MPG Expectations

[T-Bolt]

What kind of MPG can I expect from a DT530 with an unlocked 3060?

How much will towing a flatbed with a van on it hurt me?

[david.dgeorge07]

Gearing and cruising speed will matter a lot. But it is hard to guess wrong for a full size bus if you guess 6-9.

[cadillackid]

alot has to do with gearing and terrain.. you DONT want to lug that DT.. ideally you'd like your highway cruise 1700-1900 on that engine in 6th.. and then a downshift to 5 takes it to that 1900-2100 range... lower you'll lug it and kill your MPGs.. too high (above 2300 you make lots of heat and less power) ..


weight plays a part for sure esp if you are climbing and descending grades..



I think 6-9 with your trailer is a good estimate
-Christopher

[T-Bolt]

Bummer. I was wanting 20. Jk

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

Bummer. I was wanting 20. Jk

I got 20 once in my red bus.. I was heading to florida right near a massive cold front... the north winds were gusting to 35 and i was headed south.. lol..

-Christopher

[PNW_Steve]

My Bluebird with the 8.3 and 3060 gets 9-10.5mpg

[T-Bolt]

I have a 4.83 gears. No clue if that's good or not.

[EastCoastCB]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

I have a 4.83 gears. No clue if that's good or not.

With OD and full size tires that's a nice ratio.

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by EastCoastCB

With OD and full size tires that's a nice ratio.

Agreed. I have 5.29's and, at times, I wish for 6th gear or a slightly taller rear.

Without 6th opened up, I think 4.83 is a great highway gearing.

If you are able to get 6th unlocked, 4.83 may be a little tall. In my very humble opinion..... We don't need to go 85mph in our buses....

[T-Bolt]

6th is unlocked already. Originally ordered as a sports bus so set up for the highway.

[HappyInTN]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

What kind of MPG can I expect from a DT530 with an unlocked 3060?

How much will towing a flatbed with a van on it hurt me?

my 15 window dt466 (7.6) puller gets a lil over 11 mpg

[JDOnTheGo]

I've spent a lot of time getting the average for my coach. I admit that it varies a little but generally comes out to 5,001 MPG.

I know...

This is much better than most people get and I'm not sure what they are doing wrong.

For me, the fuel consumption reported by my gauge is usually about 3 MPG climbing a hill. I then record the consumption going down the hill - usually 9999.9 MPG. The math is then pretty simple, add the two data points and divide by the number of data points (2). So, 9999.9 + 3 = 10,002.9 / 2 = 5001.45 MPG.

I feel very good about this number as I am pushing around about 46,000 lbs with a Detroit Diesel 60.

[cadillackid]

MPGs sre very much speed dependent.. i think we all should post our MPGs with our cruising speed.. I just did a 1200 mile road trip and ran 65 up.. (into a decent headwind) and ran 67 going back (very little wind).. the weather is cold so I had a lot of idle time. and I still got just about 11.
-Christopher

[T-Bolt]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

I've spent a lot of time getting the average for my coach. I admit that it varies a little but generally comes out to 5,001 MPG.

I know...

This is much better than most people get and I'm not sure what they are doing wrong.

For me, the fuel consumption reported by my gauge is usually about 3 MPG climbing a hill. I then record the consumption going down the hill - usually 9999.9 MPG. The math is then pretty simple, add the two data points and divide by the number of data points (2). So, 9999.9 + 3 = 10,002.9 / 2 = 5001.45 MPG.

I feel very good about this number as I am pushing around about 46,000 lbs with a Detroit Diesel 60.

Lol. Seriously it actually got a laugh from my wife.

[T-Bolt]

Originally Posted by cadillackid

MPGs sre very much speed dependent.. i think we all should post our MPGs with our cruising speed.. I just did a 1200 mile road trip and ran 65 up.. (into a decent headwind) and ran 67 going back (very little wind).. the weather is cold so I had a lot of idle time. and I still got just about 11.
-Christopher

Agreed but bus details should be included. (Engine, trans, OD, length, towing...)

This is the number one question people ask when they learn I have a bus. "You own a bus? That must get terrible mileage." With a family of 8 we have driven our van all over the country and get around 17mpg so relatively speaking the bus is really efficient.

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

Agreed but bus details should be included. (Engine, trans, OD, length, towing...)

This is the number one question people ask when they learn I have a bus. "You own a bus? That must get terrible mileage." With a family of 8 we have driven our van all over the country and get around 17mpg so relatively speaking the bus is really efficient.

in my case my bus is a 6 window bluebird on a 3800 Chassis..(23.5 feet) GVWR is 17000 (I havent got actual axle weight).. engine - 190HP T-444E tuned up to 230HP. Trans - 6 speed allison 1000. (1550 RPM at 65 MPH 6th gear). (1750-1800 RPM at 65 MPH 5th gear {it likes this best})
-Christopher

[JDOnTheGo]

Originally Posted by T-Bolt

... so relatively speaking the bus is really efficient.

I rarely use non-truck stops for fuel but once at a 'gas station', someone made a comment (that sounded a little snide) about the horrible mileage 'that thing' must get. I simply asked them; "What kind of mileage does your home get??"

[cadillackid]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

I rarely use non-truck stops for fuel but once at a 'gas station', someone made a comment (that sounded a little snide) about the horrible mileage 'that thing' must get. I simply asked them; "What kind of mileage does your home get??"

then you ask them.. "How much FUN per galloin do you get in that corolla?"

[PNW_Steve]

Originally Posted by JDOnTheGo

I rarely use non-truck stops for fuel but once at a 'gas station', someone made a comment (that sounded a little snide) about the horrible mileage 'that thing' must get. I simply asked them; "What kind of mileage does your home get??"

Hey JD,

What kind of mileage do you really get?

I managed 7.25 OMG pretty consistently running cross country in my Eagle with 8v71 & HT740.

[concrete]

T-bolt, what year/size is your bus?