All,I am sure this question has been asked many times. But, I could not find anything using 'SEARCH' that was pertinent.We considered a Class A. But, maneuverability and gas mileage considerations has changed my mind.Our purpose for this vehicle will be affordable travel around the US and Canada. We will travel a month or so, go home and stay a month or so, then travel again. We plan to visit all of the US National Parks possible and many historical sites.There are four priorities for this future vehicle:1.) As large of water and waste water tanks as possible2.) A generator3.) At least one slide in the living area4.) LEVELERS!!!We plan to stay no more than one or two nights in any one spot. Most likely many nights will be spent at Truck stops, WalMart, etc., in addition to the parks. So simple setup and takedown are very important (LEVELERS and any other suggestions are appreciated).We are considering purchasing a used Class C of 30' - 32', 5 - 10 years old. Most likely it will be a Ford chassis with the V10. It will probably be a Winnebago, but who knows. I want something that has depreciated significantly, but 'lightly used' for its age.I am interested in what your true Class C gas mileage history has been. Also, any advice/guidance on our plan is appreciated.Thank you in advance,Joe T.

Guessing your looking at the Ford V10 or an older GM: I would estimate anticipated MPG at 8 to 10mpg. Lots of variables to consider. Driving over the Western mountains you will be lucky to get close to 8mpg. Your driving a shoebox, so a good wind will keep your numbers down. If you can hold your speed to the rig's sweet spot, perhaps 55 to 60mph all the better. Too many try to keep up with the cars, and 70, 75, 80mph will just eat up your fuel. A light weight 24ft motorhome will/should get better mileage than a 28 to 30fter fully loaded for a trip. Add a tow car? Since you want a large water and waste tank, consider that water weighs 8.35lbs per gallon. The more weight the rig is carrying the less mpg you can expect.Yes, you want a generator. The slide really makes the RV more comfortable. Personally, levelers are a must, you will probably find HWH hydraulics on most coaches. I don't think you will find electric levelers on 28ft RVs or larger.Water and waste: There are many places to properly dump waste, RV fuel stops, State rest areas, central dump stations at campgrounds, and many private campgrounds will permit you to use the dump for a fee. If you really plan to stay off the grid for an extended trip you can also purchase a rolling blue waste tank, and transfer your waste to a portable tank and roll it to a toilet facility at a park. Happy Trails.

A Class C of the length you're considering will have a reduced payload compared to a shorter one say about 24 to 28 feet and a little less mileage due to the extra weight, especially in hilly country. We have a 23 ft Class C with the Ford V10 engine and get about 10 mpg, maybe a little less in hilly country, and then can get 11 mpg in flat country like the midwestern USA. We used to have a 30 ft. Class A with the Chevy 454 engine and it only got about 8 mpg on a good day; it was nice when you got to your destination, but we like our shorter Class C much better, especially when driving.

"We plan to stay no more than one or two nights in any one spot. Most likely many nights will be spent at Truck stops, WalMart, etc., in addition to the parks. So simple setup and takedown are very important (LEVELERS and any other suggestions are appreciated)."Using levelers when parked at a Walmart, Cracker Barrel etc., is considered poor form. Hot asphalt parking lots do not take very well to levelers and often damage to the parking surface can result. Extending slides, awnings and setting up camp with chairs BBQ's etc., is also frowned upon.As noted watch the CCC/OCCC {depending on the year}, as Class C's in the size you are seeking are notoriously low in payload and exceeding it is not a good option. Mileage with a V-10, 30 something Class C will be a lot closer to 8 than 10 and probably less than that if you pull a TOAD.We run our 24' C {V-10}, with no more than 1/3 of tank of fresh water and have never run out/failed to find more. Filling the water tanks of a 30'+ Class C will seriously exacerbate your over weight tendencies. A good portable filter should be used anytime you are adding to the tank.:C

I'll just add that if you can find someone's "baby" that has been stored indoors, it's a real bonus! When we sold our 10-yr old Class C, it looked brand new due to being stored inside (and never leaked)

Joe T. wrote:We considered a Class A. But, maneuverability and gas mileage considerations has changed my mind.Interesting, since gas mileage and maneuverability on a 30-32' C are comparable to those of an A of the same size. An A will actually have a tighter wheel cut so a larger A might turn as tight as a shorter C.

Typical Class C GAS mileage | Good Sam Community

58 Replies

Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 12, 2017
Yeah but it only uses 5 speeds on any given shifting sequence. It uses a different 4th gear ratio, 1.10:1 instead of 1:1, in extreme cold weather. This is done to aid in getting the engine and trans warmed up. It will never shift through 6 ratios.

The new 6 speed has all 6 available. It has a lower 1st, two overdrives rather than one, and some efficiency engineering.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jan 12, 2017
pnichols wrote:
ron.dittmer wrote:
Our 2007 Ford E350 with the 6.8L-V10 engine has the 5-speed TorqShift transmission which was installed in all E350/E450s from 2006 to 2016.
Ron,

Our 2005 (built in the fall of 2004) E450 based Itasca Class C has the Ford 5R110 5-speed (6 actual ratios, internally) computer controlled transmission in it, so I think that Ford probably started using it from 2005 models onward - at least in E450 cutaways.
pnichols,

Thanks for the correction.

