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mama_sylvia's avatar
mama_sylvia
Explorer
Sep 17, 2017

How fast do you drive your Class A?

I'm curious what others have found to be the magic point between rig capability, speed, and fuel efficiency. I'm not talking about when you are sauntering along just enjoying the scenery, but rather when you just want to Get There. My last class A was an underpowered DP that could barely get up to 65 on the interstate. I haven't pushed my current (gas) rig because I haven't had all the mechanical issues fixed, but it did 65 on the state highway and didn't seem to be straining. Haven't had it long enough to see what the mileage is like.

If you feel like sharing how you selected your preferred cruising speed, that would be great too.
Class A

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  • roam1's avatar
    roam1
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2017
    up to 70 depending on conditions
    55-60 today on 40 in OK, stormy n windy!
  • HackerAce's avatar
    HackerAce
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2017
    60 MPH

    Try timing yourself sometime. Over a couple of hundred miles five or ten MPH does not make a whole lot of difference.

    I will take the safety and economy over five or ten minutes any day.
  • gbopp's avatar
    gbopp
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2017
    Normally 60-62 with our 96 Southwind. That seems to be the best speed to travel and still get 'reasonable' mpg.

    But, I would rather travel the side roads at a slower speed.
  • K_Charles's avatar
    K_Charles
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2017
    On a good road I stay with traffic but don't go much past 70. Gas mileage is better at 60 or 65. I often get off and go back roads. When you get 52 weeks of vacation every year you don't hurry quite as much to get where your going.
  • turbojimmy's avatar
    turbojimmy
    Explorer
    Sep 17, 2017
    mama.sylvia wrote:
    I'm curious what others have found to be the magic point between rig capability, speed, and fuel efficiency. I'm not talking about when you are sauntering along just enjoying the scenery, but rather when you just want to Get There. My last class A was an underpowered DP that could barely get up to 65 on the interstate. I haven't pushed my current (gas) rig because I haven't had all the mechanical issues fixed, but it did 65 on the state highway and didn't seem to be straining. Haven't had it long enough to see what the mileage is like.

    If you feel like sharing how you selected your preferred cruising speed, that would be great too.


    So the rig in your sig is "vintage" so I'll share how I like to drive my '84 Allegro.

    It will do 75-80 MPH if/when I want it to. The 454 is about red-lined with the 3-speed trans, but in a life-or-death situation I've done it. That kind of speed is not comfortable or sustainable.

    Mine feels best at around 60 MPH...maybe 65. As I approach 70 MPH I can feel it. Gets a little sketchy.

    Fuel economy is best at 55-60 MPH. But, again, I don't have overdrive. 55 MPH feels dangerously slow on a 65 MPH highway.
  • jplante4's avatar
    jplante4
    Explorer II
    Sep 17, 2017
    63 seems to be the sweet spot on the Sahara. Each coach will have a sweet spot, or at least a point beyond which the rig starts talking to you. Whether you listen or not is up to you.

    Each engine will have a specific RPM where the power is peaked out. Anything beyond that is just like pouring fuel into the exhaust manifold.
  • Bill_Satellite's avatar
    Bill_Satellite
    Explorer II
    Sep 17, 2017
    I drive the speed limit plus a couple of MPH to maintain the average speed driven by most. This is up to about 73 MPH which I prefer as a top speed so even on a 75 MPH highway I will be right around 73. That's also true on a 70 MPH highway. I just want to get there. For me the drive is nice but the destination is the goal.

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