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jornvango · 09-21-2013, 12:40 AM

We have been traveling since May '13 in our AS Sovereign trailer towed by a Hemi Jeep.
Having traveled from Texas to Alaska (and we're currently driving south again visiting the Oregon coastline), fuel expense eats up about 1/3 of the total trip expense.
Our Jeep averages 10-12 mpg while towing the AS.

We want to continue our trip and head south all the way to Argentina!
It's not practical to tow an AS down there (small roads, shipping cost between Panama and Columbia, ...) + the fuel cost, so we're looking around to fix our 'issue'.

A class B or a truck with truck camper are the 2 main options at the moment.

A truck will give us 4x4 but bad gas mileage (around 12 mpg according to the dealer when a truck camper is on it).

A class B like the Airstream has no 4x4 as far as I know. What is the actual gas mileage you're getting?

Thanks. Tips on fixing our issue are welcome.

Lily&Me · 09-21-2013, 04:55 AM

When we are driving with empty tanks, we get 23-25 mpg. Sometimes better than that,

Full tanks, 21-22 mpg.

Maggie

russ240 · 09-21-2013, 05:09 AM

I get 15 to 18 in my Interstate.

If I were heading out to untamed area's I'd want something like this (4x4 yes, better mpg no):
EarthRoamer » XV-LT

wayneskid · 09-21-2013, 07:28 AM

I just completed a 1600 mi. jaunt around OR, WA and ID. Overall mileage was 17.7 MPG. Fully loaded, tanks full, driver only. Lots of hills and wind. I prefer the back roads so not a lot of steady Interstate highway cruising. I drive right at the speed limit. A couple of tanks I got near 19 MPG.

Keep in mind this is diesel fuel which can be higher or lower $/gal. compared to gasoline. My average cost for fuel was $3.94/gal.

Also, the new models with BlueTec are said to get a little better mileage.

Good luck,
Wayne

Rsknutson · 09-21-2013, 08:39 AM

We've been averaging 15-18mpg in our 2014 Ext, at hwy speeds between 55-65+.

SeeMore · 09-21-2013, 09:04 AM

Just finished research for a Jan/Feb 2014 trip to the tip of Chile. You might find this data worth reading:

World petrol prices, gas prices, diesel prices 2013| MyTravelCost.com

Diesel was subsidized in Mexico until recently. It is averaging ~$3.60/gal at the moment during the full price phase in. Once south of Mexico's border you'll encounter prices hovering around $5/gal until you reach Ecuador ($1.32/gal, the cheapest of the trip) and then returning to ~$5/gal again in Peru & Chile.

Improved fuel mileage will pay back handsomely given the total miles contemplated.

Protagonist · 09-21-2013, 10:24 AM

There is a company out West that does a 4×4 Sprinter conversion. There may be others as well. Don't know if they'll convert yours, or if you have to buy one from them already converted.
Mercedes-Benz Sprinter 4x4 Van Conversions | 4×4 and 6×6 Sprinter, Dodge, GM Van Conversions

I get about 17mpg on average in my Interstate, when traveling on Interstate highways at 70mph. I get the same fuel economy when towing my Honda Fit hatchback (GVWR 3500 pounds) at 60mph.

Fuel economy naturally goes down when there are a lot of speed changes, such as on a winding, hilly road where there's a lot of up-shifting and down-shifting. Under those conditions (such as Scenic Byway 7 in Arkansas) I only get a little over 14mpg.

That's with the 3-liter v6 turbo-diesel. The 5-cylinder gets better fuel economy, as Doug&Maggie's Interstate amply demonstrates.

To be honest, though, I'm not sure even a 4×4-converted Interstate would be up to the task of crossing the Darién Gap.

Lily&Me · 09-21-2013, 10:29 AM

Aside from our 5 cylinder, Doug swears by a periodic fuel tank additive called "Gum-Out", which can be purchased at Auto Zone, etc.

"It cleans the fuel injectors", he says.

Maggie

David M · 09-21-2013, 11:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by doug&maggie

Aside from our 5 cylinder, Doug swears by a periodic fuel tank additive called "Gum-Out", which can be purchased at Auto Zone, etc.

"It cleans the fuel injectors", he says.

Maggie

Hi Maggie,
That's fantastic mileage! In addition to the 5 cyl and Gum-out, your 2500 chassis is lighter than the 3500 which helps with mileage. We averaged 17 mpg on our last trip (3500 chassis). You might want to hang on to yours

David

Lily&Me · 09-21-2013, 12:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David M

Hi Maggie,
That's fantastic mileage! ......You might want to hang on to yours

David

Ummm, not to worry.

We have the perfect travlin' machine, in our opinion. Couldn't love it more.

Maggie

kaylorsan · 09-21-2013, 02:42 PM

We average 19.5+ on pure highway driving. About 16 around town. Our ride weight usually checks in about 10,100 pounds with our gear and tank configurations. We enjoy driving and would rate our style as 'spirited'. Our average highway speed is 75+ mph. Our mileage may improve at a lower speed, but I'd rather get there sooner.

-Kaylorsan
2012 Interstate EXT Lounge

Boxster1971 · 09-21-2013, 08:34 PM

I get between 18-20 mpg. I've found that head winds, and use of AC cuts my mileage below 20. In the spring we made our first trip to Florida and consistently got 20+. This past summer we got more like 18 when using AC a lot.

73shark · 09-21-2013, 09:21 PM

I get between 17 and 18 mpg traveling at the speed limit spend on the interstates.

RoadJager · 09-22-2013, 06:40 PM

Our I3500 gets 18.5-20mpg (w/Renntech software), wet, 65-75mph, flatlands to the mountains, no toad. It is really a very good trip vehicle regardless of some of its minor shortcomings.
Road Jager

joemikeb · 09-23-2013, 09:53 AM

2013 Interstate 3500, full tanks, A/C running continually, from Fort Worth, TX 626 feet above sea level, 740 miles to Chama, NM, 7871 feet above sea level, uphill all the way mostly on secondary roads (I hate Interstates, they bore me to tears), cruise control set on speed limit (mostly 70 to 75 mph) 19.5 miles per gallon average.

Return trip, downhill all the way and on a slightly different route with more interstates and 4 lane highways, 18.5 miles per gallon. The only explanation I have for the lower mileage on the downhill trip is because of the Interstate and 4 lane highways, the cruise control was set on 75 mph much more of the time.

Tiato · 10-26-2013, 06:42 AM

Central New Jersey to Barre, VT. Essentially all uphill. Empty tanks. 2 adults, 1 child. 360 miles, 18.7mpg. I suspect fuel consumption will be better rolling downhill to NJ tomorrow

When I picked up my AI from Colonial a few weeks back, on my first tankful I got 21 mpg with a half full water tank.

No matter what the AI gets, it's much better than the 9mpg of my old Winnie.