Mileage with Ford V10

wjhgolf · Post by **wjhgolf** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:54 pm

Does anyone have any ideas for getting better mileage with their Ford V10? I have a 2002 24ft RB (justb acquired) with 16,000 miles. The best I have been able to get on the highway is 10.5 mpg at 55 mph. I have changed the oil, the air filter and keep the tires properly inflated. I was hoping to get 12-13 mpg. Thanks!

mockturtle · Post by **mockturtle** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 3:58 pm

Well, I don't get any better than 10.5 and, towing, more like 9.5.

purdum · Post by **purdum** » Thu Oct 13, 2011 4:25 pm

I had a 2004 26 RSB. I got 8.5 to 10 towing a Jeep Wrangler. I could not use cruise control because it would constantly down shift and any fair size hill would cause it to downshift all the way and send us screaming up the hill. I did a great deal of research and ended up purchasing a Banks kit which included headers, full replacement exhaust system, chip, and trans-command which at that time was computer that changed the shift patterns. What a difference. We gained a full three MPG (honest injun) and it made it a pleasure to drive. The cost was high; at that time it has $2200. but it was worth every penny. I don't know what it costs now. We now have a 2011 27 RSB with a V-10 but it has the upgraded transmission and what looks very much like headers. Coming and going to Creede, Co we averaged 9.5 to 10.5 towing our Wranger so don't see any need change anything. Hope this helps.

whemme · Post by **whemme** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 12:32 am

I have kept detailed gas mileage records for over 60,000 miles in our 2002 Born Free 26' RSB motorcoach. I even correct for the 1% low odometer reading error my particular coach has.

My overall average towing a 3400 lb 2005 Chevrolet Malibu is 8.5 mpg. If I don't tow it, the mileage increases to 9.0 mpg.

However, on individual one day trips going generally uphill into the wind, I have seen it as low as 7.0 mpg and as high as 10.5 mpg going downhill with a tailwind.

Steve · Post by **Steve** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 1:11 pm

Bill do you drive at 55Mph? Do you use synthetic oil?
Steve

mockturtle · Post by **mockturtle** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:02 pm

Frankly, I'm not sure why anyone is surprised by the fuel mileage. Did anyone suggest it should be better than 10mpg? We know some people with an older Lazy Daze V-8 23' who only get 8mpg!

whemme · Post by **whemme** » Sat Oct 15, 2011 2:44 pm

Hi Steve,

I drive 63 mph on roads that have at least a 65 mph speed limit and no more than that. I use 5W30 non-synthetic motor oil.

It is kind of interesting. I have made 6 yearly trips out to the Phoenix area from home in Iowa every January with round trip traveled distance each time of approximately 4500 miles. I average 8.0 mph going out to AZ and 9.0 mph on the return trip back to IA. The reason for the difference? Going from IA to AZ is uphill and generally into a head wind. Going from AZ back to IA it is downhill and generally with a tail wind.

Dallas Baillio · Post by **Dallas Baillio** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 7:40 pm

Seems to me if you spend $2,000 plus for an upgrade to get better mileage it will take you a long, long time to recoup your investment. Why not just be satisfied with the "normal?"

In April of last year I posted the following:
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Here are statistics on gas useage for my 2001 26 RSB:

From 1/12/2003 through 4/13/2010

Miles traveled: 59,125

Gallons Used: 6,590.9

MPG: 8.97

Subtract from the equation generator useage during the same period of 540.6 hours calculated at a usage rate of .5 gallons per hour and the revised figure is 9.35 MPG (59,125 divided by 6320.6).

For info we lived in the BF and used the generator for 215.3 hours from 8/29/05 - 9/10/05 following Hurricane Katrina. Around 50 gallons of gas purchased in 5 gallon containers was not recorded during this period.

We begin each travel day with a full water tank and empty holding tanks. Every gas purchase is a fill-up (184 total fill-ups averaging 35.8 gallons of gas). I would estimate that we carry about 75% of a full propane tank on average. When I've weighed the BF at public scales we have been within 98 percent of the max allowed weight.

We drive 60-70 mph on Interstate highways and near the maximum on secondary roads. Most times, when available, we take a secondary (Blue Highway) road instead of the Interstate. We maintain a steady pace and use the cruise control whenever possible. We rarely tow. Perhaps 10 percent of total miles traveled.
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Use the search link above and search under MPG and you will get lots of hits.

bcope01 · Post by **bcope01** » Sun Oct 16, 2011 8:04 pm

Dallas Baillio wrote:Seems to me if you spend $2,000 plus for an upgrade to get better mileage it will take you a long, long time to recoup your investment. Why not just be satisfied with the "normal?"

I agree completely Dallas. Would take a long time to recoup that investment for so little gain (1 to 2 mpg?). And most likely some future owner would be the one to reap any benefit. Why not let him do the upgrade?

Bill