Estimated Mileage - Bounder 34J

Ford 460 engine maybe 6-7mpg

If you drive 10,000 miles per year, the difference between 7 miles per gallon and 8 miles per gallon is around $550.00 at $3.00 per gallon. That means the difference is about a nickel a mile. And that is why many people are saying it makes no difference in the grand scheme of things. RVing will never be the cheapest way to get between point A and point B. But it might be the best way.

Dave Pete wrote:
Pegdiver: what are your three top reasons for not worrying about mileage. I might assume you are not independently wealthy, or that your mentioned food cost isn't nightly dining in fine restaurants. I suppose I'm more interested in philosophical answers, as associated with the Class A experience as compared to something smaller with better economics.

And really. Anybody can join in on answering this question.

I kind of gave you my answer before but I'll try again. I know the MPG is going to be bad. I have a 70 Chevelle SS454, I know the MPG is going to be bad, especially since I drive it like I stole it. I'm definitely not independently wealthy but both of those are luxury items. I don't need them, just want them. I see lousy mileage as just part of the cost of enjoying them and it is what it is. I also like to go to the gun range, the cost of ammo is just part of the cost of enjoying that hobby.

I don't golf, go to casinos, sit in the bar and drink overpriced alcohol. My 'fun' money goes to the above items. If things are tight maybe one of those items sits on the side for awhile. If I have to worry about the cost of enjoying those things then they're no longer fun, just another expense to worry about.

As I said I'm not independently wealthy but I am lucky enough that I can own and enjoy the motorhome. In my opinion if MPG was a concern, not just a curiousity, then I probably shouldn't own it.

I have a 96 Bounder 34J with the Ford chassis. The average milage is between 5.5 to 7 mpg depending on pulling a toad, using generator, terrain, etc.

1996 Chevy 454 TBI 70,000 miles......average 8.65 mpg. By knowing the mpg I can safely plan fuels stops. Also, by knowing the mpg I can determine if there is an engine issue. By knowing the mpg I can plan my trip costs in advance and thus better budget expenses.

Putting a boat in the water with a 36' motorhome with a rear camera is NOT hard. Just need practice, never used a spotter.
Never got over 8 mpg with a '11 Gas Bounder, pulling a motorcycle.
Never got over 7 pulling a 17' boat.

Pegdiver: what are your three top reasons for not worrying about mileage. I might assume you are not independently wealthy, or that your mentioned food cost isn't nightly dining in fine restaurants. I suppose I'm more interested in philosophical answers, as associated with the Class A experience as compared to something smaller with better economics.

And really. Anybody can join in on answering this question.

On our 1999 32 foot Winnie Adventurer we got 7 - 8 mpg (Chevy).
On our 2012 37 foot Winnie Adventurer we get about 6+ (Ford).
We went 105,000 miles on the 1999 and never worried about the mpg. We aren't going to worry about the mpg in the 2012!
We spend more on food than on gas.

No harm Hank! No doubt it is a concern for any of us. In this day and age it's a significant piece of the RV equation, and daily drivers.

Dave, I didn't mean to imply you wanted hard numbers or suggest you should find another mode of transportation. That's just how I look at it, gas mileage is a concern for my daily drivers, I just didn't worry about it for trucks and motorhomes. Having a general idea of mileage for your motorhome is not a bad thing.

We just bought a used Winnebago on a workhorse chassis. The dash shows your instantaneous mileage. We're still cleaning and outfitting it so haven't put any miles on. I'm curious to see what it says when we do get it on the road.