got any tips on how to save on gas? how much do you spend?

"Well Sir,
Without sounding too negative here. If you're going to drive ANY type of RV, then gas mileage is not in the picture. Some "supposedly" get in the 10s, some in the 9s, but, by far, the average hovers between 6-8. They're big, they're heavy, they're usually pulling something that's not light, they're built like a Kleenex Box on wheels so there's absolutely "0" aerodynamics. "

X100.

Unless you're full-timing and planning on putting on 10s of thousands of miles a year, it's just not an issue given all of the other expenses in going on trips. Yes, you look for cheaper stations, to a degree, but I'm not going to drive an extra 15mis to get fuel that's $.05 cheaper...just not worth it to me. I'd burn 4 gallons of gas to save $25?

Forget about mileage, and enjoy the lifestyle and the many advantages it has to offer :)

Safe Travels,

Jim

chuckftboy wrote:
Fuel Mileage is what it is and I, like most, get around 7 or less running 65 to 70 MPH. People on the forums seem to save more on toilet paper than fuel.

awsome

I deduct SOME of my fuel costs legally on my income tax. All it takes is showing that your RV is also used in a legitimate business venture. Not difficult, entirely legal, but does take keeping a few records. In my case, some of the records are kept by the US government so they are easy for them to verify, which is why my two audits were a non-issue. This come close to cutting my fuel costs in half, as well as other expenses that can be legally deducted.

When you finish pumping fuel turn the nozzle up side down. There maybe an oz or two left inside. You paid for it you may as well take it with you. Jim

lots of good info here. thanks everyone.

We have a 32' Itasca Sunrise 2002 with the Triton V10 pulling a 2009 Jeep Wrangler toad, I drive 65 on the freeway and try to mimic the semi-trucks on the hills (both up and down). Avoid "jackrabbit" starts and anticipate stops as much as possible. I get between 6.8 and 7.2 mpg on average. We factored the cost of gas into our travel budget, just like we would factor in airline tickets or car rental expenses.

12 MPG average solo
10 MPG average with wrangler toad

Diesel fuel through a 5.9 cummins W/ 6 speed allison

I used to concern myself with weight and speed and so on but have found that it all evens out over the long haul. Some sections of road I have seen as low as 6 MPG and some sections as high as 15 MPG. At the end of a trip it always averages real close to 12 or 10 MPGs depending on toad or solo.

Slowing down only means something if you have a king sized mattress up your exhaust, which includes most stock exhaust systems. Those systems tend to get inefficient at higher speeds. While headers and straight through mufflers may not make much difference at 65 and below, they will keep it from noise diving above that. If you like to travel fast, headers will make a difference.

Second thing is to get a vacuum gauge and learn to use it. Air flow through the engine is mainly a function of vacuum. If air is flowing through, so is the fuel. Using a vacuum gauge gives you a reference to tell you how much fuel you are using. Depending on the wind and your coach, you may discover a small change in speed makes a big difference. Other conditions, you might find you can travel much fast, without sinking the gauge.

One should also note that it may help to get a run on a grade, so you are in the power band. There are many times when speeding up just a little, may prevent it from downshifting, and therefore save fuel.

We usually put between 15,000 and 20,000 miles a year on our coach. I don't really check mileage but I would guess I average 8 MPG. Less when we are in the mountains. Our average annual fuel expense is around $7000 and worth every penny. I think that the average RV depreciates more than $7000/year so I may as well use it since I would still be losing money if I just let it sit. We started RVing to see the country, NOT to save fuel.

As mentioned before...slow down! We drive approx. 62 mph. Also, if it is a windy day...stay parked and slow down even further if needs be.