Nowadays, more and more people are thinking about fuel efficiency. There is no denying that the vast majority of camper vans on the market are huge gas guzzlers too. Thankfully, there are fuel-efficient camper vans on the market. But, what is the most fuel-efficient camper van? Let’s take a look.
There is some debate about what the most fuel-efficient camper van is. At the moment, most people seem to regard the Winnebago Travato as the most fuel-efficient camper van. However, others claim that any camper van model manufactured using a Ford Sprinter chassis will be slightly more fuel-efficient.
On this page, we are going to talk a little bit about fuel-efficient camper vans. We also want to give you a bit of advice on how you can reduce your fuel consumption, just in case you can’t quite afford one of the more expensive vehicles on the market.
What Is The Most Fuel Efficient Camper Van?
The Winnebago Travato is currently classed as the most fuel-efficient camper van. In perfect conditions, you should be able to get around 22mpg from the vehicle, which is fantastic. A single fill of the tank should cover you for about 500 miles!
The Ford Sprinter is not too far behind. It is tough to predict what the mpg here is, though. This is because the Ford Sprinter isn’t actually a camper van. Instead, it is the base chassis for many other camper van models. The fuel efficiency will vary based upon what is loaded into the camper van. We reckon that you should be able to get somewhere between 22mpg and 28mpg, although look at the specs of your camper van to know for sure.
Is It Worth Buying a Fuel Efficient Camper Van?
Yes, If you can afford it.
Obviously, fuel-efficient camper vans are going to be better for the environment. As time goes on, you may find that more and more camper vans on the market see an improvement in fuel efficiency. This is, in part, down to legislation. However, a lot of companies are noticing that people are looking to pick up fuel-efficient vehicles because they care about the environment. Obviously, camper vans are nowhere near the largest polluters on this planet. But every little helps, right?
If you want to save money on your gas, then it is almost certainly going to be worth picking up a fuel-efficient camper van. You could easily shave hundreds of dollars off a camping trip. Thousands if you are planning on traveling for weeks on end. Remember, gas prices are rising at an astronomical rate, and you will likely want to do as much as you can to reduce this.
For those that may go camping every once in a while (perhaps once every few months), it may not be worth investing in a fuel-efficient camper. Most fuel-efficient campers tend to be more expensive than their gas-guzzling counterparts. This means that even if you do see savings in gas, you won’t save that much money overall. The only reason why you will probably want to buy a fuel-efficient camper here is if you have a need to get a brand new vehicle, or if you really do want to ensure that your camping trips have the smallest amount of impact on the environment.
How Do You Reduce Fuel Usage In a Camper Van?
When you do purchase a camper van, you will likely want to ensure that the van is as fuel-efficient as possible. Even if you purchase one of the more fuel-efficient options on the market, you will almost certainly want to look into ways in which you can reduce fuel consumption. We hope that the following tips will help you out.
Reduce Weight
The quickest way to reduce fuel usage is to reduce the weight of your vehicle.
Every pound of weight in your vehicle will increase the drag. This means that the engine needs to have more power to propel the vehicle forward.
If there is something that you can avoid taking on your camping trip, then don’t bring it. If there are lighter alternatives, then buy them.
Keep Tires Inflated
Tires that have begun to deflate will cause drag. Always try to ensure that you keep your tires inflated to the manufacturer’s specifications.
Use Cruise Control
If your vehicle has cruise control, then make sure you use it whenever you are on the freeway. Your vehicle will be a whole lot more fuel-efficient. Since this is where you will likely be spending the vast majority of your time when you are touring, you will save a lot of money just by pressing a single button.
Avoid Traffic
Constantly stopping and starting your vehicle will reduce fuel efficiency. This means that you will want to avoid traffic as much as possible. Most people recommend that you avoid rush hour when you have a camper van.
Stick To Under 65mph
Vehicles become less fuel-efficient when they are traveling over 65mph. The optimal driving speed is between 45mph and 65mph. Stick to that. In most cases, this means that you will want to spend more time traveling through the back roads of a place rather than heading on the freeway. It will save you a lot of fuel and help to ensure that you drive at the optimal speed.
Are Van Conversions More Fuel Efficient Than Purpose-Built Camper Vans?
Yes.
B-Class camper vans (essentially van conversions) are the most fuel-efficient vehicles on the market. This is because they tend to be a lot lighter.
If you want a fuel-efficient vehicle, always look at B-Class options. Although, do bear in mind that they may not be ideal for larger families.
Closing Thoughts
If you want a fuel-efficient camper van, then look for the Winnebago Travato. If you want a van conversion instead, then any vehicle that has been built on the Ford Sprinter chassis should be fine. Remember, you will also want to ensure that you pay attention to fuel-saving techniques to squeeze a bit more mileage out of your tank.
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How Much Do Sprinter Camper Vans Cost?