Average speed of motorhomes vs campervans

cmvrgr

Guest
As I had a discussion with a friend yesterday about average travelling speed of motorhomes I thought that is a good idea to mention it here. As he is traveling in Europe most of the time he mentioned that many countries have 120 to 130 km per hour limits and only a campervan can cope with that.

He mentioned that motorhomes with overcab beds are the slowest. Semi integrated are in me middle and campervans travel almost like a car and are by far more fuel efficient.

What do you think ?
 
He’s probably right about campervans ( I assume he means vans like VW t5’s and the like ) being more car like, but I don’t see any reason other types cannot travel at 130kph, as long as they are allowed. Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes are restricted to a top speed of 110 kph in France and other countries may have different limits. Our Burstner motorhome is 3850 kg and we have no trouble keeping at 110 on motorways. We had an older overcab van, under 3500kg and could manage 120 easily, it got noisier at that speed but wasn’t on its limit.
Of course, fuel consumption suffers driving a brick that fast, but our old overcab van averaged about 28mpg and our new Burstner tells me it is averaging about 27mpg.
 
Snapster said:
He’s probably right about campervans ( I assume he means vans like VW t5’s and the like ) being more car like, but I don’t see any reason other types cannot travel at 130kph, as long as they are allowed. Motorhomes over 3.5 tonnes are restricted to a top speed of 110 kph in France and other countries may have different limits. Our Burstner motorhome is 3850 kg and we have no trouble keeping at 110 on motorways. We had an older overcab van, under 3500kg and could manage 120 easily, it got noisier at that speed but wasn’t on its limit.
Of course, fuel consumption suffers driving a brick that fast, but our old overcab van averaged about 28mpg and our new Burstner tells me it is averaging about 27mpg.
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How T5 compares to Ducato and sprinter campervan?
 
Most cars these days do at least 60mpg but vans mostly average about 25/30 mpg,yes the lower roof type are better but its the flat back end that causes the drag not the front.
 
In the Murvi morello I keep the speed at 60mpg, this is just about 2000 revs in sixth gear.

This returns around 34 /5 mpg including the webasto heating.

Dezi
 
cmvrgr said:
...many countries have 120 to 130 km per hour limits and only a campervan can cope with that.

What do you think ?
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I think the speed limit is a maximum legal limit not a target that must be achieved. My MH never travels at those speeds, so why worry?
 
I visiting Scotland and you like to trundle along at 40mph please use the lay-bys to let faster vehicles get on with their day and that way you won’t p1ss the locals off.
 
I have a 4 tonne coachbuilt low line and it goes just fine. It’s a Sprinter 316 base with 6 speed auto box so normally got the right gear for the situation.

I usually limit to around 60 on motorways but will go a lot quicker if I wanted to, 2500rpm seems it’s sweet spot but can easily exceed speed limits.
 
trevskoda said:
Most cars these days do at least 60mpg but vans mostly average about 25/30 mpg,yes the lower roof type are better but its the flat back end that causes the drag not the front.
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My car is just 3 years old Trev, they reckoned it was good for 60 mpg on all the specifications. In reality it averages 34.8mpg. I don’t give it a lot of stick either as I much prefer driving the van so it’s normally mrsdrives it now.
 
my a class drives exactly like a car cruises comfortably on cruise control at 80mph on the empty motorways abroad, i did an advanced driving course almost 50 years ago it used to reduce your insurance by 10% and we were told load & road decide your speed with load being the amount of traffic,
 
caledonia said:
I visiting Scotland and you like to trundle along at 40mph please use the lay-bys to let faster vehicles get on with their day and that way you won’t p1ss the locals off.
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I often pass motorhomes comment the other direction with 10+ cars behind, the owners looking at our stunning highland scenery, some curiously would be much appreciated.

On my commute, the return journey can be much longer in the summer when compared to the winter times, 1:45hr summer compared to 1 hour in the winter for 46 miles A roads.
I stay near work now during the working week I got so frustrated with overtaking cars and motorhomes with the risk and nearly daily accidents on the A82.

Phill
 
Floridaphill said:
I often pass motorhomes comment the other direction with 10+ cars behind, the owners looking at our stunning highland scenery, some curiously would be much appreciated.

On my commute, the return journey can be much longer in the summer when compared to the winter times, 1:45hr summer compared to 1 hour in the winter for 46 miles A roads.
I stay near work now during the working week I got so frustrated with overtaking cars and motorhomes with the risk and nearly daily accidents on the A82.

Phill
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The A82 seems to be particularly bad. Big snake of traffic with a motorhome at the front doing 35/40mph. I understand they are in no hurry but other people are. Pull over and let faster vehicles past!😡
 
I tried to pass a slow motorhome with a lady driving and noticed she was knitting , i opened my window and shouted pullover and she replied no its a cardigan.:lol-053:
 
Nabsim said:
My car is just 3 years old Trev, they reckoned it was good for 60 mpg on all the specifications. In reality it averages 34.8mpg. I don’t give it a lot of stick either as I much prefer driving the van so it’s normally mrsdrives it now.
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I would have taken it back or buy the other half lighter shoes.:lol-053:
I had a old soda which is stated to do 48mpg at best,i got 52mpg on long runs and 27/34 knocking about or in winter.
My new to me proton will do 60mpg on most long runs if i keep her below 60mph
 
caledonia said:
I visiting Scotland and you like to trundle along at 40mph please use the lay-bys to let faster vehicles get on with their day and that way you won’t p1ss the locals off.
Click to expand...

If driving on any road in Scotland or anywhere else and you are holding up the traffic behind please use lay-bys or pull in where convenient to allow following traffic to pass.

Driving with reasonable consideration for other road users as per Sec 3, Road Traffic Act 1988.
 
I have a 4100Kg Hymer 7m A-class based on a Fiat Ducato and I generally drive at 70 mph on motorways.
 
Most of my observations of camper and motorhome speeds have very little to do with the vehicle, even less with the speed limit, but a lot to do with the lump of meat behind the steering wheel.
 
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