Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
Jayco RV Owners Forum
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
 
Old 09-24-2020, 06:44 AM   #1
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
Melbourne Fuel Economy

We recently purchased a 2017 Melbourne and no matter how I drive it the average fuel economy is about 10 miles per gallon. I have read posts that some people are getting up to 15 miles per gallon. The only way I can get those numbers is going downhill with a tailwind. We live on the coast of Georgia and most of our driving has been near sea level with no hills.

Any comments?
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2020, 05:38 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Peachtree City
Posts: 1,130
I get in the 12.0 to 13.9mpg range flat towing a 2000lb car or not, in a variety of conditions. The 62-65mph range highway seems to be the sweet spot for me. One thing that can hurt mpg is Biofuel >10%. Every time I fill up with >10% biofuel I take a 1-2mpg hit. Chassis AC also will cost around 1-1.5MPG. I can save 1/2-1MPG by exercising the generator and using the coach rooftop AC and turn off the chassis AC. A dirty EGR valve could be another culprit.
How many miles on your Melbourne? You buy it used?
__________________
2016 Melbourne 24K
2013 Sprinter crew cargo SOLD
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder as a Toad SOLD
2016 Ford Focus set up to flat tow
Pfflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2020, 06:00 PM   #3
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfflyer View Post
I get in the 12.0 to 13.9mpg range flat towing a 2000lb car or not, in a variety of conditions. The 62-65mph range highway seems to be the sweet spot for me. One thing that can hurt mpg is Biofuel >10%. Every time I fill up with >10% biofuel I take a 1-2mpg hit. Chassis AC also will cost around 1-1.5MPG. I can save 1/2-1MPG by exercising the generator and using the coach rooftop AC and turn off the chassis AC. A dirty EGR valve could be another culprit.
How many miles on your Melbourne? You buy it used?
It's a 2017 with 7,000 miles on it. I bought it from a private party. The seller had just taken it to the Mercedes dealer for the first service including an oil change. The RV is in excellent condition and looks like new. It was well taken care of.

I drove from Savannah to Jacksonville last week at a little over 70 mph and got 10.1 mpg. On the return trip I set the cruise at 65 and still got a little over 10 mpg.

I had it weighed and fully equipped with two people we're at 10,070 so we aren't over weight by any means.
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2020, 07:58 PM   #4
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Peachtree City
Posts: 1,130
Are you getting the mpgs from the instrument cluster or old school?
__________________
2016 Melbourne 24K
2013 Sprinter crew cargo SOLD
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder as a Toad SOLD
2016 Ford Focus set up to flat tow
Pfflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-24-2020, 08:01 PM   #5
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Peachtree City
Posts: 1,130
My MB Jayco chassis is bare bones so I don’t have that on the cluster but my 2013 van does is why I ask. The MB calculator is usually off but not usually by that much.
__________________
2016 Melbourne 24K
2013 Sprinter crew cargo SOLD
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder as a Toad SOLD
2016 Ford Focus set up to flat tow
Pfflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2020, 05:35 AM   #6
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfflyer View Post
My MB Jayco chassis is bare bones so I don’t have that on the cluster but my 2013 van does is why I ask. The MB calculator is usually off but not usually by that much.
My chassis is also bare bones but I have a Scan Gauge installed. I've also old schooled it to verify the Scan Gauge. What's interesting is that no one wants to reveal their mileage. You are the only one who has responded to my post and I can't find any information on the internet or from Jayco. The seller, although they've otherwise been very honest with me, said they were getting 17 miles to a gallon. I guess they never went over 35 MPH and even then they probably wouldn't get that.
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2020, 06:22 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Peachtree City
Posts: 1,130
The RV being my third Sprinter I expected a little more than what I am getting. Never thought I would get 17mpg but was thinking in the 15 mpg range. I read some Winnebago class C owners with the MB chassis getting in the 17 mpg range. In a wind tunnel the Winnebago looks like would have less resistance because the cabover cap looks more aerodynamic. Kind of like the Jayco Melbourne Prestige models. I have gotten around 15mpg when going back roads keeping the speed around the 55mpg range without the toad but that was calculated on the SGII and only about 100 miles on a leg of my trip. Once calibrated my SGII at fill up is only off maybe 1/10 of a gallon on the # of gallons it takes to fill so it should be fairly accurate. 55mph is hard to do on an interstate highway at least for me. Unless you are using >10% biofuel or something else is off I would think you should be getting 12 to 14mpg driving where you are. Speed does play a big role in MPG for our rigs though.

One more thing is Cruise control. I can get a little better mileage without cruise control by trying to keep MPG greater than AVG MPG on the SGII.
__________________
2016 Melbourne 24K
2013 Sprinter crew cargo SOLD
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder as a Toad SOLD
2016 Ford Focus set up to flat tow
Pfflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-25-2020, 06:28 AM   #8
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
Quote:
Originally Posted by Pfflyer View Post
The RV being my third Sprinter I expected a little more than what I am getting. Never thought I would get 17mpg but was thinking in the 15 mpg range. I read some Winnebago class C owners with the MB chassis getting in the 17 mpg range. In a wind tunnel the Winnebago looks like would have less resistance because the cabover cap looks more aerodynamic. Kind of like the Jayco Melbourne Prestige models. I have gotten around 15mpg when going back roads keeping the speed around the 55mpg range without the toad but that was calculated on the SGII and only about 100 miles on a leg of my trip. Once calibrated my SGII at fill up is only off maybe 1/10 of a gallon on the # of gallons it takes to fill so it should be fairly accurate. 55mph is hard to do on an interstate highway at least for me. Unless you are using >10% biofuel or something else is off I would think you should be getting 12 to 14mpg driving where you are. Speed does play a big role in MPG for our rigs though.

