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05-12-2014, 12:22 PM
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#1
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Scamp
Michigan
Posts: 140
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Gas Mileage Survey
August 2013 - bought a '93 13 ft. Scamp.
August - Present - have been rehabbing it.
Present - have taken it one several 'shake-down' trips in preparation for a 2 week trip in June to UT/AZ.
Impressions: She pulls nice! But boy does the gas mileage suffer.
So, I would like to ask folks to take the following survey which I hope will supply me with some good information. Please copy and paste the categories into your response and fill in behind them.
TOW VEHICLE:
MAKE:
MODEL:
YEAR:
CYLINDERS:
MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING:
FIBERGLASS RV:
MAKE:
LENGTH:
YEAR:
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT:
IN TOW:
MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING:
YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG?
HAVE YOU DOWN ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT?
Thanks All. I am hoping to learn a lot by this! David
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05-12-2014, 12:24 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Name: David
Trailer: Scamp
Michigan
Posts: 140
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TOW VEHICLE:
• MAKE: Honda
• MODEL: Odyssey
• YEAR: 2011
• CYLINDERS: 6
• MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING: 26
FIBERGLASS RV:
• MAKE: Scamp
• LENGTH: 13ft.
• YEAR: 1993
• APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 1,200 lbs.
IN TOW:
• MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING: 16
• YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG? 60-65 mph
• HAVE YOU DOWN ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT? Nothing yet.
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05-12-2014, 02:08 PM
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#4
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Senior Member
Name: Alice
Trailer: 2018 Casita SD - Kondo A-Go-Go
Utah
Posts: 502
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My combined AVG of City/Hwy is 22.1 MPG according to my trip computer in the car.
TOW VEHICLE:
• MAKE: Toyota
• MODEL: Rav4
• YEAR: 2012
• CYLINDERS: 6
• MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING: Our speed limits out here are 75, I travel around 80 and get 28 MPG.
FIBERGLASS RV:
• MAKE: Scamp
• LENGTH: 13'
• YEAR: 2008
• APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 1840#
IN TOW:
• MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING: 18-22 (depends on the terrain and the gas used)
• YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG? 60-65
• HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT? Nothing, just hook up and go.
__________________
Alice
KONDO A-GO-GO - I GO WHERE I'M TOWED
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05-12-2014, 02:34 PM
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#5
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Senior Member
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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Because there are so many combinations of TV's, trailers and driving styles, as well as an occasional bit of padding, these surveys seldom turn up any accurate or useful information. If you can specify your particular Tow Vehicle, trailer and trailer weight, those with same are more apt to add in information that is useful.
Some Rules of Thumb that have come out....
1. Smaller & High MPG vehicles will have a greater reduction in MPG's than bigger vehicles.
2. Anything over about a 33% reduction can usually be improved upon.
3. Driving into the wind can increase fuel consumption big time
4. The "Sweet Spot" for towing is between 55-60. Above that wind resistance begins to play a major role.
5. Be willing to slow down/downshift for hills. You will get there.
6. Ya gotta drive like you are in a MPG contest
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05-12-2014, 02:38 PM
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#6
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1990 Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 654
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TOW VEHICLE:
• MAKE:Subaru
• MODEL: Outback
• YEAR:2014
• CYLINDERS:4 cvt
• MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING: 32
FIBERGLASS RV:
• MAKE: scamp oak
• LENGTH:13
• YEAR:2014
• APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 1800
IN TOW:
• MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING: 15
• YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG? ?
• HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT? no
I think the Subaru 4 cyl and the cvt are a bad combination for towing. I wish I had gone with the 6 cyl. On the other hand I towed a much heavier 16 foot Scamp with a 4 cylinder Saturn Vue cvt and always got 18 - 20 mpg. Go figure. I expected more from the Subaru.
