Best MPG

Bottom line - if fuel consumption is a major issue for you, maybe the RV lifestyle isn't where you should be. There aren't many large, comfortable RV's that get better than 12 mpg. Our '02 32-foot Class A got a consistent 7.8. Our previous 1985 26' Class C (Ford 460 with carburetor) got 6 at sea level and 4.5 at altitude. There's a lot of altitude around here!

My 06 corolla 5 speed gets 35 mpg every fillup whether I drive like a madman or coast on the highway. My dad had good reports about a pontic vibe too. But pulling a trailer and getting more than me unloaded? Sounds fishy. My girlfriends newer vibe wasnt getting as much as my corolla, unlesd an aerodynamic advantage can be had from pulling a trailer

This thread is great! I am impressed that some people get 14mpg from actual MHs, and shocked at how much class Bs vary.

valhalla360 wrote:

oldmattb wrote:
Probably not a motorized RV by your definition, but I met a lady with a teardrop trailer pulled by a Toyota Echo, who was averaging 35 MPG. (For the non-believer, my Echo gets 43 highway if I can get non-alcohol gas.)

Matt B

Put me in the non-believer class...or maybe that was combined average towing and not towing (yes, I understand what tear drops are and they are better but not that much better)

No, that is accurate. Personal experience.

oldmattb wrote:
Probably not a motorized RV by your definition, but I met a lady with a teardrop trailer pulled by a Toyota Echo, who was averaging 35 MPG. (For the non-believer, my Echo gets 43 highway if I can get non-alcohol gas.)

Matt B

Put me in the non-believer class...or maybe that was combined average towing and not towing (yes, I understand what tear drops are and they are better but not that much better)

You can have a minivan (Grand Caravan and Sienna are most popular) converted to a small camper or motorhome of sorts. It will get roughly the same MPG as driving fully loaded before conversion, if you don't have a cap added for headroom. If you put on a cap, MPG will decrease in proportion to the increase in height.

Van conversions on diesel full-size vans might do as well as a minivan, and have more room. The cost is up front, rather than pay-as-you-go for fuel. E.G. $22,000 MSRP for Ram C/V Tradesman (the bare version of the Caravan) vs. $37,000 for a high roof 159" Ram Promaster with the diesel (for MPG) vs. $42,000 for 170" high-roof Sprinter van. A Chevy Express 2500 extended used for most conversions is a little over $32,000 MSRP with small V8 or $44,000 with diesel.

You can buy a lot of fuel over quite a few years for the extra $15,000 to $22,000 to get into the larger van with a diesel engine.

The other thing that happens, expensive platforms like the Sprinter will get more expensive motorhome conversions. Right now, the least expensive van conversions are being done on the Ram Promaster with the gas engine drivetrain borrowed from the Grand Caravan.

You have to remember that you are trading MPG against air fare and the cost of a rent car.

If fuel cost is a primary worry, you probably cant afford the maintenance cost on an RV, much less fuel.

Side note: With the prices I've seen on Sprinter based RVs. the dealer should buy the diesel for you for the first couple of years, at least.

Pop up truck camper with older diesel pickup

It's all about tradeoffs.

I have a 35 ft 5er pulled by a diesel truck. I get 11.5 - 12.5.

I used to have a big pop-up pulled by a Chevy Astro van. I think I still got about 20 mpg with that combo.

Our T1N Class B Sprinter has averaged about 23 - 25 mpg of diesel fuel on our road trips of one week to two+ months, with the higher number the past two years. We drive about 60 mph.

Later generation Class B Sprinters get a bit less, around 18 to 22 per some reports.