Newell Prevost wanderlodge fuel economy

[Rich Franklin]

Hello Newell Owners my name is Rich Franklin and its almost time for my wife and I to make our decision on a coach brand. Over the course of 3 years and searching and looking at various rv's we always seem to come back to the 3 listed above. Now we have looked at many Prevosts, Wanderlodges but not Newells. The Newells seem to never be near by when I find one I like lol. About a month ago I took a look at a 2004 Newell and I was very impressed and now I'm having a hard time choosing. For us one of the largest concerns is fuel economy and the purpose of my question in general.

I know, I know, If you have to ask, you can't afford it!
None the less, fuel economy is an issue for me.
I have done a seat of the pants study of various coaches, gathering info from several sources over the years.

I'm looking for any info to add to my data and to collect info on mileage from you guys.

Make, model, engine/trans, driving habits etc.

When fuel was a buck a gallon, it wasn't that big a deal. At four bucks, difference between best and worst on a 3000 mile trip could approch $7-800.00, not an insignificant amount to me.

Rich

[lbrachfe]

It's not the coach, it's the engine and driving habits that make your mileage. Mostly, I would dare to say you are talking pennies in difference at the same HP.

[Rich Franklin]

Hello,

What is the HP and Fuel economy of your 2003 Double Slide Newell with the Detroit 60 series engine?

Rich

[GringoPhil]

Rich,

I think that Mileage will vary based on each coach considering the options variance which effects the weight of each unit so you would have to compare apples to apples. You have to take into consideration the horse power and engine model of all three to make a proper comparison. A Newell is a Newell and made to last a lifetime. For example you couldn't compare a cummins powered Ram Truck with a 6.7 diesel to the 5.9 in which we all know the 5.9 cummins could achieve over 20MPG and your lucky to get 13 with the 6.7. Same Name different Options.

Gringo

[larryweikart]

Just to give you an idea on a 94 with no slides equipped with a 60 series and 4 speed allison, I drive interstates at an average of 65 mph and achieve between 8-9 mpg. with my heavy trailer attached (13ton) it drops to a little over 6 mpg. Good luck with your choice. Having been in the RV business for 20 years, I can assure you that you can't buy a better coach than Newell. If you could find a better mpg, you might find out it may cost you more $$$ in other areas. There are numerous reasons for my bias feelings.If you would like to discuss, my cell# is 386-679-2312.

[lbrachfe]

8-9 mpg average

[express1]

You've been searching for 3 years, for fuel economy? :o

[Flydrifter]

Get a mid 90's Newell, Series 60, pre smog, pre EGR.
I've gotten as great as 10 mpg, no toad, minimal hills, no wind, no start stop, 55 mph, best conditions. It might even do close to that at 60, as the Allison is still in 5th at 55 most of the time.
With the toad, 65mph, interstate, 7.5 to 8.5 mpg. Toad will cost 1/2 to 1 mpg.
Drive easy. Drive smart. Keep the weight down.

My Ford F350 with Lance camper and V10 won't beat the Newell by over 1-2 mpg max.

Like every one has said. There are a lot of other more critical decisions than the fuel milage.

Time to get off the porch and run. If you are concerned about the mpg, you'll just get there an hour or so behind the big dogs. If you're retired it won't matter anyway.

Ray Penick
96 Newell #420
Tulsa. Ok

Currently laying around Branson enjoying the Newell Life.

[Newell Tank]

We have the 60 series and what Ray is stating above is very acurate to what we have documented.

[fulltiming]

The Series 60 Newells seem to get the best mileage. I have an early 90's with the 8V92 and I get about 6 mpg. I have a number of friends with Wanderlodges and the same engine that get about 5 to 5-1/2 mpg. The Series 60 made a significant improvement in fuel economy. The Series 60 were installed in some of the 1994 model Newells. Most Newells from 1995 until 2005 had the Series 60. Remember that as slides were added, the weight increased. A 1995 had a GVWR of 46,000 pounds, 1999 was 50,640 pounds, a 2006 was 59,580 pounds and a 2009 was 63,600 pounds.

