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choctawmel · 02-15-2017, 03:57 PM

It IS a 2 year old thread.

About time it got some attention.

If I ever get this cummins/allison combo together and running, I'm hoping to beat the pants off the mileage of the 454/4L80e that came out of Silver Bullet!

candyk · 03-26-2017, 09:00 AM

Hubs is picking up a new to us,

2000 Yacht30' in CA and delivering to Tampa. We are planning for 10mpg, freeway driving. Engine is 7.4 vortec. We assume 4L80e tranny. Will report actual when trip completed!

Pahaska · 03-26-2017, 01:16 PM

Just rolled in fro, a 230-mile each-way trip through the Texas Hill Country. Lots of ups and downs that used to murder my mileage puling my Classic 28 with a Duramax. 11.5 mpg, maybe less.

The Interstate got 19.2 going with no wind and 15.9 coming home with a quartering headwind that tried to blow me off the road. Enough wind that it was hard to open the door against it.

Jim Keaty · 08-06-2017, 01:48 PM

I have 1988 345 with a new 454 engine and I tow a 1988 Suzuki Samari. And I only put Premium gas in. We just got back from a 1600 mile road trip from Louisiana to North Carolina and back. I use a really cool app called Road trip to keep track of my mileage and We average 5.5 miles per Gallon. Now I believe my US Gear Duel Range Auxilary transmission is stuck in overdrive so I don't know how that would affect my mileage but I too was hoping to get better gas mileage.

Attached are a few pictures from our trip

Keyair · 08-06-2017, 02:17 PM

Nice Rig!

YippieKiYa · 08-06-2017, 03:39 PM

I'm might be just a tad jealous of the rig...

Isuzusweet · 08-09-2017, 09:13 AM

Is it just me or does that bicycle wheel in pic number three look a tad too close to the road?

5.5 mpg in a coach that probably weighed 18,500 combined pounds, running on 15%+ Ethanol based fuel (lower BTU's than Ethanol free gas) towing a Suzuki with all that humanity and non aerodynamic debris at the front!.......

I'd say you did very well.

I hope you end up keeping her for your family and their future family's camping dreams. Nice to see any AS Classic being used for what she was intended for.

Cheers
Tony

1973Argosy · 08-09-2017, 10:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isuzusweet

Is it just me or does that bicycle wheel in pic number three look a tad too close to the road?

5.5 mpg in a coach that probably weighed 18,500 combined pounds, running on 15%+ Ethanol based fuel (lower BTU's than Ethanol free gas) towing a Suzuki with all that humanity and non aerodynamic debris at the front!.......

I'd say you did very well.

I hope you end up keeping her for your family and their future family's camping dreams. Nice to see any AS Classic being used for what she was intended for.

Cheers
Tony

Man I stared and stared at the third picture trying to figure out which bicycle you were talking about. It's the fourth picture in my line up.

Great looking rig

Isuzusweet · 08-09-2017, 10:22 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1973Argosy

Man I stared and stared at the third picture trying to figure out which bicycle you were talking about. It's the fourth picture in my line up.

Great looking rig

Sorry, fourth pic.

Cheers
Tony

Jim Keaty · 08-10-2017, 07:18 AM

Hey Tony,
You are right the bike rack was actully in the down possition so I could check my oil. It goes back up and holds the bikes nicely. I am glad to hear that yall think that is an acceptable gas milage. I believe my Duel Range Auxilary transission is stuck in the over drive possition and I am hoping that I can improve my gas milage when I get the auxilary transmission back in working order.

Also, Does everyone agree that Non Ethanal Gas is the best way to go? Will you get better gas milage with Non Ethanal Gas?

By the way we have been loving our RV. There is nothing better! Here are a few more pics.

tevake · 08-10-2017, 08:16 AM

Looks like a traveling slumber party, what fun.
What wonderful memories you will all have of your streaming adventures!

5.5 does seem a little bit low. Maybe getting the overdrive sorted will help some.
That is quite the load tho. I would'nt expect too much better mileage even with it running correctly. I would think 7 mpg would be a realistic target loaded that way and towing.

Happy trails to you.
Richard

Isuzusweet · 08-10-2017, 08:33 AM

Jim

Are you sure it's an overdrive unit as my US Gear is an underdrive, basically giving me 6sp's but the top gear is still 1:1. That being said, I am a bug killing version and not a gasser so my peak torque is way down low.

As for Ethanol in gasoline, it's the Devils work and there is no upside. It attracts water like a sponge corroding tanks, destroying pre Ethanol fuel lines to a point that they crack and spill gas all over hot 454's; (we have lost at least five queens of the roads in the past couple of years that I know of); and you get less mileage to boot.

It is the Devils work I tell you; witchcraft! If you haven't already switched the rubber fuel line coming into your engine compartment yet; you should!

