got any tips on how to save on gas? how much do you spend?

Easiest way to save is to slow down, period.

sch911 wrote:
Easiest way to save is to slow down, period.

Or stay home

We have had 4 MHs going from a 21' Class C to the current 38' Newmar. The first was a '76 Dodge and gave 5 mpg. Each has gotten a little better until we are now up to 8-8.5 mpg. We ndrive 62 mph because at that speed the Allison does not drop out of OD on every little hill and it gives us the best mileage. I don't know of any gas MH engine that requires premium gas but I know of a few that use it.

On my smartphone, I use the gas buddy app to get a general idea of fuel prices enroute to my destination. If I notice a significant savings along the way, I will plan my fuel stops accordingly. If the gas station is too small, I will spend the extra $$$ to avoid any complications during the fuel stop.

For the most part, I'll stick with Costco, Loves, Pilot and Flying J depending on the side of the street and number of vehicles in line. :R


how much mileage do you get?
6-7mpg avg. towing a modified Jeep Wrangler JKUR (see sig) at 65mph-ish


what size rv do you drive?
31' (see sig) V10, F53

what grade of gas do you use?
regular, 87 octane

do you add anything to your gasoline?
nope.

We live in a 43 foot tag axle 2012 Newmar Dutch Star. We are at about 8.7 miles per gallon and we tow a CRV. We drive right at 64 miles per hour. We have been in 22 states so far. We do not add anything. We spend about $400 a month on diesel.

Well Sir,
Without sounding too negative here. If you're going to drive ANY type of RV, then gas mileage is not in the picture. Some "supposedly" get in the 10s, some in the 9s, but, by far, the average hovers between 6-8. They're big, they're heavy, they're usually pulling something that's not light, they're built like a Kleenex Box on wheels so there's absolutely "0" aerodynamics.

We ran two class Cs for several years. One was a 23' Dodge "Four Star" with the 440 and it got somewhere in the 7s range. The next one was a 27' Class C Ford "Ultra" with the 460 and it got in the low to mid 7s. We then moved to a '99 Fleetwood Bounder 34V with the V-10. It got in the low to mid 7s.

We're now in a 2004 Itasca Horizon 36GD with the C-7 330 HP CAT and 6sp Allison MH3000 trans, and it hovers between 6.5 and around 7.5-8 depending on how much down hill I get to drive on. All of our motor homes never moved an inch without something hooked to the back of them so, again, gas mileage was, is, and never will be a factor. It is what it is.

And, as far as what type of gas, we've been using regular for all my driving years. 99.999999% of the NORMAL, everyday, common vehicles produced over the last several years, I'm talking 20 years, run on regular gas. Some of the manufacturers "recommend" the use of Premium but, the engines run just fine on regular.

All of he gas coaches we had ran on regular and, we live in CA where the lowest octane is 87. But, when we entered states like UT, where 85 octane was available, it went into the tank too. Absolutely no running problems when running that fuel.

So, unless you're going to run one of those newer Winnes with the Mercedes diesels in it, don't plan on getting too much mileage, especially if you're going to tow something.

Again, not trying to be negative, just being real.
scott

hounddogboy wrote:
how much mileage do you get?
what size rv do you drive?
what grade of gas do you use? regular, premium, diesel?
do you add anything to your gasoline?

thanks

6 on a bad day, 8 on a good
35' class A gasser
87 regular, 86 or 85 in the higher elevations
nope

hounddogboy wrote:
how much mileage do you get?
what size rv do you drive?
what grade of gas do you use? regular, premium, diesel?
do you add anything to your gasoline?

thanks

The best milage I ever got 10 MPG coming back from Lake Havasu City, AZ. in my 36' gas motorhome without towing my car and I drove 55 MPH just about the entire trip. I average around 7 when towing and I drive at slower speeds 55 to 59 MPH. I use regular gas and use a Kroger discount when fueling, it's usually 2 cents cheaper than Costco. When I'm heading south for the winter I shop at Safeway a month before I leave so I can get the Native American Casino Gas at the 7 Feathers truck stop in Southern Oregon. They honor Safeway cards at there truckstop along with a players card. I try to buy as less fuel as possible when driving thru California. The only time that I use a fuel additive in my gas tank is when I arrive at Lake Havasu City, AZ. for the winter. My coach is sitting for 7 months so the additive helps to keep fuel from going bad. Hope this info helps you!

dons2346 wrote:

sch911 wrote:
Easiest way to save is to slow down, period.

Or stay home

Or get a hose and a gas can and go on midnight gas runs! :)

Many more ways to save than just on fuel. The best way to save is not while moving but while sitting.