Is 12 mpg an acceptable number? - Page 4

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 07:23 PM

The idea of only getting 12 mpg towing an all molded towable... makes me GAG.

I'm going to find out TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.

If it means crawling along behind much bigger rigs than mine, I can do that. If it means leaving earlier to get to my destination because I want to keep the MPH lower, I can do that. Stay tuned.. I'll post when I know more.

KarenH · 06-19-2014, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by daveandsandyclink

As I look around this campground tonight, other than a few tents, everyone is camping in giant rv's with slide outs I could park in. My thinking is not the norm. I read something this week that many campgrounds are being remodeled for larger pull thru's, E/W/S, and wifi to accommodate the ever growing average size of todays RV and the extra toys or vehicles they drag behind.

Nuts to that. It just means more congestion in the campgrounds and it's bad enough already.

tractors1 · 06-19-2014, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

The idea of only getting 12 mpg towing an all molded towable... makes me GAG.

I'm going to find out TWO WEEKS FROM TODAY.

If it means crawling along behind much bigger rigs than mine, I can do that. If it means leaving earlier to get to my destination because I want to keep the MPH lower, I can do that. Stay tuned.. I'll post when I know more.

Thought you got the eco-boost engine; it does better.

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tractors1

Thought you got the eco-boost engine; it does better.

I did get the Ecoboost Charlie, I'll see when I hookup the new 5er. Towing the Scamp, there is ZERO difference between towing and not towing at a tad bit less than 60mph on the flats. Just like my prior F-150 V8.

cpaharley2008 · 06-19-2014, 07:46 PM

Donna,
What do you thing the weight difference will be from your 16 Scamp and your new 5.0 TA? Double perhaps?

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Donna,
What do you thing the weight difference will be from your 16 Scamp and your new 5.0 TA? Double perhaps?

Yes, double. Once it's rolling there shouldn't be a lot of "tugging" difference other than the added width... I hope.

For instance, I move my Scamp around on an asphalt pad (parking at home with a manual tongue dolly). I grunt and groan to get it started, but once it starts moving... easy, peasy.

I'm expecting a lot of the same inertia with the new trailer. Fingers Crossed!

J Mac · 06-19-2014, 07:51 PM

What does E/W/S mean?

Brian B-P · 06-19-2014, 07:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Paul S.

You're right.

You win.

It's not about "winning" anything, it's about sharing knowledge. An earlier post of mine was not clear, and I corrected that. No winners or losers!

cpaharley2008 · 06-19-2014, 07:57 PM

Let's all take a breath now. E/W/S means electric,water,sewerage.

Brian B-P · 06-19-2014, 07:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Donna,
What do you thing the weight difference will be from your 16 Scamp and your new 5.0 TA? Double perhaps?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Yes, double. Once it's rolling there shouldn't be a lot of "tugging" difference other than the added width... I hope.

The 5.0 will not just be wider - it will also be taller. It will also have another axle, and the tandem setup will likely mean more drag (it will certainly be much harder to turn by hand with a dolly, if you make a dolly to work with it).

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

For instance, I move my Scamp around on an asphalt pad (parking at home with a manual tongue dolly). I grunt and groan to get it started, but once it starts moving... easy, peasy.!

Inertia isn't good for fuel economy, because it takes power to overcome it to get going, and unless you are driving a hybrid with regenerative braking you don't get that power back when braking.

cpaharley2008 · 06-19-2014, 08:00 PM

Donna,
I read somewhere that every 100 lbs will impact 1% fuel efficiency. Thus another 2000 lbs will mean maybe a 20% hit. Thus 18 mpg could drop to 14 mpg.

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cpaharley2008

Donna,
I read somewhere that every 100 lbs will impact 1% fuel efficiency. Thus another 2000 lbs will mean maybe a 20% hit. Thus 18 mpg could drop to 14 mpg.

Better than 12mpg

. I'll leave the heavy BBW grill and Dutch Ovens at home.... thank goodness for paper plates and a microwave! hahahahhahaha

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 08:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brian B-P

Inertia isn't good for fuel economy, because it takes power to overcome it to get going, and unless you are driving a hybrid with regenerative braking you don't get that power back when braking.

Brian, sometimes you make my head hurt...

Brian B-P · 06-19-2014, 08:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna D.

Brian, sometimes you make my head hurt...

Reality - not always as simple as we would like.

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 08:18 PM

It will be what it will be. I'm not going to give up camping with my new all molded towable because of fuel mileage or size of tires or NOTHING. If I don't like my MPG, I'll figure it out (SLOW DOWN) or the tires on my trailer aren't rated for 80 MPH (99% aren't, SLOW DOWN).

Most important to me (YMMV) will be the journey, making memories and crossing off things on my bucket list... not getting a headache based on statistics or other "stuff." YMMV

gbaglo · 06-19-2014, 08:24 PM

Donna,
You might want to have ETI leave out the tank level monitors, just for peace of mind. I find the more I know the higher my level of anxiety.
Ignorance is bliss.

**Donna D.** · 06-19-2014, 08:28 PM

Glenn, I thoughly understand. Sometimes technology drives brain stress. I'm so used to water in/water out... if the sensors die.. it really doesn't matter much to me. I use my eyes and my ears!

Sorta like knowing when there's problems with the tug. Because you can "feel" it in your butt or the bottom of your foot.

dave macrae · 06-20-2014, 09:16 AM

As I stated in a previous post its been my experience that the single biggest factor for us with mpg is to slow down. It seems with our set up that 100 km/hr seems to be a breaking point for mileage. If I keep it right at 100 or under and am not a cowboy on the hills we can get in the 13-15 mpg range but as soon as my foot gets heavy it gets bad in a hurry.

cpaharley2008 · 06-20-2014, 09:26 AM

Dave,
So if I'm hearing you right, your sweet spot is 62 mph or 100 KM/hour. I'm aware of the 55-60 mph sweet in the Ram and try to keep it there. Maybe I should also look at my avg mph speed. This 12 mpg number is for approximately 10 x 10 hour driving days or 100 hours @ 60 mph average. This means I may drive a little faster and when you consider fuel/bath stops it lowers the average. I'll have to do some more math.

rscovell · 06-20-2014, 11:23 AM

If anyone is in the market for a new vehicle, I highly recommend the new Ram 1500 with the V-6 eco-diesel. We have a crew cab short bed, 4x4, 8 speed auto. With no trailer and driving on the highway we get 25 - 26mpg (Florida to Chilliwack). We just picked up our new 5.0 TA ( limited mileage at this point) and when towing it drops to 19 - 21 mpg. I would avoid the 'rambox & air suspension' option if you opt for the 5.0 as it creates interference issues with a 5th wheel hitch. As we head back to Florida, we will get more accurate mileage figures and will update.

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