RayChez wrote: Maj. Easy, That is a nice looking coach, and I am surprised to see that a 2009 coach is equipped with a Caterpillar engine. First of all I am surprised that Monaco is using Cat engines, they used to use nothing but Cummins engines, and somebody had posted in this forum that Caterpillar was out of the motorhome business.
Again! that is a good looking coach.
Didn't mean to highjack the thread, but this mileage thing is getting redicules anyways.
Actually, Caterpillar announced that they will build no on-highway engines AFTER 1/1/2010. So there will certainly be trucks and RV's with Caterpillar engines well into 2010. At least I suspect the new 2010 EPA standards will also usher in a serious price increase so suspect most coach builders will stock up on 2009 engine much as they did with 2006 engines well into the 2007 model year.
I just finished an 500 mile trip that I have taken numerous times in the past. It is mostly on two lane highways with a 55 MPH speed limit, some grade changes and some driving through mountains (Boise to S Oregon via Bend, Diamond Lake, Prospect, Grants Pass)
In the past I normally drove about 65 MPH most of the way and averaged about 7.5 to 8 MPG. This last trip in the first week of July I drove 55 almost all the way, was pulling a 4600 LB toad, and averaged 9 MPG.
I think if I kept the speed down and drove on level highways without grades 10 MPG would not be out of the question if I drove about 60 MPH.
9.4, 9.5, 9.6 average and maybe squeeze 9.7 or 9.8 MPG but that is best mpg's with a 400Hp turbo cummins in a 41 foot with a 4200 pound toad at 60-65MPH using the cruise on I-75 Michigan to Florida and back
Turninghawk wrote: Not to be the devil's advocate, but I can't help it here.
1. Under general use expenses, did you include insurance AND depreciation? That '09 MH is dropping in value much faster than any car you could be traveling in.
my coach hasn't depreciated a dime and it won't depreciate anything until i sell it...
Turninghawk wrote: 2. Lodging at $3450 for 30 days indicates that whomever calculated these figures is NOT a very savvy shopper when it comes to lodging.
when saps are paying 250 to 350 a night in san franciso, the KOA charges us only 90 buck in downtown san fran....
Turninghawk wrote: 3. MH trip includes YOU having to cook, make the beds, clean the bathroom, vacuum, etc. If that's part of the fun, so be it, and to each his own..
i like snacks for breakfest and lunch.. the motorhome is perfect for this... if i eat every meal in a restaurant i could get fat... most of the time for breakfest i only want cappuccino.... try finding your favorite cappuccino in bum blank egypt..
Turninghawk wrote: I've NEVER seen mathematical justification where a motorhome trip costs less than a car trip. We motorhome because we ENJOY it, not to save money. The chart fools nobody!!
why aren't you showing that you even own a motorhome in your profile???? what kind is it????
1. Your coach, just like mine, depreciates every day you own it. Don't fool yourself.
2. Didn't realize your 30-day trip kept you stationary in San Francisco. We like to travel all over the country. Using SF hotel rates is far from the national average. Nice try.
3. Like I said, to each his own. Some pretty nice breakfasts in major-chain hotels across the country, and they're included in the price....
4. Sorry, didn't know that was mandatory. My most recent purchase is a 2008 Allegro Bus 40QRP. Why should it matter??
The difference between getting 10mpg and 8mpg is 20%. On a trip of 4000 miles that's a difference of 400 gal vs 500 gal. That extra 100 gal of fuel at $4.75 a gal is $475. Considering I travel a ballpark 8,000 miles a year, that's close to $1000 a year I get to spend on other stuff (steaks on the BBQ :-)~ instead of giving it to the Arabs/Oil Co.
So regardless of the fact that it is a small percentage of the overall cost of owning and using one of these things, I like that alot!
That being said..... The only reason I get 10mpg is because it's a small (34') rig and is going down the road at less than 30,000 lbs including toad. It has the Cummins 300 ISB with 6spd trans and that in my opinion, is about the only combination that will honestly see a 10 mpg average on a real trip.
I drive the sweet spot on the tach for milage (works out to 63 mph on level road) and pay attention to what I need to do to get decent ecomomy when it's not level (which we all know is alot of the time). Not really all that hard to do if you just keep your brain engaged.
Anyone with a bigger/heavier rig is using more power to get down the road and simple physics says they have to use more fuel to do that. That means if I'm getting 10 and so are they..... they're dreaming.
Quote: 1. Your coach, just like mine, depreciates every day you own it. Don't fool yourself. 2. Didn't realize your 30-day trip kept you stationary in San Francisco. We like to travel all over the country. Using SF hotel rates is far from the national average. Nice try. 3. Like I said, to each his own. Some pretty nice breakfasts in major-chain hotels across the country, and they're included in the price.... 4. Sorry, didn't know that was mandatory. My most recent purchase is a 2008 Allegro Bus 40QRP. Why should it matter??
the fact that your profile shows that you either don't own a coach or you are so unhappy with it, that you choose to NOT EVEN LIST IT suggests no pride in the ownership of it.... THAT SAYS ALOT TO ME... YOUR KNOWLEDGE OF LOW COST MOTELS AND HOTELS VERSUS MOTOR HOME PARKS IS SUSPECT. you and my wife both share the ability to foretell the future... tell me when will i sell my coach??? and for what price will i be able to sell it??? if i never sell the coach when will depreciation make it become completely worthless..... depreciation has no affect on owners who plan on keeping their coaches... and i plan on, never selling this coach while i'm still alive...
2009 Safari Cheetah 42ft tag axle by Monaco
400hp C-9 Cat 6sp Allison in motion satelite
Quad screen color LCD gps factory installed in dash
Dinghy is a 2600lb 08 Toyota Corola 5-spd manual 37mpg
Tow Bar by Blue Ox Avanta LX 10K
Equal balancing polymer
Quote: I drive the sweet spot on the tach for milage (works out to 63 mph on level road) and pay attention to what I need to do to get decent ecomomy when it's not level (which we all know is alot of the time). Not really all that hard to do if you just keep your brain engaged.
the sweet spot is a myth.
wind resistance or drag increases at a non linear rate.
thus one can not say that if i reduce my speed or increase my speed by 10% that it will effect drag proportionally.....
thus the slower you drive the less drag.... if one wanted to get the best mpg possible, one would need to drive in the 20 to 25 mph range, where almost no drag is present... certainly not 63mph...
8.3 Cummins 300 HP towing a Durango gets a low of 9 and a high of 11.5. To be fair, the 11.5 was following my slow poke friend back from AZ. The 9 was climbing some high passes then driving 65+.
I usually average 10 towing the Durango. Neither Sammy Hagar or I can drive 55. I usually drive 65 unless I am in my home state of Kalifornia, then its 62.
Not only because we are supposed to only go 55, but we have horrible highways. I am wondering why our $.63 per gallon tax is not used to keep our highways in at least safe condition.
1992 American Eagle, Cummins C8.3 300 HP
Toads: Jeep Scrambler(trailer queen), Jeep Cherokee, Dodge Durango. Just depends.
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I usually drive 65 unless I am in my home state of Kalifornia, then its 62. 
