Planning for an RV trip and want to know the cost of filling up your Class C RV and how much distance it will cover? Well, it’s more complicated, but we have got it covered. Let’s see the fuel cost and how you can have good mileage on your vehicle.
An average Class C RV has a 25 Gallons gas capacity. As of January 22, 2023, a gallon of gas costs around $3.294, while a gallon of diesel costs around $4.609 in the USA. The class C RV with 25 gallons of fuel capacity with gas will cost around $82.35. However, filling up your Class C RV tank with diesel would cost around $115.22.
At An average of 15 mpg, you can cover 375 miles with a full tank. In this article, we will tell you all the details regarding Class C RV gas filling. By the end of the article, you will be able to maintain the good gas efficiency of your RV, eventually helping you travel at a lower cost. Keep reading to know our expert tips to help you save money and maintain your RV.
How Many Gallons Is A Class C RV Gas Tank?
The size of a Class C RV gas tank can vary depending on the specific make and model of the vehicle. Typically, Class C RVs have a gas tank that can hold between 25 to 55 gallons of fuel. However, some models have larger or smaller tanks. Here is a list of 10 of the best Class C RVs with gas tank capacity.
| Top 10 Class C RVs | Fuel Tank Capacity (Gallons) |
| Coachmen Freelander | 55 |
| Jayco Melbourne | 26 |
| Tiffin Wayfarer | 24.5 |
| Winnebago View | 24.5 |
| Jayco Redhawk | 55 |
| Thor Compass | 25 |
| Winnebago Travato | 24 |
| Winnebago Minnie Winnie | 55 |
| Gulf Stream Conquest | 55 |
| Dynamax Isata 3 Series | 26 |
What Is An Average Mileage Of A Full Class C Tank?
The average capacity of a Class C RV tank is 25 to 55 Gallons. Class C RVs can generally get around 10-15 miles per gallon. With a 25-55 gallons tank, it is reasonable to assume that the RV can travel between 250 to 825 miles on a single gas tank, but this can vary depending on several factors. Let’s take a closer look at all these factors to determine their impact on how far you can get with a full tank of gas.
The Engine Size
The engine size directly affects fuel efficiency; larger engines burn more fuel than smaller ones, so they don’t get as good of mileage. This means that if you own an RV with a large engine, it won’t get as many miles per gallon as a smaller one would.
The Weight of the RV
The amount in your RV affects its overall performance, including its fuel efficiency. An overloaded vehicle will require more fuel to maintain speed and power, so it won’t be able to go as far on one tank as lighter vehicles would. Additionally, if you are carrying extra items such as camping gear or luggage, this will add even more weight and decrease the efficiency further. Keeping your RV load light will help you conserve more gas and extend your range between fill-ups.
The Driving Conditions
Finally, the driving conditions you encounter during your trip can also have an impact on how far you can travel before needing to refill your tank. If you’re traveling over hilly terrain or at high speeds, chances are you won’t be able to get as many miles out of each tankful compared to if you were taking it easy over flat land at low speeds. The key here is to drive smartly and avoid burning up too much fuel when unnecessary.
Check Out What is our gas mileage (MPG) with our Jayco Redhawk 31F Class C Motorhome?:
Factors That Will Affect The Gas Efficiency Of A Class C RV
Many factors can affect the gas efficiency of a class C RV. Larger and less efficient engines consume more fuel. The weight of the vehicle, the type of gas being used, speed, and the vehicle’s condition also play a very important role in the gas efficiency of any vehicle.
By being aware of these factors, you can improve the gas efficiency of your Class C RV and save on your gas further.
Type Of Gas
Alongside all other factors, the type of fuel you use also plays a vital role in the gas efficiency of a Class C RV. The type of gas (fuel) used in an RV can affect fuel efficiency. Gasoline and diesel are the most common types of fuel used in RVs.
Diesel
RVs that run on diesel have a higher fuel efficiency than gasoline-powered RVs. They have a higher compression ratio than gasoline engines, which converts more fuel energy into power.
Additionally, diesel contains more energy per gallon than gasoline, which means you can go farther on a gallon of diesel than on a gallon of gasoline. Diesel produces10-15% more energy which eventually causes 20 to 35% better gas mileage.
Gasoline
Unlink diesel-powered RVs, RVs that run on gasoline tend to have a lower fuel efficiency than diesel-powered RVs. The lower compression ratio in gasoline-based RV means they don’t convert as much of the fuel’s energy into power. Although gasoline is cheaper than diesel, if you are looking for the best choice for a Class C RV, diesel is a better option.
Weight
The weight of a Class C RV can affect its gas efficiency. A heavier RV requires more energy to move, which can result in lower fuel efficiency increasing the gas efficiency of a Class C RV. Here are some tips to help you in reducing your RV weight.
Tips To Reduce The Weight Of Your RV
- Go through the RV and remove any items you don’t need or use. It includes items such as books, tools, and kitchen appliances.
- Look for ways to consolidate items, such as using a multi-purpose tool instead of several single-purpose tools. Like a Multi-Bit screwdriver which works for all screws and nuts instead of having separate ones for each and special traveling pocket knives which are helpful in cutting, peeling and even burning fire.
- Consider replacing heavy items with lightweight alternatives. For example, use lightweight camping chairs instead of heavy metal chairs or a lightweight, portable generator instead of a heavy built-in generator.
