Travelling can be far from cheap these days and fuel costs can easily take a big chunk of your travelling budget. All of this is of course, further compounded when you have an RV in tow. But it’s not all doom and gloom and there are ways to get better kilometres out of a tank regardless of your vehicle or fuel type. Here’s how to save fuel and stretch your holiday budget longer on your next getaway.
Understand your vehicle
It’s important to start with matching your vehicle and tow rig combination. This means don’t overpower your set-up if it’s not necessary. If you really want to make savings on fuel usage, you need to know your vehicle’s current usage before hitching up. Record the results and check these against the manufacturer’s specs to ensure you’re close to the numbers quoted. Keep a fuel log that includes the type of driving you do to better understand your fuel consumption rates.
Make sure your vehicle is in tip-top shape
Reliable and well-maintained vehicles are going to deliver a better result when it comes to saving fuel. Start by having your vehicle serviced and tuned before heading off on that long towing trip. Also, have the provider tune your vehicle for optimum fuel economy for towing at the service. The provider will simply adjust the fuel ratio settings in your engine diagnostics. Make sure to get a printout of the adjusted settings for your future reference.
Conduct regular checks between services
Conduct regular under-bonnet checks to pick up any noticeable changes in between services. You could find these changes are adding to your fuel consumption. But if left unattended, they could lead to larger expenses. Also, regularly check oil levels, oil colour and cooling system levels. Keep watch of the temperature gauge closely as well.
Outback driving on dirt roads can cause air filters to become dirty, resulting in restricted air flow, which affects fuel mixture ratios. This definitely does not help in the saving fuel stakes. Replace any belt pulleys that are worn and slipping as these will add more load to the engine.
Consider your wheels and tyres
Both play a significant role when it comes to saving fuel. Incorrectly inflated tyres will add extra load and drag, so follow the manufacturer’s recommendations. Wheel balance and alignment is just as important as tyre pressure. Look carefully at how your tyres are wearing and rotate them regularly. Changing the size of wheels and tyres will also add to the variables. Choose wisely if you’re deviating from the original specs. You need to weigh up all the benefits before changing.
Streamline your vehicle
Aim to make your vehicle more streamlined by removing the roof rack if it’s not needed for your next adventure. Driving with your windows up will help avoid catching the wind drag through your windows as well. In addition, using a towing wind deflector helps to reduce frontal wind drag against your RV. The more aerodynamic your vehicle is, the less work your vehicle has to do and the more fuel it will save.
Don’t miss these at your vehicle service
Wheel bearings should be greased and set correctly. The handbrake and electric brakes should also be adjusted to avoid dragging. Wheels and tyres need to be aligned with the correct pressures.
Drop some weight
As basic as it sounds, you’ll use more fuel when you’re carrying lots of weight. We are talking about your RV here! But you can control the payload weight, so avoid carrying excess water, food and drinks. Picking up supplies only when you need them can make a difference to helping you save at the fuel pump. And remember to periodically spring clean your RV to help lighten your load. Be ruthless! It all helps with fuel economy and stretching that tank of fuel further.
Shop around to save when buying fuel
Check fuel apps to see where the cheapest fuel is in the areas you’re planning to visit. Another way to save some bucks is through the big chain supermarkets and their affiliated service stations. Many offer fuel vouchers and other types of offers that can save you anywhere from 4-20 cents per litre at the pump. So those savings aren’t to be sniffed at!
But also look at the AFL footy app and caravan park memberships for another 4 cents as well. Some caravan/motorhome clubs also offer member discounts, like the CMCA. Some of these offers don’t work altogether, but every cent counts. Also, look at the type of fuel and the grade you buy as well. Some diesel formulas may be cheaper to pick up per litre, but this doesn’t necessarily work out cheaper per kilometre travelled.
Pay attention to how you drive
We’re not suggesting you need to dawdle to save some fuel and coin, but you need to remember everything’s a trade-off. Let’s look at how to get the best results when driving.
Acceleration
Don’t flatten the pedal to the floor, but rather ease your foot down on the pedal to increase the throttle slowly.
Gearing
Aim for smooth gear changing and avoid over-revving a manual vehicle. Automatics these days will select the appropriate gearing from the engine’s ECU, but you do need to have control of your right foot.
Speedo and tachometer
Every vehicle has a sweet spot for fuel economy. When the needle on the tacho bounces, you’re more likely using excessive revs and therefore more fuel. Watch the tacho and keep it constant to get the best results.
Stop/start driving
Minimise driving in peak hours if possible so you avoid congested traffic. Also, use bypass routes when possible.
Cruise control
As good as cruise control is, it’s not ideal to use it when towing through hills and into a headwind when you’re trying to save fuel. It’s really designed to get to the set speed as quickly as possible, so you’ll find your vehicle will use higher revs than necessary and consume more fuel.
Stop excess idling
Unlike older engine types, modern ones don’t need to idle for long periods to warm up. To avoid excess idling if you’re caught in traffic, simply turn the engine off if it’s safe to do so.
Air conditioning
While it’s nice to have the air-con blowing in hot temperatures, aim to have it at a moderate setting rather than setting it flat out on the coldest setting.
By implementing a few simple fuel saving tips like these, you’ll be well on the road to stretching that holiday budget much further. That’s a promise!
