suggestions to help beat the gas price crisis.

[LONE-STAR]

well a motorcycle camper could be pulled easily by a cart.....kinda hard to charge one on the road though...maybe yours is gas???

Since I could not find a diesel. Yes mine is gas.

I run 265's on mine now. I'm curious to see if there's any difference when I'm pulling the camper at 55/60 compared to 70.

My old ford with the 7.3 in it speed never made a difference with the mpg while towing. However in my 6.0 slowing down makes a big difference. I don't know about our dodge because I never slow down in it. Never had a GM diesel.

 

[Mike Whitehead]

They are correct in the fashion that you are using it, for comparative purposes. That truck will get the most mileage below 2000 RPM. I can get a few more MPH out of mine and still keep it below 2000 since I run the 285 tires and have the speedo corrected for it. This lowers my gear ratio compared to a truck with the 245's. I get hammered up here in the winter because the winter blend has more Kerosene in it that straight #2 diesel, Kero has less energy but makes the fuel less likely to gel when it gets below freezing. Most people up here that run Bio also have to treat the fuel in the winter to prevent gelling.
2 guys I know are running theirs ( a Dodge cummins 5.9 B series and a 7.3 powerstroke) on cleaned vegetable oil, they have a trailer set up to pump the oil from the restaraunt and filter it. The Dodge smells like a french fry when running on it ..... no kidding.

I am a PDM (Instructor) for International Truck and Engine (Navistar Inc.). I will tell you two things. DPF's do not like Kerosene, sulfur content is to high adding to particulate matter. You will find your # 1 diesel will has different blending for winter since jun 07. But you are right it still seem to run through the motors like water. Two, Bio in a big no no. Keep it out of you Bosch Common Rail system fuel system. We will only allow B5 nothing more. I can give TSI letter after TSI letter warning of the use of it.

Let me give you Diesel guys another heads up on the new fuels. They are using salts to scrub out the sulfur, they have found it also helps reduce particulates when burned. So they are leaving it in the fuels. If you have steel or aluminum tanks you will need to clean them yearly. We are also recomending intalling a Primary filter to help catch some of it befor it makes it way in to your fuel system. The salts and lack of sulfur also promote the growth of micro organisms so dont leave this in the tanks long.

 

[TheFlame]

Huh? What does alcohol and tobacco consumption have to do with the rising gas prices? Color me lost!

I think if you read the WHOLE post you will see that jugman is referring to people complaining about the prices affecting their pocketbook for something that is a necessity(even though we would like for it not to be) and continuing to indulge in things that are killing them and destroying their body. In other words-things that they don't need. If the prices are REALLY hurting you, then you will cut back on NON-essentials! I have known people addicted and I am NOT saying it would be easy to just quit, it would just be smart!

I am sure there will be responses in defense of the cancer stick and beloved bottle....I just can't relate and I am very glad of it!

 

[WeCampDisney]

Now, my second suggestion for coping with high fuel prices. Get someone to help you pay for gas. Since up to 10 people can camp at one site, try to take advantage by bringing anouther family or couple. Say they drive their own car and join you. Add the cost of fuel for your rv or tow vehicle, fuel for their car, camp site fee, golf cart rental and anything else substantial which is shared by all in the group. Then each family pays for half of this total. Or if one family is a lot bigger than the other, devide the total cost by the total number of people and a per person cost can be paid. The girls sleep in the rv, and the guys in a nice large cabin tent. With cots or air beds, electric lights, fans or heater, a small lcd tv, a cabin style tent can be very comfortable and fun. Think about it, if you have friends or relatives that would be fun to be with at WDW, sharing your rv and campsite could be a whloe lot of fun. And it is only fair that they help pay for your rv gas even if they drive their own car, they will be using the rv just like you will. Even helping with the rv fuel cost, the campsite, the golf cart, they are getting a great WDW-Fort Wilderness vacation for a great bargan. They don't have to buy or maintain an rv. I am really excited because we are doing this very thing. our daughter and her husband and their baby are coming with the wife and I. We will all ride in the excursion. The girls will sleep in the trailer and us guys and the dogs in my 10x14 cabin tent. This will be the first year that they will be paying for half of everything! This will make our vacation very afordable and we can do it every year now. Paying for only half of the gas, I am not concerned about the rising gas prices. Of couse this is a natural fit for us, our dau and son-in-law are also our best friends. If my wife and I had to pay for everything ourselves, we probably couldn't go to the Fort every year.

 

[BigDaddyRog]

...our dau and son-in-law are also our best friends. ....

What a great thing to be able to say!!! I hope I can repeat that sentence some day!!!

 

[bigdisneydaddy]

I am a PDM (Instructor) for International Truck and Engine (Navistar Inc.). I will tell you two things. DPF's do not like Kerosene, sulfur content is to high adding to particulate matter. You will find your # 1 diesel will has different blending for winter since jun 07. But you are right it still seem to run through the motors like water. Two, Bio in a big no no. Keep it out of you Bosch Common Rail system fuel system. We will only allow B5 nothing more. I can give TSI letter after TSI letter warning of the use of it.

