Gas mileage
Pulled boats for many years, now have a Rockwood Minilite 2014s. Pulled by Ford F150 Lariat. Gas mileage went from 16 mpg to 8mpg. Just want to see if this is about the average drop in mpg. Don't see this drop in pulling the boat.
Forum Discussion
Aluminum Siding wrote:
My F150 got 8-10 mpg my new 250 6.7 diesel gets 14-16 same trailer. Oh and I barely feel the trailer.
Wow, my 6.7 only got 11.13 on a 9020 mile trip around the U.S. I have a 7000 lb., 29 ft. overall trailer. What's the secret?Cardno7 wrote:
What speed you drive will make the largest difference in mpg. Just not a fuel efficient hobby. My boat is not fuel efficient either.
Pulled boats for many years, now have a Rockwood Minilite 2014s. Pulled by Ford F150 Lariat. Gas mileage went from 16 mpg to 8mpg. Just want to see if this is about the average drop in mpg. Don't see this drop in pulling the boat.- My F150 got 8-10 mpg my new 250 6.7 diesel gets 14-16 same trailer. Oh and I barely feel the trailer.
- Limiting the top gear(s) when towing can also help. My 5.3 Liter Sierra gets better mileage towing in 4th gear then in 5th or 6th gear. The transmission temperature also stays lower and I can easily climb hills or accelerate. When I'm coasting down the freeway, I let it use 5th gear.
- Another option is to travel like my friends in the WIN's (Wandering Individual Network). Their current 6,000 mile journey is only costing them about $150/ month for fuel as it will take them 18 months to travel from Texas to Florida by way of Maine. They sometimes only go 80 miles per week with all there is to see in this country.
danimal53 wrote:
I think if you factor in hotel stays and meals, you're not really paying a ton more to RV vs just a regular road trip. The huge inconvenience of an airport is another reason we prefer RVing. Going to more remote places, prices for flights can be crazy high.
For paying double on fuel, I'd guess we save at least 80% on food, and save at least 80% staying at a CG vs a hotel. Those costs (especially food) would really add up with a larger family (just wife and I and 2 dogs for now)
plus, if you can't take your dogs when you travel, now factor in the cost of boarding them!
Don't forget to factor in the cost of TT, associated RV equipment, TV upgrade, etc. RV'ing is not about saving money versus other forms of travel, it's about convenience and the freedom to travel wherever you want including the off-beaten path. As mentioned, it is a hobby and hobbies cost money.
Never buy a RV to save money as you will ultimately be very disappointed.naturist wrote:
rbpru wrote:
$2.00 gas or $4.00 gas, 10 mpg towing or 17 mpg not towing are only two of the items the RVer has to accept.
250 to 300 mile days verses 500 to 600 mile days, 55 to 65 mph vs. 65 to 75 mph, securing a campsite by 6:00pm vs. rolling into a the HI at midnight are a couple more.
Rving is a mindset shared by kindred spirits who place the conveniences of having their own hotel and restaurant with them above the cost justification.
It is a hobby and like any other hobby it has it's unique issues.
Well said!
+2
The convenience of having your hotel and kitchen with you. Another big reason, can bring our 2 huskies wherever we go.
I think if you factor in hotel stays and meals, you're not really paying a ton more to RV vs just a regular road trip. The huge inconvenience of an airport is another reason we prefer RVing. Going to more remote places, prices for flights can be crazy high.
For paying double on fuel, I'd guess we save at least 80% on food, and save at least 80% staying at a CG vs a hotel. Those costs (especially food) would really add up with a larger family (just wife and I and 2 dogs for now)
plus, if you can't take your dogs when you travel, now factor in the cost of boarding them!
Very happy with our decision to RV. We made the decision about 1 year ago, bought our TT 6 months ago, and never looked back!
I'm off topic, but there is certainly justification for the costs for us.rbpru wrote:
$2.00 gas or $4.00 gas, 10 mpg towing or 17 mpg not towing are only two of the items the RVer has to accept.
250 to 300 mile days verses 500 to 600 mile days, 55 to 65 mph vs. 65 to 75 mph, securing a campsite by 6:00pm vs. rolling into a the HI at midnight are a couple more.
Rving is a mindset shared by kindred spirits who place the conveniences of having their own hotel and restaurant with them above the cost justification.
It is a hobby and like any other hobby it has it's unique issues.
Well said!- $2.00 gas or $4.00 gas, 10 mpg towing or 17 mpg not towing are only two of the items the RVer has to accept.
250 to 300 mile days verses 500 to 600 mile days, 55 to 65 mph vs. 65 to 75 mph, securing a campsite by 6:00pm vs. rolling into a the HI at midnight are a couple more.
Rving is a mindset shared by kindred spirits who place the conveniences of having their own hotel and restaurant with them above the cost justification.
It is a hobby and like any other hobby it has it's unique issues. - On a good day 10mpg, on a bad day 10mpg. We budget for 10 and live with it. Which we got better but that's life. 65 top speed, and never over 350 a day, that is why we call it VACATION
