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Old 02-01-2011, 04:45 PM   #1
johnpjpa
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fuel mileage question

Hi:
I have traded my 2008 Laredo fifth wheel ,dry weight 8200.Pd's for a new 2010 Montana 3400 Rl dry weight 12400 Pd's.
I was in Rockport Texas for the month of December and average 11 miles to the gallon with my 2009 Chevy 2500 hd Duramax pulling the Laredo .
I was wondering if someone would have a similar rig ( duramax 2500 hd with Montana 3400 RL )and give me some idea about what kind of mileage to expect due to extra 4200 Pd's .
I have to go to Muskegon Mi with my Laredo, and come back with my new toy Montana 3400 rl, as soon as the weather permits me to travel
I will post picture of my new rig when i get it back home
Thanks
John Vanhollebeke
 
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Old 02-01-2011, 05:24 PM   #2
dandt
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We have a 07 2500 chevy with a 07 3400RL and set cruise control at 58 and get between 11-13mpg unless we have heavy headwinds or uphills. We are fulltimers so rig is loaded, but not over loaded. Hope this helps. Teresa
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Old 02-02-2011, 12:49 AM   #3
johnpjpa
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thank you for the prompt reply,i forgot to mention that i have my cruise control set at 68 mph when towing the Laredo.
I will reduce my speed to 58 mph also when towing the Montana and listen to my wife for once ,she always says " what is your hurry your retired "
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Old 02-02-2011, 01:17 AM   #4
nowinter
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When pulling my Montana 3400RL, I usually average 9.5 to 11.0 mpg. If I am on flat roads for a while I can average 11.5 to 12.0 mpg. I just returned home from a 250 mile trip, not pulling a trailer, and my average was 18.4 mpg. I was very happy with this, considering I am using winter diesel fuel.
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Old 02-02-2011, 02:07 AM   #5
wswebster
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You won't get much better than that. Also you don't want to make the trip to Muskegon too soon, it's a real mess up here. Congratulations on the new rig.
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Old 02-02-2011, 02:59 AM   #6
stiles watson
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That reduced speed you are talking about will help a lot with your mileage. In fact, it might be enough of a difference to off set the difference in weight. I met a guy towing a tri-axle toy hauler, towing with a new 6.7 L F350 and complaining because his mileage wasn't any good. In the conversation, he revealed he was toying between 70 and 80 MPH. Well, duh.

After towing over 15,000 miles, I have established that 58 MPH is the optimum for getting the best mileage. My Big Sky 340RLQ is roughly equivalent to the 3400. I get 9 to 9.5 with a 4:33 rear end. Strong head winds can knock me down to around 8 MPG.
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Old 02-02-2011, 03:12 AM   #7
RickW
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The two big factors in the fuel consumption is the wind resistance and your speed. Since the two trailers should be the same height that should not really be a factor.

My neighbor hauls a flatbed trailer at 18k#~20k# and gets better mileage with it vs his toy hauler at 14k#. The difference is the air he is moving with the toy hauler.
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Old 02-02-2011, 05:41 AM   #8
johnpjpa
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by wswebster

You won't get much better than that. Also you don't want to make the trip to Muskegon too soon, it's a real mess up here. Congratulations on the new rig.

