Flashback Max
Homer, NY
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Joined: 07/19/2004
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My parents just bought a 1984 coachman 26' motor home. They are tickled pink about it. They’ve always wanted one since they had to give up their old(old as in the 60‘s) one about twenty years ago. We have been to Alaska twice since and rented a motor home while we were there. Both times were trips that words could never explain. We’ll just leave it at that.
All three of us happen to be teachers. With the summers off, now there’s talk of driving their “new” one up there next summer, some 4500 miles one way!! Now I’m somewhat concerned that with the cost of gas, it might be a bit of a stretch. It’s a 84 coachman with a ford 460 engine with 48K miles on it that I have to say runs extremely well. I have no idea what it would get for mileage. I’m thinking 10 or so. However maybe on some of those nice flat prairies through AB and SK at a constant 60mph or so, we might be able to bump it up to 12. That’s just a “pulled out of my butt guess.” The ones we rented were new, but vastly underpowered. I think we got around 8. I’m thinking maybe though with a bigger motor, it wouldn’t be strained nearly as bad. Now I’m probably wrong, but I was wondering if anybody had any insight? Thanks in advance,
Max
Homer, NY
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PapPappy
Wilmington, NC
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Joined: 12/23/2007
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My guess would be to calculate your trip with 8 mpg as the magic number. If it is better, you'll be happy, and have some extra $$$ in your pocket. It probably won't be worse, as I get 8 mpg in my 31' and yours is going to be smaller and lighter.
You may very well be right on the money with your "out the butt" guesses, but I'd rather estimate low...and be happy, than estimate (dream) high and be upset.
The first time you go and refill the tank and calculate the mileage, you'll be upset...and it might ruin your trip! Keeping the speed down will help too!
I think I'd be more concerned about a 24 year old RV making that kind of trip?? I'd question my son or daughter's sanity for taking a trip like that with a car that old...and a "new to you" RV has so many unknowns!! Only you guys are aware of what you have, and only you can make that decision, but even though the miles are low for it's age, I'd make sure that the tires are fairly new, that all the systems are really up to snuff (brakes, steering, belts, batteries, etc.), and that the engine has a tune-up and that engine and Trans. have an oil change before heading to the 49th State!! And, I'd also make sure you have Good Sam's road service or something similar....that is a long haul from NY.
JMHO!!
DH Bill / DW Claudia / DD Jenn / DS Chris
The Paps! Sophie, Abby, Brandy, Kahlie and Annie 
2000 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C, Ford V-10
Purchased April Fools Day, 2008 
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The Texan
Summer: A Cool Climate Winter: A Warm Climate
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Joined: 01/16/2004
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The Ford 460 was a gas hog and depending on how the vehicle was spec by the builder for the rear end ratio, you will be darn lucky to get 7 MPG and more likely to get around 6 MPG. As far as the house being 24 years old, I would worry more about the chassis than the house. Have the exhaust system checked real good, as the catalytic converter was a major problem with the 460 in that era. I had a 27' Coachmen with the 460 and am speaking from experience.
Bob & Betsy - USN Ret'd '78 & FL LEO Ret'd '03 
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'07 Arctic Cat 500A & Wilderness Kayak, riding in the pusher -
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tom_kat
way upstate new york/lake george area
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i have a 79 ford class C thats 24 ft with a 460 ci engine and a 3 speed C-6 tranny with a 3.73 rear end , in the hills with some flat driveing i get 10 mpg and steeper mountains i get 8 MPG. on good flat ground you might be able to get better then that but around here there is no really long flat streach of roads that i drive on so i can not conferm it, 12 mpg would be about the best you might get.i know of some one that swears he can get that with his when driveing on long flat highways down south .my best mileage is at 55 mph .
1985 Class A Holiday Rambler Imperial 33 +1979 Class C Holiday Rambler Statesman 1000 = 24 ft
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Cool Mike
Mendocino. Calif.
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With a unit of that age, and the 460 engine, make sure the cooling system is in top shape, the big block engines have heating problems if every thing involved is not in top shape, have the radiator checked or replaced, inspect belts hoses, water pump and flush the system.
