we are considering a rv and cant decide between gas and diesel(class A). obviously in a perfect world I would always just buy the diesel, but we probably wont drive this rv 4000 a year. Mileage numbers I have found on the interwebs have been all over the map. If I can get 7 with a gasser pulling 3000lb I would be happy I think.
rv guys, any insight into REAL world mileage pulling a trailer?
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I have a 40' Diesel pusher.. I get 7.5 mpg all the time.. with a trailer, without one, flat towing a car etc..
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36' towing 5k (boat & trailer) on flat ground. Averaged just under 6 on a 400 mile round trip. Sold that fucker quick:laughing:
I have a 2003 38' diesel pusher with a 5.9 cummins in it. Cargo trailer with 6000 lbs or flat towing our jeep doesn't doesn't change mileage. Get a solid 8.5 mpg. Now throw in a head wind and I've seen 5 mpg. Makes 90 gallons of diesel go away fast!
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I've got a 40' class A with a Cat C7. Pulling my 20ft enclosed or our Grand Cherokee with 4 wheels on the ground I get 8.5mpg. By itself I do a little better - maybe 9.
Not the fastest up the hills but I get there just as fast as the pickup crowd. They fuel up more often (smaller tank) and they need more pit stops to keep the wife happy - mine just goes for a walk.
Not the fastest up the hills but I get there just as fast as the pickup crowd. They fuel up more often (smaller tank) and they need more pit stops to keep the wife happy - mine just goes for a walk.
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Throw an equipment trailer and a backhoe behind it, then you will get 25 mpg :flipoff2:
I am actually pretty surprised at the numbers every one is posting, I get about 10 in my 97 powerstroke doing 70 with my 8' cab over (no trailer) . I did get as good as 13.5 when I slowed down. I only have towed with it once, I got 12ish @ 60.
Guess I should add that my little 26' coach has no slides etc... Its pretty light.
It also has a nice 6-speed Allison transmission.
It cruises at 2000-2300 RPM and I usually cruise 65MPH with the cruise on. Never faster...
These days I'm almost thinking that I would gladly give up 2MPG for 10 more feet and 2 more slides..
I knew I was doing something wrong. Maybe if I put enough weight behind it I can get it to start making fuel!
. It can be a thirst bitchthanks for the replies. how fast do yall cruise? Obviously I would prefer a diesel pusher, but I dont think I will drive it enough to justify it, so I am looking at gassers, specifically v-10 setups. Looking at ~2000 models. Require one slide, prefer two. We probably wont drive it 4000 miles a year so the mileage difference(which appears to be fairly neglible) shouldnt force me into a diesel.
one day I want to attempt to convert another bus, but this time it wont be a school bus. we use our camper/rv too much to not have the conveniences of home. Where we normally ride is cloud9 ranch which is only 40 miles away, so we are there nearly every weekend
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Most RVs are happiest at or near the speed limit. Doing much more than 70MPH will burn a lot of fuel in a hurry and they get really sketchy in a cross wind at speed.
One other consideration - you won't find a gasser rated to tow more than 5,000lb. Most can't handle any tongue weight (frame extensions won't allow it) and they tend to be at (or over) weight already. Lots of people tow car trailers anyway but I doubt you'll find anyone doing it legally.
Stepping up to a diesel pusher gets you an exhaust brake and the extra weight capacity on the chassis. I don't touch my brakes going down a steep grade. A gasser (especially an older one with no grade braking on the transmission) is going to need to be pretty careful on the hills.
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