Gas Mileage Survey - Fiberglass RV
Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 05-12-2014, 12:22 PM   #1
Senior Member
 
DaMScampers's Avatar
 
Name: David
Trailer: Scamp
Michigan
Posts: 140
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
DaMScampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 12:24 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
DaMScampers's Avatar
 
Name: David
Trailer: Scamp
Michigan
Posts: 140
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.
DaMScampers is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 12:59 PM   #3
Senior Member
 
Name: Mike
Trailer: Bigfoot 17' DLX
Alaska
Posts: 384
Registry
There's a huge thread on this in the archives that you may find informative.

http://www.fiberglassrv.com/forums/f...age-47893.html
trainjunkie is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 02:08 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Wallo's Avatar
 
Name: Alice
Trailer: 2018 Casita SD - Kondo A-Go-Go
Utah
Posts: 502
Registry
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
Wallo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 02:34 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Bob Miller's Avatar
 
Trailer: Class A Motorhome
Posts: 7,912
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



Bob Miller is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 02:38 PM   #6
Senior Member
 
John Linck's Avatar
 
Trailer: 1990 Scamp 16 ft
Posts: 654
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
John Linck is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 03:42 PM   #7
Senior Member
 
Name: Bill
Trailer: Lil Snoozy / Jeep Cherokee
Pennsylvania
Posts: 401
Registry
Response

Quote:
Originally Posted by DaMScampers View Post
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
Did not do as instructed but entered info here.
Bill in Pittsburgh is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 03:46 PM   #8
Senior Member
 
Carol H's Avatar
 
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
Registry
Info posted over at the 8 page thread So Whats your Gas Milage?
Carol H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 04:14 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
Mike Magee's Avatar
 
Name: Mike
Trailer: 2012 Escape 19
Oklahoma
Posts: 6,021
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.
Mike Magee is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 06:35 PM   #10
Senior Member
 
jen b's Avatar
 
Name: jen
Trailer: 1980 13 ft. burro
Pennsylvania
Posts: 852
Registry
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.
jen b is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 06:40 PM   #11
Senior Member
 
Donna D.'s Avatar
 
Trailer: 1988 16 ft Scamp Deluxe
Posts: 25,697
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
Donna D. is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 06:48 PM   #12
Senior Member
 
Carol H's Avatar
 
Trailer: 92 16 ft Scamp
Posts: 11,756
Registry
Yup the form may need a little editing due to the fact it is illegal to tow at 65 mph in some states & provinces.
Carol H is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 09:14 PM   #13
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,075
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
Nancy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-12-2014, 09:22 PM   #14
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,075
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
Nancy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-13-2014, 05:45 AM   #15
MC1
Senior Member
 
MC1's Avatar
 
Name: Wayne
Trailer: Airstream Sold, Nest Fan
Ontario
Posts: 2,002
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
MC1 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2014, 07:17 PM   #16
Senior Member
 
Wallo's Avatar
 
Name: Alice
Trailer: 2018 Casita SD - Kondo A-Go-Go
Utah
Posts: 502
Registry
Quote:
Originally Posted by Nancy View Post
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


Click image for larger version

Name:	ForumRunner_20140521_191015.jpg
Views:	18
Size:	60.9 KB
ID:	71341

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
Wallo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-21-2014, 07:58 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Trailer: 2005 13 ft Scamp / 2004 Honda Odyssey
Posts: 1,075
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
Nancy is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-22-2014, 01:35 AM   #18
Senior Member
 
Wallo's Avatar
 
Name: Alice
Trailer: 2018 Casita SD - Kondo A-Go-Go
Utah
Posts: 502
Registry
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
Wallo is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-28-2014, 05:38 PM   #19
Sid
Senior Member
 
Sid's Avatar
 
Name: Sid
Trailer: Parkliner 2014
Wisconsin
Posts: 529
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.
Sid is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 05-29-2014, 12:54 AM   #20
Senior Member
 
Night Sailor's Avatar
 
Name: Conrad
Trailer: Bigfoot 3000 & Barth "slide-in" truck camper
Connecticut
Posts: 958
I don't believe those numbers the Cherokee diesel doesn't do that well.
Night Sailor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
So, what's your gas mileage? Meghan Towing, Hitching, Axles and Running Gear 101 10-04-2011 05:02 PM
Gas mileage better than expected DannyH General Chat 3 05-22-2011 08:59 PM
Gas Mileage Rob M General Chat 20 11-19-2007 08:19 AM
How To Get Better Gas Mileage Patrick M. Care and Feeding of Molded Fiberglass Trailers 29 10-01-2007 03:36 PM
Gas mileage vs. tire pressure General Chat 0 01-01-1970 12:00 AM

» Upcoming Events
No events scheduled in
the next 465 days.
» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 08:37 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.