On a 6000 mile journey, the difference is only 41.2 gallons of fuel (at today's gas prices, under $200). So, if you drive 18,000 miles a year with your camper aboard (extremely unlikely!), and I was your chauffeur, your increased fuel consumption would be under $500.
excellent point...hard to worry about the cost when looked at like this.
I have recently had both a pop up tc, and now hardside...milage did not change appreciably,if at all, even though the HS is much heavier/less aero.
BUT- my truck is diesel.
I think with a gas rig, weight is what kills milage moreso than drag.
"I call B.S. to all you that get better mpgs in the mountains than on the flats."
I'll call your BS. I traveled from the west coast to the east coast and back travelling most of time at 60 mph. In the flat lands my fuel economy was worse then when I was in the mountain passes of the west coast. Less wind and when coming down the other side of a mountain I use no fuel. I do not burn twice the fuel going up a hill as I do on flat ground.
Is your Chevy a gasser or a diesel? If you have a gasser that may be the issue with your BS
As far as the BS. I hand calc every tank when hauling my camper. I've always been pretty good at math too. The numbers don't lie 2-3 mpg better in the mountians. I ran Mi to black hills to Show Low Az to Black Hills to Mi in 3 weeks one summer.
SugarHillCTD wrote: I call B.S. to all you that get better mpgs in the mountains than on the flats.
55 mph on flat roads gets worse mileage than 55 mph in hills/mountains??
Yeah, if you are doing 35-40 mph on your big hills then 60 on the interstate, maybe.
You aren't comparing on even terms. If I did 35-40 mph on highways I could beat any mountain driving fuel mileage.
That's like saying your (dry) 11' camper weighs less than a fully loaded (wet) 8.5'. Not level comparisons.
I always find it funny (or sad) that people will argue with facts. I cannot change what I have gotten, I don't know if it is because of the speed or the wind or whatever, I do know that with manual calculations that is what I have gotten.
2002 GMC 2500HD 4x4 4 Door
1992 Northern Lite 9'- 6" Camper
Homemade Cargo Trailer for hauling supplies
Advanced Elements Kayaks
Border Collie Guard Dog
I'm getting 15-17 MPG (diesel engine) with our pop-up, and it's on the heavy side. I do not get better mileage in the mountains, since I tend to go just as fast as the flats if possible. Driving to Canyonlands from New Mexico in october, we had a headwind and lots of up and down at mostly 7000 feet elevation, 60 - 70 MPH, I barely got 15 MPG. With no headwind and more flats it would have been closer to 17.
I have a 2007 Dodge 2500 CTD and Northstar 850SC. I hand calculate ALL MPG as the computer has always been off by up to 3-4MPG. The last few years I have taken 4 extended trips that varied form 6,000 miles to just under 20000 miles on all kinds of roads and terrain, staying away from interstates as much as possible. Most trips there have been MANY stops for pictures and to just look at the scenery. I try to drive at reasonable speeds and seldom go over 60MPH. Hand calculated fuel use has been between 16.5 and 17 MPG on each trip with little variation. I normally calculate mileage at the end of the trip rather than with each tankful. General unloaded fuel economy has been around 18-19 MPG.
Grant
Dodge 2500 CTD.
Northstar 850SC
Constant companions - Scoter and Skye - Black Labs (better than most people)
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