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Bus Discussion => Bus Topics ( click here for quick start! ) => Topic started by: sandra@BCM on February 16, 2022, 05:28:20 PM

Title: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: sandra@BCM on February 16, 2022, 05:28:20 PM
Survey Time!  ;)

What's the average fuel mileage you are getting out of your bus?

Please put the year, make, model, engine, and transmission type of your bus too.

Thank you, guys!!
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: richard5933 on February 16, 2022, 05:51:41 PM
1974 GMC 4108 Detroit Diesel 8V71 Spicer 4-speed

Avg: 7.36
High: 8.75
Low: 6.0

All this over 20,000 miles of tracking.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: TomC on February 16, 2022, 06:10:54 PM
My bus with 8V-71T with air to air intercooling and V730 gets 4.8-6mpg.
My truck conversion which weighs 10,000lbs more than the bus with 3406B 400hp and HT740 gets 6.3 Good Luck, TomC
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Ed Hackenbruch on February 16, 2022, 06:48:38 PM
The 68 MCI 5A that i used to own has an 8v71 and Allison MT644 transmission. Got a high of 8.4, a low of 5.9, and a 7.24 average over 85,000 miles.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: oltrunt on February 16, 2022, 06:55:57 PM
My little 10,000 pound bus with the 5.2l Isuzu turbo diesel averages 15 mpg.  A little less with the toad and a little more without.

I know, I know---Damit Jackie shut up!  But look at all the fun we have in it.

(https://i.postimg.cc/y8ZWB82K/IMG-8063.jpg).
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Dave5Cs on February 16, 2022, 07:54:36 PM
The 79MCI 5C Saudi that we owned from 2010 to present has a 6v71 "T" drive and Allison MT644 transmission. Got a high of 8.2, low 6.1, and a 7.2 average over 50,000 miles. :^
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Tedsoldbus on February 17, 2022, 04:50:27 AM
6V92 with Allison HT 740. Last trip if I did the math right was high 8 per gallon, but it was from 2000 feet up where I live in N Georgia to Lakeland Florida. All down hill or flat. I don't tow. And Ok...maybe a tailwind.
When 20 of us have answered, Sandra is going to come back on and tell us that even though she is full time, they had to buy fuel for her skoolie ( and nice bus by the way) back in November....
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: chessie4905 on February 17, 2022, 05:58:36 AM
Our 4104 6-71T, manual transmission. 8 to 10. Usually average 8.8. 4:11 rear. Got 9 1/2 to 10 with 3:55 rear. 4905 6 to 8. Average 7.2. 4:27 rear V730.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: lvmci on February 17, 2022, 06:48:16 AM
MCI 102C3 8V92 silver turbo, 6 TO 7 mpg, nothing but mountains in all 4 directions in the desert Southwest. Toad is a Fiat, no factory AC. 7 1/2 with no toad. lvmci...
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: lostagain on February 17, 2022, 07:05:45 AM
I don't know. I just fill it up when it gets near empty.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Lee Bradley on February 17, 2022, 07:57:03 AM
1991 Neoplan Cityliner, 8-92 Turbo, 748 Allison, DDEC II, about 40,000 pounds plus CR-V. Always seems to be uphill. Just at 5 mpg.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: HB of CJ on February 17, 2022, 11:55:22 AM
Averaged about 10.5 mpg.  Determined at interstate speed of 60 mph at 1500 rpm in 10th gear.  Crown 1974 10-wheeler three axle.  Cummings 855 small cam 250.  Long ago, far away.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: RickWest on February 17, 2022, 12:01:45 PM
1980 Prevost Le Mirage 35Ft w 6V92 and HT754 Allison 4 sp on 12R22.5  3.70 Ratio on the Rockwell is averaging 7.5 at 70MPH and about 8.0 at 65MPH. I also tow the Ram 1500 crew cab 4X4 - but don't even want to know what it gets then, only have towed about a 190 mile trip a few times to the Boat Races. Genset runs .50 gal an hour on the Kubota Atomic 12.5. She weighs 31040 lbs. with 140 gals fuel and 120 gal fresh water with out the ice chests and adult beverages.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on February 17, 2022, 12:10:07 PM
I don't know. I just fill it up when it gets near empty.
||

