ok, I never seem to get tired of these MPG threads. I'm always a sucker for them.
And it's always the same, "DRIVE 55"
But I wonder:
Has anyone gotten pulled over for driving 55 in a 65 or 75 mph zone??
I'm asking because, I was once in a driving class w/ a guy who got a ticket for driving 55 in a 75 mph zone. He was towing a trailer and if he went any faster it would swing side to side. So he was driving slow for safety.
1rosario, we're a little longer and heavier than the short 22 and 24 foot guys, so the differences aren't going to be as noticeable.
The difference for me running at 65 vs. 55 is 7 mpg vs 8.5 mpg. Going from TUS to LAX, that's half a tank of gas for me. At $2 gas, I wasn't going to get too upset about $50. With $4.50 gas in some parts of Kalifornia, it's now over a $100 difference. That has my attention more and more.
I've heard the legends here and on other forums about being stopped for driving too slow, but I've never actually met anyone ticketed for driving too slow unless they were on a road with a posted minimum.
I've almost always pulled at 62 on the freeways, but there's no question that running slower gives you better mileage.
If the Obots take control, I wouldn't rule out a return to 55 mph speed limit as a way to reduce consumption and emissions. Drive 55 was never about safety.
2005 Winnebago "Minnie" 31C (was a three-time Jayco owner)
lane hog wrote: Slow yer a$$ and save some gas...
I've heard the legends here and on other forums about being stopped for driving too slow, but I've never actually met anyone ticketed for driving too slow unless they were on a road with a posted minimum.
My husband and I have proven to ourselves, that the "slow down" statement is VERY true. I tend to drive slower for safety and now to save gas. We travel to Rocky Point, Mex often. From Phx to the Border I use under 1/2 a tank of gas, he on the other hand uses 3/4 tank. I tend to just stay at the posted speed limit, only use CC on flat roads, and slowly work my way up to the speed limit after a stop.
He usually cruises about 5 miles above speed limit and is just rushing to get there or back.
I would like to drive 55mph, but like I mentioned before, I attended a driving class w/ a guy who ACTUALLY got a ticket on the I-10, between Phx and Tucson, for doing 55mph. I never thought you could actually be ticketed for driving too slow. 55 is a reasonable speed. And its not like you can't pass someone on the highway.
But I'm afraid of getting pulled over for such a ridiculous reason.
OK, never gotten a ticket for to slow on the freeway. I have only heard of this type of thing from officers I know on the force when they find someone driving 55 MPH in the fast lane or something like that.
I don’t understand why some on this board are to scared to chime in? We are not looking for crack pot or snake oil ideas on what Dr. Demento thinks might work during a full moon. We are looking for sound, simple ideas that are proven to work or have sound engineering possibilities. Here are a few more that come to mind.
• Inflate all tires to their max air pressure. This creates less rolling resistance and will you increase the life of the tire.
• Synthetic oils? Less friction in most mechanical components is a good thing. Friction wastes energy and in our case gas is our energy. For me, good clean old cheap dinosaur oil does just fine. The extra cost of purchasing Syn. oils does not pay for itself in fuel savings or reduced engine wear.
• Oil weight. Thicker oils take more energy to pump thru the motor .I came from the old school of 20/50 oil worked for everything. I understand now that thinner oils do a much better job than I gave them credit for. I still will not use 5/20 in my motorhome, but I use 10/30 in almost everything I own.
• State of tune. Most modern fuel injected engines with computer controls keep the engine running lean and mean. Older carbureted engines will require a little more work to stay running right. It should always run smooth and strong understanding normal power loss with altitude gain on normally aspirated motors.
• Aerodynamics: OK folks, were pushing a big square box through the air, not a good thing. Anytime you have to move air creates drag and takes energy. Reducing drag will reduce energy (fuel) consumption. How much drag could be reduced by doing things like reducing the angle of the roof vents while under way, closing all windows, move anything hanging on the front of the motorhome (bikes, motorcycles….) to the back, adding an air dam to the front bumper to reduce or eliminate air going under the coach? I don’t know, but according to the slide rule, it has to.
• The slower you go, the less drag an object creates. My understanding is any wind speed above 20 to 25 MPH over an object start to create significant drag. My 62 to 63 MPH range seemed to be the best compromise between “making good time” with the least amount of drag.
Quote: I don’t understand why some on this board are to scared to chime in?
