Average speed of motorhomes vs campervans

[caledonia]

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.

My observations are motorhomes tend to be driven slower than campervans.

 

[Nabsim]

For a bit of balance, it isn’t only areas of Scotland that suffer from tourists and Sunday drivers. I live in the Peak District and we always suffer from this on the country lanes. Seems a lot of town and city dwellers have problems when they get on a normal two lane road never mind country lanes or single track roads.

We also seem to suffer infestations of Train spotters, cyclists and hikers, you no longer get bonus points for wiping them out either I believe

 

[Caz]

My car does 23 - 25 mpg.

My Autosleeper Trooper (VW T4 pop top) does 37 mpg on average but in Scotland, following a 6 berth motorhome every day, it went up to an average of 44 mpg.

My Fiat Ducato based Adria Win averaged 33 mpg belting down through the UK & France, but 37 - 38 pootling around Spain & Portugal.

 

[wildebus]

70 is the max speed but not compulsory,so a policeman told me once.

I think you will find that any vehicle based on a White Van has a minimum legal speed on the motorway of 85MPH :ninja:

 

[Deneb]

For a bit of balance, it isn’t only areas of Scotland that suffer from tourists and Sunday drivers. I live in the Peak District and we always suffer from this on the country lanes. Seems a lot of town and city dwellers have problems when they get on a normal two lane road never mind country lanes or single track roads.

Most motorists will drive more slowly on a road they don't know than one that they (think) they do.

Many motorists driving quickly on roads that they think they know well drive faster than they should if they were anticipating possible hazards instead of making assumptions from previous experience.

Some drivers on country lanes and single track roads never seem to account for the possibility that someone coming the other way might be driving the same way that they are!

 

[Deleted member 12539]

Once on the motorway, (in UK) I tend to trundle along at an indicated 70mph, which works out about 65mph real speed.
On the continent, I like to keep at about 100kmh (62mph) real speed, on the motorway, as there is more to see that is interesting.
I have seen an indicated 90mph before the noise from the passenger seat made me slow down... perhaps just as well

More often, than not, we bimble along the smaller roads trying not to be a road block, and take in the scenery, pulling over when there are more vehicles behind us than in front.
OK, so my fuel consumption is horrendous at 20mpg, but I did not buy my 4.5t Eura Mobil for its fuel saving capabilities.

I sometimes overtake smaller campervans, but generally they shoot past me (who cares?), I also sometimes get passed by big motorhomes exceeding 70mph, but that is their choice.
I have never tried to do a holiday where have tried to save fuel.

 

[trevskoda]

My car does 23 - 25 mpg.

My Autosleeper Trooper (VW T4 pop top) does 37 mpg on average but in Scotland, following a 6 berth motorhome every day, it went up to an average of 44 mpg.

My Fiat Ducato based Adria Win averaged 33 mpg belting down through the UK & France, but 37 - 38 pootling around Spain & Portugal.

Something wrong with your car or its either a old v8 rover or you have forgot to release the h/brake,:hammer::lol-053:

 

[Harleyboygaz3]

Happy to sit at 130 Kmh if I'm not in a hurry

I’m glad I’m never in a hurry cos mine will only do 110kmh flat out screaming it’s boll**ks off!! :lol-049::lol-049:

 

[trevskoda]

My observations are motorhomes tend to be driven slower than campervans.

There all motorcaravans,just big ones and we ones.

 

[GWAYGWAY]

My Sprinter based Hymer does 25 to the gallon regardless, but with the Smart toad on the rear it dropped to 23 not bad as it doesn't know it is there unless it is up and down hills or a lot of stop start. It might have been better if the smart brakes were not dragging for the beginning of the trip until I fitted a bungee to the brake pedal to stop the dragging, I could feel it but no where to stop for 5 miles, the poor discs were really hot so I need to change the pads and shoes now. Smoking hell when i pulled over to a layby.

