(also gallons per hour on a generator)I am thinking (at this point I am more than just thinking about it) of selling my house my Corvettes, and truck and full timing it in a MH. I have a house that is almost 4,000 sq feet and the upkeep of maintaining the house along with yard work is too much. I have a lot of stuff that I need to get rid of but I have accumulated a lot of stuff I do not need. I was thinking of a super C because they are safer in a front end crash, less chance of a fire taking out my entire home, and you can do all engine repairs without disturbing the interior. But since this will be my home I want all the room I can afford and the A seems to have more room per dollar than a C. My truck gets more than 12 miles per gallon, with a 28 gallon truck tank and a 95 gallon Aux tank gives me a 1,400 mile range (probably 1,500 to 1,600 miles if I am willing to risk walking).Most of the A's I have looked at on line have 80 to 100 gallon tanks. It is not just a matter of range because from what I understand the generator runs off the same tank as the engine. So if a class A is only getting 6 MPG with an 80 gallon tank I am wondering what the personal experience has been with class A owners that do a lot of traveling.Do you get into situations where you are worried about running the generator if you are boon docking in a remote area?Has anyone installed a 40 to 60 gallon tank for long stays off the grid?

I cant help you with the mpg of various rigs but I will say that if you are doing a lot of boon docking you will need to look at your whole energy management picture. No matter the class of rv the converters are sometimes inadequate to provide quick battery charging. Large rv generators are wasteful and noisy when you are just trying to charge a battery. Sizing the battery bank, good converter selection (14.4 volt output), solar, led bulbs are all part of the equation. There is the issue of moving with the seasons so you minimize the use of AC.So I wouldn't approach the fuel tank size, I would approach where you will be seasonally and how you plan to use energy. We all take it for granted when we walk into a house and flip on the switch with electricity at .012 kwh. Completely different in an rv and probably least practical when trying to do it with a standard on board rv generator.

I run off the top half of the tank. I figure a gallon an hour for generator (overkill estimate). If I am going to be boondocking I fill up at nearest fuel station. Never a problem. I don't boondock for probably over 2 weeks at a time. Holding tanks a more of a concern than fuel.

Eventually, you're going to want "more space", and a 45 ft class A is as big as RVs go. It will have a diesel and a diesel generator, and at least a 100 gallon tank. Some coaches have a propane generator which is not anywhere as desirable as a diesel since you can run out of propane very quickly, but not diesel. Generators are very efficient users of diesel, but they are noisy. You are probably going to want to add solar panels to reduce the running time of the generator. As others have noted, your holding tanks will be more of a concern than fuel. Class A rigs generally have larger tanks then Class C, and possibly even a Super C. My 23 yr old rig has a 40 gallon black water tank and 60 gal grey water tank. I believe my fresh water tank is 60 gallons, but my memory is failing me. My fuel tank holds 150 gallons. My wife and I can go two weeks boondocking. It is the black water tank that is our weakest link.

40+ rigs have 100+ gallon fuel tanks and get 7+\- mpg. I can get 10 mpg at 45 mph but not many places you can go that slow. Boondocking you'll run out of water before fuel.

Just as a point of reference, my 2000 Beaver PT had a Cat C-12 with 425 hp and got an average of 8.5 mpg since the engine was born. It had a 112 gallon tank. My existing Marquis with a 505 or 515 hp (forget which) C-12 Cat has gotten an avg of 7.5 mpg since birth and has a 150 gallon tank.100 gallons of FW and 75 gallons in each waste tank.I've never given a thought to running low on fuel but I seldom let the tank get much below 1/2. Plenty of range for 2 days running, plus gen set and Aqua Hot operation.

Miles per gallon on a 40 to 44 foot diesel | Good Sam Community

48 Replies

YC_1
Nomad
Oct 04, 2015
7.5-9 mpg running 65, 42 footer, towing 4K lb car

8KW diesel generator runs about 1gph at full tilt when running roof airs. Often do this while running down the road. Generator is not particularly loud but we do like our solar.

100 gallon tank. Generator will quit running when tank gets to about 1/3 or 1/4

If you have aquahot which is a hot water heater and house heater you may have a 150 gallon tank. I do not know how much diesel they burn.
dave17352
Explorer
Oct 04, 2015
I would love to own a big class a if I could afford it and use it but I agree with the other person that suggested trying the full time life style in the rig you have now. If you like it then you can buy the whole enchilada. Your rig should be plenty comfortable tox experiment with.
Lantley
Nomad
Oct 04, 2015
Seems like you are trying to get a lot done at once. Why not liquidate your stuff and full time with your current combo awhile. If you enjoy full time living you can move on to a class A from there. No need to jump in with both feet so fast
bluwtr49
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2015
Just as a point of reference, my 2000 Beaver PT had a Cat C-12 with 425 hp and got an average of 8.5 mpg since the engine was born. It had a 112 gallon tank. My existing Marquis with a 505 or 515 hp (forget which) C-12 Cat has gotten an avg of 7.5 mpg since birth and has a 150 gallon tank.

100 gallons of FW and 75 gallons in each waste tank.

I've never given a thought to running low on fuel but I seldom let the tank get much below 1/2. Plenty of range for 2 days running, plus gen set and Aqua Hot operation.
Ivylog
Explorer III
Oct 04, 2015
40+ rigs have 100+ gallon fuel tanks and get 7+\- mpg. I can get 10 mpg at 45 mph but not many places you can go that slow. Boondocking you'll run out of water before fuel.
Fishinghat
Explorer II
Oct 04, 2015
Eventually, you're going to want "more space", and a 45 ft class A is as big as RVs go. It will have a diesel and a diesel generator, and at least a 100 gallon tank. Some coaches have a propane generator which is not anywhere as desirable as a diesel since you can run out of propane very quickly, but not diesel.

Generators are very efficient users of diesel, but they are noisy. You are probably going to want to add solar panels to reduce the running time of the generator.

As others have noted, your holding tanks will be more of a concern than fuel. Class A rigs generally have larger tanks then Class C, and possibly even a Super C.

My 23 yr old rig has a 40 gallon black water tank and 60 gal grey water tank. I believe my fresh water tank is 60 gallons, but my memory is failing me. My fuel tank holds 150 gallons. My wife and I can go two weeks boondocking. It is the black water tank that is our weakest link.
Rollnhome
Explorer
Oct 04, 2015
I run off the top half of the tank. I figure a gallon an hour for generator (overkill estimate). If I am going to be boondocking I fill up at nearest fuel station. Never a problem. I don't boondock for probably over 2 weeks at a time. Holding tanks a more of a concern than fuel.
azrving
Explorer
Oct 04, 2015
I cant help you with the mpg of various rigs but I will say that if you are doing a lot of boon docking you will need to look at your whole energy management picture. No matter the class of rv the converters are sometimes inadequate to provide quick battery charging. Large rv generators are wasteful and noisy when you are just trying to charge a battery. Sizing the battery bank, good converter selection (14.4 volt output), solar, led bulbs are all part of the equation. There is the issue of moving with the seasons so you minimize the use of AC.

So I wouldn't approach the fuel tank size, I would approach where you will be seasonally and how you plan to use energy. We all take it for granted when we walk into a house and flip on the switch with electricity at .012 kwh. Completely different in an rv and probably least practical when trying to do it with a standard on board rv generator.

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Miles per gallon on a 40 to 44 foot diesel

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