Results for "mpg"

Spent years doing regular EGR maintenance on my old gas motorhome without issues — but this 2007 Fleetwood 31' Tioga with Ford V10 Triton has me second-guessing everything. I keep reading conflicting information about EGR delete procedures on V10 engines, and I'm worried I might make things worse if I mess with it.

Is the EGR delete modification actually necessary on this 2007 3-valve V10, or am I overthinking this? I don't want to void any warranties or create problems that weren't there before. Would I be better off just sticking to regular maintenance instead of modifications? I'm looking for reassurance that I'm taking the right approach to keep this engine running reliably for years to come. …more

Last weekend I felt this awful engine strain and heard sluggish acceleration sounds while test-driving a 2017 Phoenix Cruiser #2351 with its E-350 chassis and V10 engine. I'll be doing extensive western touring through mountain and plains regions, which means substantial mountain grades and wind challenges. I'm comfortable driving slowly and want to understand two key things: 1) Will this E-350 chassis handle mountain grades without major issues, and 2) What's the real-world fuel consumption like? I plan to do an initial inspection this weekend, followed by a third-party mechanical review. I'm not overly concerned about fuel economy but want to understand the actual performance limitations. I'd appreciate insights from owners who have experience with similar touring conditions on an E-350 chassis. …more

Got my third fridge failure this season in my '86 Fleetwood Jamboree with the Ford 460 carbureted engine and I'm done guessing what's wrong. Two main issues:

The fridge isn't working at all. What should I check first for troubleshooting?

Also considering an EFI conversion on the 460 for better fuel economy since gas mileage is brutal. Is this upgrade cost-effective or should I stick with maintaining the carburetor system? …more

Before I commit to my next RV purchase, I'm trying to decide between a Class A and Super C motorhome after our recent 2+ week, 3K mile trip through PA-OH-KY-NC-VA and back to CT. We have never seen more Super C's. They used to be a bit of a unicorn. This trip, multiples each day and a 1 or 2 at almost every campground.

A friend says it's the more dependable Freightliner drivetrain. If we were to make the swap from a 5th wheel (not likely), it would probably be a Super C. I'm trying to understand why the market seems to be shifting.

I'm looking to understand the technical advantages: Are Super C's really more reliable because of the commercial truck chassis? Is the Freightliner drivetrain genuinely better than traditional motorhome platforms?

Anyone care to share their opinions and experiences with Super C versus Class A motorhomes? …more

Our 2012 Monaco Knight DFT 40 GOLD is sitting in the driveway right now with the Jeep hitched behind it, and I can practically see my wallet getting lighter just looking at this setup. We're looking at covering about 1000 miles over the course of the trip, and I'm trying to get realistic expectations for fuel costs and planning fuel stops accordingly.

I've heard wildly different numbers from other RV owners about what kind of fuel economy to expect when towing a vehicle behind a 40-foot diesel pusher like the Monaco Knight. Some people claim they get decent mileage, while others say it's absolutely terrible. I'd love to know what's actually realistic to expect in terms of MPG when towing, and if there are any driving techniques or speed considerations that can help maximize fuel economy on a long trip like this. …more

Staring down the RV lot this Saturday — should I be zeroing in on Class A or Class C models for my first purchase? I'm located in Georgia and looking for a Class A or Class C motorhome in the 28-33 foot range, with specific needs for my situation.

I keep reading that Class A RVs have more space and amenities, which sounds appealing since I want things like a king bed, a 30x36 shower, and room for recliners. But I also hear that Class C motorhomes are easier to drive and get better gas mileage, which might be important since I'm not super confident behind the wheel of a big rig yet.

I'm debating between diesel or gas engines, and whether to look at pre-covid models from established brands like Newmar and Tiffin, or newer options from Entegra and Coachmen. My budget is flexible, but ideally under $100,000.

I'm planning to tow a mid-sized SUV and take both short weekend trips and longer cross-country adventures, and I'll need space to store my recumbent trike. Would really appreciate some guidance on which type would be the better fit for my situation and skill level. Should I prioritize the extra space or the easier driving experience? …more

I tried researching Class B versus Class C motorhomes for weeks now since we're new RV owners planning an extensive retirement bicycle tour through all the western states. We've narrowed our RV choices down to either a Class B or Class C motorhome, but we're struggling to decide which would be the better fit for our specific needs and travel style.