Push the button JC the SliverLeaf will tell you and it doesn't lie about it,I am at 7.3 pushing 48,000 lbs with the ISX 600 Cummins @ 69 mph I have seen 8.1 to 8.4 at 52 mph,I love that SliverLeaf tells you how much fuel you need to fill up
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: sledhead on February 17, 2022, 01:06:36 PM
2000 Featherlite vogue cat 3406e allison 4060 7.9 on the cat computer but most times it is low 8s towed included 2019 ford ranger 4x4 with cruise on
total weight inc. our junk and towed 48k lbs

and all roads r now flat 8)
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: lvmci on February 17, 2022, 04:22:06 PM
Dave, I didn't think Rangers could be flat towed, lvmci...
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: sledhead on February 18, 2022, 05:10:59 AM
you can flat tow 2019 and newer 4x4 but not the 2 wheel drive rangers '

there is quite a few steps you have to do b4 u go, sitting in the drivers seat but after u do that I do the 1600 mile trip with zero problems . then 1 or 2 steps to reuse the truck when u r ready to drive it

towes great b hind the coach
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: dtcerrato on February 18, 2022, 06:01:10 AM
We just bought us a new to us 08 GMC Envoy 4x4 with a 4.2L iL that's a breeze to dingy tow with a selector dial.It's been on the pit for a week now and just installed a diy tow bar base plate for $0 out of the scrap steel pile that etrailer.com wanted $400 for! WTF? We have only $75 into our universal tow bar that has been used on at least a 1/2 dozen toads... Geeze.
Forgot to mention when I picked up the Envoy I couldn't muster up a driver on the fly so I towed our 09 Jeep GC home with the Envoy. It hurt towing the 5.7 Hemi with the 4.2 Vortec - Lol and was a great test run!
 :^
6.5 to 10.5 mpg with a 4104 oem 671 na dual exhaust 4 valve head.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: windtrader on February 18, 2022, 09:25:39 AM
Well, I'm the fuel hog I guess. MC8, 8v71n,Allison HT740 - 5-6.5 mpg
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Melbo on February 18, 2022, 12:00:17 PM
We have not been towing a vehicle for the last 10 years or so.  We get in the high sevens (over 7.5) when we stay under 65 mph and low sevens (like 7.2) when we push up towards 70 mph.

Depends on where we are and where we want to be.

Melbo and Billie
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Glennman on February 18, 2022, 12:27:50 PM
I've only driven my 2002 MCI D4500 12.7L Series 60 about 100 miles, so I don't know the mileage yet. It would sure be nice to hear what people are getting though!
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: bronson on February 18, 2022, 12:30:14 PM
1984 mci 9 6V92 with Allison HT 740
Running Gen pulling 2 ac and towing Chrysler minivan from Cincinnati to Orlando on I 75.....6.7 mpg.  Pedal to the metal
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Van on February 18, 2022, 05:45:41 PM
I get a 100 miles per gallon all day long going downhill, other then that high 7's to low 8's at 68mph with or with out our 7000lb. Fullbed Crewcab dually as per the SL. 92' Prevost H3-40. 475Hp 8V-92TA/Alison 754, 49000lbs.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: niles500 on February 18, 2022, 08:58:07 PM
Silver 8v92 500 hp 1650 ftlb ht755 48k lb gvw doesnt matter w or w/o 10k trailer, 5 mpg on the flat, 2 mpg mountains, no bs
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Lee Bradley on February 19, 2022, 08:44:50 AM
Silver 8v92 500 hp 1650 ftlb ht755 48k lb gvw doesnt matter w or w/o 10k trailer, 5 mpg on the flat, 2 mpg mountains, no bs

Sounds more realistic.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on February 20, 2022, 05:22:48 AM
Silver 8v92 500 hp 1650 ftlb ht755 48k lb gvw doesnt matter w or w/o 10k trailer, 5 mpg on the flat, 2 mpg mountains, no bs