- Fresh water tanks can be heavy when full, so it is best to keep them as low as possible. Beware, do this only if you are familiar with the water resources of the area you are traveling in so you can refill your water tanks.
- Keep a record of the weight of the RV before and after making changes.
Speed
The speed limit for best fuel economy in an RV is typically around 55-60 mph. Driving at higher speeds can significantly decrease fuel efficiency due to increased wind resistance and engine strain. Maintaining a steady speed and avoiding sudden acceleration and braking can also help improve fuel economy.
Tips To Keep Your Class C Fuel Efficient RV
If you have noted a drop in your gas mileage, here are some tips to help keep your Class C RV fuel efficient. You can use these tips to record your fuel consumption, maintenance, etc.
Use Of Apps
Using apps is one of the easiest and most efficient ways to keep records about fuel or any required detail. There are several apps available for smartphones that can help you keep your Class C RV fuel efficient. By using these apps, you can get a better understanding of your vehicle’s fuel consumption. After identifying areas for improvement, you can adjust your driving style, vehicle maintenance, and trip planning to help improve your RV’s fuel efficiency.
Fuelio
Fuelio is a mobile app that allows users to track their fuel consumption manually by entering data or using a connected OBD-II scanner. The app also tracks expenses associated with fuel, including the cost per liter/gallon and total cost.
Fuelio presents data in an easy-to-understand format, including graphs and statistics, to help users understand fuel consumption habits.
90 West Data
90 West Data can track and monitor fuel consumption and costs and identify patterns and trends in the data. It can also provide insights and suggestions on optimizing your RV for better fuel efficiency. It will suggest you make modifications or upgrades to the RV’s engine or aerodynamics that could improve fuel efficiency.
Drivvo
With more than 1 Million downloads, Drivvo is another mobile app with prominent features such as helping you track fuel consumption, expenses, and maintenance for multiple vehicles. You can track your mileage, fuel level, and other vehicle-related information.
Fuel Calculator
Fuel calculator helps users estimate fuel consumption and costs for a specific vehicle or trip. Cost estimation, trip planning, fuel efficiency comparison, and route optimization are the key advantages of this app. It has advanced features like integration with maps, real-time traffic, and even the ability to log fuel usage and expenses.
Overall, this app is useful for estimating fuel consumption and costs for a specific vehicle or trip. It will help to understand better the costs associated with operating a vehicle.
Keep Track Of Gas Mileage
Tracking your gas mileage can help you identify your bad driving habits such as speeding, accelerating or braking abruptly and extended idling. These driving habits may impact your fuel efficiency negatively. With this information, you can adjust your driving style, vehicle maintenance, and trip planning to help improve your RV’s fuel efficiency.
Ways Of Keeping Track Of Gas Mileage
Here are some pro tips to help you track your gas mileage. You can use any of them which suits you the best. These will help you if you note it and then act accordingly to improve your mileage.
- Keep a logbook: Record the date, start and end odometer readings, and fuel purchased at each fill-up. It will allow you to calculate the miles per gallon (MPG) for each fill-up and track your fuel efficiency over time.
- Use the vehicle’s onboard computer: Many modern RVs have an onboard computer that can track fuel consumption and calculate your MPG.
- Regularly check the fuel gauge: Keep an eye on the fuel gauge, and try to fill up at regular intervals so that you can better track your fuel consumption over time.
- Keep an eye on the trip meter: The trip meter on your RV’s dashboard can give you the distance driven and how much gas is used.
Related Questions
How Many Miles Per Gallon Does A Class C Motorhome Get?
On average, Class C motorhomes tend to get between 17 and 22 miles per gallon. The fuel efficiency of a Class C motorhome can vary widely depending on the make and model, as well as factors such as the vehicle’s weight and the engine type.
How Much Money Do You Spend On Gas A Month?
According to Way, the average American household spends about $150 to 200 per month on gasoline. However, this can vary depending on factors like the cost of gas in a particular area, the size and fuel efficiency of a person’s vehicle, and how much they drive.
What RV Gets The Best Gas Mileage?
Class B RVs usually have the best mileage as compared to others. Winnebago Travato 59G among them can give you the comparatively best gas mileage, around 18-22 mpg. It’s a class B RV. This mileage can vary for several reasons, such as the weight of the RV, the driving conditions, and the operator’s driving habits.
What Is The Best Gas Mileage For Class B RV?
The best gas mileage for a Class B RV is usually 18-22 mpg. However, some newer models or those with smaller engines may get slightly better gas mileage. Manufacturers’ specifications can help you in the best possible way according to your make and model.
What Is The Best Gas Mileage For A Class C RV?
On average, Class C RV’s best gas mileage is 8-15 miles per gallon. However, some newer models with more efficient engines and aerodynamic designs can get up to 20 miles per gallon or more. Although the best gas mileage for a Class C RV also depends upon features like a specific model and engine and how it is driven and maintained.
The Bottom Line
When it comes to fueling up your Class C RV for a road trip, the costs will vary depending on many different factors—the size of your tank, the type of fuel required by your engine, and current market prices all play important roles in determining how much money will be spent at the pump.
Understanding these factors can help ensure that every time you hit the road with your Class C RV, you’re prepared financially for any necessary refueling stops along the way. Follow our tips to maintain your RV’s fuel efficiency and save yourself from wasting money without any reason. Happy travels!
