Realistic MPG

[SuperBoar]

2017 24.1 Vegas at 65 MPH on the interstate, I average 9.5 MPG. Towing a 2500# car doesn’t affect it much but headwinds do. I use an OBD sender and app so I can see both instant and average gas mileages.

[taylorbob1]

Originally Posted by SuperBoar

2017 24.1 Vegas at 65 MPH on the interstate, I average 9.5 MPG. Towing a 2500# car doesn’t affect it much but headwinds do. I use an OBD sender and app so I can see both instant and average gas mileages.

[Chance]

Originally Posted by SuperBoar

2017 24.1 Vegas at 65 MPH on the interstate, I average 9.5 MPG. Towing a 2500# car doesn’t affect it much but headwinds do. I use an OBD sender and app so I can see both instant and average gas mileages.

Great data.

I think RVers sometimes get misled by claims that just aren’t supported by science, so it’s great to see information that is consistent.

In your example, the rolling resistance from a small car is minimal compared to wind drag associated with driving faster, or due to a headwind. It only takes a few seconds to verify your data makes complete sense.

Rolling resistance is in order of about 20 pounds per 2,000 pounds of vehicle weight, more or less, which depends on type of tires, road surface, etc. Anyway, the extra 2,500 pounds is only going to contribute about 25 pounds to total resistance. That’s not much and why you can’t hardly measure it.

On the other hand, wind drag is huge, and greatly affected by relative speed of air over the motorhome (not just driving or ground speed). At typical air temperatures, the following are the pressure wind creates:

55 MPH = 7.6 pounds per square foot

60 MPH = 9.0 pounds per square foot

65 MPH = 10.6 pounds per square foot

70 MPH = 12.3 pounds per square foot

75 MPH = 14.1 pounds per square foot


When driving a motorhome that has a frontal area of 80 to 100 square feet, and a coefficient of drag nearly as poor as that of a brick, it can be seen that even a 5 MPH increase in speed, or headwind, can add far more resistance than the rolling resistance of a toad.

Anyway, my point is that speed is so important to fuel economy that processing data for comparison should include an accurate report on speed. It’s just as important as making sure of comparing same RV model, engine, transmission, etc.

Slowing down is a great way to improve fuel economy.

[thor293]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

It's supposed to be: "Smiles per Gallon".

, I love your sense of humor Bob!

[Bob Denman]

Thanks! I'd say that it "keeps me sane"... but we both know that I'd be lying!

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Thanks! I'd say that it "keeps me sane"... but we both know that I'd be lying!

Be honest .....

Your new motorhome gets about twice the MPG as the one you had for a short time. Did fuel efficiency play a part in your choice for a Sprinter diesel?

I know it’s the cost of doing business, but spending $200 or more to fill up an 80-gallon tank must sting a bit for most RVers. Even the 55-gallon tank cost me about $200 out west when gas was more expensive. And on a long driving day I filled up twice in same day.

Touring type of travel at 8 MPG can get expensive.

[DLM1965]

And how has your Quantum performed overall? Any serious bugs along the way? We had one issue with the black tank system - backups into the toilet bowl. Factory got involved and found mfg error in that vent pipe extended almost to bottom of tank, preventing air from escaping during the flush process - hence, the airlock. Resolved now.

[2016vegas]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Hi All,
What can I realistically expect regards average MPG on a 2018 Vegas 24.1?

I get 9-10 at 63mph with a 3,000 pound toad.

[rswoodson]

We have a 2017 Axis 24.1 and we get 10 miles per gallon, most of the time. We drive about 65 mph max. The worst we've seen is 9 and the best is 12.

[Doreen]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Hi All,
What can I realistically expect regards average MPG on a 2018 Vegas 24.1?

I get 11-12 mpg on my 2016 Vegas 24.1 averaging 65-70 on the highway. A little less if I’m towing my CRV.

