Forum Discussion

otrfun's avatar
otrfun
Explorer II
Feb 21, 2019

MPG's with NL 8-11

Kinda curious what kind of mpg's we can expect on our return trip home next week with our new NL 8-11 on-board (OR to AZ). Expect to keep speeds around 65 mph. Estimate the total weight to be around 3,300 lbs. This is based on the scaled empty weight of other new units with the same options, plus batteries, 1/2 tank water, propane, tie-downs, and very little gear. TV is a '16 3500 SRW Cummins. Since we get a pretty consistent 21 mpg at 65 mph empty (flat, no wind), would we be overly optimistic in expecting, say, 14 mpg at 65 mph with the 8-11 under the same conditions? Thanks!
Truck Campers
  • Wardster's avatar
    Wardster
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2019
    I would say that might be optimistic by 1-2 mpg, which is still pretty good considering the fact that you have a small efficiency apartment in the bed. I generally get somewhere in the 13.x mpg with the same TC in the bed of my '03 Duramax.
  • Old_Days's avatar
    Old_Days
    Explorer II
    Feb 21, 2019
    I get about 11 to 12 MPH with a Ford F-250 6.2 gasser. So you should get 14 or 15 with a diesel.
  • Homeless_by_Cho's avatar
    Homeless_by_Cho
    Explorer
    Feb 21, 2019
    Wardster wrote:
    I would say that might be optimistic by 1-2 mpg, which is still pretty good considering the fact that you have a small efficiency apartment in the bed. I generally get somewhere in the 13.x mpg with the same TC in the bed of my '03 Duramax.


    X2

    I get 13-14 mpg with just the camper BUT I generally drive at 60 MPH max with the camper. I get about 20-21 mpg with an empty bed at 60-65 MPH.

    LeRoy
  • otrfun's avatar
    otrfun
    Explorer II
    Feb 21, 2019
    Thanks everyone. Based on everybody's input I'm guessing we should expect 13 mpg---maybe a tad more. Not too bad.

    FWIW, we used to pull a 13' 4" high, 12,000 lb. 5th wheel with a huge front cap and got a pretty consistent 11 mpg at 65 mph.
  • hedgehopper's avatar
    hedgehopper
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2019
    When we drove our “new” 2002 Cummins dually with NL10-2 CD from Idaho to Denver, we got 15.5 mpg. But we were limiting our speed to 55 mph.
  • Kayteg1's avatar
    Kayteg1
    Explorer II
    Feb 22, 2019
    In highway hauling weight doesn't affect mpg much. Frontal area does.
    Modern diesel should get 13 mpg with given parameter with no sweat, but speed plays huge role and that is where wind speed apply.
    When I was moving from SF to Vegas, I made 3 quick trips with my cargo trailer.
    All the same route, all the same 60 mph and driving S-E with 8-9000 load I was getting 11 mpg, while going back empty most of the time it was 9 mpg.
    You can guess direction of desert winds.
  • WyoBull's avatar
    WyoBull
    Explorer
    Feb 22, 2019
    I get 11-12 mpg with my 2017 F350 6.2 gas and 3.73 rear end hauling our 8.11. Keep in mind, that is bucking no head wind. With the wind I am down to 10 mpg.

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