Your Gas MPG sweet spot

Chrisbrock · 10-23-2013, 11:06 AM

So I am just getting some feedback from all the other RV addicts out there. I have been really monitoring fuel economy and trying to max it out while on the road. Obviously on the interstate in cruise control is the best scenario but does anyone have a idea of what speed or RPM's is the best for MPG?

It looks like on my end that around 55mph / 2000 rpm is the best. Thats with my tires at 80psi (max cold), tanks empty except for about 1/4 of a tank in fresh and 1/2 tank in fuel.

Any thoughts?

kenandterry · 10-23-2013, 11:23 AM

DW and I just did a run from Canada to St. Pete's Beach Florida with our 2010 Georgetown 330TS towing our 2006 Pontiac G6 toad. We wanted to get the rig into warmer climates so we wouldn't have to worry about winterizing. We will return South right after Christmas and spend the winter hiding out in warmer temps (we hope)

In the MH, we were packed with all our clothing we'll need for our time there. Food-wise, only non-perishables on board. Everything else is always on board to survive comfortably.

I set the cruise religiously at 60MPH for the entire trip. The specs for the toad specify NOT to exceed towing at speeds over 65MPH.

The result? Calculations showed 7.8mpg for the 1568 mile trip.

That Ford V-10 does the job perfectly, and seems to provide mileage in line with earlier posts for fuel consumption.

force · 10-23-2013, 11:26 AM

A surprisingly complicated question. I read a long time ago the sweet spot for MPG in most vehicles was about 45mph.

This is a pretty good read on the topic:

HowStuffWorks "What speed should I drive to get maximum fuel efficiency?"

It claims the sweet spot is between 40-60mph, all caveats considered.

Chrisbrock · 10-23-2013, 11:42 AM

Ken, agreed the v10 is perfect for the MH. I am pleased with the all around performance on the 2014 E450 Ford.

7.8mpg sounds about spot on. I am not pulling anything so I might get a tad better but the Scan Gauge shows around 9mpg at 55mph

pt1655 · 10-24-2013, 12:08 PM

I don't give much thought to MPG anymore; I just tow at 60mph and let it be. That is my comfort speed and the truck seems quite mellow at that speed; any lower and it lugs too much and higher is too hard on the trailer tires and wind resistance. My Ram has a 6sp automatic, Vararam intake, tonneau cover and Bullydog Gt tuner for the hemi and it just purrs at 60 with those mods. I do use the cruise control as much as possible but also use the up/down switch on the gearshift lever whenever I can anticipate the need such as a hill or passing or whatever. Coming back from Benson, Az to northern Az where we live last week I got a high of 13.5 mpg at 60 so I'm ok with that. I've also seen a low of 7mpg against a heavy headwind uphill so it all evens out!
Happy camping!

Having A Ball · 10-24-2013, 06:21 PM

In my 2004 f250 powerstroke I found 65-68 is nice on the tank pulling my 5th wheel.ill get about 11-13 mpg on flat. Now when I pull my 30ft v nose car hauler with my 61 t bird loaded, I'm more like 9-10 mpg.
I have put a programmer, banks intake, exhaust to get these numbers, before it was a flat 8-9 mpg no matter what I pulled.

psaman · 10-24-2013, 06:45 PM

60 mph at about 2000 rpm here, gives us anywhere from 8.9 to 9.9 depending on the wind.

bubbles · 10-24-2013, 07:02 PM

If there was such a thing as a MPG sweet spot it would have to be, set up and kickin back with a cool one at the destination.

youroo · 10-24-2013, 07:58 PM

55 MPH! Youroo!!

OldCoot · 10-24-2013, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by youroo

55 MPH! Youroo!!

No fair shifting into neutral and coasting.

Frank-VA · 10-24-2013, 08:15 PM

Our 2004 F-350 6.0 4x4 SC, SB with 2:73 gear. When we went to Goshen 2013 I averaged 12-13 MPG round trip towing. 1524 miles round trip. I did not run over 65 mph and less that 2000 rpm. The only thing I have done to the motor was replaced Oil Cooler and "Bullet Proof" EGR Cooler.

OldCoot · 10-24-2013, 08:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Frank-VA

Our 2004 F-350 6.0 4x4 SC, SB with 2:73 gear. When we went to Goshen 2013 I averaged 12-13 MPG round trip towing. 1524 miles round trip. I did not run over 65 mph and less that 2000 rpm. The only thing I have done to the motor was replaced Oil Cooler and "Bullet Proof" EGR Cooler.

Yeah, but there was a Bowtie pushing the trailer.

simplyrwc · 10-24-2013, 08:32 PM

I track my mpg on my iPhone using Gas Cubby and have found I get better gas mileage pulling my trailer than my DW gets driving around town. I know freeway is better than town on mpg but pulling I figured it would be comparable if not the same but it is much better by 2-3 mpg.

whj77372 · 10-25-2013, 10:24 AM

Seem like when the national speed limit, to lower our need for Mid-East oil, was set at 55 mph, that was to improve mpg?

Hawksclaw · 10-25-2013, 12:51 PM

Pulled my 2014 Rockwood 8289ws home from dealer with 2008 Toyota Tundra double cab, 5.7 engine, factory trailer tow package. Avg 9.8 mpg at 60 mpg. about what I figured. Set cruise on I 10 from Lafayette to Baton Rouge, Louisiana.