Thanks for the weather info ,i am looking everyday at the extended forecast and it is not looking good ,
could you let me no when the weather clears enough to pick up my new fifth wheel keeping in mind my truck is a Chevy 2009 2500 HD duramax
(2 Wheel drive) ,i am about 800 miles from Muskegon and will need a 4 day window .
I am kind of anxious to get my new rig.
Thanks
John Vanhollebeke
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Old 02-02-2011, 06:33 AM   #9
helmick
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We have a 2002 Chevy 2500 and a 2007 3400 and after over 20,00 miles of towing at around 60 we average 11.5
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Old 02-02-2011, 08:15 AM   #10
Fire5er
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We get 10 MPG at 65 MPH.
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Old 02-02-2011, 09:16 AM   #11
jsnip42
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I get around 11 towing 65 to 68 if no strong wind.
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Old 02-02-2011, 10:11 AM   #12
akf15e
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Sounds like it's unanimous. I also get right at 11 mpg - same set up as you (vehicle in sig is new - I was towing with a 2003 2500HD). I keep it at 63-65. Anything over that starts killing the mileage.
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Old 02-02-2011, 10:55 AM   #13
mhs4771
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I agree with everyone else, average of approx 10 to 12 depending on conditions regardless of rig weight. Think best MPG is obtained between 55 to 65 MPH, depending on TV/rig config.
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Old 02-04-2011, 05:54 AM   #14
sreigle
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I find 60 mph, per GPS, which is 61 per speedometer, to be optimum for best mpg for me if there are any hills to climb.

Re slowing down and not being in a hurry, awhile back I took a calculator to the "problem" and found the difference between an average of 60 mph vs 65 mph is 7 1/2 minutes for every 100 miles of travel. Since I get 1/2 to 1 mpg better at 60 than I do at 65, I don't mind taking 15 minutes longer for a 200 mile day.

As for mpg to expect, I tow a 3400RL with a Dodge, not a Chevy, so my numbers probably won't mean much for you. We're very heavily loaded but under the pinbox, axle and tire ratings and get anywhere from 10.0 to 13 depending entirely on conditions. The day we arrived at our current location we got 12.6 mpg but we also were pushing a 20 mph headwind, nearly directly head on, but also lost 2,000 feet in altitude. If that were flat with no wind I'd expect to get about 11.6 to 12.0. With strong headwinds I've seen it get down to 10.0 or even 9.9 if there's any climbing involved.
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Old 02-05-2011, 12:39 PM   #15
Montana Sky
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My 04 2500HD Duramax averaged 11/12 mpg towing my 3400RL. Best economy I saw was 13.8 mpg and the worst 9.2mpg.
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Old 02-05-2011, 03:38 PM   #16
Fire1
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I get around 13 towing my Monty at 65 MPH and it goes to heck quickly at 70.
Best was 15 at 55 MPH towing and 25 empty.
This was via the computer so who know what it really is.
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Old 02-05-2011, 11:27 PM   #17
gbsb
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I have a 2001 GMC 3500 dually pulling a '09 3400RL. I get 7 mpg at 60 mph 6 mpg at 70 mph. The difference is I'm running a 8.1 gas with allison auto and a 4.10 gears. I know nothing to do with your millage but thought it might make you feel better about your millage. My truck is low millage and in great condition when we upgrade it will be a diesel but can't justify the expense at a 4 mpg increase in millage. George
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Old 02-06-2011, 03:16 AM   #18
CamillaMichael
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Quote:
quote:Originally posted by johnpjpa

thank you for the prompt reply,i forgot to mention that i have my cruise control set at 68 mph when towing the Laredo.
I will reduce my speed to 58 mph also when towing the Montana and listen to my wife for once ,she always says " what is your hurry your retired "
With your lighter RV, the higher speed (above 65MPH) was likely not such an issue, but you should be aware that your tires are probably rated at max 65MPH, and with the heavier Montana, your may want to keep your speed lower...like the 58MPH you are stating. Congratulations on your new Montana and welcome to the MOC!
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Old 02-06-2011, 05:01 AM   #19
cdaniels
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Took out my reply about wind deflectors will set up it's own thread if need be. Since we where on the topic of mileage thought it fit in ...sorry! Streigle thanks for the information it was very helpful and makes sense to me.

Bill
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Old 02-06-2011, 09:43 AM   #20
HamRad
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Bill and Cindy,
Perhaps rather than hijacking this thread you should start a thread on the wind deflector. It's been awhile but I seem to remember a discussion on the deflectors. If you haven't done a SEARCH yet perhaps that will turn something up. Just a suggestion.
Dennis
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