Poor fuel mileage towing the toad

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 05:35 AM

So I'm almost home from my 1200 mile excursion, and I'm a bit disappointed in my fuel mileage. I didn't track the first few tanks but I'm guessing they were less than 7mpg. The first tank I tracked was 6.5, and the second was 7.5 (while trying to milk it by slowing down my pace to 55-60). The first tanks were pedal to the floor the whole time. I avg about 60-62 mph at 2400-2600 rpm.

From what I've heard from the previous owner and other Genesis owners with the dt466 mt643 combo, I expected a bit better. Am I hoping for too much with the toad? It only weighs 2600 pounds. I also have a motorcycle and a small 300 pound trailer inside. As well as some furnishings.

I'm a bit discouraged, let's hear your input

somewhereinusa · 07-31-2016, 06:26 AM

Sounds about right to me.

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 06:28 AM

So getting half the normal mpg towing 3k pounds is normal?

10-12mpg without the trailer is average

turf · 07-31-2016, 07:36 AM

i'm around 7mpg towing, pedal to the metal (65ish). if i slow down a bit to 55ish, mileage goes way up. i just don't like going that slow.

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 07:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf

i'm around 7mpg towing, pedal to the metal (65ish). if i slow down a bit to 55ish, mileage goes way up. i just don't like going that slow.

Which engine and trans?

turf · 07-31-2016, 07:41 AM

its in my signature, 93 bluebird TC2000, Cummins 5.9, AT545, 4.7 rear, 11x22.5 tires.

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 07:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf

its in my signature, 93 bluebird TC2000, Cummins 5.9, AT545, 4.7 rear, 11x22.5 tires.

Signatures don't show on the mobile site for me. Well with me having the mt643 I would think I would get a little bit better, but you also have a smaller displacement. So maybe that's what makes us equal

turf · 07-31-2016, 08:06 AM

when i hear 10-12mpg on this forum and others, i kinda roll my eyes. its wishful thinking, maybe once in my ownership and doing the math, i've come around 9.?, which is close enough for me to say 10. i also have a generator that runs off of the same tank, so that makes my numbers go down as well.
i keep the pedal on the floor when i drive.

Versatile · 07-31-2016, 08:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf

when i hear 10-12mpg on this forum and others, i kinda roll my eyes. its wishful thinking, maybe once in my ownership and doing the math, i've come around 9.?, which is close enough for me to say 10. i also have a generator that runs off of the same tank, so that makes my numbers go down as well.
i keep the pedal on the floor when i drive.

How well do you get along with that AT545 in the mountains?

turf · 07-31-2016, 08:22 AM

the first few times i was unprepared for what happens. its a scary learning curve. now with some practice i'm much better.

1st time descending i-70 was a white knuckle, change your shorts trip. once coming out of rocky mountain national park, i caught the rear brakes on fire.

you cant depend on the transmission or your brakes to slow you down too much, they dont. you just have to go slow, or get a bus with a retarder.

milkmania · 07-31-2016, 09:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf

the first few times i was unprepared for what happens. its a scary learning curve. now with some practice i'm much better.

1st time descending i-70 was a white knuckle, change your shorts trip. once coming out of rocky mountain national park, i caught the rear brakes on fire.

you cant depend on the transmission or your brakes to slow you down too much, they dont. you just have to go slow, or get a bus with a retarder.

Learning curve you say?
I'm still trying to keep the pedal to the floor... I haven't driven AWE ONE on roads good enough to run wide open. Hopefully one day I can let her get her wings and fly.

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 11:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf

the first few times i was unprepared for what happens. its a scary learning curve. now with some practice i'm much better.

1st time descending i-70 was a white knuckle, change your shorts trip. once coming out of rocky mountain national park, i caught the rear brakes on fire.

you cant depend on the transmission or your brakes to slow you down too much, they dont. you just have to go slow, or get a bus with a retarder.

Glad I have the retarder then. Even though I don't have many mountains around me

ol trunt · 07-31-2016, 02:32 PM

I have a retarder and even with that it was hard to stop the bus from 55 MPH towing the 3000# toad. Part of the problem is that the retarders shut down at about 30 MPH to keep the engine from stalling and it is that last bit of momentum that is hardest to overcome. I installed a Brake Buddy in my toad and once I learned how to force it to engage, stopping is much better. On mine, forcing the BB to engage requires a quick jab at the brake pedal followed by constant light or heavy application as necessary to get the rig stopped. The bus brakes are ABS. Jack

BusFiend · 07-31-2016, 02:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by turf

the first few times i was unprepared for what happens. its a scary learning curve. now with some practice i'm much better.

1st time descending i-70 was a white knuckle, change your shorts trip. once coming out of rocky mountain national park, i caught the rear brakes on fire.

you cant depend on the transmission or your brakes to slow you down too much, they dont. you just have to go slow, or get a bus with a retarder.

I've seen a bunch of retarded buses for sale in my search...

BusFiend · 07-31-2016, 02:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bread519

So getting half the normal mpg towing 3k pounds is normal?

10-12mpg without the trailer is average

I would be wary of the 10-12mpg figures unless you got them yourself. Do you have a baseline trip, without the toad, to gauge by?

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 03:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusFiend

I would be wary of the 10-12mpg figures unless you got them yourself. Do you have a baseline trip, without the toad, to gauge by?

Nope that was my first ride home. But I have done extensive research on this particular drivetrain and manufacturer, and the lowest figures I found were 10mpg

We shall see though, I'll be ok with 9 but I bet I can squeeze 10 out of her with some practice

BusFiend · 07-31-2016, 07:09 PM

Just remember that once you break 55 MPH, mileage starts to drop quickly. After 55, aerodynamics becomes the largest factor in efficiency and grows very rapidly the faster you travel. That also includes any additional drag your toad adds to the package.

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ol trunt

I have a retarder and even with that it was hard to stop the bus from 55 MPH towing the 3000# toad. Part of the problem is that the retarders shut down at about 30 MPH to keep the engine from stalling and it is that last bit of momentum that is hardest to overcome. I installed a Brake Buddy in my toad and once I learned how to force it to engage, stopping is much better. On mine, forcing the BB to engage requires a quick jab at the brake pedal followed by constant light or heavy application as necessary to get the rig stopped. The bus brakes are ABS. Jack

My retarder doesn't cut off till around 10 mph. Maybe they differ between brands.

bread519 · 07-31-2016, 09:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BusFiend

Just remember that once you break 55 MPH, mileage starts to drop quickly. After 55, aerodynamics becomes the largest factor in efficiency and grows very rapidly the faster you travel. That also includes any additional drag your toad adds to the package.

My bus is 4.78 rear end, so 65 is spinning faster than I would care for. Maybe someday I'll change it, for now I'll cut it down to 55. And you're totally right, this thing is definitely a brick traveling at those speeds

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