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Ideal Speed In Class A Gas MH

FULLTIMEWANABE
Explorer
Explorer
Care to share what your "optimum" travelling speed is when moving/travelling to a different location in your Class A Gas MH?

Taking into account consideration of: what's best for the vehicle, most cost effective balancing everything out, and most importantly what you feel is best for safety.

Looking forward to the responses and of course how prudent you are during your travels of sticking to that deemed optimum speed.

Much appreciated folks 🙂

FTW.
It Takes No More Effort To Aim High Than To Aim Low - Reach For The Stars
43 REPLIES 43

JC2
Explorer
Explorer
The sweet spot(and what I feel most comfortable at) for our mh is 63-65 which is 1850-1900rpm.
2010 Newmar Dutch Aire 4304,Cummins ISL 425hp,Spartan MM Chassis,2013 Chev Equinox AWD Towed,Ready Brute Elite TowBar/Brake,FMCA #402879,SKP#120487

DryCreek
Explorer
Explorer
Just curious; are those of you espousing speed limit "plus" using longer following distances than the recommended two car lengths?

While it is a good excuse to be in a hurry to get to the booze, or not to be "the obstruction" on the road to the cocktail hour - could it also be argued that if you prefer to not "overdrive" your ability to stop, reflexes, or comfort zone, you are not being an obstruction as much as a more careful (responsible) driver?

Like I said, I'm just curious. I am aware of my limitations and observe a speed limit that keeps others around me safe too. Besides, where I live the speed limit is usually 75, so "plus 5" would put me over the governor limit on an F53 chassis.

Bill_Satellite
Explorer II
Explorer II
For me (me alone) the best speed to drive my RV is the speed limit posted on the road side signs plus a couple of MPH as that's what the flow of traffic is traveling. This may or may not be the most fuel efficient so if that's your question you might want to clarify the question. I do not want to be the obstruction in the road traveling too slow in the right hand lane so if the speed limit is 70-75 and someone is giving you advice that you should be driving between 60-65 for best mileage I would disagree with that scenario. I want to get to my destination safely even if that means I end up using a bit more fuel than would be considered optimal. 6.5 or 6.3 MPG is not as important that cocktail time. I want to ensure that I will make cocktail time!
What I post is my 2 cents and nothing more. Please don't read anything into my post that's not there. If you disagree, that's OK.
Can't we all just get along?

fourmat
Explorer
Explorer
63 MPH gives us best mileage but a lot has to do with wind and conditions
2009 Challenger

10forty2
Explorer
Explorer
Chiming in to say 65 or below....usually below. There's a sweet spot at 60 and another sweet spot around 68, but after two tire blowouts less than a month apart, I decided that the right lane and 65 max were my limits. Slow down and enjoy the trip...after-all, it's the journey, not the destination!!
1999 Holiday Rambler Endeavor, 36' Gasser
Triton V10, Ford F53 Chassis
-----------------------------------------

Gjac
Explorer III
Explorer III
I drive from 50-70 mph depending on road conditions and traffic. I drive more by rpm and my vacuum gauge than my speedometer. Each engine has a max torque and HP rpm. My best mpg is at the highest vacuum reading which makes it easy. So mph will vary with hills and head winds. I know what reading the MH will down shift so if I see a big hill I might hit 70 at the bottom and let off the gas as I climb to keep it from downshifting. In general the best mpg is in high gear when vacuum is over 10 ins of Hg. Out west with no or little traffic I can ave over 9 mpgs easily. Over 80k miles of travel I have average 8.7 mps. Headers, FF mufflers, CAI,and advancing the timing added much more HP and performance but did not help mpg. Driving by RPM and vacuum did.

DryCreek
Explorer
Explorer
LVJ58 wrote:
gbopp wrote:
58-62



X2


Hmm, times two? Dang, that's like 116 to 124! :B

Mr_Mark1
Explorer
Explorer
:h
Redwoodcamper wrote:
Optimal speed is the speed that traffic is moving. If you can't do that stay home. A large amount of people are on the clock or providing for their families while on the road. If you can't go the speed limit you are taking bread off their table. If you can't do that safely then something needs to change.