 

[Nabsim]

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

It’s more like driving miss daisy Trev lol that is supposedly the latest technology 1.4ltr with some fancy turbo. I have nearly always found that I never get anything like what’s advertised. I don’t think it’s possible to get the figures quoted on actual roads. They go on about newer being more economic but my 2.0 diesel GTC was more like a track car than a road car and gave an average of 38mpg.

 

[Channa]

my ducato 2.8 jtd coach built felt in the zone at 60 mph

in terms average speeds covered on journeys 40 mph seems to be the case irrespective of vehicle with the exception of the motorcycle

Channa

 

[Moped]

Campervan drivers generally drive faster. But the real question is how many of the campervan drivers are using their campervans as cars to do a journey and not actually touring?

Campervans in the main are promoted as car alternatives for single vehicle owners that give you an option of an overnight stay or two.

Motorhomes are promoted as touring vehicles only enabling 24/7 living. Several motorhome insurance companies won’t offer cover if your motorhome is your only vehicle. You are expected to own it as a second vehicle after a car.

 

[maingate]

It should be remembered that air resistance (Drag) is proportional to velocity squared. So ... the faster you go, the more inefficient your mpg is.

Various information here:

Is air resistance proportional to velocity squared? - Quora

 

[trevskoda]

It should be remembered that air resistance (Drag) is proportional to velocity squared. So ... the faster you go, the more inefficient your mpg is.

Various information here:

Is air resistance proportional to velocity squared? - Quora

Maybe time someone brought out a boat tail camper.

 

[jagmanx]

55 Notional speed limit for us

Air resistance proportional to speed squared YES

Therefore 50mph to 60mph increases your air resistance by nearly one and a half times (1.44).
However many other factors play a part such as road surface.

Also a significant cross wind plays a part
Good old Pythagoras means that driving at 40mph with a cross wind of 30mph gives a wind resistance speed of 50mph

I generally keep to 50 to 55mph unless in a hurry AND on a good m-way when 65+ does happen (but usually 60 max)

I suspect tyre wear also increases similarly with higher speed

55mph = 90kph (almost)

Trev's Skoda wont go over 40mph hence his good mpg

 

[maingate]

Air resistance proportional to speed squared YES

Therefore 50mph to 60mph increases your air resistance by nearly one and a half times (1.44).
However many other factors play a part such as road surface.

Also a significant cross wind plays a part
Good old Pythagoras means that driving at 40mph with a cross wind of 30mph gives a wind resistance speed of 50mph

I generally keep to 50 to 55mph unless in a hurry AND on a good m-way when 65+ does happen (but usually 60 max)

I suspect tyre wear also increases similarly with higher speed

55mph = 90kph (almost)

Trev's Skoda wont go over 40mph hence his good mpg

I drive to the rev counter not the speedo. As I am limited to 50 mph on single carriageways, I sometimes become a naughty boy and then have to check the speedo.

 

[Tompa]

The tin hoose will top 90mph but at higher speeds I find the condition of the road surface the limiting factor. Uneven roads give a vague feeling at the wheel. I normally run at 65 to 70 on motorways etc. and 60ish on the rest, these are genuine GPS speeds, the speedo is about 4 or 5mph fast. I average around 28 to the gallon by the computer which doesn,t seem to be too far out but can get up to 34mpg if I plod along at 55. By comparison my bike does 35mpg.
Jim.

 

[vwalan]

but we dont have to go fast. the limits are the max not the minimum. just keep to 35-40mph even on a m,way. but best dont use them and try your best never to use toll roads . enjoy the drive see the scenery and enjoy the journey.
in a m,home its not how long does it take to get anywhere but how long can we take.
possibly never get there if you are having fun where and when on the way.
plus play a game that you score extra points if you can have a long line behind you .
but let the trucks etc pass as they are working.
never use a satnav just paper maps and have lots of fun.
dont use guide books either they usually have no idea where is nice or horrible.
never use campsites either , they are full of campsite dwellers .

 

[Caz]

Something wrong with your car or its either a old v8 rover or you have forgot to release the h/brake,:hammer::lol-053:

Nope. We run another the same model for the local Community Transport service and that does similar MPG. The advantage is that they run on LPG so are cost effective.