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Just back from France after doing around 1000 miles.

Quick calculation shows the mpg being about 20 - ZOIKS!

A lot of the miles were on motorways at speeds around 70mph.

Is this what to expect from a 2.8 JTD engine?

Hey jim,

A recent 1000 mile trip around scotland produced an average 23mpg. Never went over 65 mph, but pushed it hard at times. Your only alternative is slow down & enjoy the scenery!!!! My van has a similar engine & weight to yours, & I've never been able to get more than 26 mpg!

Cheers Creaky

Hi there,

Just got back from longest run so far in our van so far, and we averaged approx 28 - 30 mpg, we have an auto trail cheyenne 632 on a fiat 15 base 2.8 tdi top weight 3500kg. I drove from Wiltshire all over Scotland and back approx 1700miles. I tried to keep to between 60 - 70 mph even on the motorways and through Scotland over the Highlands and country roads possibly about 40 ish sometimes more sometimes not.

I was surprised at the mpg we got,  I thought it would have been less to be honest but hubby was very pleased, he is the techie one I just do the driving.... We have only had this van for 7 weeks so still getting used to her.

Tina

I knew at the speed we were doing the consumption wouldn't be up to the 50+ mpg I get from my Passat, but didn't think it would be as low as 20.

However the extra fuel used was more than compensated by the upgrade in comfort (travelling and on site) over towing our TT with our Galaxy!

I get around the 30mpg mark with a common rail Fiat 2.8 cruise control travelling at around 60mph,

I have found an improvement with a fuel chip fitted as it boosts the power and goes up hills easily in higher gears plus the engine is much more responsive. plus the mpg increased slightly.

Pete

We average 32mph at speed of 60-65 on motorways on a  2.8HDi

Jen

On long runs at UK motorway speeds we'd be getting 20mpg or so with our 2.0JTD - I've seen sub 20mpg on occasions as well.

We're just back from Norway where we got 26.5mpg - much better than usual due to the lower speed limits

Even with a 2.0HDi the consumption can go up dramatically when I push over the normal cruising speed on motorways. I now know why some motorhomers travel at a more leisurely pace, and not just to enjoy the view.

Moss

Not relavent to the original  post really as ours is a small van, not a coachbuilt but we tend to drive slower to save fuel. Just tuck in behind a steady lorry.

If we try it is possible to get 30mpg, but that means accelerating gently, anticipating half a mile ahead, not going over 55mph etc. Lately this is how we have been going along, but it isn't very exciting. Driving it like a car, overtaking and doing 70mph etc sees the consumption falling well under 25mpg.

At almost £1 a litre though, over a 1000 mile week long tour, the difference between 25 and 30 mpg is £30.

If you want to increaset the fuel consumption you will have to try the following.

On a recent trip to Scotland I managed a misely 18-20mpg out of our 2-0 JTD coachbuilt. I looked in to this in astonishment and dismay. (although high head winds played a part)

I carried out the following. 1) was to remove the roof box and utilise the garage space more effectively. 2) was to travel with as litle water on board as was required for a short trip and would be filled on arriving at a site. 3) was to remove as much useless gizmos that were needed. Out went the full zip sides awning that connect to the wind out. Out went the TV and was replaced with a light laptop. Any thing that was not needed for touring went and the weight was greatly reduced. 4) and probably the most important was to enjoy the drive keep the speed to around 60 or even 55. Using non motorway roads when touring abroad and just using motorways to get around cities and towns.

I have just completed 2000 miles in 10 days, touring France, Belgium, Holland, Germany, Switzerland and Luxembourg with a return on my economy of aprox 28-30 to the gallon. This included a 5 hour flat out to Dover and a 5 hour flat out back from Dover ( I really hate this part of the Journey).

So all in all pretty impressive return by all accounts. Only weight left to throw out now is her indoors and the kids!!!