lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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Diplomat Don wrote:Because of the design of the fuel tanks on most DP's, you can't get an average mpg from one tank to another. At any given fill-up, depending on coach angle, these tanks can be off by 5-10 gallons. Any good mileage estimate needs to be made over several fill-ups.
I find what Don says absolutely true. For the past four and half months we made the trip from Southern California up to and around Alaska and back and my mileage varied with each fillup. I finally discovered that I wasn't always filling the tank completely full even though I filled until fuel dripped from the inlet. Turns out, if the coach is on a slight slant towards you, the tank will trap air and no matter how you try to put more fuel in, you can't. Our individual fill ups varied from a low of 6.1 to a high of 11.3.
So, I started figuring my mileage for the overall trip, rather than individual tank fills. In any case, with our C7 Cat (330hp) and our 26000 lb coach pulling a 3500 lb toad, we average right around 8.5 mpg.
Hope this helps
Ron
Ron & Sandie
'08 Safari Simba SBD35
86 Toy 4x4 P/U for Toad.
Tow Bar: Sterling
Brakes: Unified
Toys:
Yamaha 660R Raptor (mine)
Honda 350ES Rancher (hers)
64 Fairlane w/351c - 4sp
Both Fed CS Retirees
Hobbies:
DW's: Quilting
Mine: DW
RETIRED!! How sweet it is....
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bw_fencer
Juneau, AK
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Joined: 09/19/2001
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Looking back at the computer the first owner of our coach got 6.8 to 7.0. Our numbers for the past 4 years are more in the 7.5 range with a few just above 8. Wind probably plays a big part in both the good and bad numbers. City driving is always a killer of course. We have a C-12 and are just a little heavier than you are.
BW
2001 Beaver Marquis
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Maj Easy
Oklahoma
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Joined: 06/21/2007
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my best mpg is 7.2 to 7.5....
engine is new though, after it's broken in i'm hoping for 7.8 to 8.0
my problem is that wife and son require tons of generator time, if they're in the back, they generally need the a/c running....
the onboard fuel computer has shown that the last 50 gallons of fuel got 5.5 mpg..... dry camping and three different week-ends at a close by state camp ground, where we like to use the boat.... so if you only need to buy fuel once a month it lessons fuel's importance....
if mileage is very important to you, you'll also have trouble paying for the tires and the oil changes.... don't get a motorhome, the average motorhome is only driven 6K to 8K miles per year, thus mileage should be of no concern...
my best mpg's come from driving 57mph in 6th gear in economy mode, turning 1400 to 1450 rpms.
2009 Safari Cheetah 42ft tag axle by Monaco
400hp C-9 Cat 6sp Allison in motion satelite
Quad screen color LCD gps factory installed in dash
Dinghy is a 2600lb 08 Toyota Corola 5-spd manual 37mpg
Tow Bar by Blue Ox Avanta LX 10K
Equal balancing polymer
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jh sechelt
British Columbia, Canada
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Joined: 09/15/2008
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We have a 40' with a 400 cummins. so far 8.9 MPG. mostly not towing, but brand new. I have no need to go above 55 MPH. (we are retired). I am sure this makes a difference.
2008 Revolution LE 40 E
Little ford Ranger "toad"
The Pusher
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JohnnyT
Goshen New York
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Joined: 07/15/2003
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Snabag wrote:What milage can be expected from cat 400 hp pushing a 40 ft motorhome with gross weight 35,800 lbs (2005 Beaver Monterey)
There are a great many variables that come into play relative to fuel mileage. Here are two threads on the topic...
Some Thoughts on Improving MPG..Driving Techniques
Thoughts on MPG II.... Aero, Weight, Rolling Resistance
We are currently on the road 5,000 miles into a 7,000 trip... I plan on updating the threads after we get home...
The bottom line of these two threads is there are things one can do to optimize fuel mileage...
JohnnyT Moderator
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Twomed
On the road USA
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Joined: 06/02/2004
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lanerd wrote:Diplomat Don wrote:Because of the design of the fuel tanks on most DP's, you can't get an average mpg from one tank to another. At any given fill-up, depending on coach angle, these tanks can be off by 5-10 gallons. Any good mileage estimate needs to be made over several fill-ups.
I find what Don says absolutely true. For the past four and half months we made the trip from Southern California up to and around Alaska and back and my mileage varied with each fillup. I finally discovered that I wasn't always filling the tank completely full even though I filled until fuel dripped from the inlet. Turns out, if the coach is on a slight slant towards you, the tank will trap air and no matter how you try to put more fuel in, you can't. Our individual fill ups varied from a low of 6.1 to a high of 11.3.
So, I started figuring my mileage for the overall trip, rather than individual tank fills. In any case, with our C7 Cat (330hp) and our 26000 lb coach pulling a 3500 lb toad, we average right around 8.5 mpg.
Hope this helps
Ron
Hit level before fueling and it will always be the same. Another plus for air leveling. 
Happy Trails
06 Monaco Dynasty
07 Hummer H3
FMCA 279843
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lanerd
Ridgecrest, CA
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Joined: 03/03/2003
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Twomed... great idea...unfortunately, my RR4R 4-air bag chassis doesn't have that feature  . I guess I could put down one jack to raise the side I'm filling. I do try to pick and choose the pump to fill from depending upon if the concrete slab is level or not. With either side fuel filling capability, I can usually figure this out pulling in... but if the station is busy, I take what I can get.
Ron
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B's Bunch
Shelbyville, TN. USA Why live any where else?
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Joined: 10/31/2003
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What milage can 400hp cat get on 40' mh? If taken care of probably more than you care to drive
Larry,Brenda,Travis,Jarred & MEME the Boston Terrier The BUNCH 05 Dutch Star 4024 Antelope.Toad 08 Jeep Rubicon Unlimited Four Door Rescue Green Love It!US Gear brakes 06 Ultra Classic Man What a Ride If at first you don't succeed don't try sky diving
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Cody47
Madison, SD
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Joined: 10/05/2002
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We get about 8.5 - 9 on level ground without wind at 57-59 mph. This is about 1 mpg better than our 2004 C7 powered coach. I believe the reason for this is our new coach has a clutch driven cooling fan which does not run all the time.
I did try running at 65-70 mph and found that I dropped to about 7 mpg. We figured could could slow it down a bit and save 20% on fuel.
Cody47
2008 Winnebago Tour 40TD
http://fulltime-rv.blogspot.com/
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lenmann
Pleasanton, NorCal
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Joined: 02/27/2005
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6.75 so far with 5800 miles under our belt. Most of it towing either an Acura MDX, 21' foot wake board boat, or a 18' trailer full of motorized toys.
Doesn't seem to much matter what speed we go, started out at 55 and felt like we were in the way. Stepped it up to keep up and didn't see much change.
Cat C9 425 hp.
LenMann
2008 Beaver Contessa 40 Pacifica, Cat C9
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