Typical Fuel Mileage You Get With Your Gas or Diesel Class A

tropical36 wrote:

JCGibson wrote:
What we would like to know is how are your real world mileages for both Class A Gas and Diesel. We are still on the fence in choosing between a 2013-new Gasser or 2008/2009 Diesel Pusher with our $100K or less budget.

Surely you're not making this decision based on fuel mileage, are you? I mean it's not even significant when you consider the overall costs involved between the two and most importantly the depreciation per mile, which is the real killer and why we all just have to chalk off that part for the hobby of it all.
For getting off the fence as you put it, consider that the DP has already taken a lot more depreciation vs the 2013 model, but it will also cost more to own. Again, it's a toy and a hobby, along with being a depreciating asset and not an investment. If you go with the DP, your plans should be to drive it a lot and more than the average RV user, unless you just don't care about your costs per mile and have seen many luxury coaches of that age, with next to no mileage at all.

Using it enough is our quandary. We only camp on average about 60 or so days a year since my wife is still teaching and the only real time we have is during the summers. Not sure if we went the diesel route that would be good for it, the lack of use. I really wouldn't want to have to sink money into it just because it doesn't get used enough.

The depreciation value is another intriguing aspect. We only keep RVs or cars for that matter at most 3 years. So it might be best to go with the older DP since a lot of depreciation has already occurred.

It is almost like we should just flip a coin and that will decide. :? :h

tahiti16 wrote:
One to keep in mind is most of us with class A's tow a more economical vehicle that we do all our exploring and touristy things in. So while my 22K Dolphin averages around 7 the bmw I tow averages 22 exploring. What does your dually get when running naked? For most of us we spend more miles exploring than moving the house, avg. obviously some days the mileage is all house moving.

When not towing with the dually I get around 14 or so in mixed driving. With the less than stellar mileage and then it being so big and not real fun to maneuver in downtown or metropolitan areas are the main reasons we want to go to a Class A and have a smaller toad.

On a side note, how do you tow your BMW? I didn't think it could be towed with a dolly or four down since it is rear wheel drive.

JCGibson wrote:
What we would like to know is how are your real world mileages for both Class A Gas and Diesel. We are still on the fence in choosing between a 2013-new Gasser or 2008/2009 Diesel Pusher with our $100K or less budget.

Surely you're not making this decision based on fuel mileage, are you? I mean it's not even significant when you consider the overall costs involved between the two and most importantly the depreciation per mile, which is the real killer and why we all just have to chalk off that part for the hobby of it all.
For getting off the fence as you put it, consider that the DP has already taken a lot more depreciation vs the 2013 model, but it will also cost more to own. Again, it's a toy and a hobby, along with being a depreciating asset and not an investment. If you go with the DP, your plans should be to drive it a lot and more than the average RV user, unless you just don't care about your costs per mile and have seen many luxury coaches of that age, with next to no mileage at all.

My past '05 Diesel Dodge Ram 4x4 pulling 19,000lb 5er toyhauler; 12.5 mpg to 15 mpg depending on pulling speed of 50mph in Mexico to 66 mpg in States.

My past 29' gas A with 454; 6 mpg in most ideal conditions, 3 mpg pulling a trailer/toad or in less than ideal conditions. 60-65mph.

My current 36' Cat 275hp DP 24480lb gross; 11 mpg in most ideal conditions @ 60mph. 9 mpg pulling toad or less than ideal condition or 66mph. Rarely below 9 except crossing 8,000' summits in Utah.

rocmoc n AZ/Mexico

15,500 pounds average weight powered by a 2006 series Ford V10. Average 7.75 or the past four years.

It's a pretty rare occurrence of a class A getting better mileage than a fifth wheel/pick up. Suspect aerodynamics of the rigs plays a big part. Class A's are a bit of a brick going down the road. The ability to bring along a smaller vehicle to tour around or towing a trailer full of toys is good option that a class A brings to your travels.

We get 7-7.5 in Denver to San Diego trip every year. I set cruise @ 65 most of the time.

I get 9 not towing and 7 when towing.

One to keep in mind is most of us with class A's tow a more economical vehicle that we do all our exploring and touristy things in. So while my 22K Dolphin averages around 7 the bmw I tow averages 22 exploring. What does your dually get when running naked? For most of us we spend more miles exploring than moving the house, avg. obviously some days the mileage is all house moving.

I have a 2008 Thor, Mandalay. It weighs 33,200lbs plus a Chevy HHR at 3150lbs. We averaged7.3 to 8mpg going from Florida to PA and back last year. It has the 400 isl engine with 1200 lbs torque with the Allison 3,000 transmission. Our sweet spot is 63 mph at 1630 to 1680 rpm.

Lets see I have a 400 Cummings in a 40 ft. Country Coach. I must be in the minority as I am lucky to get 7 mph and more likely to get 6.5. This is towing a four door jeep and driving 60-65 miles per hour. Always wounder how everyone gets all the high mileage?