mileage with slide in camper

[EricBu12]

Have an 09 1 ton single wheel. Getting a midsize camper soon. When it is on, i will use my 19. 5's. Camper is a 9. 5' cabover. What mileage should i expect? I get 8 or so pulling my 36' toy hauler. 15-17 empty.

 

[Allnew2Me]

Hi Eric, are you downsizing from the big fifth?



This is a good source of information for truck campers if you are interested. There are several post regarding mileage with a Dodge.



RV. Net Open Roads Forum: Truck Campers

 

[EricBu12]

No, still keeping the big box. Buying an older camper for smaller trips and such, not bad, $500 for a used king of the road 9 1/2'

 

[Regcabguy]

2000# popup,285's,g-56,5. 9= 15. 0 mpg freeway. Mine's a lighter truck with a much lighter camper. 19. 5's would probably gain me 1 mpg.

 

[rwitt]

Eric,

My camper weighs 5k. Hand calculated fuel mileage runs between 11. 5 and 12 mpg.

Rich

 

[EricBu12]

Just bought this older 11' Rancho El Rae. early 70's I think

Fully self contained, just need to redo a little plumbing, only one leak in Shower area, will fix before I pick up. Everything works, not a bad little camper for $450

 

[Bill Stockard]

I've hauled our heavy 11' 6" slide-in camper for over 35K miles and the truck has a total running average between 13 and 14 MPG. The truck isn't a daily driver and has hauled the camper for 95% of the miles on it. Every gallon of fuel that has gone into the truck since new is recorded/calculated using a MS Excel spreadsheet program.



Bill

 

[EricBu12]

Thanks bill, That is what I was figuring. Truck alone with the 17's on the 75 mile trip to see the camper got close to 19 average. I figure it will go down to 12-14. Goung to get that 60 gal. aero tank later on. So a trip to Ohio only will need to fill up twice... cool.

 

[CMeier]

2004 3500 dually with a 10. 5' Lance towing a Jeep Wrangler on a 16' flatbed or flat towing 11-12 MPG. Without the Jeep 12-13 MPG.

 

[rwitt]

Eric,

Be aware that the older campers don't have the cab height clearance for the newer trucks, as the newer trucks have quite a bit higher cabs than when the older campers were made. Check the distance from the bed of your truck to the top of the cab, and then compare it to the camper you are buying. You should have at least 2 - 3 inches of clearance between the two. You may need to build a platform for the camper to sit on so it doesn't hit your cab. Also, check the opening at the rear of the bed and the rear of the camper, as the newer trucks are narrower at the rear bed than the older trucks, which the campers were built to fit on. Just wanted you to be aware of this before you drive to pick it up.

Rich

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I have averaged about 11 MPG over the last 35,000 miles with a 9. 5' Alpenlite slide camper with a 8X16' cargo trailer behind. Speed is a critical factor with the wind resistance. 55mph better, 75mph MUCH worse

 

[EricBu12]

Rwitt,



No worries on the clearance. . This camper was on a 2005 one ton Dodge Cummins so the body is the same and this other truck had cab lights so this camper will work.



Got this cart caddy to sit the camper on when I get it home. very heavy built. schedule 80 legs and HD wheels W/brakes... will be able to move the camper around if needed... Not bad for $70

 

[fkovalski]

With a 2,800# wet weight NorthStar Arrow and truck in sig, I would get 12- 13 MPG at 65- ish MPH.



Slowed down to 55-ish bumped it anther 1-2 MPG depending on conditions