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Head Winds Kill Your MPG

April 08, 2012, 06:19:07 pm

Well, into day three and I covered more then 600 miles. The wind was intense and it was a quartering wind that knocked my milage down to 4.5 MPG  for today.  I had been running a bit over 8 till today on each tank even with an accident that shut down I 70 and it took me 90 mins. to go 8 miles to a rest stop and pull in for the night.  I hope the head winds dissipate by tomorrow.... Looks like Wall Drug will be the breakfast stop.

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Re: Head Winds Kill Your MPG

Reply #1 – April 08, 2012, 06:44:55 pm

Yup...I feel your pain.  The Dakotas are hell when traveling west.  I assume you're on I-90 since you mentioned Wall Drug?

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Reply #2 – April 08, 2012, 07:04:21 pm

                       John , what RPM are you running ?  The M-11 has a sweet spot . What is yours  ?  Brad Metzger

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Reply #3 – April 08, 2012, 07:54:35 pm

Sometimes when I'm out kayaking the only way to avoid wind and get somewhere is to get up at 0h-dark-thirty and paddle 5 hours before about 10am. There is often zero or no wind in the mornings.

Craig

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Reply #4 – April 08, 2012, 09:51:24 pm

We were dealing with 40 mph headwinds with gusts to 60 mph as we traveled into Billings, MT, last December. I slowed to about 40 mph as we were headed into some of the nastiest winds. We planned much of our trip through Wyoming, Montana, and South Dakota based on predictions of wind velocity and direction. I studied the wind forecasts on Forecast Maps : Weather Underground.

I don't remember the how are fuel mileage looked, but the winds provided a significant challenge to comfortable travel.

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Reply #5 – April 08, 2012, 10:21:32 pm

J.D. Check out this site for checking winds.

Wind Map

It's pretty mesmerizing. You can right click to zoom in. (may not work in IE)

see ya
ken

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Re: Head Winds Kill Your MPG

Reply #6 – April 08, 2012, 10:21:48 pm

Or this one from our sailing days:  NOAA Graphical Forecast for Southern Plains

Click on wind speed/direction for the DAY and HOUR of interest.

That way if it is 30 MPH, but a TAIL WIND, you go with it!

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Reply #7 – April 09, 2012, 06:38:34 am

John,
 I hope you are able to see some improvement in performance and little in fuel burn, despite the lousey winds, with the resonator vs restrictive muffler.
Trust Wall Drug has a good breakfast, never ate there.
Cheers
Dave M

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Reply #8 – April 09, 2012, 08:44:00 pm

I have driven in winds and while it makes it harder, the Coach does great.  Dave, the coach runs much stronger.  I held 70 up the hills and even 75.  When I was slowed I went no lower than 58.  Can not believe the difference and I should ave done it a long time ago.  I am getting a bit short of one MPG better most of the way.  Then again I got 3 mpg one trip home from Spokane. 

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Reply #9 – April 09, 2012, 09:54:57 pm

John, I surely understand and laugh, once a person makes the resonator change, its like magic, all of a sudden the coach runs so much better & freer.  The move from 450 to 500 is as magical too, but sticking with the resonator is good all by its self.
My 36' is only 30k lbs and with both the resonator and 500 hp, it is more like a pickup truck for get up and go. It holds min of 68 on Afton Mtn (west bound) with the pickup & ATV, crusie set at 70.
Have a great trip.
Dave M

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Reply #10 – April 10, 2012, 12:08:24 am

But the resonator change is not without problems...  I find I can't resist passing trucks on the long hills, and that tramps over any mpg increases .  Willpower!  Willpower!
When we do travel at a conservative speed (e.g. 60), I'm finding about 1 mpg increase over the performance with the old muffler.  Averaged 8.5 from Benson AZ up to Prescott (major climb in altitude) with a stopover in Cave Creek.

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Reply #11 – April 10, 2012, 07:51:13 am

Yes, I understand the passing. Like to wave as I go by.

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Reply #12 – April 11, 2012, 10:59:24 am

John,
 Thanks for posting your trip details.
Very interesting keeping up with the changes and upgrades to your coach, as well as what the benefits have been for you.
 We have a gas burner and have put many miles on the road, but reading this forum and just knowing how well the FT is built makes the decision about finding our's a no brainer to Us at leased.
 
Thanks again to you and all who participate on this Forum for the information that you all give out!

Barry & Donna 

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Re: Head Winds Kill Your MPG

Reply #13 – April 11, 2012, 12:34:36 pm

I remember one trip in my previous SOB MH, which always got 6.5mpg no matter what.  On that trip across the desert with a strong tail wind (I'd swear i could have maintained speed with the engine off) I averaged over 12mpg.

By the way, all this talk about resonators has me very interested.  Who wouldn't want more power and better mpg! Is there a best resonator to use for my 2003 U295 with an ISL400?  Do the shorter ones give up any performance in order to be shorter (and I presume easier to fit)?

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