Cheers
Tony

Vycan · 08-10-2017, 04:31 PM

My fuel economy jumped to 12mpg consistently for a couple years after valve lash, and filter change. I started doing annual fuel filter changes. Then this last summer she dropped to 10MPG and had hard starts (think 20-30 seconds). I did some research and everything pointed to either air in the fuel lines, or the P7100 pump timing was off. She also became more and more sluggish with increased EGTs. All of this data is captured when I drive and I could see an increase within a two month period with 3.5k miles driven. Troubleshot it. Found the timing was off, made the adjustments (it's a PITA but made easier if you remove the AC compressor for clearance.) Used the timing pins and dial gauge to verify on P7100 cylinder 1, torqued to spec, and excited to get on the road again and see what effect it will have on fuel economy. The test drive was a world of difference. It seems this has been going on for a while, and just got bad enough to snowball recently. I will always have the question in the back of my mind if this was another blunder from my experience at the Cummins White Bear Lake, MN facility. Oh well. Will let you know the new MPG after the next trip!

bkahler · 08-10-2017, 06:56 PM

It's nice to see one of these motorhomes being used for what they were meant to be used for

Brad

candyk · 03-02-2019, 07:29 PM

Fred, Thank you for your history of motorhomes page. It is the most complete information I have been able to find. Have you thought of adding the diesel homes also?

Mike1997 · 08-21-2022, 09:56 AM

I just got back from the Airstream International Rally in Maine. Drove 3300 miles and spent 50 nights on the road. Before this trip I had all the cooling system hoses changed and the radiator flushed at least 3 times. It was amazing how much gunk came out of it.

The final tally was 12.5mpg while towing a Jeep Wrangler. Keep in mind its a diesel and its now due for oil change and transmission service. At 80k miles, its running almost perfect.......except for the batteries which is another story

Most I paid for diesel was $5.89 in Rheinbeck, NY. The cheapest was 4.59 in Asheville, NC. From there I drove into SC where it was advertised for $4.07 at a Circle K off I-26.

ITSNO60 · 08-21-2022, 10:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike1997

I just got back from the Airstream International Rally in Maine. Drove 3300 miles and spent 50 nights on the road. Before this trip I had all the cooling system hoses changed and the radiator flushed at least 3 times. It was amazing how much gunk came out of it.

The final tally was 12.5mpg while towing a Jeep Wrangler. Keep in mind its a diesel and its now due for oil change and transmission service. At 80k miles, its running almost perfect.......except for the batteries which is another story

Most I paid for diesel was $5.89 in Rheinbeck, NY. The cheapest was 4.59 in Asheville, NC. From there I drove into SC where it was advertised for $4.07 at a Circle K off I-26.

That's pretty good Mike, what speed do you cruise at?

udidwht · 10-18-2022, 03:54 PM

Renton, Wa. - Sedona, Az - HB, Ca. - Renton, Wa.

Total miles - 3099 (US) miles

Total days - 18 (Dec 21, 2020 - Jan 7, 2021)

Total oil consumed - ~ 1/2qt (454 TBI 7.4L w/4L80E) 1994 Fleetwood Southwind Storm 28ft (using Valvoline full synthetic 10w-30). Engine was peak tune with new plug wires (NAPA HD ceramic 8.5mm), rotor, cap, pick up coil, ignition coil and plugs (Autolite).

Total fuel cost - $1008.XX

Odometer on RV @ time of trip - 68,295

MPG - low of 7.77mpg and a high of 9.70mpg (no TOAD)

Best high MPG was between Livermore, Ca. and Bakersfield, Ca. On the overall trip I hit the 9.XX range (3) times. After Sedona, Az. I headed south and skirted Phoenix then onto Huntington Beach, Ca. (real home). In HB for a few days then headed north back to Renton (home away from real home).

ITSNO60 · 10-18-2022, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by udidwht

Renton, Wa. - Sedona, Az - HB, Ca. - Renton, Wa.

Total miles - 3099 (US) miles

Total days - 18 (Dec 21, 2020 - Jan 7, 2021)

Total oil consumed - ~ 1/2qt (454 TBI 7.4L w/4L80E) 1994 Fleetwood Southwind Storm 28ft (using Valvoline full synthetic 10w-30). Engine was peak tune with new plug wires (NAPA HD ceramic 8.5mm), rotor, cap, pick up coil, ignition coil and plugs (Autolite).

Total fuel cost - $1008.XX

Odometer on RV @ time of trip - 68,295

MPG - low of 7.77mpg and a high of 9.70mpg (no TOAD)

Best high MPG was between Livermore, Ca. and Bakersfield, Ca. On the overall trip I hit the 9.XX range (3) times. After Sedona, Az. I headed south and skirted Phoenix then onto Huntington Beach, Ca. (real home). In HB for a few days then headed north back to Renton (home away from real home).

Average cruising speed?