We are considering moving to a class B (van type, not C type) from our present 32 ft Class C. MPG is a major consideration. We have looked throughout the internet on MPG ratings for any class B vehicles and have not been able to find any discussion on this topic. So....what are the MPG figures for some of you Class B rv'ers? We want to hear what actual owners have experienced, not salesman projections. Thanks in advance. Tom and Jo from Missouri

There has been lots of Class B MPG discussions in this forum. It depends on what kind of B you want as they vary in fuels (diesel/gas) and mpg. Regardless they are all considerably better than any C. They probably range from a low of 13 mpg to 18 mpg with gas engines in overall average from what I've read in this forum.For diesel my 2011 Sprinter Great West Van Legend has an overall diesel consumption after 50,000 miles of 18.6 mpg average. Highest I recorded on a fill was 20.4. My former 2005 Sprinter Pleasure-way Plateau had a 22.5 mpg average over 61,000 miles. The highest was about 25. You can achieve those highs mentioned driving on flat roads at 55 mph with no head winds.

You guys are downsizing, so the only option you'll probably be comfortable with is a Sprinter class B. That's us.I've been keeping good records on our new one with a phone app, and the results so far have been: 5411 miles, average mpg = 17.15, best has been 20.45, worst 14.85.This is driving in Iowa, Kansas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and the Arkansas mountains. Always right at or just below the speed limit, (68 on Interstates)Sprinters are known for their mileage to go up after 10k+ miles. We're not there yet. Hope this helps

My 1997 Dodge with 5.2 ltr. Gets an average of 16 but I have a low poptop from Sportsmobile. Look at my profile for pic.

Davydd explained it well. Our Leisure brochure (and the guy we bought from) reported the mpg as 22 for our 2500 Sprinter van, but I was skeptical. We've kept records at each fill-up. In 26,000 miles and almost three years since we bought the van (used, not new), our average diesel mpg has been a little better than 23. (Our best so far was 25+ last winter on flat stretches of highway, minimal stops and starts, at conservative speeds using cruise control.)A new Sprinter van would be different. Some changes were made to 2nd generation Sprinters in the US market starting in 2007 and resulted in a reduction in mpg. Some Sprinter converters' RVs now are the 3500 weight class and have dual rear wheels.Of course, diesel costs more than gas these days in the US.UPDATE: Getting 25.8 on our current trip based on first three fill ups. Really surprised because the first few days were in the Great Smokey Mtn NP area, lots of climbing.

I am averaging 22.5 in my 06/07 Freighliner Airstream

MPG for class B models | Good Sam Community

Fastpaddler
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
On a Canadian gallon we never get less than 28 MPG if hilly country but on sleepy Vancouver island where speed limits are painfully low(50MPH is fast!!), we usually get at least 30 MPG.If you deduct 20% for bigger gallon we are getting about 24 or so regularly with our 20067(2007 build) Pleasure-way Plateau TS(I-5) engine; no dualies. lighter than later versions Diesel is currently a couple of cents a litre(say around10 cents a gallon) cheaper than regular gas. But remember, we Canadians, with huge oil reserves, pay way more per gallon than our friends and neighbours Stateside. Such is life. If one is buying a newer diesel or gas powered B RV it is important to note that the later models tend to get lower MPG due to heavier vehicles. Davydd's comments are relevent in this regard. It certainly beats the fuel sucking C RVs we had before...

AL
1775
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
My 2011 Chevy Roadtrek 190 Popular with a 6.0L V8 gas engine and 6 speed transmission gets 19.5 mpg on flat interstates driving the speed limit (with few stops). Local driving gets between 14 and 16 mpg. Mixed driving - interstate and local gets 16 - 17 mpg. Driving in mountainous areas gets less. We are very happy with this mpg. The engine keeps the van easily at speed and there is no problem on inclines and in keeping up with the 18 wheelers who don't want to be slowed down.
topless
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
danpreszler wrote:
Davydd wrote:
I can pretty much drive the Rocky Mountains downhill without using the brakes much at all. It seems a little more difficult to do so in the Appalachians.

I've also driven extensively in the Rockys and use the brakes sparingly.

Me too. Came all the way down from Continetal divide (Monarch Pass) using nothing but, engine braking, a distance of about 10 miles. A Sprinter has a select shift, 5 spd transmission, makes it run mountian roads better than most cars.
danpreszler
Explorer
Aug 13, 2013
Davydd wrote:
I can pretty much drive the Rocky Mountains downhill without using the brakes much at all. It seems a little more difficult to do so in the Appalachians.

I've also driven extensively in the Rockys and use the brakes sparingly.
georgelesley
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
Chirpnchicks wrote:
"And what about the diesel in the mountains? I have heard engine braking on downslopes is not good. Is this accurate?"

IMO, wrong. Works fine. I drop it from D to 3 downhill and I have 92k/7.5 yrs. of use and still on the first set of brakes. It's a must unless you want to replace your brakes/rotors. Not cheap.
Jay

Agree. Tapping the shifter left or right changes to a higher or lower gear as easy as anything I have ever driven.
Davydd
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
I can pretty much drive the Rocky Mountains downhill without using the brakes much at all. It seems a little more difficult to do so in the Appalachians.
Chirpnchicks
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
"And what about the diesel in the mountains? I have heard engine braking on downslopes is not good. Is this accurate?"

IMO, wrong. Works fine. I drop it from D to 3 downhill and I have 92k/7.5 yrs. of use and still on the first set of brakes. It's a must unless you want to replace your brakes/rotors. Not cheap.
Jay
bobojay5
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
As far as engine braking in the mountains, there isn't much for sure. Our 2006 chassied Chevy class B with the 6.0 gas engine was wonderful going down the mountains, just not up. The turboed diesel engine w/o a Jake brake in the Sprinter is the opposite, great going up but hard on the brakes coming down.
I noticed this first with our 2009 class C Sprinter we had and now again with our B, 2013 chassis when we had it in the Arkansas hills. In fact the 2013 seems to have even less engine braking than the 2008. Both are 3500 dually chassis
mlts22
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
Almost all diesels have turbos, so they are far less affected by horsepower/torque loss at higher elevations than normally aspirated gassers (except the EcoBoost.)

As for engine braking on downslopes, that is what it is made for. I've been reading the Sprinter forums on and off, and I've read nothing about avoiding engine braking. Idling, yes (as newer Sprinters will get their DPF plugged to the tune of $3200 for a replacement), but not letting the engine do what it is designed to do.

The 2014 Sprinters are shipping next month, and they are a redesign, although not as big as the T1N->NCV3 jump. This should help with handling, horsepower, and other items. Rumor even has it that 2015 might bring 4x4 Sprinters to US shores, and a four wheel drive Sprinter with a diesel generator would be a boondocker's dream.
tomarn49
Explorer
Aug 12, 2013
Thanks for all of the replies. We are only looking at diesel class B units for the higher mpg ratings. Looks like 18-20 is typical, sometimes more, sometimes less, depending on terrain and heavy foot. And what about the diesel in the mountains? I have heard engine braking on downslopes is not good. Is this accurate?