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Improving Gas Mileage

bookermorgan
Explorer
Explorer
I am doing a trip from Calgary, AB to Peachland, BC in September. I am wondering what I things I can do to improve my gas mileage while towing?

This trip will take us through a lot of mountains, and normally we stick to the rolling foothills.

I have a 2004 Silverado 2500HD Gas.

Would something like a Bully Dog help?
25 REPLIES 25

PapPappy
Explorer
Explorer
I hope you are doing it anyway, for the protection of the tires, but you will want to make sure that the tire pressure is at it's optimum level, as this will help with mileage too.

There is a PSA (Public Service Announcement) here in the states, that talks about how you can safe enough in gas to buy breakfast for a year. I don't remember all the suggestions but here are a few. (Maybe some other folks will remember the others)

1.) Proper air pressure in the tires.
2.) Have the engine tuned up, working at it's most efficient.
2.a.) New Air Filter.
3.) Clean the vehicle (every little piece of dirt will have some effect on the aerodynamics.)
4.) Drive slower, at the engine's most economical speed.
5.) Don't do Jack-Rabbit starts.....and coast to a stop by watching the road, traffic, and signals up a head.
6.) Reduce the weight.....gonna be tough in an RV, but the less you have to carry, the more you'll save in fuel.

Granted, all these things at the maximum efficiency, may save you all of 1/2 mpg, but for your trip, that may be quite a few bucks.

Bottom line, most RVs seem to be in the 6-10 mpg range.....you won't find something that will suddenly give you 20 mpg, but you may get lucky, and get it up 1 mpg.
As someone mentioned....pray to the RV Gods, for a tailwind!:)

Not much else you can do.

Have a great trip!
Bill & Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris / GS MJ
Dogs: Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie, Annie, Maggie, Tugger & Beau 🙂
RIP: Cookie, Foxy & Gidget @ Rainbow Bridge.😞
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April 2008:B FMCA# F407293
The Pets

downtheroad
Explorer
Explorer
Sure you can have your cake and eat it too....RV'ing AND good gas mileage..

"If we couldn't laugh we would all go insane."

Arctic Fox 25Y
GMC Duramax
Blue Ox SwayPro

EcoBullet
Explorer
Explorer
exeter_acres wrote:


It is amazing how many people by an RV and then worry about mileage....
seriously? We are driving a house down the road.. what do you expect?!?!?


To have our cake and eat it too! Surely you don't mind saving a buck do you?
Me 1954, Nana 1954, Grandson 2003, Granddaughters 2005 & 2008
2014 Keystone Bullet Premier 22RBPR
2013 F-150 XLT Supercrew 4X4 Ecoboost Max Tow

exeter_acres
Explorer
Explorer
Gdetrailer wrote:
Everyone wants to save money on getting better mileage.. NOT GONNA HAPPEN while towing a big cement block.

People spend thousands of dollars on gimmicks, gadgets, oil treatments and any other add on you can think about and never ever recoup the money thrown away on those things.

SAVE YOUR MONEY, don't get sucked in and buy add ons, they don't work.

You have several choices, one is SLOW DOWN, yep, this one is gonna be painful to hear but slowing down from 70 mph to say 60 mph can get you a bit better mileage. RVs are as aerodynamic as a brick, slowing down lowers the wind resistance some requiring a bit less gas pedal to keep it at speed.

Second is SELL your RV and buy a "smart car".

Third is to FORGET ABOUT THE MILEAGE and ENJOY YOUR CAMPING TRIP.


Bestest Post!!!!

It is amazing how many people by an RV and then worry about mileage....
seriously? We are driving a house down the road.. what do you expect?!?!?
Involved in R/C airplanes and travel and camp at many events.
www.extremeflightrc.com

exeter_acres
Explorer
Explorer
wide open throttle

in other words
Involved in R/C airplanes and travel and camp at many events.
www.extremeflightrc.com

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi turtle,

What is WOT and IOW?
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Turtle_n_Peeps
Explorer
Explorer
One thing that will save lots of fuel is this:

When going up hills do not use WOT. IOW if you have to use WOT to maintain 55mph up a hill slow down to lets say 40 or even 35mph and use less throttle. This will save LOTS of fuel if you run into a lot of mountains and use this technique.
~ Too many freaks & not enough circuses ~


"Life is not tried ~ it is merely survived ~ if you're standing
outside the fire"

"The best way to get a bad law repealed is to enforce it strictly."- Abraham Lincoln

pianotuna
Nomad III
Nomad III
Hi,

Air tabs will help. But pay back would be far more than the cost of driving to Peachland.

Pray for a tail wind?

But mostly drive as slow as you can.
Regards, Don
My ride is a 28 foot Class C, 256 watts solar, 556 amp-hours of Telcom jars, 3000 watt Magnum hybrid inverter, Sola Basic Autoformer, Microair Easy Start.

Gdetrailer
Explorer III
Explorer III
Everyone wants to save money on getting better mileage.. NOT GONNA HAPPEN while towing a big cement block.

People spend thousands of dollars on gimmicks, gadgets, oil treatments and any other add on you can think about and never ever recoup the money thrown away on those things.

SAVE YOUR MONEY, don't get sucked in and buy add ons, they don't work.

You have several choices, one is SLOW DOWN, yep, this one is gonna be painful to hear but slowing down from 70 mph to say 60 mph can get you a bit better mileage. RVs are as aerodynamic as a brick, slowing down lowers the wind resistance some requiring a bit less gas pedal to keep it at speed.

Second is SELL your RV and buy a "smart car".

Third is to FORGET ABOUT THE MILEAGE and ENJOY YOUR CAMPING TRIP.

lancekeys
Explorer
Explorer
Drive slow

On rolling hills, use the downhill side to gain speed and plan on losing it going up. Basically keep your throttle in the same position and let the speedometer go up and down.

Not sure what the bully dog will cost, but doubt it will save enough gas to pay for itself.
1999 dodge 2500 360 V-8
2002 28' Forest River Wildcat fifth wheel

Jim-Linda
Explorer II
Explorer II
SLOW DOWN!!