We're particularly concerned about the trade-offs between fuel efficiency, drivability, and living comfort during what will be extended periods on the road. After spending full days cycling 40-50 miles on various trails, we want to make sure we'll have adequate space to recover and relax, but we also need to be practical about fuel costs and maneuverability when accessing different trailheads and camping areas throughout the western states.

The Class B appeals to us for what we assume would be better gas mileage and easier handling, especially when navigating to remote trail access points. However, we're worried about feeling cramped during longer stays, particularly after physically demanding cycling days. The Class C seems like it would offer more comfortable living space for extended trips, but we're concerned about fuel efficiency and whether a larger RV might limit our options for camping and parking. Would a smaller Class C in the 24-27 foot range potentially offer the best of both worlds for our specific travel plans? …more

Finally dealing with my Ford V10 throwing the P0171 lean code for the third time this season and I'm absolutely done with these guessing games. My Ford V10 with 60,500 miles threw this code during our recent trip from Maine to Virginia, and while there are absolutely no drivability issues - no rough idle, stalling, or poor performance - I'm terrified something catastrophic could happen on the road.

I've already cleaned the MAF sensor and had a local mechanic check for vacuum leaks and run a detailed diagnostic, which found no performance issues and cleared the Check Engine Light. The engine runs perfectly fine, but that check engine light has me spooked. What if I'm damaging the engine by driving it? Should I be monitoring for specific symptoms? I keep reading horror stories online about lean conditions causing engine failure.

I really don't want to get stranded somewhere or cause expensive damage, but I also don't want to cancel our upcoming trip to Florida if it's actually safe to drive. Has anyone dealt with this specific code on a Ford V10? What should I be watching for, and is it actually dangerous to drive with P0171 when the engine seems to be running normally? …more

Halfway through climbing a steep grade yesterday, my Ford F53 motorhome engine started making a violent rattling sound under acceleration and now it's completely seized up. My Ford F53 motorhome experienced gradual performance decline over two years - fuel economy dropped from 5.5 MPG to 4.3 MPG near Mobile, Alabama, with increasing transmission downshifting under load. Using Forscan, I checked for diagnostic codes and replaced plugs and coils while in Gulf Shores, but issues persisted.

During a hill climb near Meridian, Mississippi, the catalytic converter catastrophically failed, creating severe exhaust backpressure. I drove approximately 500 miles home, including a challenging stretch on I24/I69 where I was reduced to 30 mph uphill, with the engine running against significant backpressure and likely experiencing oil starvation conditions.

The repair shop confirmed extensive damage and offered two options: rebuild the existing motor or replace with a remanufactured engine. The total cost difference was relatively minor - around $18,500 for comprehensive repair versus $3,500 for catalytic converter replacement.

The question is whether I made the correct technical decision to replace the entire engine rather than attempt a rebuild. Given the extended operation under these conditions, was complete engine replacement justified from a mechanical standpoint? …more

Manual says to use Tow/Haul mode in the mountains but doesn't mention anything about using it with cruise control. Currently running cruise on the interstate with Tow/Haul off and wondering if I should be using both together. Don't want to damage the transmission doing it wrong. …more

After picking up my first Class A motorhome, this DEF system I've never dealt with before keeps throwing low pressure warnings and forcing engine derate mode. It removes the resolution path and specific technical observations that would help another diesel RV owner diagnose a similar issue. …more

My new 2024 Tiffin Allegro 36LA came with Michelin 255/80R22.5 highway tires and I'm worried they're dangerous for winter driving with my kids onboard. Living in Washington state, we sometimes encounter snowy and icy conditions during our travels, especially when heading to the mountains or traveling during shoulder seasons. While Tiffin and Michelin state these highway tires perform well in wet conditions, I'm wondering if other owners have switched to all-season or M&S rated tires for better winter traction. What are your experiences with different tire choices for Class A motorhomes in winter conditions? …more

Turned green with envy watching my neighbor's 38ft diesel Class A run flawlessly for five years while I'm still paralyzed choosing between gas or diesel for cross-country trips. We need something under 40 feet with bunk beds for the kids, plus I want to tow our SUV behind it. Most of the diesel coaches I'm seeing are these massive 42+ foot rigs that cost way more than my $100k budget. I keep hearing diesels are more reliable for long trips, but I'm wondering if that's just marketing hype. Are there real advantages to diesel in a smaller coach, or would I be better off with a gas unit that fits my size and budget requirements better? …more