Sounds about right,all I ever figured for trips was 5 mpg with my 8v92 ,HP uses  fuel the four strokes' engines do a little better on fuel with high HP though,with the theory high hp takes less fuel pushing weight. My son has a 400 hp ISM Cummins in a 40 ft coach I get better milage with a ISX in a 45 ft coach pushing 10,000 lbs more so maybe the theory works     
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: 6805eagleguy on February 20, 2022, 06:58:38 PM
Yes Clifford theory works
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: robertglines1 on February 21, 2022, 06:44:47 PM
I built for power and speed.. Never been in 10th gear. 60 series preEGR 10 spd eaton auto shift.  3:07 rear end. Fun to build .. prob 10 at best and 7 with load. A friend did same thing and says he hit 10mpg.. Not worth differance!Be happy with a 60 series and a stock automatic with 4:56 gears.. Had a 8V92 in past and planned on 5... I have a 245 gal tank now and go to Gainesville fla and back to Indiana and cap off tank usually between 175 to 200 Gallon. 53,000 lb   FWIW..
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: chessie4905 on March 05, 2022, 04:38:10 AM
Fuel here hit $5.00 for diesel. Planned Ak. trip is really going to cost. Taking Duramax and tt. 12k round trip. $6.50 est per gallon@ 9 to 11 mpg. $5500 to $8600. Going to hurt, but don't  want to wait another year.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on March 05, 2022, 05:26:46 AM
I would budget more John the $115.00 future price for a barrel of oil on Friday is going to bite big time in May,June and July.My Shell and Valvoline distributor tells me he is paying $26.00 a gal for engine oil now.I notice everyone is parked now around Phoenix and RV parks are full at inflated prices now.How in the hell can a country go from exporting oil to depend on importing oil is beyond me.We are in sad shape a friggn burger costing 10 bucks   
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: buswarrior on March 05, 2022, 05:47:21 AM
Small town retail diesel hit $1.85 a litre here yesterday, with further to go. North of Toronto, Ontario.

That's about $5.50 USD per US gallon.

Keep the speeds down closer to 50 mph, than 70 mph, no idle time, and take the trip.

Nobody getting any younger, just go!!

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: dtcerrato on March 05, 2022, 05:54:59 AM
What BW said.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: rancher on March 05, 2022, 06:15:00 AM
Gas has jumped up forty cents in the last two days here $3.75. Diesel is up fifty cents in the last two days $4.50. I am glad I bought all my farm diesel before this war thing got started. I don't think these high fuel cost will stop our coach shopping. Wife is still going to retire in July and we still plan on doing some traveling. I have had enough health issues not going to wait for fuel to go down to travel. Just open the check book up some more.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on March 05, 2022, 06:18:16 AM
I got a offer on my Magana 630 for 35% more than I paid  for it over 2 years ago,I am letting go not because of fuel prices I want something smaller with a Cummins engine and 2 slides and easier for me to maintain lol it is a all day job just washing it 
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on March 05, 2022, 06:26:57 AM
I notice all the pan handlers with the mark- a- lot signs are not homeless now they all are asking for fuel money in Scottsdale
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: lostagain on March 05, 2022, 07:18:31 AM
Look at the price of a week in Mexico or Hawaii (flight, hotel, food, drinks, etc). It makes travelling with motor home look cheap...

A friend and I are going fishing for a week in April. Taking the motorhome is cheaper than staying at the lodge, even with the high price of fuel.

Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on March 05, 2022, 08:00:56 AM
Look at the price of a week in Mexico or Hawaii (flight, hotel, food, drinks, etc). It makes travelling with motor home look cheap...

A friend and I are going fishing for a week in April. Taking the motorhome is cheaper than staying at the lodge, even with the high price of fuel.


RV's have always been cheaper for traveling for years if you avoid KOA paying a 100 bucks a day for camping sucks ,depends on where we travel, I can spend 300 to 400 bucks a day just on fuel and camping fees with my electrical hog 
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on March 05, 2022, 08:11:14 AM
Look at the price of a week in Mexico or Hawaii (flight, hotel, food, drinks, etc). It makes travelling with motor home look cheap...

A friend and I are going fishing for a week in April. Taking the motorhome is cheaper than staying at the lodge, even with the high price of fuel.