__________________
John Michael Linck - Toymaker
Camping since 1960 - Scamp 13' Oak
Subaru Outback 4 cyl cvt
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05-12-2014, 03:42 PM
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#7
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Senior Member
Name: Bill
Trailer: Lil Snoozy / Jeep Cherokee
Pennsylvania
Posts: 406
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Response
Quote:
Originally Posted by DaMScampers
August 2013 - bought a '93 13 ft. Scamp.
August - Present - have been rehabbing it.
Present - have taken it one several 'shake-down' trips in preparation for a 2 week trip in June to UT/AZ.
Impressions: She pulls nice! But boy does the gas mileage suffer.
So, I would like to ask folks to take the following survey which I hope will supply me with some good information. Please copy and paste the categories into your response and fill in behind them.
TOW VEHICLE:
MAKE: Jeep
MODEL:Cherokee 2 wd 5 spd manual
YEAR: 2001
CYLINDERS: 4 liter 6 cylinder
MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING:25
FIBERGLASS RV:
MAKE:Lil Snoozy
LENGTH:17 ft.
YEAR:2012
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 2400 lbs dressed
IN TOW:
MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING: 16.0
YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG? 58 - 60 (16.9 mpg @ this speed)
HAVE YOU DOWN ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT? Nothing but a bike rack and tandem bicycle on top to reduce mpg.
Thanks All. I am hoping to learn a lot by this! David
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Did not do as instructed but entered info here.
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05-12-2014, 03:46 PM
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#8
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Info posted over at the 8 page thread So Whats your Gas Milage?
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05-12-2014, 04:14 PM
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#9
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Senior Member
Name: Mike
Trailer: 93 Burro 17 ft
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,026
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TOW VEHICLE:
• MAKE: toyota
• MODEL: highlander
• YEAR:2008
• CYLINDERS: 6
• MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING: 23
FIBERGLASS RV:
• MAKE: burro (former trailer)
• LENGTH: 17'
• YEAR: 1991
• APPROXIMATE WEIGHT:2100 lb
IN TOW:
• MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING: 13
• YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG? 14 mpg @ 60 mph
• HAVE YOU DOWN ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT? just slow down, the best way to save.
I have seen some 4 cylinder stick shift Hondas and Toyotas getting from 18 to 22 mpg with a 13'er. People with small diesels (Jetta, Passat, maybe Chevy Cruze) seem to get high 20s, but they are towing over their rated capacity (usually 1000 lb). The 3L diesel in the Grand Cherokee should get low 20s, but I have no data. Other than those types of vehicles, I think you will find that 15-17 mpg is very, very common among those who tow a 13'.
The best thing to do is relax and forget about the mpg's. Go camping, enjoy yourself, enjoy the trailer. Next time you need a replacement vehicle, you can decide if you want to shoot for one of the above types (or something new might have come out by then) for greater fuel economy. But trading vehicles when you don't need to, just to get a couple extra mpg's, will almost always cost more than the fuel saved.
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05-12-2014, 06:35 PM
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#10
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Senior Member
Name: jen
Trailer: 1980 13 ft. burro
Pennsylvania
Posts: 852
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TOW VEHICLE:
MAKE: subaru
MODEL: forester
YEAR: 2003
CYLINDERS: 4
MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING: 29
FIBERGLASS RV:
MAKE: Burro
LENGTH: 13
YEAR: 1980
APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 1800-1900ish
IN TOW:
MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING:17 - 23 depending on wind direction; it's also better with higher octane gas.
YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG? 50
HAVE YOU DOWN ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT? nope! other than talking nice to the car.
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05-12-2014, 06:40 PM
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#11
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Senior Member
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,711
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Sorry, I have nothing to offer. I don't tow at 65mph. The sweet spot for my tug/tow combo is 57 mph... on the flats. I'd rather leave earlier, drive slower and keep the bucks in my pocket than running it through the gas tank. YMMV
__________________
Donna D.
Ten Forward - 2014 Escape 5.0 TA
Double Yolk - 1988 16' Scamp Deluxe
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05-12-2014, 06:48 PM
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#12
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Senior Member
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
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Yup the form may need a little editing due to the fact it is illegal to tow at 65 mph in some states & provinces.
