Diesel is killing us!

[doombuqqy]

Slowing down does make sense. Our RV dealer drives the same MH we do and he has told us they stay between 55-65 and get much better fuel mileage. I have attempted to try this theory several time but I get so excited I just want to get there. We will definately start slowing down with the fuel prices the way they are even if it cost me a few extra hours at FW. I am the one who does the trip budget and I get nervous about the fuel prices and my DH is the logical one who says " Brenda it's only gonna add about $75 dollars to your budget" That is why I love him. We only live 400 miles away from Mickey's house so that is not to bad.

 

[CCIntrigue]

Slowing down with a diesel will save on milage too. On our April trip we saw as much as 2 miles/gallon difference between 55 mph and 65 mph. When we slowed to 55 mph, we got a little over 12 mpg.

That's good mileage! With our F350 towing an Airstream, we only got 8-9 mpg. With the moho we can get 10 if we stay around 60.

 

[dtum]

We got 13-14 MPH last trip including the mountains of WV and VA on 77S, but our 5er is smaller than some tow.

 

[Teamubr]

Slowing down does help. It's only about 1 mpg for me dropping from 70 (the speed limit in most of the states I go through) to 60. Anything less than 60 in the midwest and you are a moving chicane= hazzard.

Then I start thinking like DoomBuggy and start doing the math in my head.

For my 1000 mile round trip- At 70 I'll get 10 mpg = 100 gallons.
At 60 I'll get 11 mpg - 91 gallons and it will take 2 1/2 hours longer.
Fuel savings is 9 gallons @ $4.10 = $37

$37.00 / 2.4 hours = $15.38/hr... My time is more valuable than that.

BESIDES we are going to DISNEY!!

j

 

[genealle]

Hey from outisde STL ourselves....

I drive a Ford PS... filled up the other day it was $125..

We have never driven to WDW... so its 1000 miles? How long does that take?

SWA for the 4 of us is currently $1400 or a little less...

We're in STL. Miles computes to 16 hours, but it takes us 18 straight through, 20 if we dawdle. We like to stop in Mobile/Pensacola for sight-seeing when possible on the Southern route. Love the battleship Alabama and the Naval Air Museum is tops! Alabama has free dog kennels. Good if the weather is nice.

 

[starlionblue]

Slowing down does make sense. Our RV dealer drives the same MH we do and he has told us they stay between 55-65 and get much better fuel mileage. I have attempted to try this theory several time but I get so excited I just want to get there.

Solution: find the "slowest" member of the family and have that person drive! You still have to drive there so you have nothing to lose. Me? If I was behind the wheel, I think you'd have to bring a baseball bat to whack me with every five minutes when the family starts chanting "Are we almost there? Are we?" But then, I'd be saving you a few gallons too! PS: the old suggestion "start moving slowly" really is true. Most people burn up a ton of their gas making rocket starts at traffic lights.

 

[rock_doctor]

Solution: find the "slowest" member of the family and have that person drive!

Doesn't work... That would be my 80 yr old mom. Seasons change in the time it takes her to get the mail. But behind the wheel she is Mario Andriette!!! Seriously, for some reason she thinks the fast lane is a challenge she must meet... Up side, we get to Disney MUCH faster then if i drive.

The cost of fuel is a cost you must bear. Just go on your trips and be resolved it is just going to cost more this year then last. And more next year then this years, and so on, and so on, and so on, and so on.....

 

[GoNfast38]

We are heading down in October for our first trip. Pulling a 31ft TT with the Duramax. As long as I keep it in the sweet spot, 1600 to 1800 rpm, we get about 12.5 mpg. From central IL to FW is 1050 miles. I figured 200 gallons of fuel and $1000 budget. What the heck, its only money.. LOL

 

[Born 2 Fish]

Doesn't work... That would be my 80 yr old mom. Seasons change in the time it takes her to get the mail. But behind the wheel she is Mario Andriette!!! Seriously, for some reason she thinks the fast lane is a challenge she must meet... Up side, we get to Disney MUCH faster then if i drive.