RV's have always been cheaper for traveling for years if you avoid KOA paying a 100 bucks a day for camping sucks ,depends on where we travel, I can spend 300 to 400 bucks a day just on fuel and camping fees with my electrical hog lol a trip to Hawaii would be expensive in a RV
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: chessie4905 on March 05, 2022, 10:45:25 AM
We travelled 23,000 miles all over the western US. About half truck only. Fuel $7500, campsites $6500, groceries and dining $6200, admittance to tourist attractions and misc souvenirs $6500, tires for truck and tt $2000, other misc adds up to little over $31,000 total. Shocked me when we arrived home. If we took the coach just fuel would have cost little over $13,000, @ 6mpg plus about $2200 for toad fuel, @ 16 mpg and assuming no significant repairs. Just an FYI for anyone interested.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: sledhead on March 05, 2022, 11:29:58 AM
if you want to use the coach

you can not control the cost of fuel

but on the last trip to Florida and back we spent  $1448.69 less fuel card savings of $125.89 =$1322.80

total gal. was 348.78 and total miles was 2858
average diesel price was $4.11 per gal.

but I have not topped up my tank so my guess is + 70 more gal.
 ( 418.75 ) ? gal  = 6.82 mpg and that inc 23 hrs on diesel boiler and 18 hrs on diesel genny
cat computer tells me 7.8 mpg so guess I was going to fast


we just got back on the 3rd of march ( 67 days ) and the trip was awesome regardless of the cost of the diesel

why build the coach if you are not going to use it ?

Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: David Anderson on March 05, 2022, 11:52:29 AM
I average 6.5mpg

Uphill, downhill, towed, no towed.  It stays the same. 
6v92 with voith 4 speed automatic.  36,000lbs wet.

David
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: windtrader on March 05, 2022, 01:46:39 PM
@BW - interesting that diesel in Canada is nearly the same as here. Diesel in Calif is nearing that same price mark, regular unleaded is running at 5 now at the typical discount stations, big brands are over 5 now.


@Clifford - The financial balance point whether traveling by personal RV or commercial services is very dependent on how often you go and the number of days and distances traveled.


It is not a discussion that big fuel price hikes affect RV usage and sales/values. The question is what may happen this time around. I've not been an RV owner during the past major hikes and spikes.


If COVID was a driver for increased RV sales and demand then a downturn might be greater than in the past due to the double whammy from both factors.



Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: luvrbus on March 05, 2022, 01:52:46 PM
I think people plan and budget for trips not many fly by the seat of their pants that own a RV ,we didn't plan on doing 22,000 miles last year but it happens anyways because we don't own a RV to do 1 trip a year for a few weeks. Cost now takes the fun out of Rving for a lot of people with families lol a tent site in a federal park can cost 30 bucks a night     
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Dave5Cs on March 05, 2022, 06:05:58 PM
Best if you are retired and can stay a month at least long term. We paid 8 dollars a night but again stayed LT and here we are at 10.48 a night 325.00 a month plus electric and propane which we would have to have anywhere also. Food from Walmart once a month.

We eat in the bus most days but do eat out maybe twice a month. But when we go for say Mexican food we get three chicken or beef tacos and then bring them home. We always have tortillas in the bus. We open up the tacos we got and split up the insides from 3 each to 6 each and then put them in the refer for another meal. Just things you learn on the road to save funds for other things.

Refrigerator started freezing everything so got a new thermister on line and that fixed that problem for 9 dollars.
The heater went out so I ordered a new fan motor and replaced that and it runs like new. The point is some replace unit I see on line instead of fixing them. We love living full time now and have been to a lot of same towns that are like living in the 50"s again with little traffic and fun things to see. :^
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: chessie4905 on March 06, 2022, 02:46:08 PM
If you don't already have the app, download "Atlas Obscura". We found many interesting places to see and visit that aren't in traditional listings. Not weird stuff either. Many places listed for every state. Used it a lot past summer.
Title: Re: Survey Time! - MPG of Your Bus??
Post by: Lee Bradley on March 08, 2022, 07:35:48 AM
And when traveling, harvest host is good for a free night parking and a chance to meet wonderful people.
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