MPG in retirement...budget

2oldman wrote:

GoPackGo wrote:
I try to run between 58-60 (I'm retired)

You're a rare breed. Most of the RVers I see are between 75-80mph.

I will agree with that. We traveled 8000 miles last year and passed 1 ( one) other RV. We travel at 60-63MPH. And then people wonder why tires blow out!

GoPackGo wrote:
I try to run between 58-60 (I'm retired)

You're a rare breed. Most of the RVers I see are between 75-80mph.

Budget for 6 mpg, and fuel at $8.00 per gallon, that SHOULD cover it safely!

I have a 2013 F350 dually with 3.73 gears, pulling a 14,000# GVW 5th wheel (rounded nose).

I've traveled about 4,000 miles so far, all east of the Mississippi. I try to run between 58-60 (I'm retired) and budget for 10 mpg. So far, my best one day average was 12.3 and worst was barely 10 (pushing into a headwind all day). Just about all the other daily averages were between 11.5 and 12.0.

Truck has about 9,300 miles on it now. My gut feeling is that the mileage seems to be getting slightly better as more miles are put on the truck. If it matters, non-towing mileage at 60 is in the 20-22 mpg range. For a truck that makes 400 HP and 800 pounds of torque, I'm real happy with these numbers.

Tim

I figure 8 mpg on an average, with my F350 dually with 411 gears. But I may do better with slower driving, wind at my back, and no hills.

I have a 110 gallon aux. tank which helps when finding fuel at the right price. It also reduces having to stop and buy fuel when towing. Roomiest fuel stations have the worst prices. I have heard some reasons for not having a aux tank. That's fine, they can save money and weight, I am spoiled and would not have a rig without the big tank.

djgarcia wrote:
Retirement milage--
With my 2004 Dodge 3500 Diesel with 6 spd. tranny towing a 14K 5th. wheel, I get 12 to 13 mpg. It dosen't vary going up mountains for flat out in the desert.

I consistently get 18-21 highway (non towing) But I get 11-12.5 towing.
My Gross Combined Weight is 21,100 lbs (scaled). My "sweet spot" is 63 mph.

Ron

I am retired and we just yesterday finished a trip to Great falls ,MT from southern Indiana. Fuel prices ranged from $4.00 to $3.75. I have a '04.5 Dodge 2500 Quadcab with a 5.9L Cummins diesel and 3.73 rear end. I run at 65mph with an rpm of 1800 which seams to be just right. Most interstate speed limits were 65 to 70 with a few miles at 75. My average mpg was 11+. We are right at 19k to 19.5k gvw. My biggest problem with traffic was the 18 wheelers who wanted to pass me, but would take a mile to do it and then pull back in front of me with very little space between us just so they could let the traffic behind them pass. I had a FED driver do this to me on I-94. Very much not professional in my eyes. JME.

sdetweil wrote:

thomasmnile wrote:
Everyone is posting "my truck gets 'X' mpg under this condition or that". Perhaps a better way to consider this is to accept diesel fuel prices are not likely to decrease from their current levels but will certainly continue to rise. Until you have some idea of how many miles you plan to log each year (towing and not towing) will you really have the ability develop a fuel budget..........and even then, if the price volatility of fuel returns like in 2008, you could find a hole blown in your budget projections quite easily.

true, volatility is always an issue, and you cannot predict what will actually happen. I bought a FW and projected 10mpg.. if price doubles I will be staying home regardless of my 'plan'.

but I think the OP got the info he needs.. its not 20 and not 15 mpg towing his class weight trailer. its closer to 10mpg +/-. He can adjust from there if he wants additional risk removed. (plan for 8, happy at 10!).

True. When we bought our first RV (used 5th wheel from a couple in San Diego area) I filled the tank at home for $4.85/gal. I noted the price dropped steadily as we headed West.............until we arrived in Kaleefornia! Return trip home with the 5th. wheel in tow, we pretty much averaged about 330 miles to a tank compared to about 480-500 miles traveling to CA. without the trailer. Even when not towing I budget for fuel based on current cost rather than how much I might drive, and figure on a minimum fuel quantity of 28 gals per purchase, since I don't like running the truck below a 1/4 tank. Sometimes pleasantly surprised, most times not............:(

thomasmnile wrote:
Everyone is posting "my truck gets 'X' mpg under this condition or that". Perhaps a better way to consider this is to accept diesel fuel prices are not likely to decrease from their current levels but will certainly continue to rise. Until you have some idea of how many miles you plan to log each year (towing and not towing) will you really have the ability develop a fuel budget..........and even then, if the price volatility of fuel returns like in 2008, you could find a hole blown in your budget projections quite easily.

true, volatility is always an issue, and you cannot predict what will actually happen. I bought a FW and projected 10mpg.. if price doubles I will be staying home regardless of my 'plan'.

but I think the OP got the info he needs.. its not 20 and not 15 mpg towing his class weight trailer. its closer to 10mpg +/-. He can adjust from there if he wants additional risk removed. (plan for 8, happy at 10!).

Everyone is posting "my truck gets 'X' mpg under this condition or that". Perhaps a better way to consider this is to accept diesel fuel prices are not likely to decrease from their current levels but will certainly continue to rise. Until you have some idea of how many miles you plan to log each year (towing and not towing) will you really have the ability develop a fuel budget..........and even then, if the price volatility of fuel returns like in 2008, you could find a hole blown in your budget projections quite easily.