Gas mileage, environmentally friendly remodel

[cbsurfmom]

I want to remodel my coach and lighten the load in order to get better gas mileage. I'm planning on a environmentally friendly remodel. (This is my one year plan after repairing my leak for those who followed that post) Things I've been thinking about are: The furniture weighs so much. The mattress in the back is on a thick piece of plywood on cut off 2x4's. The 2 swivel chairs, though very comfortable are heave and so is the fold down couch. The only thing about the couch is it has seat belts which we want to keep. Get rid of the AC unit. Switch out the Fridge and Stove when they no longer work. Get rid of the carpet and install cork flooring. Another thought I had is a composting toilet instead of a black holding tank, anyone installed one of those? Bottom line, is it worth doing this and will it really increase my gas mileage? Thanks for the replies in advance.

[SkiMore]

If you want to get an idea how weight affects MPG. Fill all your tanks(fresh,gray+black) with water and measure MPG. Drain all the tanks and measure MPG again. Calculate how much all that water weighs. How much of a difference did the water weight make in MPG?

[cbsurfmom]

Jim Shoe wrote:
1. You live in Colorado. Coast until you get to Florida and then sell it.
2. Travel in a Honda Civic and camp in a tent.
3. Stop calculating gas mileage and making yourself miserable.

Actually, selling in FL is a thought we had. I think it'd be the way to go. I'm not getting my hubby back in a tent. Next time, I think I can talk him into a travel trailer!

[cbsurfmom]

Johnny Dearborn wrote:
From everything you're saying, are you sure you want a motorhome? Maybe a little travel trailer so you can camp in it is all you need. You'll get way better gas milage at a fraction of the cost. One less vehicle maintain and insure as well.

Yeah, well, that's what I wanted but my husband isn't really a roughing it kinda guy. It was a compromise.

[Jim_Shoe]

1. You live in Colorado. Coast until you get to Florida and then sell it.
2. Travel in a Honda Civic and camp in a tent.
3. Stop calculating gas mileage and making yourself miserable.

[Johnny_Dearborn]

From everything you're saying, are you sure you want a motorhome? Maybe a little travel trailer so you can camp in it is all you need. You'll get way better gas milage at a fraction of the cost. One less vehicle maintain and insure as well.

[maillemaker]

I think chasing MPG in an RV is a fool's errand. These things are beasts and that is just the way it is until we can hook up a Mr. Fusion.

Steve

[bsinmich]

My history of 4 MHs over the past 25 years is as follows
1. '76 Dodge chassis 21' and about 7500#. 5 MPG
2. '89 Ford 460 in 27' Jamboree 14000# 6.5 mpg
3. ;96 Chev 454 in 35'Pace Arrow, 16500# 7 MPG
4. '03 W22 chassis in 38' Moumtain Aire 22,000# 7.5-8 MPG.
Each one has been bigger and heavier and gave better mileage. The only one that did not have EFI was the Dodge. All other have been MPFI. If a few poinds could give better MPG I would have totally different results.

[Olddud]

cbsurfmom wrote:

I do live in the mountains!

Then, the best bet is to always drive downhill.:)

[cbsurfmom]

wolfe10 wrote:


So, if you live and drive in the mountains, lighter will give you better MPG. If most of your driving does not involve serious climbing, it will make little difference.

I do live in the mountains!

[wolfe10]

Nope, more like a displacement hull. OTHER laws of physics dictate basic MPG. In the case of an RV, on flat ground the OVERWHELMING amount of HP is used to overcome AERODYNAMIC DRAG. Yes, on climbing grades, weights becomes the dominant factor.

So, if you live and drive in the mountains, lighter will give you better MPG. If most of your driving does not involve serious climbing, it will make little difference.

[cbsurfmom]

Thanks everyone! That's what I was told. Guess it's not like a catamaran. The lighter the load the faster it goes 😉

[2oldman]

No and no. And you'll end up with something *I* wouldn't want to camp in. If you want better mph just drive slower.

[midnightsadie]

I,d say no, your mpg might increase but not enough you,d see it, a truck chassis was built to work not get good mpg, the chassis when built has no idea its gonna be a MH. best way to get mpg is keep it at 55mph. or get a mercedes benz diesel. thats what I did and ain,t never going back to 8mpg. we had a 24ft bornfree V10 8mpg on a good day. bought a 24ft leisure travel van freedom serenity II. I 5 MB diesel and get just over 20 mpg .

[gbopp]

Personally, I don't think making the RV a little lighter will make a difference in MPG.
I believe wind resistance/drag is the big MPG killer on RV's.