Big Katuna
Deland, FL
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Joined: 12/27/2003
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Motorhome, 40' 300 CAT, had been in the dealer for a month or so (long story). I had about a 70 mile drive home. I drove the usual 70-75 which geets me 7.5 MPG or so. I stopped at Loves and topped off the fuel at $3.99/gal for $200. I then drove 58 or so watching the computer, which drove the mileage up to high 8's. I then set the cruise on 53 and it started reporting 9.5 and often 10 mpg. When I got home I dragged out the calculater and discovered that on a 400 mile day, the savings between 7.5 and 9.5 at $4.00/gal is about $40, enough to pay for a campsite and a bottle of cheap wine. About $100 every thousand miles.
Sure got passed a lot though.
My Kharma ran over my Dogma.
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dreamer
Southern Illinois
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Joined: 01/16/2002
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Big Katuna,
Can you get to 6th gear at that speed?
dreamer.
'00 HR Endeavor - 330 Cat
'02 Tracker - Blue Ox
How does it feel
To be on your own
With no direction home
Like a complete unknown
Like a rolling stone? - Bob Dylan
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dixietrain
St Augustine, FL
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Joined: 05/19/2005
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Big Katuna, have you ever thought about blowing at tire on you motorhome at 75 mph? We once saw a 99 Tradewinds that blew its right front tire at 75 mph. The owner controlled it, but the front of the motorhome was not a pretty site. We drive our 36 foot, 300 CAT at about 62 mph across the Florida pandhandle on I-10 often. We usually get between 10 and 11 mpg. I appreciate you analysis, I may slow down even more. Thanks.
George
Summer and George Williams
1999 Tradewinds
Towing 2001 Turbo Beetle 5sp
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adondo
Pasco, Washington
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Joined: 07/28/2004
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You might need to use the Allison's economy mode to get to top range since it'll tend force the shift to higher ranges. (Not to mention keep it in 6th)
Funny you mention 58 MPH because that's where I usually land it on freeways. It seems ''happy'' at that speed, and can sometimes j..u..s..t.. almost touch the magical 10 MPG mark. (At least in those rare times when there's no headwind)
I tend to drive faster on two lanes mainly because I feel like the leader of a parade.  Too bad all those cars strung out behind can't PUSH.
FMCA# F355513. 1997 Safari Continental, 40 foot, 1 slide. Cat 3126B, Allison MD3060. 2000 Durango SLT 4x4 toad with a Blue Ox Aventa II and stopped with a Brake Buddy.
Seen on the Road Photo album
Aiming a Direct TV dish
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trop-a-cal
Palm Coast Fl
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Joined: 09/24/2007
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You must have been in Florida where the road is so flat you can drop down that slow and still be in high gear. That won't work on grades as you will drop down to many gears and your RPM's will kill the MPG's. You just entered the world of the slow moving RV's that cause accidents category. You can't drive that slow in traffic as the truckers and sedans will be blowing there horns at you to see if your awake. You would like California where that's the speed limit for trucks and RV's.
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wa8yxm
Wherever I happen to park
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Joined: 07/04/2006
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Last time I blew a tire on my MH I was doing about... Well, let's say I'd have made better time on foot (perhaps 2 MPH)
Blew the right front on a Ford Granada at something like 82MPH though, did not have a problem till I'd slowed to around 20 Then it got a bit tough to control, Pulled off safely, put on the spare , never did find the hubcap
Nothin adds excitment like something that is none of your business
John is Near Kenwood TS-2000 housed in a 2005 Damon Intruder 377
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w4phj
Vero Beach, FL
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Joined: 09/13/2001
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I usually travel at 58-62. I can get into 6th gear at 53 or so on flat land. At ~60, I average 9 MPG towing.
2005 Bounder 37U Cat C7 Engine
2007 Dodge 2500 4X4 5.9 Cummins Laramie
2002 Dodge Durango 4X4 4.7 SLT Plus
Amateur Radio Extra Class License W4PHJ
ARRL Extra Class Volunteer Examiner
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1969 Plymouth Road Runner
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Dick_B
Palos Heights, IL USA
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Joined: 07/10/2002
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We drive 55 all the time. Why is it a problem that lots of people pass you? What's more important; the better mileage or being a macho driver on the highway?
Dick_B
2003 SunnyBrook 27FKS
2003 3/4 T Chevrolet Suburban
Equal-i-zer Hitch
One wife, two bikes (both Electric Schwinn's with motor assist)
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marvmarcy
Polson, MT, USA
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Joined: 04/19/2003
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I found that slowing from 72 to 65 made almost 1 mpg (10%) difference. On my way back from Key West to Nags Head, NC, I'm going to set the cruise control on 60 to see what that does.
Marv
2001 Volvo VNL42T420, ISX450/1650, super 10sp w/GearMaster
2003 Newmar Mountain Aire 38RLRK
Piaggio MP3 400 scooter
RVing since 1979 - Fulltime since 2000 (mostly CO, MT, NC & Key West)
Retired USAF
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threedogtrip
Colorado @ 9500 ft and lovin it
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Joined: 07/14/2006
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Big Katuna wrote:enough to pay for a campsite and a bottle of cheap wine.
Sure got passed a lot though.
Or is that a cheap CG and a better bottle of wine, eh?
DH
Reality is that which, when you stop believing in it, doesn't go away.
--- Philip K. Dick
1999 Gulfstream Sunvoyager
(Our Gulfstream Home Site)
2006 Jeep Wranger
Doberlady
German Shedder Dog
Rescued Gentleman (In Spirit)
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