Deezl Smoke

2 hours ago, Star Dreamer said:

Bobtail with just the smart car on the back of our Freightliner Century with a Detroit 14l, Ultrashift 10 speed and 3:55 gears, I saw just under 11 mpg at one fill up and in the 9 & 10's on the other two from South Carolina. With our old trailer at about 23k# we got about 7-9 mpg. Most of the issue with the trailer is the large gap between the truck and trailer. For a few years we closed that gap up and got an extra mpg. You are probably losing some MPG because you do not have an aero truck and your rear end gearing. If you can buy new and spec one out with what would work for your loads you could probably improve mileage into the double digits but you probably would also have a large truck payment too. It is all about compromise.

 Awesome info. Thank you. Yes, I am basically pushing a brick. I have been looking at the aero volvos, hence this thread. I have found more 6x2 drive configurations lately. I think that would fit my purpose well with a 2.6 axle. I see some people that use the dash mpg meter, are showing 15-16 when bobtailing  longer distances and when already up to highway speed. I'd be a happy camper with 10.

2 hours ago, Imurphy907 said:

Our 34' Diesel pusher got 8-8.5 mpg it weight in at 26,000 lbs. Our HDT that is 18,000 and our 45' 5th wheel that is 20,000 gets around at 9 mpg. So we are hella longer, and hella heavier but overall the MPG went up. I cant really complain about that.

 Awesome information. Thank you. I wondered about the fuel use of a flat nose MH.

 Thanks all. I guess I don't feel so bad getting 8.2 with the big Cat seeing what you all seem to average.

 Might anyone know of the video Gregg Shields put up here, was using US gallons or Imperial gallons?

1 hour ago, Hewhoknowslittle said:

My Freightliner has the DD15 with the Eaton auto shift 10 speed trans, and I just bobtailed to Elkhart to look at the Luxe as I am thinking of ordering one, anyway the millage I got was under 9 mpg. I did run the posted speed limit plus the 5 mph grace, the complete trip, hand figured every fillup and was 8.2 to 8.9. I am set at 560hp and 1850tkq. 

Not the millage my Cummins M-11 got, but not that little motor eather, so is it worth trading truck for better millage, or keep the truck you have and live with it, and I wouldn't trade that Peterbilt off for a Volvo over fuel millage, buts thats just me.

Roger

 I really do like the 379. It is an X trim, so less than 2,000 were made. By the looks of the replies so far, I wont gain enough to make the switch. I watched Gregg's video on youtube several times and the 11 to 13 average sounds so good. But I can's find anywhere that he mentions using imperial gallons vs. US gallons.

 Thanks for the reply. Love your rig. Looks very refined and thought out.

 Hi all. It's been a while.

 I finally have had the chance to run a few short trips in my Peterbilt.

 Granted it is way over engined. C-15 @ 550, but the best mpg I have achieved yet is 8.2. That is with no trailer, just as pictured. Singled long, 3.36:1 axle and double over 18 speed. 90% freeway at 60 to 65mph.

 It has been the best fun ever. However, the mpg is getting to be a hang up with me. It's not that I can't afford it, I just don't care to "waste" that much fuel when I know I can have close to the same fun at a much better mpg.

 So here is a truck I am looking at. Granted it will have emission junk on it that I will have to deal with, but it appears to be well suited for the rv application.

 Curious what those of you with the D13 engine, whatever year, are getting in your application. I know most pull a fifth wheel, but still, what is your mpg like? Also any other brand owners, what engine and configuration have you found to get good mpg?

 Thank you.

 Don.

I've asked about the pros and cons of a RK in a fifth wheel and decided against it due to bad reviews. We want a 30-32' fifth wheel, and are re-considering a RK as we now have a new to us Ford 350 truck and hope this will alleviate some bounce?

 

Would love to read about your RK experiences in a 32-30 ft or under fifth wheel, what do you have?

 

Our wish list is number one, no steps between bed and bathroom so no night falls. This has proven a tough find in New England.

 

Number 2 is an outside refrigerator to help with the monthly defrosting routine.

 

Number 3 is at least one night stand or space for glasses and book and far down is decent wardrobe space as we will be on our journey for at least a year.

 

Would you buy it again and what brand would you buy used?

 

Any suggestions, advice and comments appreciated and thank you for being there for us newbies! Especially us newbies that are from remote areas and have to rely on the internet for our learning curves!

 

 

I guess I've not read the info about the negatives on rear kitchens. I admit I have not been looking for the info, but now you have me curious. What seems to be the most common complaint about it? I have a NuWa Hitch Hiker 2 with RK at 30'. I dont know how it tows yet, so I am going to follow your thread now with interest. I would think tank location would be more of a concern than appliance weight and food storage, but perhaps, as I too am a newbie, I am not seeing the bigger picture. Could it be the usual dinette slide out that usually is part of the RK that is a common issue?