We are considering on purchasing a 24 ft to a 28 ft Forest River Sunseeker RV with a Ford V10 6.8 engine, E450 or the E450 chassis. Question, what can someone expect to get for mileage per gallon with moderate cargo weight and road speed. Basically looking for MPG numbers for comparison. Thanks for looking
Consider very hard. I'd say 8 mpg. MPG adds up trip expenses very badly.
4 whopping cylinders on Toyota RV's. Talk about great getting good MPG. Also I have a very light foot on the pedal. I followed some MPG advice on Livingpress.com and I now get 22 MPG! Not bad for a home on wheels.
Raymon wrote: When I had a 2006 31 foot Jayco class C with the Ford V10 I got on average 7.5 to 8 mpg while pulling a 2005 Jeep wrangler. Rarely exceeded 60 mph.
2005 Jayco 24SS--Have put on 30700 miles since purchase in May 2007. Average mileage is 8.949/gal. Usually at or below 60 MPH and several thousand miles dolly towing a 2004 Toyota Solara convertible (3472 lbs + dolly). Also 60+/- hours use on generator. If I go East, West or North it requires going over the mountains. Don't go South as it is hot enough here in North Carolina. Hope this helps. Average weight probably about 12560 (weighed at lumber mill neighbor)
I have been tracking fuel consumption on our 24 ft Minnie with the 6.8L V10 since it was new. Average MPG for 78,000 miles is 9.6. On our trip out west earlier this year we drove 8,559 miles and burned 881.688 gallons for an average MPG of 9.71. Cost per mile worked out to 37 cents. Most of our travel is between 55-60 mph. We don't tow a car.
As to the size difference? If I had it to do over, I'd buy the shorter one, for the ease of use as a Grocery Getter. If I needed more cargo space, I'd pull an enclosed trailer, thus having room for bicycles, Dirt bikes, kayaks or canoes, etc. ... The extra length behind the axle, leaves more 'tail swing' than I like as well, creating the probability for 'tail dragging'.
In other words; the shortest rear overhang possible. It'll tow stuff straighter, and be a more comfortable unit all around. The caveat being; Did you need a walk around bed in back? I've found that it's not as important as I'd previously thought. My ideal, (I think), would be a 22' or 24'er, with a monster slide, for interior space when parked.
Also something to watch (if you cook) is the amount of available counter/prep area, in Any unit large or small. Our 28'er is PITIFULL, as it has almost No counter space. We sometimes prep with the range top closed, to have any sort of counterspace.
Also the old adage '6"s more,m or 6"s less' is in play when it comes to the Width of the Bathroom area. 6"s more would be Most appropriate when using the commode! 6"s less and I'd rip it out and use a port-a- pot! Knee room is the issue for me. I even went so far as to remove the door of the undersink cabinet to get an extra inch or two.
In other words, take your time and make Sure of what you are buying. I'm sure there will/would always be something more, or less, to wish for however LOL
In retrospect; I had an old 30' 'A' on a Ford chassis, with a 390 CI motor. Rear bath, front Dr side kitchen, not dedicated bedroom. Wish I had it back, I'd turbo the 390 or transplant a V10, and tell myself to 'shut up and drive'. AND I'd have a heck of a lot less $s invested! Or should I say $s draining into the driveway?
Hoppe
2011 Dodge 1500 C'boy Caddy
2000 Jayco C 28' Ford chassis w V-10 E450
Doghouse 36' or so Trophy Classic TT
2011 Sunseeker 2300, Ford E350 chassis, V10 engine:
4,840.1 miles traveled, not towing – average mpg = 10.2
1,437.8 miles traveled, towing 2012 Ford Fiesta – average mpg = 9.5
Travel has been under a variety of road, grade, and weather conditions at speeds, for the most part, between 55 and 60 mph. Recently returned from a trip from Northern Idaho to Yellowstone Park (918.6 miles round trip) towing the Fiesta – average mpg = 9.6.
My wife and I have been very pleased with the construction and operation of our Sunseeker.
I'd have to agree on the Diesel,,, except they are about as popular as the Chevy platform. So they bring a premium on the secondary market.
They also cost a bit more to maintain.
And have a lower Cargo Carrying Capacity (CCC), because of the weight of the engine and tranny.
But yes, in the proper chassis, with enough grunt to pull the hills. Diesel IS a winner. But to get one with the same power as the V10, you will NOT get 2to 3 times the mileage. You Can get the economy, with an old Toyota 4cylinder, or a VW with a lower power engine as well.
The 'acceptability' of what power level you require is a Very personal thing, I'm afraid.
With my V10 28'er, I drop to 2nd going up comfortable RPMs/noise level is between 45-50 mph. And yes, I can easily excelerate from there, but it's definitely NOT a head snapping experience LOL
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