One more thing is Cruise control. I can get a little better mileage without cruise control by trying to keep MPG greater than AVG MPG on the SGII.
I guess I need to experiment a bit more. At least mileage is better than my old 36’ H. R. That got 7 mpg on a good day.

Thanks for your input.
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2020, 06:00 PM   #9
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Location: Waco
Posts: 14
Mpg

We bought a new 2017 Melbourne 4 years ago. At first we alway got in the 12-13 mpg range. I notice some outside wear on front tires and had the front end aligned by Mercedes.
From that point on we started getting 13-14 mpg. We always drive it at 62 miles per hour or at the speed limit
Another thing I noticed before we got new tires was the rear tires had more wear on the outer side of the rear tires. The outer wear on the tires was on all four tires. We increased the rear pressure on the rears from the recommended 61 psi to 64 an the front ones have 63.
bm9201 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 09-29-2020, 07:09 PM   #10
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
Thanks for the information. I'll check out the tires. The RV only has 7,000 miles on it so there doesn't appear to be much wear, but I'll give the tires a closer look. Right now, the tires are all at 61 psi. I'll consider the higher pressure too.

Thanks again.
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 08:12 AM   #11
Member
 
Join Date: Jun 2020
Location: Anacortes
Posts: 45
Have a 2017 Melbourne. Typical milage has been in the range 13-14 mpg @ 65-67 mph.
Rolle is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 08:23 AM   #12
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
Thanks for the reply. I can't seem to figure it out. 11 MPG no matter what I do, other than going downhill with a tailwind. I've tried cruise control, accelerating slowly with cars behind me blowinig their horns, crusing a various speeds, checked the air filter, stopped using fuel additive. 11 MPG no matter what.
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 08:53 AM   #13
Member
 
Join Date: Jul 2020
Location: ORANGE
Posts: 62
I also have a 2017 Melbourne, 4,000 miles (bought it with 1200 last March), it gets 13 and i live in New England and have been doing most of my travel in New Hampshire and Vermont. Drive the speed limit or five over.

ken
KenS is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 11:57 AM   #14
Junior Member
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Savannah
Posts: 15
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.
Corkj is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 08:51 PM   #15
Member
 
1oldmf's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Kingman
Posts: 41
well. then I guess when I get 12mpg from my V10, I should be thrilled.
not towing anything, cruise set at 62, mostly level ground, (old rt 66)
it has returned 12 mpg on 3 separate trips,
doing it old school (fill it, drive, fill it again, )
1oldmf is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 09:00 PM   #16
Lost in the Woods
 
Join Date: Apr 2019
Location: Ocean County
Posts: 2,807
Quote:
Originally Posted by 1oldmf View Post
well. then I guess when I get 12mpg from my V10, I should be thrilled.
Ha... I'd kill to get around 12 mpg. I'm usually in the 8 mpg range, and I'm at the point, I don't even check anymore.. The reality, I didn't buy a motorhome to save money..
RetiredOne is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 09:21 PM   #17
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Peachtree City
Posts: 1,130
Quote:
Originally Posted by Corkj View Post
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 don’t use them all the time but I have used them. I Have used Lucas and BG244 new part # BG245. There was one other but I can’t remember the name. I like the BG product the best but I don’t get any noticeable better MPG’s though. It did get rid of hiccups with the van and the dealer uses A BG injector cleaner. Other BG products get good reviews.
__________________
2016 Melbourne 24K
2013 Sprinter crew cargo SOLD
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder as a Toad SOLD
2016 Ford Focus set up to flat tow
Pfflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-18-2020, 09:36 PM   #18
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: Peachtree City
Posts: 1,130
Quote:
Originally Posted by RetiredOne View Post
The reality, I didn't buy a motorhome to save money..
After I got mine my sister commented about being a cheap way to travel. I didn’t correct her but if she only knew. The first year I figured out what it cost per night camped and realized memories are priceless.
__________________
2016 Melbourne 24K
2013 Sprinter crew cargo SOLD
2002 Toyota MR2 Spyder as a Toad SOLD
2016 Ford Focus set up to flat tow
Pfflyer is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-21-2020, 10:20 PM   #19
Senior Member
 
koko's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2016
Location: Southwest Wyoming
Posts: 453
We get between 13 and 14 towing a Jeep Wrangler (about 3800 lbs). We never go over 63 on the interstate and keep it at about 58 - 60 on the side roads. Our Mercedes can't use biodiesel over 5% or it will void our warranty. When it's windy, of course our mileage goes down a bit.
__________________
2017 Melbourne 24k towing 2003 Jeep Wrangler
2013 Premier 19FBPR; 2013 Rpod 177 HRE
2011 Aliner Sport; 2008 Little Guy 5-Wide
1980 Shasta 21; 1981 Coleman Tent Trailer
1978 VW Westfalia; lots of tents
koko is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-22-2020, 03:20 PM   #20
Member
 
rockymountainRVer's Avatar
 
Join Date: Sep 2020
Location: Rocky Mountains
Posts: 76
Have a new 2021 Melbourne 24L; just made a short trip over 850 miles in the mountains, averaged 15.5 mpg on the trip. on flat roads for a duration, it got 17 mpg.
rockymountainRVer is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
economy, fuel mileage, gas mileage, melbourne

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off


» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Jayco, Inc. or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 04:09 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 1
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.
Copyright 2002-2016 Social Knowledge, LLC All Rights Reserved.