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Kevin806's avatar
Kevin806
Explorer
Sep 09, 2013

Class A to a Fifth wheel......What to expect on MPG???

Hi all. I am about to venture into very unfamiliar territory. We currently have a 38' gas class a motorhome that is about to belong to some proud new owners. Me and the wife have decided that we are going to go with a fifth wheel for our next rv. I will be purchasing a new truck as well and that is where my questions begin. Our class A only got about 5.5 mpg which is some of the reason that we decided to get rid of it. It is just to big and heavy for a gas engine. I am going to be purchasing a diesel pickup and was looking for some info from owners. I will be looking at 2008 to 2012's. The only requirement is it must be a 4x4 and not a dually. I am open to any of the big 3 and was really hoping to find out what kind of mileage you guys were getting. Not really sure on the type of fiver that we will get but it will on the larger side. Any and all info is welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

Kevin
  • motorcycle_jack's avatar
    motorcycle_jack
    Explorer II
    Sep 09, 2013
    I have an F-450 pulling a 20K pound 5th wheel. I get life time average of 8 MPG. Not pulling around 10.
  • Kevin806's avatar
    Kevin806
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    TucsonJim wrote:
    Yep - Right in the 11mpg area depending on cargo hauled and hills encountered. Please consider a 350/3500 one ton if pulling a FW. You'll have more GVWR for your tow vehicle which will allow you to more comfortably add cargo and passengers.



    Definitely leaning towards a 1 ton. Just don't want a dually as a daily driver.
  • Henry's avatar
    Henry
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    Kevin806 wrote:
    Hi all. I am about to venture into very unfamiliar territory. We currently have a 38' gas class a motorhome that is about to belong to some proud new owners. Me and the wife have decided that we are going to go with a fifth wheel for our next rv. I will be purchasing a new truck as well and that is where my questions begin. Our class A only got about 5.5 mpg which is some of the reason that we decided to get rid of it. It is just to big and heavy for a gas engine. I am going to be purchasing a diesel pickup and was looking for some info from owners. I will be looking at 2008 to 2012's. The only requirement is it must be a 4x4 and not a dually. I am open to any of the big 3 and was really hoping to find out what kind of mileage you guys were getting. Not really sure on the type of fiver that we will get but it will on the larger side. Any and all info is welcome and appreciated. Thanks in advance.

    Kevin


    The size of the 5th wheel will determine mileage. My 5th weights 14000 lbs and get 10 MPG with Duramax Chevy.
  • TucsonJim's avatar
    TucsonJim
    Explorer II
    Sep 09, 2013
    Yep - Right in the 11mpg area depending on cargo hauled and hills encountered. Please consider a 350/3500 one ton if pulling a FW. You'll have more GVWR for your tow vehicle which will allow you to more comfortably add cargo and passengers.
  • hmknightnc's avatar
    hmknightnc
    Explorer
    Sep 09, 2013
    Towing most everybody gets 10 to 12 mpg. Personally I average 11.5 over several hundred miles pulling

    Word to the wise since you indicated you didn't want a dually but your FW is going to be on the larger side. That combination doesn't work very well depending on your definition of "larger side". 3/4 truck generally stay below a 12k# GVWR FW and 1 ton single rear wheel generally stay below 14#k GVWR FW. Note those numbers are GVWR of the FW not and I repeat not the manufacturers listed dry wieght. If your thinking greater than 16k# GVWR FW you will have to have a dually.

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