You do know that his silly talk, right? Even people on the road making living are scratching their heads. 🙂

That's why there is a right lane, for slower drivers. Whoever wants to pass on the left, that lane is WIDE open for the guys making a living.

Safe travels, and keep the wheels on the ground.
MM.
Mr.Mark
2021.5 Pleasure Way Plateau FL Class-B on the Sprinter Chassis
2018 Mini Cooper Hardtop Coupe, 2 dr., 6-speed manual
(SOLD) 2015 Prevost Liberty Coach, 45 ft, 500 hp Volvo
(SOLD) 2008 Monaco Dynasty, 42 ft, 425 hp Cummins

BigRabbitMan
Explorer
Explorer
Redwoodcamper wrote:
Optimal speed is the speed that traffic is moving. If you can't do that stay home. A large amount of people are on the clock or providing for their families while on the road. If you can't go the speed limit you are taking bread off their table. If you can't do that safely then something needs to change.

I totally disagree with the implications of this post. I am formerly also from "norcal" and have driven all of the highways in CA from LA north - specifically including the Redwoods. I-5 has cars in the left lane running from 70 (the legal limit) to infinity. Trucks on I-5 run 62-63 mph per my running with them. While on I-5 I just run with the faster trucks at 62-63 as the slower trucks are at 55-60. We are NOT keeping anyone from their livelihood!!!!! This is also true on US Hwy 101 headed up to the redwoods on the coast. The two lane sections have a 55 mph limit and traffic rarely goes that fast. I go the speed that is comfortable for me at the time. Generally on 4 lane highways that is with the trucks in the right lane. Sometimes I have felt the need to go faster and have rolled at 70 mph but that is unusual. Once going downhill I found myself doing 80 mph but I do not recommend that!!

The main thing is to NEVER exceed the speed for the conditions that YOU feel comfortable driving.
BigRabbitMan
Gas to Diesel Conversion project
76 FMC #1046, Gas Pusher became a Diesel Pusher
Discussion thread on this site
"You're never too old to learn something stupid."

Passin_Thru
Explorer
Explorer
Drive it like you own it!

Passin_Thru
Explorer
Explorer
Drive it like you own it!

bluwtr49
Explorer II
Explorer II
Redwoodcamper wrote:
Optimal speed is the speed that traffic is moving. If you can't do that stay home. A large amount of people are on the clock or providing for their families while on the road. If you can't go the speed limit you are taking bread off their table. If you can't do that safely then something needs to change.


No way am I going to drive at 85 mph on tires rated for 70 mph. That's just plain stupid. I'll do my 65 or the speed limit which ever is slowest and the rest of the traffic can just adapt. If traffic is backing up behind me on narrow roads I will pull over when safe to do so.
Dick

2002 43' DP Beaver Marquis Emerald Cat C-12 505 HP, 1600 Tq
2003 Jeep Grand Cherokee Overland ---toad

Lancslad
Explorer
Explorer
I drive 65-67 where I can, not much more. I find its a sweet spot where I can pass most trucks yet still be out of the way of the faster ones. We drove I95 south the other day in the car and I was passed by a MH and toad while doing 75mph. Florida or bust I guess!!
2011 FR Georgetown 337DS
2003 Dodge Dakota Towed

mowermech
Explorer
Explorer
In the motorhome my "do not exceed" speed is 65. I have been known to go 70 now and then, but that is rare.
In the truck, I run about 70 or the posted limit.
In the car, I have trouble obeying the posted limit, no matter what it is. That turbo PT wants to go FAST!
I have had my ATV at 55 on the road (yes, it is "street legal"), but I'm not comfortable at that speed. 45 is better.
CM1, USN (RET)
2017 Jayco TT
Daily Driver: '14 Subaru Outback
1998 Dodge QC LWB, Cummins, 5 speed, 4X2
2 Kawasaki Brute Force 750 ATVs.
Pride Raptor 3 wheeled off-road capable mobility scooter
"When seconds count, help is only minutes away!"