<VV> Corvair Fuel Economy

[James Davis]

That might be true for the 200 series Ultra Van but the later models gained 
weight.  Although the factory list #388 with a dry weight of 3,800 pounds, 
it really weighs 4,560 with with a half tank of fuel, water, and a few 
spares.   Traveling weight (with 315 lbs of humans and cats aboard) is 
usually 5,280 lbs without the trailer.  If you want air conditioning add 
the trailer, with genset, shelter, 4 chairs, and assorted ancillary 
equipment and I am up to 5,700 lbs.  My gas mileage was 15.5 mpg with the 
110 engine and 3.55 ring gear cruising at 55 mph 17,000 miles).  When I 
went to a 140 engine and a 3.89 ring gear the mileage dropped to 13.5 mpg 
cruising at 60 mph (62,000 miles). Even though the cd is around 0.40, a 65 
square foot frontal area means that speed really effects the gas mileage.
Most UV guys/gals use 185R14 or 205R14 light truck tires as Ultras carry 
about 2,800 lbs on the rear wheels.  I am one of the few using passenger 
car tires (225/60-15).
Then there are the forty-six V-8 Ultra Vans made by the Ultra 
Corporation.  Factory dry weight is listed at 6,050 lbs but the traveling 
weight is in the 7,000 lb range.
Just to set the record straight.
Jim Davis


At 04:56 PM 8/23/2005, Vukas, Robert wrote:
>The whole Ultra Van is light enough to run on four inexpensive, easy to
>find, 14" automobile tires. Unlike the huge bus tires used on many
>motorhomes, these can be changed easily on the road by anyone with a
>simple car jack and tire wrench. Ready for the road, with fuel, water,
>food and two people aboard, the Ultra Van usually weighs under 5,000
>pounds, contributing greatly to the fuel economy of 15 to 18 miles per
>gallon achieved by most Ultra owners traveling 55 to 65 miles per hour.
>
>
>
>
>Bob Vukas