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05-12-2014, 09:14 PM
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#13
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,079
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We are with Donna and Carol. We have never towed at 65. Our first set of tires got replaced because of age not wear. We never had a blowout.
Our old Honda Ody got a consistent 17.5 mpg average on our 3-5000 mile trips. Trailer weighs 1640. Drive 55-60. 60 only on interstates, lowers mileage.
Our Rav4 gets no where near reported above.
Nancy
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05-12-2014, 09:22 PM
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#14
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,079
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I'm thinking Alice and her Rav4 do not have ethanol in the gas! also my Rav4 almost always gets 1 mpg less than the car shows. we like to do the math the old way. Nancy
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05-13-2014, 05:45 AM
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#15
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Senior Member
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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Good day David. If you had 1,300lbs of weight and put it in your van you would only notice a slight decrease in fuel usage. The weight has only a small influence.
The gas mileage suffers from the wall of air the trailer is pushing especially at the higher speed.
Nissan Mini Van towing Coleman Pop up 19MPG. (solo 28MPG)
Nissan " " towing 23' Airstream 16 MPG
Infiniti G35 towing 23' Airstream 16 MPG (solo 27MPG)
Note we tow at 60MPH.
Note Imperial Gallons
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05-21-2014, 07:17 PM
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#16
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Senior Member
Name: Alice
Trailer: 2018 Casita SD - Kondo A-Go-Go
Utah
Posts: 502
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy
I'm thinking Alice and her Rav4 do not have ethanol in the gas! also my Rav4 almost always gets 1 mpg less than the car shows. we like to do the math the old way. Nancy
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I set the Ultra Gauge to zero for trip to Maryhill. This was the readout for the trip whrn I got home last night. Keep all the receipts for gas, did math and it comes out the same. The avg mph took into account driving in towns, getting off interstate and stopped in traffic. While on interstate I kept cruise at 60-62.
__________________
Alice
KONDO A-GO-GO - I GO WHERE I'M TOWED
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05-21-2014, 07:58 PM
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#17
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Senior Member
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,079
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Wow Alice, that is great. I hope our June trip with a 400 mile day will get us more than our previous cold weather, heavy head wind. Love the Rav4, even if we won't ever see 20 mpg towing. Nancy
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05-22-2014, 01:35 AM
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#18
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Senior Member
Name: Alice
Trailer: 2018 Casita SD - Kondo A-Go-Go
Utah
Posts: 502
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Here in UT our "Regular" is 85 octane. But I put in the 87 like Toyota recommends. Occasionally, I will throw in 85 for chuckles and grins. No difference in mileage that I can notice. Not sure if the cruise control is beneficial to the gas mileage. The V6 is a good engine.
__________________
Alice
KONDO A-GO-GO - I GO WHERE I'M TOWED
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05-28-2014, 05:38 PM
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#19
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Senior Member
Name: Sid
Trailer: Parkliner 2014
Wisconsin
Posts: 529
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TOW VEHICLE:
• MAKE:Jeep
• MODEL: Cherokee
• YEAR: 2014
• CYLINDERS: 6
• MPG AT 65MPH TOWING NOTHING: 31.5
FIBERGLASS RV:
• MAKE: Park Liner
• LENGTH: 15
• YEAR: 2014
• APPROXIMATE WEIGHT: 2100 dry
IN TOW:
• MPG AT 65MPH WHILE TOWING:20
• YOUR OPTIMAL KNOWN MPH FOR BEST MPG?
• HAVE YOU DONE ANYTHING ELSE TO INCREASE MPG? (EXAMPLE: WIND FAIRING ON TOW VEHICLE.) IF SO, WHAT?
This is the average mpg towing from Western North Carolina to Minneapolis Mn.
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05-29-2014, 12:54 AM
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#20
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Senior Member
Name: Conrad
Trailer: Bigfoot 3000 & Barth "slide-in" truck camper
Connecticut
Posts: 958
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I don't believe those numbers the Cherokee diesel doesn't do that well.
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