Because nothing really works significantly. Seriously if you do this and that, and even a little of something else and save a few miles per gallon. Cmon it's not worth it driving slower and getting there.
If I drive 55 miles an hour for 500 miles and I get 10mpg, it will take me 9 hours and 50 gallons at 10mpg to get there.
If I drive that same 500 miles at 75 mile at 75mph and I may lose a gallon per hr. and it will cost me $25.00 more - but I get there THREE HOURS EARLIER.
My time is worth more than $8.33 an hour. Enjoying 3 more hours of Yellowstone to me is priceless, sitting near a lake three more hours is worth a lot more to me than $25.00.
1987 28' Mallard on a Ford E-350 chassis. Carbureted 460 V-8. I have had as little as 10 mpg average on an 1100+ mile trip that involved quite of bit of up and down travel and as high as 15.8 mpg on a 460+ mile trip that was almost flat terrain. Both times I kept my speed about 58 mph and used my cc when able. I don't tow a toad or anything else and run with full water (30 gal) and full propane. Tires are max @ 80psi. I believe I got just about 8.5 mpg on my first outing with the then "new to me motorhome" as I averaged 65 mph. For me slower is better. Obviously for you that tow or choose to go faster your milage may vary. I have read a ton of posts here that lead me to believe many new motorhomes with modern technology fair no better than the "classic" models as far as mpg. I think much has to do with driving styles, terrain, loaded weight, tire inflation, traffic etc. Drive safe, have fun.
If I drive 55 MPH during a 500 mile trip I will get 10 MPG. That is 50 gallons of gas and a little more than 9 hours of driving. 50 gallons of gas will cost me $200.00. If I drove 75 MPH during the same 500 mile trip I would get 7.5 MPG. That is almost 67 gallons of gas and almost 7 hours of driving. 67 gallons of gas will cost me $268.00. Driving 55 saved me $68.00 but cost me two hours. I have chosen to pocket the $68.00 and forgo the 2 hours. Getting to my destination two hours earlier is meaningless to me, as I am on vacation. I also feel the more leisurely pace is less stressful. I also travel in the right hand lane and my speed is legal and most importantly, safe.
In this State, you won't get a ticket for driving 55 while towing. You might get a ticket for driving faster than 55 and towing as 55 is the speed limit while towing. Now if you drive 55 in the left lane, you might get a ticket for obstructing traffic, so stay to the right.
Your opinion is valuable. As I stated in my post, I grew up in the 55 MPH era and it sucked! For me, enjoying my time at my destination is more valuable to me. But lately with fuel pricese, slowing down a little and getting better fuel economy balances out the fuel usage and extended trvel times tug of war. My MH loves to go 70 to 72 MPH, but the mileage drops to 10.5 MPG. So dropping my speed to 62 to 63 MPH is again the best comprimise for me.
kendall69 wrote:
Quote: I don’t understand why some on this board are to scared to chime in?
Because nothing really works significantly. Seriously if you do this and that, and even a little of something else and save a few miles per gallon. Cmon it's not worth it driving slower and getting there.
If I drive 55 miles an hour for 500 miles and I get 10mpg, it will take me 9 hours and 50 gallons at 10mpg to get there.
If I drive that same 500 miles at 75 mile at 75mph and I may lose a gallon per hr. and it will cost me $25.00 more - but I get there THREE HOURS EARLIER.
My time is worth more than $8.33 an hour. Enjoying 3 more hours of Yellowstone to me is priceless, sitting near a lake three more hours is worth a lot more to me than $25.00.
If I drive 55 miles an hour for 500 miles and I get 10mpg, it will take me 9 hours and 50 gallons at 10mpg to get there.
If I drive that same 500 miles at 75 mile at 75mph and I may lose a gallon per hr. and it will cost me $25.00 more - but I get there THREE HOURS EARLIER.
Actually, it's about 2 hours & 25 minutes faster, less whatever time you spend at the gas station because you ran out of gas four hours into your six and a half hour trip, and you're like me and your generator cuts out at 1/4 tank remaining so you have to refill before you're below that mark.
55 mph = 9 mpg = 6.1 gph burn = 6.7 hrs or 369 miles to 25% full
65 mph = 8 mpg = 8.1 gph burn = 5.0 hrs or 328 miles to 25% full
75 mph = 7 mpg = 10.7 gph burn = 3.8 hrs or 287 miles to 25% full
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