8.3 MPG over 4,025 miles

[belfert]

I just got back this morning from a 4,025 mile trip in my Dina.  Total MPG for the trip was 8.3 MPG which I consider pretty good for a 43 foot coach with automatic weighing in excess of 36,000 pounds.

I was worried about MPG after calculating the MPG for the first half of the trip at 7.4 MPG, but that included driving across a very soft desert and the bulk of the generator time.  We always get better MPG on the way home having done this trip in various vehicles since 2002.

Diesel prices were both good and bad.  We paid the most here in Minneapolis at $3.99 and the least in Cheyenne at $3.77.  Even Reno was cheaper than Minneapolis at $3.89 which is unusual as Reno is usually quite a bit higher than home.  I am worried about diesel prices here in Minneapolis as gasoline is dropping like a rock yet diesel prices went up 10 cents since we left last Tuesday evening.

[Sojourner]

Brian...I know if you had the old DD 2 cycle of same comparable power as your series 60 and HD 740 trans, it be about 20% worst than 8.3 in your Dina bus. B500 trans are more flexible than HD 740 for hill climbing fuel economy.
In other words, the driver is what determines the fuel economy of that equips vehicle.

In all in all...It good report.

I hope to have that or ISM engine in Sojourner whenever that time come.

FWIW

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[Blacksheep]

Hey Jerry, speaking of Sojourner, when do you anticipate getting her done? Do you have any updates or pics to show since the last time I saw it?
Ace

[belfert]

I suspect that a 2 stroke would have been more than 20% worse in the MPG dept, but I'll never know for sure.

We had six different drivers over the 4,025 miles so I doubt good driving skills had much to do with it.  We did try to keep it at 65 MPh with the cruise, but I noticed at least one driver was doing 70 MPH.

[Busted Knuckle]

Great to hear Brian, now just imagine how great of mileage you'd get if it could use 6th gear while "coasting home"!    BK  

[makemineatwostroke]

Guys; you set a 8v92 DDEC at 430 hp with a B500 transmission behind it will do better than the 11.1 series 60 pushing a 36,000 # bus Don Fairchild has 550hp DDEC that get 8.5 don't sell the 2 stroke short.When I had my 8v92 DDEC 500 hp with a B500 it got 8.3 with a 45 ft 43,000# bus at 70 mph all day.My 14L series 60 does about the same as the 92 with the CX35 Cat transmission with a higher OD than the B500   have a great evening

[Sojourner]

Hey Jerry, speaking of Sojourner, when do you anticipate getting her done? Do you have any updates or pics to show since the last time I saw it?
Ace

Ace...I have put my priority to trailer transport Sojourner to Elloree, SC but the cost is about equal to get it road ready there and then drive it home from Florida. So I am waiting to finish the projects at home and hopefully to be there in Florida in February to get it drivable. Then to work on it at home till it is ready to travel, the Lord willing. No pictures since moving to SC.

If I waited till now to purchase my first bus, I would have gotten a Prevost H series. I will be running sooner because all the state of art works is done but the interior wood work project.

Sojourn for Christ, Gerald

[Songman]

Guys; you set a 8v92 DDEC at 430 hp with a B500 transmission behind it will do better than the 11.1 series 60 pushing a 36,000 # bus Don Fairchild has 550hp DDEC that get 8.5 don't sell the 2 stroke short.When I had my 8v92 DDEC 500 hp with a B500 it got 8.3 with a 45 ft 43,000# bus at 70 mph all day.My 14L series 60 does about the same as the 92 with the CX35 Cat transmission with a higher OD than the B500   have a great evening

I agree. After a year of being friends with Don Fairchild, I can tell you that all the 2-stroke myths are just that - myths. A properly set up two stroke will get just as good or better than a 4-stroke and you don't have to spend all that money on conversion. I've seen Don average almost 9mpg with his 8V92/HD4060, while towing his 1 ton 4x4 crew cab Chevy pickup. And that is not babying it for mileage either. That is running down the road! Not to mention that the generator pulls from the same tank so his mileage is even better than that. But then, Don knows 2-strokes. He knows how to combine the right injectors, turbo housings, etc. to get the best mix of mileage and power.

[belfert]

Opps, I was wrong on the 8.3 MPG.  I found an additional fuel receipt for 32.5 gallons.

The real MPG was 7.77 MPG which is actually pretty pitiful compared to the 8 MPG we got last year.

[Dreamscape]

Opps, I was wrong on the 8.3 MPG.  I found an additional fuel receipt for 32.5 gallons.

The real MPG was 7.77 MPG which is actually pretty pitiful compared to the 8 MPG we got last year.

It's still not too bad! Just think it could have been 7.76 mpg. 

When I bought our Eagle in 03 I kept track of the fuel used in the trip from Ohio to LA, avg. 8mpg. Haven't done it since, as it sits most of the time. That was even before I knew how to really understand how to drive a DD. I think with my 4 speed it makes it easier. I just don't bother anymore, it might really cause me to have a stroke. 

Keep it safe,

Paul

[tekebird]

Last long trip I did was in the MCi A3 I am selling.

St Louis to harrisburg, PA, 76mph average 6.5mpg 8-92T

My MC-8 will get 7mpg easily doing 70 including generator use, 8-71it has gotten as high as 8.6

both the folks 4108's get 7+ as well

[tekebird]

note: MC-8 is a 6 speed as well as the A3

[belfert]

There are certainly other buses that will get better MPG because they are shorter, lighter, have manual trannies, and smaller engines.

I think mine does pretty good considering an automatic, 43 feet long, and in excess of 36,000 lbs.  No way I would deal with a manual if I could even find one in a newer bus.  I have up to six different drivers on trips and some of them would not drive a manual.

[tekebird]

Brian, are you certain you weigh over 36k

that is mighty heavy

[belfert]

Brian, are you certain you weigh over 36k

that is mighty heavy

Yes, I am sure of the weight.  The bus weighed right at 36,000 lbs when I bought it with about 8 sets of seats in it.  I stripped out three to four thousand puonds of stuff, but I probably put that much back into it.