[Redland Runner]

2017 24.1, E-450, 6 speed- 7.5 to 11 mpg. towing small trailer with trike.
Sometimes 75 mph, sometimes running the generator. Tire pressure is always set to the door sticker.

[The Gritz Carlton]

"Only your hairdresser knows for sure"

[DaveLoriC]

We have a 24.1 Vegas that we use as a road machine, most trips we take are 500+ miles each way: midwest, southeast, and northeast. We stay with traffic ;-). Typically we get 8.5 to 9.3 mpg.

[jbwilli1]

What would anyone think about the difference in MPG between stock/factory tune & the 5Star tune?


My dash/idiot readout showed I had 161 miles left. Soooo, I tried to make it to Bucee's about 50 miles from home, thinking I had enuf to save a few buck$ (their gas is always the cheapest).


I made one trip on factory tune of about 500 miles, the dash readout & my figures were similar. At 60 MPH I got about 11 MPG on my 2019 Thor 32.1 V10.


Installed the 5Star tune for a similar trip. The difference was worth every penny. I knew my MPG would drop a few MPG's. After about 25 miles I made a 90 degree left turn & immediately notice a quick loss of power, which was very brief. Until I started up the ramp to the freeway, power went away, it was like it was running on 2 cylinders. The emergency brake light lit up & also what looked like a yellow lightning bolt.


How I made it to the gas station about 1-2 miles away was a miracle!!! Put 25 gallons in (still wanted to save a few pennies) & off to Bucee's, without any issues.


I'll figure mileage out at the end of the trip, another 150 miles.


I would think the 5Star might drop mileage around 2 MPG. Just wanted y'alls thoughts & experience.


Thanx


While I was writing this, I was auto logged out & almost lost the text. Is there a setting that I can change to give me more time?

[The Gritz Carlton]

"While I was writing this, I was auto logged out & almost lost the text. Is there a setting that I can change to give me more time?"


Two things you can do...always make sure you click the "remember me" box just under the login data...second, once you finish one of these long-winded novels, always copy the text to your clipboard. Then you can log back in and paste it to the reply box. I learned this the hard way too.

[vegasruv24.1]

Originally Posted by DaveLoriC

We have a 24.1 Vegas that we use as a road machine, most trips we take are 500+ miles each way: midwest, southeast, and northeast. We stay with traffic ;-). Typically we get 8.5 to 9.3 mpg.

Thankyou sooooo much for your honesty

[jbwilli1]

Running 65 mph on a very windy day & a few hills (since I live in the hill country) averaged 8 mpg with a HEAVY load (wife buying antiques).


Heading to Destin in a few weeks, pulling the PT Cruiser on a tow dolly, we'll see how it does then.


Thanx all!

[Hoser123]

Originally Posted by RobUK

Hi All,
What can I realistically expect regards average MPG on a 2018 Vegas 24.1?

2018 Thor 37rb class a. I averaged between 6 and 8 MPG on the road. It all depends how often I turn the Jenny on for the air for my wife while she's taking a nap on board.

[Bob Denman]

Originally Posted by Chance

Be honest .....
Your new motorhome gets about twice the MPG as the one you had for a short time. Did fuel efficiency play a part in your choice for a Sprinter diesel?

Honestly : the fact that it's an "oil burner" was my single reservation about the deal...

... But only because I've never owned one, and have absolutely no experience with them.
(About 80% better fuel economy; with a tank that's have the size... I used to easily cover 300 miles before re-filling. I think that 250 miles will now have to be my new limit..)

[Chance]

Originally Posted by Bob Denman

Honestly : the fact that it's an "oil burner" was my single reservation about the deal...

... But only because I've never owned one, and have absolutely no experience with them.
(About 80% better fuel economy; with a tank that's have the size... I used to easily cover 300 miles before re-filling. I think that 250 miles will now have to be my new limit..)

So what are you getting so far, about 14 ~ 15 MPG?