If you’re embarking on a longer motorhome tour, it’s understandable that you would want to do everything you can to improve your fuel economy. The good news is that there are a variety of simple tips you can try that can make a difference, as I explain here.
So first up. What actually impacts the economy? Well, there are many factors which affect motorhome fuel consumption. This includes the weight of the vehicle, how many wheels are on the ground, your motorhome tyre pressure, and the wind speed and direction. That’s not all, with the air temperature and humidity, as well as the speed you’re travelling at also playing a part.
I’m sure I don’t need to tell you that we can only alter a few of these; after all, we just have to cope with the environmental factors.
However, when it comes to the factors that we can control, I’d begin by making sure I wasn’t carrying any unnecessary items. That extra weight will not only go unused when you’re pitched up but will also cost you extra fuel when you accelerate.
The number of wheels on the ground can’t be altered obviously, but having the correct tyre pressures can make a big difference to not only fuel consumption but to safe roadholding and the overall comfort of the ride, too.
Try to travel at cooler times of the day (easier to do if you’re travelling during the winter or spending Christmas in a motorhome). This is because, as the temperature increases, the air density drops, so there will be less oxygen reaching the combustion chambers.
This subsequently means less power, so you press harder on the accelerator to compensate. The end result here is that you do, of course, find yourself using more fuel.
Accelerate progressively to your desired speed; flooring the throttle to accelerate uses lots more fuel than progressively increasing the pressure on it.
It’s also worth looking at your normal cruising speed. Trucks are limited to 56mph because it’s been deemed to be the best compromise between getting to your destination in a reasonable time and fuel economy.
Of course, the flipside of travelling at 56mph is that it does mean you’ll be stuck with the trucks. As a result, you may well choose to go a little faster, 58 or even 60 (that’s the speed limit when you’re on a motorway in a motorhome), so you’re not mixing with them.
Future Publishing Limited, the publisher of Practical Motorhome, provides the information in this article in good faith and makes no representation as to its completeness or accuracy. Individuals carrying out the instructions do so at their own risk and must exercise their independent judgement in determining the appropriateness of the advice to their circumstances. Individuals should take appropriate safety precautions and be aware of the risk of electrocution when dealing with electrical products. To the fullest extent permitted by law, neither Future nor its employees or agents shall have any liability in connection with the use of this information. Double check any warranty is not affected before proceeding.
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