QuestionI am looking at buying an 1990 E-150 V8 conversion van. The thing is huge. Has a stove, fridge, tv, stereo and even a bathroom. It has low milage and the dealership says it passed their 80 point inspection, etc, etc.
What they couldn't tell me is what kind of gas mileage could i expect from this kind of vehicle? Do you know or do you know where i might find out?
AnswerHi Larry - Sounds like you have found a nice unit.
The first thing I always say when buying any kind of an RV or truck to pull a trailer, is what kind of shape is the unit in. In my opinion, this is paramount to anything else. Realistically, mileage is typically not very good with any of these units. You are looking at a vehicle that is not aerodynamic at all, usually has either a big motor, or a slower rear end, or both, to help the perfomance of the unit with the added weight of the RV accessories and the increased drag. My own RV, for instance, has a 440 big block, and and a 4:56 to 1 rear axle ratio. If I get 10 mpg, I am ecstatic. 8 mpg is typical. For me, I bought my RV for the fact that I enjoy the lifestyle, and the poor mileage is just one of those things that go with using the unit.
Mileage is going to be affected by many factors - where you drive it (interstate, altitude, grade, speed, etc...) and how you drive (heavy on the gas, heavy on the brake). I am not surprised they gave you the answer they did about mileage, for these reasons.
If you are that concerned about the fuel economy, ask the dealer to borrow the unit, and do your own mileage test. Because of the many factors involved with fuel economy on a van, you can see that even if you went back and found the DOT mileage figures for the van, they may not be accurate at all.
In fact, that may be where you can have a look to see, may be at DOT.
Make sure your purchase has been independently inspected to be have your own piece of mind, or at least ask to have a copy of the inspection that they did and have it looked at by someone you trust. That, in my mind, is very important. You do not want to buy any vehicle and be fixing it every time you turn around.
I hope that this info gives you a good start, but if there is something else, please feel free to drop me a line.
Automotively yours,
Dean
