Fuel economy

[Pete Masterson]

42' PT with DD Series 60. It's very hard to sort out the net mpg for
over the road from other demands for fuel. But my records show that
I've gotten a low of about 4.5 mpg with the generator running with 3
ACs and cruising at 70+ mpg across Wyo. At the other end of the
spectrum, I've gotten 6.7 mpg cruising at 55 mph with no ACs while
running down the coast of California (where the speed limit is 55 and
it was a time of year when only a little chassis heat was necessary.)

What makes calculating actual mpg difficult is that when we're parked
in a campsite, the AquaHot will burn up to 1/2 gal per hour for
domestic hot water and/or heating (while the burner is operating).
It's very hard to calculate exactly how much fuel is used by the A-H.

Likewise, the generator burns 1/2 to 3/4 gal per hour depending on
load. Its often on during summer months when we're going over the
road, but less frequently in the winter.

For planning purposes, I figure about 5 mpg and that's a fairly
reasonable expected average. I could probably drive slower or take
other measures to squeeze a bit more mpg out of the 'bird ... but
fuel use tends to fall into one of those "if you really need to ask,
you probably can't afford it" areas.

In general, similar size (hp) engines in similar size (weight and
aerodynamic load) vehicles will get fairly near the same efficiency.
Newer engine (designs) tend to be more efficient than older designs
-- and well maintained engines are likely to run more efficiently, too.

The key factor with the biggest impact is how heavy your foot is on
the throttle. But trying to cross Wyoming or Kansas at 55 mph is (for
me) a mind numbing and therefore unlikely experience.

Pete Masterson
'95 Blue Bird Wanderlodge WBDA 42
aeonix1@...
On the road at Lockhart Texas



On Nov 9, 2007, at 8:18 AM, Jack and Liz Pearce wrote:

>
> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, "bingomaster05"
> wrote:
>>
>> Reading the recent posts on bio fuel, made me wonder what kind of
>> fuel
>> mileage the various unit get. Do the FC's with the Cat do better
>> than
>> the 6V or 8V Detroits? Do pushers do better than the FC's? What
> about
>> Toads..how much does it affect MPG. I would imagine that with
> Bluebirds
>> being so heavy, the higher power engines might actually be more
>> efficent. With the ever rising fuel costs, you have to wonder how it
>> will affect the future of RVing in general. Thanks in advance.