2011 Thor 29.1 Review, Poor MPG

[Kidoo]

http://www.motorhome.com/rv-reviews/motorhome-reviews/thor-a-c-e-road-test/

Hi, I saw this review and was amazed by the poor MPG on a small class A. It does not seem to make any difference if the RV is small or big.
It shows 7.1 MPG, gees, my nephew drives a 45 ft. semi and he gets a bonus when he averages over 6.2, he gets the bonus every time.

I think it is too bad that there is no competition in Class A Gaz Engine now, no effort is made by Ford to reduce MPG, people just take it for granted, there no other choice anyway. I would take a little less power for a little more MPG.

I am shopping for a class A, but the MPG is a killer, especially that I put on around 20,000 miles a year.

[tjholyoke]

We get about 9 mpg with our ACE 29.1.

[BobR]

My old 1991 Ford 460 gets 7-7.5 mpg. It has consistently gotten the same mpg since new. I would think the report has flawed results.

[Kidoo]

Yes, like one guy told me, when you bring your appartment on the road, MPG is not your friend!

I guess I was hoping for a better MPG with a smaller RV.

[SRT]

You have to remember that a motor home is like a brick flying through the air. Wind direction/speed and speed can really whack the gas mileage. Over the years our early model 2 valve V10 with the Banks intake/exhaust has given about 7mpg overall. That's better than the 5mpg our previous motor home with the Ford 460 delivered.

[bsinmich]

Kidoo wrote:
http://www.motorhome.com/rv-reviews/motorhome-reviews/thor-a-c-e-road-test/

I think it is too bad that there is no competition in Class A Gaz Engine now, no effort is made by Ford to reduce MPG, people just take it for granted, there no other choice anyway.

You are complaining about poor gas mileage and then say you would like Ford to reduce MPG?
Keep in mind that they are talking US gallon. 3.78L makes a US Gallon and your gallon is 25% larger so use Canadian gallons and the MPG will take a 25% jump.

[Turbo_Diesel_Du]

Had a 2011 Ext cab 2500 Chevy 4X4 with the 6.0 and 4.10 gears With our TT @ 8K or so I got 7.5 @ 62MPH on a good day. 6.7 Ram gave me 10 MPG. 6.6 Duramax gave 9.4. Don't know what my Ecoboost will give. It is what it is or will be. JMHO

[BobandShaz]

Buy an egg. Keep it on the gas pedal and don't break it.

[Effy]

You didn't mention your price point. There are a few entry level DP's (Palazzo, Excursion, etc) that tout 10-14 MPG. But you're looking at $140k to start.

[gone2dadesert]

Kidoo wrote:
I am shopping for a class A, but the MPG is a killer, especially that I put on around 20,000 miles a year.

Buy a hybrid or "plug in" electric car and stay in motels or a tent. :E

Kidoo wrote:


I get your point, better aerodynamic = a longer MH. We see some newer, smaller MH with more arerodynamic shape coupled with a Diesel engine, but prices are much higher than the entry level MH and they do not have the room you get in a standard, flat nose MH.

You can buy a lot of gas (petrol) with the cost (purchase price) savings from a entry level Class A versus a FRED. :W

[Rwake901]

I have a 2014 Thor ACE 30.1. If I drive around 62 or 63 mph I get 8.5 mpg if I bump it up to 65 to 70 it goes down to just over 7 mpg. So speed does have a lot to do with mpg.

[rgatijnet1]

Engines have improved a lot in MOST vehicles. For instance a new Corvette, with approximately 500 HP will get mileage that is close to what a VW Beetle got in the 60's. The Ford V10 in a pick-up truck will get mileage in the 20+ range if driven conservatively.
When you look at the RV industry, which makes up a very very small percentage of total vehicles on the road, and you use similar engines, in vehicles with zero aerodynamic styling, that weigh 5+ times as much, plus towing another vehicle, something has to suffer. The vehicles like the Mercedes Sprinter RV's get better mileage because they are smaller, lighter, and have less wind resistance. If you want better mileage, what are you willing to give up?

[workhardplayha1]

I don't think there is any oil company conspiracy here or lack of competition. How much MPG do you expect to get? There is only a limited amount of energy in gasoline, diesel, propane....

have the driver wear a lighter right shoe.

[Kidoo]

I meant 2011 ACE, my mistake

[Kidoo]

OhhWell wrote:

Kidoo wrote:
I tought/dreamed I would see better MPG on this smaller Thor class A. It is a newer model and presume it should use more effiecient technologie.
When I talk to some seller, many claim they do 9 to 10 with their small RV, even 11 to 12 with the last guy I talked to, he has an 8.1. I guess there is no issue, pay the gaz or stay home!! and hope fuel price stay calm for the next years.

That seems to be a commonly shot down dream. They pretty much all still have the same flat front end these days so as to maximize interior room. I got about 7.5mpg with my gas powered truck pulling a TT and now I get about 7 with our gas class A.

There were more aerodynamic MHs in the past but then came the slides and the want for more interior room and storage. I'm sure that they could probably build a somewhat egg shaped MH now with a slide but probably at such a high cost that a potential buyer wouldn't care much about the price of gas anyhow.

I get your point, better aerodynamic = a longer MH. We see some newer, smaller MH with more arerodynamic shape coupled with a Diesel engine, but prices are much higher than the entry level MH and they do not have the room you get in a standard, flat nose MH.