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Old 12-24-2013, 09:20 AM   #1
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Gas Mileage

We've now had our 2690SF for a year and have accumulated a bit over 15k miles on it, the last thousand or so with the ScanGauge. For the 15K miles, we had 53 fill-ups and averaged 9.2 mpg. We do tend to drive pretty conservatively; mostly 60 to 65 on highways and 55 on country roads. With the Scangauge, we found the most meaningful (to us) read-out parameters were throttle percentage/horsepower/mpg instant/mpg leg average. On our last trip to Fl, we enjoyed the open highways (95 north of Fl); traffic morasses (95 south in Fl) and a lot of central Fl open roads, towing a kayak trailer, and by driving mostly about the 20% throttle position we stayed pretty close to low 60's mph but got 9.6 mpg average for the trip.
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Old 12-24-2013, 10:09 AM   #2
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We have a 2012 2650S and are averaging 9.3mpg overall. I try to travel 5mph under speed limit and find that 62mph is a sweet spot for the engine while on the expressways; but will increase speed if we're becoming a traffic hazard.
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Old 12-24-2013, 10:35 AM   #3
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Are those Fords? If so, that's pretty good MPG. Nice!
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Old 12-24-2013, 10:41 AM   #4
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Yep! I am impressed too. Last Sun I was passed by a Sunseeker that I est was going 75mph. I suppose he will be the one complaining about his mileage............
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Old 12-24-2013, 08:10 PM   #5
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Where did you see that Sunseeker?

I'm a pretty conservative driver too. However, this summer on the way out to Colorado I was tagging two friends in Diesel Class A's. Well needless to say we were pushing it.

I had no problem riding the butt of the big boys. Although I prefer 60-65 only.
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Old 12-25-2013, 11:50 AM   #6
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3170 here, also have owned 2860 and 3120. I averaged 8 mpg. I keep track on a massive spreadsheet.
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Old 12-25-2013, 09:44 PM   #7
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Not a lot of experience but 8.5 mpg pulling a 4000 lb toad and dolly and 9.5 without with a 3120. I am rarely over 60 - 65 mph.
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Old 01-02-2014, 11:30 PM   #8
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Last big trip in our 2011 2450 with e450 chassis was from northern ca to Texas gulf and back, towing a cj7 Jeep. Averaged 9mpg doing 55-70 depending on conditions and state. Average about 10-10.3 on shorter trips not towing. Typically cruise about 62 on highways when not towing.

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Old 01-08-2014, 08:07 AM   #9
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You guys are getting some really great milages per gallon. Or your calculators are off, or my E450/2008/3100ss is really sucking. I normally drive flat lands of Florida between Jacksonville and Gainsville, Lake City, Orlando and 98% of the time pull a little Chevy Colorado and drive 55-60mph (in tow mode) and only get 6-7mpg. I have less than 12K on the unit and it is in great mechanical shape. I would kill for 9-10mpg...just saying.
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Old 01-08-2014, 08:27 AM   #10
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Florida Gas Milage

We keep gas records in a book in RV and have quite a bit of history now so think that its pretty accurate. Also the deviations between fill-ups is within a couple of mpg. Still, our last trip to Fl was in Nov and US95 can do awful things to a guys gas mileage.
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Old 01-08-2014, 08:59 AM   #11
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Quote:
Originally Posted by jaxfl View Post
You guys are getting some really great milages per gallon. Or your calculators are off, or my E450/2008/3100ss is really sucking. I normally drive flat lands of Florida between Jacksonville and Gainsville, Lake City, Orlando and 98% of the time pull a little Chevy Colorado and drive 55-60mph (in tow mode) and only get 6-7mpg. I have less than 12K on the unit and it is in great mechanical shape. I would kill for 9-10mpg...just saying.

"Tow Mode" kills your fuel mileage. It keeps engine RPM and shift points up, doesn't allow the torque converter to lockup, and I think it restricts the use of the overdrive fifth gear. If you are in the mountains maybe tow mode is needed but not in flat Florida.
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Old 01-08-2014, 09:21 AM   #12
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X2 on tow mode. Not needed on flat land
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Old 01-08-2014, 09:26 AM   #13
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Tow mode does eat more fuel... It modifies shift points and tightens up shifts so the packs in the automatic transmission don't slip or wear out prematurely.. I believe it keeps the fluids circulation thru the coolers keeping temps down as well due the the higher rpm.. With tow mode off my trans temp will go up to about 210.. With it on at most 190 degrees..it also acts as an engine break too.. I tend to always use it..
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Old 01-08-2014, 12:43 PM   #14
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OK I will do it without Tow Mode next trip and see how that works. I do like it for overpass here in Florida as you set teh autocruise and it goes on down the road smoothly.
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Old 01-08-2014, 02:01 PM   #15
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I love cruise control but even in flat lands it seemed to cost me close to 1 MPG with my mini MH B+ Chevy.
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Old 01-08-2014, 02:12 PM   #16
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Ours is hardly broken in, but we're averaging 8 by odometer and 7.2 by GPS. This should get better when it warms up in the spring. There was some generator time sprinkled in there....
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Old 01-08-2014, 06:18 PM   #17
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Don't forget to consider our model differences. I'm in a 2450 which is quite a bit lighter and smaller than a 30+ ft mh. Its all relative. I used the tow mode anytime on incline and declines. On flat land I left it off.

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Old 01-08-2014, 07:43 PM   #18
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Gas Mileage

I have a 2013 3100 with no toad. I get some hills on 75 around the Smokey Mountains. The 450 downshifts going up hills quite a bit. Would tow mode help prevent that? Can I use tow mode while not actually towing? Can I press the tow button while in motion?

Guessing it's yes to all 3 questions but wanted to ask...
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Old 01-08-2014, 08:39 PM   #19
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Yes to all 3

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Old 01-09-2014, 05:47 AM   #20
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Quote:
Originally Posted by paulmlac View Post
I have a 2013 3100 with no toad. I get some hills on 75 around the Smokey Mountains. The 450 downshifts going up hills quite a bit. Would tow mode help prevent that? Can I use tow mode while not actually towing? Can I press the tow button while in motion?

Guessing it's yes to all 3 questions but wanted to ask...

If you find the transmission shifting down then up several times on a hill, tow mode will help. It will still downshift but hold the lower gear a little longer. On downhills the transmission will downshift and help hold speed instead of riding the brakes. I don't tow anything, but use tow mode when in mountainous areas (Ozarks). You can switch off and on as needed, while in motion.
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