Mercedes Sprinter Fuel Mileage

[65Hemi]

Curious to know what highway diesel fuel mileage forum users are getting (at what average speed) with their Class C (B+) Mercedes Sprinter RVs. I am seriously thinking about buying a new one (Citation B+). Any responses will be appreciated. I plan on running 60 mph average on the highway.

Bill in Tulsa

[loggenrock]

NH to FL and back in 2014 Sprinter chassis B+ towing 3300# Suby Forester with double kayak on it - right around 15mpg, which is about the same we get on other trips, too. Avg speed for travelling is 62 mph - we let all the problems pass us! ST

[65Hemi]

Thanks to everyone who responded. Your comments were very helpful.

Bill

[ron_dittmer]

With our 2007 Phoenix Cruiser E350-V10, the best we got on a tank full was 13 mpg, but conditions are rarely so favorable. Trip average is 10.5 not towing, and 9.5 when towing our Liberty as shown in my signature.

[photobug]

Just got back from a short trip to eastern washington. 4000ft pass, stuck in road construction and behind an accident. 45mph on 2 lane winding mountain roads. 250miles r/t. 1998 e450 v-10 the engine monitor said a whole 7.6 mpg. Off to Costco to refill the tank.

[charlessfolly]

We have a 2014 Citation 24SA. In our recent trip from Vancouver to Ottawa we filled up each day as we went,it usually was combined with a doggy walk/on board coffee break. Price per fill averaged $55-best about $25,highest $70.
In 28 days we spent about $1600 and traveled 11000 km. About 20 mpg canadian I think.I bought the Sprinter based unit because we like to travel and sightsee with our dog and two cats. We kept expenses low by eating all meals on board but we camped mostly no hookups at provincial campgrounds or small town municipal campgrounds which were quite nice,actually. We drove at 95-100 kph which is roughly 60 mph. Everybody passed us but few complained too much. It meant we rarely were following anybody and we got to enjoy the view.
The Thor Citation is well thought out and we find it does everything just right.
I hope this is helpful to you. We had a great time.

[65Hemi]

Exactly. At least cars and light trucks have an EPA fuel mileage estimate on the window sticker to give you an idea, but with heavy duty trucks and motor homes, you're on your own.

Bill

[ron_dittmer]

65Hemi wrote:
Why would you assume I have angst over it? I have absolutely no angst over it. I'm just curious about what fuel mileage to expect if I buy a new one.

I understand where you are coming from. I'd want to know too.

[65Hemi]

Why would you assume I have angst over it? I have absolutely no angst over it. I'm just curious about what fuel mileage to expect if I buy a new one.

[Expyinflight]

I will never understand all of the angst and concern over the mpg in a motorhome. It is what it is. Life is too short. Drive on!! Enjoy the adventure! Forget about it!

[carringb]

pnichols wrote:

Dennis12 wrote:
My Vegas gets right at 12mpg on open roads.

That's great V10 mileage on your Vegas!

Probably you have the 3-valve version of the V10 in your Class A motorhome. I wonder if the 3-valve V10 gets better mileage than the 2-valve V10 that is in Class C motorhomes?

The Vegas is still built on the E-series chassis and therefore maintains the 2-valve V10. However the big sloped windshield is has far less drag. So much so, Ford lets them build some floor-plans with 4.10 gears. Those gears are no longer allowed on full-width Class-Cs because it causes them to exceed the new greenhouse gas emissions limits. Thor worked pretty close with Ford to develop the frontal profile needed to maximize fuel economy. See page 7 below:

https://www.fleet.ford.com/truckbbas/non-html/Q-246R5.pdf

[pnichols]

We cruise at 58-60 MPH in our E450 24 foot Class C and it feels just right:

1. No engine noise.
2. Enough time for the DW to observe and identify wildlife.
3. Probably at least 10 MPG mileage from the V10.
4. Fast enough to be beyond a mysterious rattling noise we've had for 10 years when traveling around 40MPH.
5. Slow enough to stop quickly and safely.
6. Slow enough so any small side-push from a big rig doesn't bother us.
7. Slow enough so unexpected side-wind gusts on the open road in New Mexico don't put us into an unsafe situation.
8. Slow enough so the dog doesn't get motion sickness.
9. Slow enough to fully enjoy the music.
10. Slow enough to suddenly and safely steer around or slow up so idi*t drivers coming at us from an oncoming lane don't cream us head-on when trying to unsafely pass a vehicle.

😉

[ron_dittmer]

Regarding fuel economy, it is hard to do a direct comparison between a Sprinter diesel and E350-V10 because drivers of the Ford naturally go faster. It feels right for me with our 2007 E350-V10 whether towing or not, to cruise between 65-70 MPH. If I slowed down to 55-60 MPH, I'd feel like something is wrong. At my speed everyone still passes us, but not like we are standing still.

[pnichols]

Dennis12 wrote:
My Vegas gets right at 12mpg on open roads.

That's great V10 mileage on your Vegas!

Probably you have the 3-valve version of the V10 in your Class A motorhome. I wonder if the 3-valve V10 gets better mileage than the 2-valve V10 that is in Class C motorhomes?

[NCWriter]

A few points from owning two Sprinters over the past seven years to add to Ron's summary; other owners may have different experiences to share.

We have a Sprinter which came with a diesel generator; they don't always come with only the option for propane generators.
The resale value far exceeded our expectations on our first Sprinter... depreciation is often less with diesel engines vs gas.
We've never had problems finding places for servicing.