Best MPG from most popular MH engines

Motorhome profile has a bigger affect than engine. On a smaller C, a small block will use less fuel, but on a larger rig the small block could be working so hard it may use more fuel than a big block. When comparing pushrod engines, they will all be about the same when you compare similar displacements.

When I was gathering information at this forum for my...almost 2 years ago...I received a lot of comments suggesting to seriously consider the V10...I did and am very pleased with the power...the purchase was a 2000 Winnebago Minnie Winnie...initially I got 8 mpg on the road...refining my driving I can regularly get 10 mpg...I do keep records...not as detailed as some...don't go over 55...don't jack rabbit start...don't try to be the first to the top of the hill...I don't use cruise control...I have gotten 11 mpg a couple of times...I do get 10 mpg consistently...that's what I got with my Dodge dually pulling a 34 foot 5th wheel...I'm pleased!

Hi,

If you want better mileage then drive only with the wind.

Seriously, think about adding air foil technology. Sleepy has an airfoil in the truck camper "university"

I'd suggest, if at all possible you start looking at some newer motor homes. I believe 1978 was the last year the 440 was made, so it probably wouldn't be in anything newer than a 1979. Ford I believe replaced the 460 in the 1997 model year with the V10. so anything newer than 1978, if not 1997 would have the V10, or it could have the 5.4L. As far as the 350, I think that just morphed into the 5.7L.
I had a 5.7L Chevy/GM in a 1995 22'long, 8,910# MH. Mileage was maybe 8MPG. I considered it just barely adequate for that application.
I have the V10 in a 24', 9,622# MH that got 10.4 MPG. over 4 years of tracking. It has plenty of power.
I also have the V10 in a 32 1/2' ~11,500# MH that is getting between 8 and 9 MPG so far. It also is quite up to the task.
As somewhat of a comparison on the 350/5.7L . In between these motor homes I had a 2004 5.4L F250, that with a slide in camper weighed 8,700#. I frequently got over 9MPG while towing a heavy boat. It put the 5.7L Chevy to shame as far as performance.

Easy, the 350 with a SuperCharger on it. Far more power then the others and yet far the best mpg.

if your looking mpg look at diesels the ones with v6 or the 5cyc mercedes benz diesel.

Try to find one with fuel injection and overdrive transmisson,good luck

Thanks for the advice. It confirms my suspicions that that most MH 8 or 10 cylinder engines get from 8 to 11 MPG under normal driving and hauling conditions. Want more get a diesel or six-cylinder gas engine.

mikeleblanc413 wrote:
When I was gathering information at this forum for my...almost 2 years ago...I received a lot of comments suggesting to seriously consider the V10...I did and am very pleased with the power...the purchase was a 2000 Winnebago Minnie Winnie...initially I got 8 mpg on the road...refining my driving I can regularly get 10 mpg...I do keep records...not as detailed as some...don't go over 55...don't jack rabbit start...don't try to be the first to the top of the hill...I don't use cruise control...I have gotten 11 mpg a couple of times...I do get 10 mpg consistently...that's what I got with my Dodge dually pulling a 34 foot 5th wheel...I'm pleased!

Just wondering if using cruise control is detrimental to achieving a reasonable MPG. I use my cruise control on flat ground but not up and down hills. Maybe I should not use it at all. My unit is a 29' Winnebago Class C and I average about 8 MPG w/o toad.

We picked up our Via 25T on the Mercedes chassis two months ago, and have been averaging 18+mpg off the highway and 16+mpg on the highway at 65mph cruise. It is the six cylinder engine. Love the Via.