans to travel are only going to be part time, but hopefully for as many as 6 consecutive months each year. I will still be paying my mortgage and other conventional home expenses.&nbsp; The difference between a Class A motorhome that does 6MPG and small box truck conversion that gets 15MPG is huge on a 2000 mile trip.&nbsp; Check out my other thread to see what vehicles I am considering&nbsp; https://vanlivingforum.com/post/Ver...dvice-from-Fulltimers-and-Vandwellers-6246900<br>2000 miles at 6MPG is 333.33 gallons, at $3.50 per gallon, that's $1166.67<br>that same trip at 15MPG:<br>2000 miles at 15MPG is 133.33 gallons, at $3.50 per gallon, that's $466.67<br>That's a savings of $700. 2000 miles for me, is one way from home to the Moab, UT area, or the Grand Canyon, etc<br><br>That extra $700 makes me feel more comfortable getting out there and going for it.&nbsp; That covers a lot of incidentals, a little extra RV parking, or if you like, lot's of BEER

 

[saldogwood]

2002 Tacoma Double Cab Pre-Runner (not 4x4, but geared the same) 3.4L V-6 4-speed automatic 265/75/R16 tires.&nbsp; I towed a 20' travel trailer (weighing about 3500LBS with all our gear) up the Blue Ridge Parkway (all mountains).&nbsp; I averaged 10MPG on the way north and 11MPG on the way home heading south. The Tacoma would average 18MPG mixed city and highway driving without the trailer of course.<br><br><img rel="lightbox" src="http://dogwoodlawnandlandscape.com/sal/tacomaandcamper.JPG" class="bbc_img">

 

[peacetara]

17MPG:&nbsp;&nbsp; 1999 Ford E-350 7.3L Diesel cargo van (normal top).&nbsp; I have a Ladder rack, with a 200W panel permanently mounted to the rack.<br><br>I average between 17 and 20MPG.&nbsp; I don't keep track anymore, I'm too lazy, but I kept track for a while.&nbsp; I follow traffic usually, but I'm always on the slower end.&nbsp; I usually am around 55 MPH.<br><br>Again, this is a DIESEL.&nbsp; So I pay a bit more per gallon.<br><br>I have never towed anything with Ferdy.<br><br>With Love,<br>Tara

 

[lampliter]

I now have an 01 Chevy Astro AWD that gets about 20mpg.<br>When I had my Ford Super Duty Diesel pulling my 24 foot toy hauler which I lived in for a year I still got around 15 to 20mpg.Hmmm.

 

[Niall-CorollaLiving]

I know you said no cars, but my 2000 Volvo V70 (Wagon) is apparently rated to pull 3,300 pounds. I average 23.125 MPG (Premium) with mostly city.

I am considering buying an crashed airplane or one with timed out motor(s) for my possible conversion trailer... Light, aerodynamic, cool as hell!

 

[BamaDuke]

Yeah, Sal, between those two options it is a pretty clear choice.&nbsp; I studied for 6 months the options, and chose the C.&nbsp; At 6'3" and 210, I need a substantial bed and shower.&nbsp; The C has these, and parts are available at any NAPA.&nbsp; Of course, here in Texas parking spots aren't a problem, and we have good highways.&nbsp; I still work full time, so I won't drive 55 for long, but when I do retire I'm hoping for 11 mpg <img class="emoticon bbc_img" src="/images/boards/smilies/biggrin.gif">&nbsp;&nbsp; <br><br>Good Luck on your choice, I'm sure you'll make an intelligent decision.&nbsp; Just don't get the shag carpet....<br><br>Bama

 

[rvwandering]

2009 25' class C motorhome&nbsp; built on a 4x4 F450 (1 ton-gas) chassis<br><br>8.5 average mileage about 50/50 highway/city<br><br>I think our mileage is lower than most because of the weight ( 14,000lbs) and 4x4<br><br>

 

[saldogwood]

<em>Quote:&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; <span id="post_message_1277268558">1998 Itasca class A 26 foot model. 454 chevy engine. I tow a 1993 geo tracker, rag top(23mpg). I get 11 miles per gallon out of california, 10 mpg in california.<br><br><br></span></em><span id="post_message_1277268558">Do you have any photos of your Itasca?&nbsp; The RV which I own and I am considering using is a 1993 Southwind on a P30 chassis with a 454 gas engine also.&nbsp; It's somewhere between 26' and 30' (I have yet to measure it and I don't have the model number in front of me).&nbsp; I have yet to put enough miles on it to calculate the MPG.&nbsp; If I could get 10MPG, it would be enough for me to just keep it and use it and forget about doing a conversion.&nbsp; The fresh water tank and holding tanks are huge so I could do some really long term boondocking.&nbsp; I don't plan to tow a vehicle behind it.&nbsp; I do plan to carry 2 dual sport bikes weighing less than 700lbs total on a hitch carrier.<br><br>By the way, does any one here know how to "quote" another post?<br></span>

 

[mockturtle]

Only 9-10 mpg, alas.&nbsp; (see photo album)

 

[mobilekev]

I get right at 18mpg with my half ton chevy van with a 4.3L v6, but the xl350 Honda dual sport gets 70mpg. This setup has worked well as I just drive the van from camp to camp and use the Honda for exploring and errands.

 

[saldogwood]

Mobilekev,<br><br>The box truck I have considered converting is a 1998 Savana cutaway with a 10' box and is also 4.3 V6.&nbsp; It's a 1-ton chassis however, so I will see how it does on fuel.&nbsp; I plan to carry 2 similar bikes.&nbsp; What kind of weight do you think you have added with your conversion and motorcycle?

 

[mobilekev]

Hmmm...&nbsp; I'd say the bike and bumper mount (that I described in another thread) weigh about 400lbs. and I'd estimate my "conversion" and equipment to be another 600-800lbs. My cabinets, bunk etc. are lighter than most but I carry so much beans, rice, and ammo it's ridiculous. (leftovers from the boatlife)<br><br>It's a good thing the van came with helper springs and load range E tires.<br><br>&nbsp;One thing that helped me jettison a lot of crap was camping off of the bike for a couple of months and getting into backpacking forums.<br><br>&nbsp;I'm sure I get better mileage using drive instead of overdrive as well but I haven't figured my mileage since I left Florida.<br><br>&nbsp;

 

[Seraphim]

GMC 3500 dually with truck camper with a dry weight of about 3000 pounds. The truck can carry 5000lbs of cargo, and we run about 4000 lbs loaded. Have never gotten less than 12 mpg, loaded (the truck - not me) but we're running diesel- and prices have been higher than gas. I ran the numbers last year between mileage and cost, and the Overall cost difference wasn't significant (fuel difference was about $.40 per gallon at the time).

Our camper is large and has a slide - the space was the reason we,over from an old Class B. the class B was gasoline, and the mileage was similar, possibly slightly less.

We don't tow, generally, but our 78 VW doesn't make a noticeable difference in mileage when flat towed.