chadk66 wrote:The dealer is right when he compares a 362 HP gas MH that weights 15,000 lbs to a DP with 350 HP that weight s 30,000 lbs. The gas MH will get to the top of the hill much faster. The higher the HP/WT ratio, the better the performance will be. Having said that if you are going to be pulling a trailer that weights more than 5000 lbs most gas MHs are only rated for that so you will have to buy a DP to pull your trailer. A real world example is I went to Alaska with a friend that has a 1998 Dutch Star DP with a 350 HP that weights 32k lbs, I have a 1996 454 TBI with headers,FF mufflers, CAI that has a little over 300 hp that weight 15.5 k lbs. We got virtually the same mpg 8.5 but I passed him on every hill. Prior to my mods at 230 hp I could not keep up with him on the hills. There is a lot of confusion when it comes to gas vs diesel I suggest you read the sticky written by Johnny T the moderator of this forum for a more detailed understanding.
Am contemplating an early to mid 2000's Class A. Will be pulling an 18' enclosed trailer. Am leaning towards a diesel pusher. Dealer is trying to tell me a gasser will get as good a mileage and as good a power. I'm a diesel mechanic and I'm not buying it. What are some real world mileages and performances out there on both.
chadk66 wrote:Mr.Mark wrote:what size rv was thischadk66 wrote:
repairs isn't a concern to me. I can do all that myself. Sounds like a no brainer. I'm pretty sure I can get a 5.9 cummins to do 12 mpg. Be fun to try it. I overhauled my kids 5.9 in his 2000 dodge. did some other things to it and chipped it. gets 22-23 going down the highway. 16 pulling his 34' toy hauler. I'd be at a loss for words if I can't get an RV to do 12.
Good fuel mileage is mostly due to weight. Do you know how many engineer's try to tweek engines to produce more miles per gallon?
If you have that special secret, you will be rolling in the dough!
Our 40,000 lb. 425 hp, 1200 lb. ft. of torque, Cummins gave us about 7.8 average (driving at 60 mph).
Our 54,000 lb. 500 hp, 1,750 lb. ft. of torque, Volvo is giving us about 6.6 mpg (driving at 60 mph).
Both motorhomes we are towing a 3,400 lb. Honda CR-V.
MM.
chadk66 wrote:
repairs isn't a concern to me. I can do all that myself. Sounds like a no brainer. I'm pretty sure I can get a 5.9 cummins to do 12 mpg. Be fun to try it. I overhauled my kids 5.9 in his 2000 dodge. did some other things to it and chipped it. gets 22-23 going down the highway. 16 pulling his 34' toy hauler. I'd be at a loss for words if I can't get an RV to do 12.
Passin Thru wrote:mileage is a concern because I'm trying to decide between a fifth wheel toy hauler which I currently get 12-13 pulling with a diesel vs an RV. I can't imagine a 33-35' diesel rv would be any heavier than a 3/4 ton pickup and a 35' fifth wheel.
If you are worried about mileage , don't buy a Motorhome. Diesels produce more torque than gas . You can figure out HO produced from a gallon of diesel with this formula .450 to .325 (lbs/bhp/hr.)but you must factor in when you use full HP , 1/2 hp or none, like coasting down the mountain. Figure between 6 and 8.5 MPG for a 350 hp engine depending on tailwind, if you are going east out of Amarillo, west out of OKC or N out of Albuquerque. You mileage may variy. My Peterbilt averaged 6.8 MPG rated at 500 HP for 420,000 miles including mountains plains and idling in hot and cold weather.
SCOFF SCOFF 12MPG Bul)&^%$ Come to VA and hook on my trailer, GWT 10,500 and go from Va to Pittsburg and back and if you get over 10 MPG, I'll buy the fuel and the steak. No one has ever taken me up on that challenge yet
Mr.Mark wrote:what size rv was thischadk66 wrote:
repairs isn't a concern to me. I can do all that myself. Sounds like a no brainer. I'm pretty sure I can get a 5.9 cummins to do 12 mpg. Be fun to try it. I overhauled my kids 5.9 in his 2000 dodge. did some other things to it and chipped it. gets 22-23 going down the highway. 16 pulling his 34' toy hauler. I'd be at a loss for words if I can't get an RV to do 12.
Good fuel mileage is mostly due to weight. Do you know how many engineer's try to tweek engines to produce more miles per gallon?
If you have that special secret, you will be rolling in the dough!
Our 40,000 lb. 425 hp, 1200 lb. ft. of torque, Cummins gave us about 7.8 average (driving at 60 mph).
Our 54,000 lb. 500 hp, 1,750 lb. ft. of torque, Volvo is giving us about 6.6 mpg (driving at 60 mph).
Both motorhomes we are towing a 3,400 lb. Honda CR-V.
MM.
glamisorbust wrote:
Finding a newer than '10 DP with no slides is not gonna happen. Look for around a 2000 year model holiday rambler endeavor. This is an extremely nice coach at an affordable price. The 5.9 cummins is awesome and will leave you wondering why you struggled with the POS P-30 and gutless 454. The air ride is awesome. Air brakes are awesome. Jake brake, awesome. Allison 6 speed, awesome. There are literally no downsides. Having a slide is really nice too. Mine has a 13'6" slide in the living room that makes it extremely roomy.