Obviously mom doesn't live in middle TN.
People here think the challenge of the fast lane is to ride even with the rear bumper of the car in the next lane.


and they are pretty successful at it too.

 

[Teamubr]

People here think the challenge of the fast lane is to ride even with the rear bumper of the car in the next lane

That's drafting! And it does save fuel!

 

[GoNfast38]

Team, that is side drafting and all that does is slow you down and cost fuel. Ya gotta line up those bumpers.... And if your not scared(just a little bit), your not going as fast as you could be.

 

[Teamubr]

Team, that is side drafting and all that does is slow you down and cost fuel. Ya gotta line up those bumpers.... And if your not scared(just a little bit), your not going as fast as you could be.

I obviously mis-read the "next lane" part and thought he meant the rear bumper of the car in front of you.

Hey GoNFast,

I just drove right past you this weekend. We started our season racing in Chicago. The "if you're not scarred" comment applied this weekend. Saturday was 40 degrees, windy and raining. Yes, we race in the rain, at 100+ mph with no wipers or defrosters. Makes for an enteresting time. Front end washes out in a corner so you give it gas to get the rear to rotate and the next thing you know, you're in a 4 wheel drift, not going where you want. Sunday was only slightly better. No rain, but still cold and windy.

Welcome to the Camping (and some time racing) DIS Boards. It's good to see someone else from IL.

j

 

[mikmouse]

Team, that is side drafting and all that does is slow you down and cost fuel. Ya gotta line up those bumpers.... And if your not scared(just a little bit), your not going as fast as you could be.

We should take lessons from JJ and DEJ

 

[rock_doctor]

Team, that is side drafting and all that does is slow you down and cost fuel. Ya gotta line up those bumpers.... And if your not scared(just a little bit), your not going as fast as you could be.

Didn't i see this in an episode of The Dukes of Hazard?

 

[Teamubr]

We should take lessons from JJ and DEJ

Na! Those babies won't race in the rain. Where's the fun in that?

j

 

[GoNfast38]

Don't mean to hijack the thread, but TEAM, what do ya race? I am assuming some type of sportscar racing? I am retired from racing (retired=ran out of money). I used to race UMP modifieds and Outlaw Winged Sprints. Nothing like 800HP, <1200#car with direct drive in the dirt.. Yeee Ha.

 

[Teamubr]

GoNFast- I'll keep it it short so we don't highjack. Also sent you a PM.

Yes, sportscars (Mustangs) with NASA (like SCCA only better organized) in a series called American Iron.

And I crewed on a UMP latemodel for 10 years. Team I worked for now has Dick Taylor from Springfield as their driver.

j

 

[Barney Fife]

Back to the original point of the thread....

Let's all put this into perspective. If you're going for a long weekend, I guess this would make sense to cancel a trip. But not too many of us do the three day Fort trip from Garner or anywhere else much outside of Fla..

We've been to the Fort twice: once in 2006 and once in 2008. Both times took about $450 in fuel round trip. Fuel was an estimated $2.50 to $3.00/gallon for diesel. Now its just over $4.00 and lets just say $4.50 when you head to the Fort. That means I'll have to pay (estimated off my previous trips) approximately $700-$800 in fuel.

Wow that seems like a lot. BUT, I have several months to save up for the extra expense. Not doing a Hoop-de-Doo revue or a couple of table service meals covers that as well.

Do what you feel is right. But remember, its not an extra $800. If it were me, it would be an extra $350. I was already going to have to pay the $450 anyway.

 

[cm8]

I was committed once.

I escaped,,they still haven't found me,

, I'm going to send them to you at the "fort" now, you better get running

 

[GoNfast38]

My thoughts, just pay the man and smile while your having fun.

I have a feeling the prices will correct themselves by October anyway.