Want to make the change,I think need help - RV-Dreams Community Forum

burdy · RV-Dreams Community Member

Want to make the change,I think need help

NorCal Dan · RV-Dreams Family Member

I can tell you that my MH is averaging almost 10 mpg from day 1 to now. Speed is the killer...I like to cruise at 58-60 mph, right when the transmission drops into 6th gear. It makes a huge difference at the fuel pumps. Our toad get's almost 14 mpg (Jeep Wrangler) while using it around town for grocery shopping and sightseeing local attractions. I've never heard anybody say they were happy with the fuel economy of their rigs.

Luvglass · RV-Dreams Family Member

We get 9-10 when towing our rig and about 14-16 with the diesel truck by itself. Our fiver is pretty heavy (and overweight) at 17,100 pounds. As Dan says, nobody is happy, but it's worth it for the lifestyle.

Terry and Jo · RV-Dreams Family Member

Tom,

It is hard to give a "perfect" number in that none of us know what it is that you will want in the way of amenities on a fifth wheel. (Amenities add weight, some weighing more than others, and more weight calls for more truck.)

For the most part, I think diesel vs gas engines may be fairly close in regards to mpg, but as the load gets heavier, gas loses out in mpg and really loses in power. (I've driven professionally, both 18-wheelers and bob-tails.) Oddly enough, I don't have that much experience with diesel pickups towing a fifth wheel, as this is our first with that configuration.

What a lot of RV'ers believe is that the fuel mileage is NOT a factor if RV'ing is what they really want to do. A lot of us would say the cost of fuel just means we cut back on other "amenities" or extra activities.

In our case, and we aren't traveling yet, when we begin to we will be towing the coach with a Ford F450 and following (or scouting) with our Mercury Mariner. So, the truck will mostly only use fuel when we are moving from one location to another. The Mariner will be the daily driver, and while it doesn't get the mileage of the small cars (roughly 26mpg hwy), it still gives us the flexibility of passengers and cargo.

Good luck with your research and planning. While a diesel will be more expensive to maintain, they will last longer than a gas engine and give you a lot more power.

Terry

RVRon · RV-Dreams Family Member

burdy wrote:
I want to get rid my MH and get a 5er. Main reason living space and fuel cusumption. I'm only getting 8.0 MPG with triton 10 nothing in tow. and that was my best 2008 Georgrtown

If you're considering moving from a motorhome to a fiver for more living space I'd consider that a good reason to switch. Even though we're motorhomers I'll admit that the fivers have a more "homey" feel.

However if you want to switch because you're looking for better fuel economy then you might be disappointed. It all depends on how many miles you drive towing (or traveling with the "house") vs. non-towing. On travel days you'll only see about 2 mpg better with a diesel pickup towing a 5th wheel and diesel is usually more expensive so even that might be a wash. Once you get parked and want to go sightseeing, you'll have to drive that big diesel pickup around and will probably get 15-18 mpg with the pickup. OTOH if you tow a small economy car behind the motorhome that gets 30-35 mpg you might be a lot better off. Depends on how many miles you drive in each category... you have to do your own math with your own figures.

flyone · RV-Dreams Family Member

Burdy, from my own personal experince--like all others are saying it depends on the truck the trailer and the weight. That being said--with my set up which you can see in my tag line, I get (under regular driving conditions in the Mid-West) 12 MPG while towing--unhitched around town 15/16 MPG, unhitched highway 19 MPG. 7.3 liter diesel. I know people who tow a similar size trailer with a gas V8, while towing 9 MPG at best unhitched 12/13 MPG. I myself would not consider a gas engin to do heavy duty towing. However there are many people doing it and getting by quite fine. Just my 2 cents worth.