Ron
pnichols
Explorer II
Jan 12, 2017
ron.dittmer wrote:
Our 2007 Ford E350 with the 6.8L-V10 engine has the 5-speed TorqShift transmission which was installed in all E350/E450s from 2006 to 2016.

Ron,

Our 2005 (built in the fall of 2004) E450 based Itasca Class C has the Ford 5R110 5-speed (6 actual ratios, internally) computer controlled transmission in it, so I think that Ford probably started using it from 2005 models onward - at least in E450 cutaways.

By the way, when our original 5R110 transmission unexpectedly failed at just over 61K miles, I had a heavy duty remanufactured version of it installed. For some reason this HD version from day one seems to shift much smoother and positively than the original did.
ron_dittmer
Explorer III
Jan 11, 2017
I could say we get 13 mpg on the highway, but I prefer to provide "TRIP AVERAGE" figures with consideration to origin, destination, and other factors.

- we live near Chicago so we travel far to nearly every destination, most often driving across the Great Plains
- our practiced cruising speed is ~65mph
- we run our generator as needed to charge our batteries and such which reduces the calculated figure
- we most often tow a vehicle and use that one once at our destinations, making our RV driving mostly on the highway

So....
Our 2007 Phoenix Cruiser 24' long B+ (2007 E350-V10) with tow vehicle, our TRIP AVERAGE is....
~10.5 not towing
~9.5 towing

Our 2007 Ford E350 with the 6.8L-V10 engine has the 5-speed TorqShift transmission which was installed in all E350/E450s from 2006 to 2016. Starting this year 2017, Ford installs a new 6-speed transmission in their DRW cut-away E350/E450. It offers better performance & behavior, and "Maybe" a ~10% improvement in fuel economy. If it is all true, I'd love that transmission.
johnwalkerpa1
Explorer
Jan 11, 2017
Joe T. wrote:
All,

I am interested in what your true Class C gas mileage history has been. Also, any advice/guidance on our plan is appreciated.

Thank you in advance,
Joe T.

There are many variables but (for that length Class C) experience has shown me that the following generally holds true:

1. Hope for 8
2. Don't be surprised at 6 at high speed or in the mountains.
3. Budget your gas expenses at 7

Sometimes you'll be pleasantly surprised on low speed, level trips and get 9-10 but not often.

In my personal experience, weight (meaning fully loaded, full tanks and towing, versus running light) makes little difference....speed and terrain does...
PSW
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
Instead of mileage (which can vary as most have said depending on a lot of factors), you might also think in terms of fuel cost. If I was planning I would assume thirty to forty cents a mile for gasoline to determine what my trip costs will be. Of course, gas prices go up and down and vary greatly around the US. $2.05 down the street from my house today, I get about 9 miles to gallon so that is 23 cents a mile. I would figure a lot more than that for the variables over the next several years of travel. I suspect a cost of nearer thirty cents than the top of 40 cents would be appropriate, but I remember a few years ago when 40 would have been way too low.

So, take a guess and figure out how much a dream trip will cost at say 35 cents a mile. Just one way to think about this subject.

Paul
oldcoach
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
I have a 32 foot Jayco. It has the large Ford engine in it. We get about 9 mpg at 55-65. Just a little less than 9 mpg when running the generator as we drive. (Hot SC summer days)

We had a 27 foot Coachmen with a Chevy engine and got about the same.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
Joe,

It's a LONG thread, but have a look at this discussion about buying an ex-rental. Many satisfied owners of them are here.

https://www.rv.net/forum/index.cfm/fuseaction/thread/tid/26035008.cfm
Joe_T_
Explorer
Jan 09, 2017
Once again, thanks to all who have read and replied to my original post. It is an education. Please continue to tell me about your experiences.

We have no intention of becoming a 'Full Timer.' However, our experience in our old 5th wheel included a lot of SoCal Mojave desert outings with our dirt bikes. Ain't nutin' level in the MoJave. Hence, levelers.

We are just looking for an affordable travel machine. Depreciation is a major concern. I can't justify purchasing a new Jayco 26XD for ~$90K (list price) and then five - ten years later selling it for $30K. That is not reasonable for our needs.

Also, I got the "5-speed" automatic transmission data from the Jayco webpage for their 26XD. I thought that was strange since it appears all other sites listing 2016 Ford V-10 chassis had 6-speed transmissions.

Again, the main purpose for an RV is to have a place to overnight CHEAPLY in transit then set-up 'camp' at the destination. CAMP will have everything - full hook-ups. We will probably tow either my current GMC Canyon 5-speed manual or purchase a used itty-bitty car for towing.

Regards,
Joe T.
Snowman9000
Explorer
Jan 08, 2017
I too find that I can do better with my foot than with cruise control.

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Typical Class C GAS mileage

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