stickyeye
New Jersey
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Joined: 05/22/2005
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I'm thinking about a class A gas model around 30'-32'. Not sure if it's going to be a Ford or Chevy chassis yet. What kind of real world mileage can I expect running at normal highway speeds with a unit like this. Dealer claims around 10-12 but I just don't buy it and I won't be driving only 55mph. I will be towing a 2DR Jeep Wrangler with it. Looking for real world numbers running at real speeds. Also, any power issues with the gas models and is the engine noise excessively loud being up front?
Thanks,
Sticky
2010 Forest River Flagstaff 8528RKWS Superlight 5th Wheel
2005 Ram Quad Cab 3500 Dually. CTD, auto, 4.10's
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RNDad
Northeastern Massachusetts
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Joined: 01/23/2005
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I tow an 07 Honda CR/V, with my 36' MH on a Ford gas chassis. Tend to get anywhere from 7 - 8 mpg. Only travel about 55 mph.
Good luck, Scott
"Life may not be the party we hoped for...but while we are here we might as well dance!"
DW, married 20 wonderful years
DS 18 & DD 16
Chloe 8, soft coated wheaton terrier, spoiled rotten!!
F393136
2001 Itasca Sunflyer 36W
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tahiti16
Camarillo, CA
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Joined: 06/23/2008
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stickyeye wrote:I'm thinking about a class A gas model around 30'-32'. Not sure if it's going to be a Ford or Chevy chassis yet. What kind of real world mileage can I expect running at normal highway speeds with a unit like this. Dealer claims around 10-12 but I just don't buy it and I won't be driving only 55mph. I will be towing a 2DR Jeep Wrangler with it. Looking for real world numbers running at real speeds. Also, any power issues with the gas models and is the engine noise excessively loud being up front?
Thanks,
Sticky
Mileage real world is more like 6-8! for 10-12 he must be coasting down the Grapevine and airlifted to the top! 
towing will depend a lot what engine and trans you get, this also goes for noise level. Later models have more power for the size of the engine and a better trans and final ratio. Noise a big chunck will come from how fast you wan to go up a hill. Gas engines spin faster to make power therefor the faster you want to climb a hill the the faster the engine spins and the more noise it makes.
With our 06 Ford V10 with the 5 speed i can keep the noise down most of the time by hitting the bottom of the hill at a good speed and just settle for I will lose speed and keep the noise down. Going down hill start out a t lower speed as you crest the hill and the engine won't speed up so much while trying to hold you back,
Ray, Cheryl, Cory & of course Miss Molly the four-legged child
2006 Dolphin 36' F53 V10 5 speed auto 2 slides 7.5 KW genset
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Hoppers4
Port Orchard, WA
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Joined: 12/24/2005
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30' Winnebago Sightseer with a 362HP Ford V10, no towed, weighing in around 18000 lbs. and getting 7-8 MPG running at 60-65 MPH.
08 Winnebago Sightseer 29R
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harkawy
Lancaster, Calif. 93535
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Joined: 04/28/2002
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I agree with tahiti16. Our 34' with the Ford V10 has always gotten just under 8 mpg (7.85 on the average) ranging in speed from 55 to 75. It is the same whether I'm pulling our 2002 CR-V, pulling the boat or pulling nothing at all and full water/fuel tanks. I use the tranny to slow down; take it out of OD, downshift to 2nd then to 1st as needed. Saves on the brakes. Some of the longer/steeper climes have been in 1st gear doing about 4000 rpm and maintaining between 35 and 40 mph.
Harvey & Helen Arkawy (Life Members of the Good Sam Club)
Lancaster, CA
2000 Coachmen Mirada 340MBS
Roadmaster Falcon 5250 Towbar to gently
pull a 2002 Honda CR-V
or a 1995 Starcraft Starcaster 1700
with a Mercury Force 70
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rgatijnet1
Florida
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Joined: 06/22/2009
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My Chevy 8.1L, in a 31' Class A, gets 10.1 on flat land towing a Saturn and using the chassis AC. Once I get into the mountains, the mileage drops to 6-7 MPG. I usually cruise at 65.
The engine noise is a little loud when the cooling fan cuts in.
I have plenty of power and have yet to hit a mountain where I couldn't accelerate while climbing. Then again I have 340 HP in a small coach.
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Hurricaner
Hurricane Utah
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Joined: 02/17/2007
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Quote:I have plenty of power and have yet to hit a mountain where I couldn't accelerate while climbing. Then again I have 340 HP in a small coach.
Those aren't mountains they are hills. Come out west and I will show you plenty of mountains where you will be going 45 MPH. You will not believe the power loss at 10,000 feet in a gas motor home.
Sam
Sam & Kari
Hurricane, Utah
2004 34' Damon Challenger 315
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mrdeee
michigan
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Joined: 03/01/2007
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I have a 33 ft Seabreeze with a Triton v 10 and pull a Saturn Vue. I get 8 miles per gallon of gas.
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AzRoamers
Tucson, AZ
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Joined: 06/13/2007
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2002, 36' Winnebago Brave, 8.1 Workhorse, towing a Honda CR-V.
March and April we did 6000 mi. along the Gulf Coast, from Tucson to Key West to Myrtle Beach, SC. and back to Tucson. Quite a bit was in hills. Used the generator for A/C. Much of the travel east of Texas was through towns and a lot of road construction.
Tried to maintain 65-68 MPH when possible
The average was about 6.5 mpg. In AZ, NM, and West Texas I was getting over 7.0 mpg.
As previously stated the dealer really wanted to sell a large class A gas RV to tell you they get over 10 mpg. Ask him to guarantee that for the first three years and see how quickly he jumps in his little golf cart and heads back to the office.
Morris
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ed1
Nesconset NY USA
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Joined: 02/26/2002
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We've averaged just about 8.5 mpg on our 2002 Ford 32 footer. No toad. The dealer is definitely blowing smoke with the kind of mileage he is discussing (unless you're going to do 40 mph on the interstate).
Our Ford V-10 is pretty quiet going down the road, but is noisy when climbing hills. We've had no problems climbing mountains out west, but have stuck to the interstates where the grades are not too steep. All in all, it has worked fine, although it is not as quiet as a diesel pusher. But I prefer to put the extra $100K in my pocket and live with the noise when climbing hills.
Ed
2002 Holiday Rambler Admiral 32
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