You might want to take it on a 100 mi test trip first. And have a good Emergency road service. Low mileage and time sitting is hard on any vehicle, so check it out. And expect 7 to 8 MPG on avg.
2001 27' Four Winds Class-C E-450 V-10.
Buick Park Ave Ultra, Ford Ranger PU, JD 500 backhoe.
1941 Farm All "A"
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Joined: 07/22/2007
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Check for warped exhaust manifolds and or missing/broken bolts but this is normal so just get it fixed and have that behind you. There are many 84 trucks on the road. The 460 is a fine engine and it is not a gas hog but does about the same as the 454 Chevy.
Cleaning (by a radiator shop) of the radiator and replaces the other parts and hoses of the cooling system would be in order. As mentioned by another a weak cooling system can be the death of a 460 or 454 big block engine.
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Flashback Max
Homer, NY
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Joined: 07/19/2004
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Thanks everybody! I figured the answers would be about like that. While I want to go to AK, it’s totally not practical, what travel is? But this….. I did out the approximate math:
4500(up)
2000(there)
+4500(back)
=11,000
/6.5mpg (shoot low)
=1692 gallons(whoa! We‘d get x-mas cards from exxon/mobil!!!)
*$4.50(I did a check on gas buddy, just an average overall guess)
=$7615.00
I’m thinking maybe a couple small trips this fall and next spring, then maybe a trip out west next summer? Never been west of Pittsburgh on the ground. We’ve really, wanted to see Yellowstone, fly fish MT, WY, and CO, and see an actual desert with my own eyes. So we’d probably be looking at about half of that Alaska coast. Might be worth it?
So I’m going to start a list. Feel free to add the things I should advise Mom and Dad to have checked/replace.
Tires- It has almost new tires, I guess the guy bought them two years ago. He drove to NJ and back, that’s all the wear they have on them. Maybe a couple of spares?
Brakes- …
Steering- …
Belts- I saw a little oil or something on the alternator, probably just replace them all
Batteries- I’m waiting for a sale at autozone to replace them both
Tune up- …
Oil change- …
Tranny check- Have a friend who does tranny’s.
Exhaust system check(catalytic converter)- The exhaust looks good, but will have it checked.
Radiator- If it’s that important, I think I’d just replace all of the system, water pump included.
The thing I like is cause it’s fairly old, parts are nowhere near the cost of vehicles today. Also we can have our family mechanic work on it. He worked at the Brockway truck plant for some 35 years until it closed. He knows engines inside, outside, backwards, and through. The thing that always amazed me was how he could almost listen to a motor, wiggle a couple of hoses, etc, ask if it did “this,” and he would have the problem diagnosed. Then he’d work all day to replace it and charge you fifty dollars labor.
I really appreciate everybody’s input. There’s absolutely no substitute for experience! Thank you!!!
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Gale Hawkins
Murray, KY
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Sounds like you are off and running. 20-30 short trips including to WM, etc will teach you more about an old MH than any reading I have found. Keep us posted.
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AO_hitech
SF Bay Area
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Joined: 08/09/2004
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I have a 1985 27' with a 460 (pretty close to the same). I can get as high as 8.5 if I keep it to 55 and pay attention. Driving faster, to much around town driving, etc. and it averages 6.5. I'd guess that you will NEVER get 10 and 12 is impossible, unless you can go down hill the whole way (with a tail wind). 
BTW, I don't have a cat on mine, and it passed smog. I don't think they were required on 1 tons back then.
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sjptak
Seymour, CT
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Joined: 05/23/2004
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I "acquired" an 86 20' Minnie Winnie last Sept. I had the brake system replaced so it was all new past the master cylinder, including lines. Put new tires, hoses, belts and changed motor and tranny oil. I drove it from the Cape in MA to Seymour, CT. In Jan, we took it to Orlando and back, having to replace the water pump. Other than the water pump, I've had no other problems and we used it a lot this summer.
If I didn't go and get the 30', I'd take that thing anywhere. Just needed a bigger unit. Remember, you are on an adventure. Enjoy it.
Off to See the Lizard
'99 Four Winds 30' Class C
'97 GEO Tracker
'63 Honda 305 Dream
1947 Wife
1949 Me
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