[DanLee]

My wife and I took our Aliner Ranger 12 down to Kiptopeke State Park on Virginia's eastern shore. Filled up the tank just outside the park and the mileage thingy indicated we got 22.2 MPG overall on the return trip, a distance of 280 miles. We're pretty satisfied with our 2019 Premium.

 

[The Retired Viking]

A question for you, and also for other Ascent owners: how close is the mileage computer compared to pencil-and-paper calculations? I have had GM products that came within 1/2 mile per gallon, an MoPars where - let's just say the computer was as optimistic as Polly Anna on a sunny day.

 

[Titanrx8]

A question for you, and also for other Ascent owners: how close is the mileage computer compared to pencil-and-paper calculations? I have had GM products that came within 1/2 mile per gallon, an MoPars where - let's just say the computer was as optimistic as Polly Anna on a sunny day.

Mine is consistently 1-1.2 mpg optimistic compared to filling up and the math.

 

[Titanrx8]

@DanLee question about your camper. Can you setup solo? I could probably live with a pop-up if it doesn't require 2 people to setup.

 

[The Retired Viking]

Mine is consistently 1-1.2 mpg optimistic compared to filling up and the math.

Just like my Ram.

 

[DanLee]

@DanLee question about your camper. Can you setup solo? I could probably live with a pop-up if it doesn't require 2 people to setup.

The Aliner is easily set up by one person in less than five minutes. Unhook, level with tongue jack, deploy stabilizers, undo the two catches, push up on roof until it locks into place, open door, lift right wall and latch into place, do same with left wall, and you're done. If you have dormers, that's an additional two steps. Check You Tube for videos showing how easy it is.

We had a Coleman popup for 30 years which took more effort than the Aliner. It was a great little camper that we used all over the country, but when we hit our 70s we decided to give it to our daughter and look at something else. We thought we would go with a Scamp or similar, but once we saw how easily the Aliner set up, we went for it. We prefer one with dormers because it gives much better air flow than the ones with bubble windows, plus I'm a bit tall and prone to whacking my head on things. The dormers add headroom over the bed and the dining table, just where I need it.

The fact that it folds down for travel definitely helps with gas mileage. Weight of our model is around 1,800 lbs, give or take. The Ascent hardly knows it's there.

 

[Robert.Mauro]

A question for you, and also for other Ascent owners: how close is the mileage computer compared to pencil-and-paper calculations? I have had GM products that came within 1/2 mile per gallon, an MoPars where - let's just say the computer was as optimistic as Polly Anna on a sunny day.

Mine was usually no more than half a mile per gallon off. But, I think it's largely dependent on the type of driving. Regardless, it's usually pretty close.

 

[Ken Myers]

I've alway kept record of my actual gas milage, and the car's estimate is usually higher by 1/2 to 1 mile per gallon.

Ascent MPG

 

[Jim_in_PA]

A question for you, and also for other Ascent owners: how close is the mileage computer compared to pencil-and-paper calculations?

Like ANY vehicle with a similar computer, it can vary from vehicle to vehicle even of the same model. Some folks get very optimistic numbers on the computer; some get relatively accurate; and a very few get less on the computer than actual. Many variables. But in general, the numbers are more typically optimistic than not.

 

[The Retired Viking]

I've alway kept record of my actual gas milage, and the car's estimate is usually higher by 1/2 to 1 mile per gallon.

Ascent MPG

I keep an extensive log of my fuel fillups and computer vs pencil and paper. When I have an engine hours meter available, I note that as well, so I can even see my vehicle lifetime average speed. Yes, I am a bit of a nut on this stuff, and also enjoy working with spreadsheets.

 

[AgentK]

That’s about what I get unloaded.

 

[Cosmo]

A question for you, and also for other Ascent owners: how close is the mileage computer compared to pencil-and-paper calculations? I have had GM products that came within 1/2 mile per gallon, an MoPars where - let's just say the computer was as optimistic as Polly Anna on a sunny day.

Mine was .2 MPG off. I checked it several times and it was always the same.

 

[DanLee]

After a couple days of in-town driving (without the camper attached) I filled the tank at 344.6 miles. It took 16.1 gallons. Calculator says I managed to eke out 21.4 miles per gallon. Not too bad with hauling just under an extra ton.

 

[sbach9]

I just had the recall re-calibration done on mine and I'm not sure if I'm just seeing what I want to see or if it's truth but I feel like I'm getting way better gas mileage when towing compared to previous trips in the spring. I remember camping out at a spot about a 1.5hrs away through some good hills and using almost a half a tank. This trip I used barely over a 1/4 tank. I also think I've gotten a lot more conservative on my driving habits when towing so that also helps. It's amazing how as others have posted that going even 5mph slower equals huge mpg savings.

 

[DanLee]

This trip was mostly on flat ground on older divided highways with a 60 MPH speed limit. Even on interstate highways I don't exceed 65 MPH because of the speed rating on our trailer's tires. I just stay in the right lane and plod along.

 

[jbpouns]

That's awesome. On my 2020 Touring I get about 11-12 mpg with my 3,250lb Escape 19' trailer. I drive ~ 60-65mph when towing. I also use a Thule rooftop carrier on the Ascent too, which probably creates some drag.

 

[DanLee]

Update on towing and gas mileage. While our last trip involved flat ground, this one took us into the mountains with some steep and twisty roads. This time we got 17 mpg over a 160 mile trip. Not terrible.