Melbourne Fuel Economy - Page 2

ViperOne · 10-23-2020, 09:06 PM

We just completed a 4,000 mile trip in our 2019 Jayco Melbourne 24L (2018 chassis). Driving 60-62 mph we averaged 14.9 mpg, I did notice a lower mpg (12-13 mpg) when using greater than 5% biodiesel. I also used Opti lube fuel additive when I had to use the higher biodiesel and didn’t notice any mpg improvement or change in performance.

thirdktm · 10-26-2020, 10:29 AM

Best: just over 16 mpg.
Worst: just over 9.
Just returned from 3,800 mile trip, New Mexico to North Carolina and back, and most of the fill-ups gave us around 13 mpg.
I drive 65-67 mph on the interstate.
Driving in the 50 mph range on side roads helps 1-2 mpg...
We have 28K on the odo. It's a 2017 Melbourne 24M...

ViperOne · 10-26-2020, 12:19 PM

I should have added: 11k on odometer and coach full of water, propane , and misc with two people.

Steveleo1 · 01-24-2021, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corkj

Is anyone who answered this post using diesel fuel additives? The former owner was, but the Sprinter manual advises against it. I recently stopped using it to see if that will affect the mileage. I still need to burn up all the fuel with the additive through, so I hope to see a difference after another tank of fuel. Also, weight shouldn't be the problem. I'm at about 10,400 lbs. with my wife and me, full fuel, full propane and misc. supplies.

We have a 2020 Melbourne on a 2019 chassis and put 5,000 miles on it last summer thru the Midwest . We get 11.6 mpg weather we are pulling the 4,800 lb toad or not. Pretty disappointed as I also heard all the stories about people getting 16-18 mpg

craigav · 01-24-2021, 02:14 PM

While I don't have a Melbourne, I do have a Duramax that I pulled my 5th wheel with. The point is the same however which is that in most all of the US states the diesel fuel in the winter time is different than in the summer and the winter fuel will easily reduce your mileage ~2 mpg more or less. Perhaps that is what you are encountering. ~CA

koko · 01-24-2021, 03:03 PM

We never get 16-18 towing and haven't in the four years we've owned our Melbourne. We get between 13 and 14, sometimes 15 if there isn't a breath of air and we're on a flat interstate. We run with full water tank; and we don't skimp on the supplies, because we're usually gone for 1 - 2 months at a time. We think that's terrific mileage. We also never go over 62 mph.

Rolle · 01-24-2021, 03:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Corkj

Is anyone who answered this post using diesel fuel additives? The former owner was, but the Sprinter manual advises against it. I recently stopped using it to see if that will affect the mileage. I still need to burn up all the fuel with the additive through, so I hope to see a difference after another tank of fuel. Also, weight shouldn't be the problem. I'm at about 10,400 lbs. with my wife and me, full fuel, full propane and misc. supplies.

I do not see a reason using fuel additives if the goal is to improve milage. It is snake oil products. The only time I use biocides is for long term storage.

If the goal is to keep the diesel bug out of the tank there is actually some biocide products that actually work. But if you keep the water out of the diesel tank you will not have any problems unless you use biodiesel.

The shelf life for biodiesel ( normally marked B5 - B20 on the pump) is much shorter (6 months) than regular diesel. So for long term storage I think it is a good idea to use an additive.

CAG · 01-24-2021, 05:30 PM

I know there is always this theme in the back of your mind that I should do everything I can to get better mileage but then I always think, through the years of pulling an RV, or now driving a coach, why does 2 mpg matter in the long run? I got the RV to enjoy it, I spent a goodly amount of money to get it. Why am I worried about 2/3 mpg? If that little bit of cash is going to break me, I should just sell the RV and get into something cheap.

Rolle · 01-24-2021, 06:06 PM

Could not agree more

koko · 01-25-2021, 10:17 AM

Also agree. Sometimes wonder why we even calculate every time we fill up.

CAG · 01-25-2021, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koko

Also agree. Sometimes wonder why we even calculate every time we fill up.

I don't bother. I know it is going to be 7-9 and work with that.

**Midnightmoon** · 01-25-2021, 10:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by koko

Also agree. Sometimes wonder why we even calculate every time we fill up.

On a side note, I just discovered a problem on one of my trucks because of fuel mileage data. I'm one of those that are guilty of tracking everything on all of my vehicles. A few weeks ago I noticed that my old Ram had a sudden 3 mpg loss on a fuel cycle. Turned out that I had a crack in a low pressure rubber fuel line. I wouldn't have necessarily looked for it if it wasn't for the noticeable change in fuel economy.

I agree that being concerned over a few mpg when towing/operating an RV is rather pointless. But, there are times that the data can be very helpful.

koko · 01-30-2021, 12:57 PM

It's the only reason we do it. Drop in mpg could mean trouble.

pconroy · 01-30-2021, 08:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CAG

I don't bother. I know it is going to be 7-9 and work with that.

I'd kill for some of the MPG numbers toss around in this thread. If we hit 8, it's a good day!

crockettlarry · 01-31-2021, 03:26 AM

I can't remember details, but I'll throw this out there.

Wasn't there recently a gaggle of motor homes that had some sort of dust cover in the air cleaner for the manufacturing process, but it wasn't getting removed? I don't even remember what engine, maybe the V10, but maybe some of you will remember.

Larry

thirdktm · 03-28-2021, 07:18 PM

Just returned from a 3,800 trip from Albuquerque to North Carolina.
Best mpg was 14.9. Worst, about 9.8. Three variables affect mpg: speed, wind, hills.
We travel at about 70 on the interstate and at post speeds on state and local routes.
Highest fuel prices we saw were always at Pilot, Loves, and Flying J. Which we never stopped at.
Diesel ranged from $2.74 to over $3.50. Those prices were about $1 higher than we saw on the same trip six months ago.

Corkj · 03-29-2021, 08:01 AM

Ironically, I just had the NOX sensor replaced as required by a mandatory service bulletin. I think the recall was associated with the emissions scandal that was discovered a couple of years ago. Regardless, on my way home from the dealer, I noticed that my ScanGauge was indicating between 20 and 22 MPG at 35 MPH. I'd never seen that kind of mileage before.

The next day I took the RV for a 20-mile trip, mostly on a freeway at 55 MPH, and I averaged 17 MPG. I couldn't believe it. I thought my ScanGauge was acting up, but I manually checked the mileage using fuel quantity and it checked out.

Pretty exciting. I can't wait to take it on a longer trip and see what I get.

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