Driving speed will make a tremendous difference in fuel mileage. Stay down around 55-60 and you will see dramatically better mileage than at 65-70. Above 70, you are over running your tires anyway.

[Neweller]

Your not going to get better mileage with a Wanderlodge or a Prevost. If you are really that concerned with great Mileage by a Eagle bus conversion, guys on the bus forum swear they are getting 10 mpg because of the rake design in the rear. Now I have gotten as high as 7.8 with a 6v92T in a 35,000 pound classic with my foot in it. Of course on the flat. And the 60 series does better than that. Now a head wind will kill any of the beasts.

Like Michael stated the weights keep getting heavier with the later model Newells. Some are grossing out around 65,000 pounds now, that's a lot of machine going down the road.

Fuel economy is a concern of a lot of us. It's a hard act to swallow when we have been spoiled for so many years. The oil gurus are not done yet, in time it will be double what it is now and some of us will fall out of the pack while new folks take their place and just live with it.

Just my .05 (inflationary terms Tuga)

Ken

[ccjohnson]

We get 5 1/2 to 7 1/4 on our 8V92. generally running 70-75 with +/- 12K in trailer towed. Long uphill grades are worst for mileage as in north on I-25. I-10 from Florida to NM at +/- sea level was best we have gotten.

[truk4u]

This trip from Atlanta to Indy for the FMCA rally, not towing produced 9.2 at 65 mph.

[fulltiming]

That is great mileage Tom. Thanks for the input on Prevost mileage.

[Newell Attack]

Hi Tom,

I like your mileage If you don't mind me asking, What is the weight of your Prevost and what engine is it equiped with. You keep teasing us with your high mileage and I might have to trade over to a prevost lol. My name could read prevost attack :)

[Barthman]

Jeff don't count your chickens on that one. I could get that with a tailwind as well.lol!

[truk4u]

Jeff,

Gross is 44K with full fuel and water and it's a series 60. I got 8.8 on the return, must have had a tail wind. My average is 7.8 towing and this trip we didn't have the toad, so it made a difference. Fuel is nuts, paid 3.89 when I left home and 6 days later is was 3.99.

As for flipping you over to Prevost, I've tried that for 6 years with Tuga, no joy! Newell had a new Coach at the Convention, very nice...

[tuga]

Tom,

I get about 7.2 towing a Honda Pilot @ 65mph and 7.9 not towing @ 65 mph. I have gotten 8 not towing and slowing down to 60 mph. The older I get the more the slow speeds don't bother me as much. I used to hate driving under 70; tell me I'm not turning into A-1
:laugh:

[tuga]

Someone flipped over from a 2003 Liberty w/2 slides to a Newell. The Liberty is for sale on the Newell website: asking $399,000! I assume it was taken in on trade. Must have been the mileage that made the difference!

[pairodice]

In my Foretravel 42'er I would get about 3 mpg. But that was completely full up to the 45k GVWR, pulling a heavy toad and motorcycle, going uphill in the Rockies, running the Generator and the Aqua-Hot to keep us warm inside! I did have a Jeep Cherokee toad once that actually got worse fuel mileage than my FT! It had a wiring problem...

[SharkRacing]

pairodice that sounds like a boat plowing water under a serious load getting that kind of fuel economy. What year and what engine are you running? Once upon a time I owned a Foretravel and don't remember getting that bad.

[JustDustin]

I agree the terrain and personal driving habits has the most to do with fuel economy. The way I see it is how common sense spells it out - If you are floored going up a mountain you're going to get the low side. If you travel at the speed limit on a flat highway you'll most likely get your maximum fuel economy. :thumbsup:

[mnhoff]

Driving habits sure play a factor. My Ford 2000 F150 gets 12.5 on a avg, and the coach gets 8 to 8.5. :laugh:

[speedingsport]

Pedal to the metal. Just not in the coach because that will cost ya! lol!