Let me give you Diesel guys another heads up on the new fuels. They are using salts to scrub out the sulfur, they have found it also helps reduce particulates when burned. So they are leaving it in the fuels. If you have steel or aluminum tanks you will need to clean them yearly. We are also recomending intalling a Primary filter to help catch some of it befor it makes it way in to your fuel system. The salts and lack of sulfur also promote the growth of micro organisms so dont leave this in the tanks long.

Thanks for the heads up on the fuel. I read everything I can get on fuel and its impact on diesels. Right now I dont run any Bio since its not available where I live, IIRC the last bulletin I saw from GM said B20 was the limit on their Duramax. Thankfully mine is on 05 and doesnt have a DPF system.

Unfortunately we dont have any new trucks in process, right now, at work. With budget problems we are unable to rotate our fleet the way we used to, for now at least we are able to keep them on a solid maintenance schedule but who knows what is coming. I used to make 2 or 3 trips a year for pre build and delivery inspections on new units, I havent been anywhere in almost 2 years and my bags are still unpacked.

Thanks again
Scott

 

[77ed]

What is an HHR? I'm seriously thinking of getting a VW Wagon. They get around 45 mpg from what I'm seeing. 90% of the time I could use it because my equipment will fit if the back seat is down. I hear they're expensive to repair though so that scares me. Another thing I thought of was to put the device in that changes the gear ratio in from 3:73 to 3:55. Kinda like the old 2 speed rear ends that were in the F-600 type trucks. Obviously the modern version of course. A friend of mine just got the new 6 speed Allison and he claims empty he's getting around 23/24 on the highway doing 70.

I have been a VW mechanic for almost 20 years. The really big thing with the TDI is when the pump goes out nobody has the equipment to rebuild them. Dealer wants big $$$ . Change the timming belt, all the idlers and water pump at 60K. Besides that they offer good power, low noise and good mileage. I drive an old school Jetta diesel now. I'm getting 40mpg. Gatta love all the vibrations.

 

[BLUEEYEDGIRL]

I don't smoke or drink...still complaining and I'm STILL complaining about the gas prices!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

i don't think jugman was talking to you personally, especially since you said you don't smoke or drink, so why get defensive!!!!???? he IS right. it's kind of stupid for people to complain about paying for gas when they could just give up some other things to help out. i used to smoke and now i save so much money!!! drinking is an expensive habit too. since i don't do either of those nasty habits i cut back in other ways. whoever said earlier that they aren't punishing their kids because of the gas prices has the right attitude!!! we're heading to disney in august and are already planning for the gas. it's worth it for the memories! i hope everybody can find a way to go and not let the gas prices keep them at home. it's understandable though.

 

[BLUEEYEDGIRL]

agreeing with ~Kristina~...revolution!!!

 

[magicforever]

We are having a yard sale to compinsate for underbudgeting the cost of the trip this year. Hopefully this way it wont have to come out of savings. We estimate $700 round trip.

 

[RvUsa]

The gas prices aren't affecting me, I drive a diesel. But diesel was $4.69 a gallon today, and that made me have to buy cheap vodka and brandy instead of the good stuff, and that is just not acceptable! If it hits $5 a gallon, I may have to give up cuban cigars and switch to generic stoggies.

 

[mrsangeli]

We are somewhat beating the gas prices by not driving from Wisconsin to Florida with the camper this summer. We have always gone to Fort Wilderness, and this is going to be a cultureshock for us to stay in the resorts.

But, when you get five airline tickets for $180 a head, that pretty much is the cost of gas (and less than the cost of gas and meals or an occasional hotel on the way down and back).

We're going to stay the first night in a Wilderness Cabin and do the Whoop-Dee-Doo Review and the nighttime move, then go over to the All-Star for the rest.

 

[WeCampDisney]

To summarize:

Action = Result

Going slower = Saves Gas
Modifying Engine = Might save gas
Smaller vehicle = Probably saves gas
Not Smoking = Doesn't save gas
Not Drinking = Doesn't save gas

We now return to your regular post, already in progress.

I love it, simple, true, and funny

 

[ntsammy5]

I sense a good trend here. We've gone two whole days without a price increase!!!!! It's only $3.89.! I'm hoping for a third straight day!

 

[ntsammy5]

Back in the early 70s during the first oil crisis, there were tons of suggestions and devices out there to increase gas mileage. Get 10% better mileage by using this or that. I put so many of those things on the car I used to have to siphon gas out of the tank or it overflowed!

Seriously, now there's not so much of that because the computers adjust for almost everything, including dirty air filters. CNN just had some tips, many of which are already on this thread, but here it is anyways:

Gas Saving Tips

 

[BigDaddyRog]

Aww c'mon Flame....its not that you dont drink, we can pick on you for not smoking too!!!

 

[TheFlame]

Aww c'mon Flame....its not that you dont drink, we can pick on you for not smoking too!!!

I did not mention smoking because one of my personalities is trying to quit!

 

[TheFlame]

Sorry OP, this isn't nice. Hope your thread continues, it could be really helpful!

 

[BLUEEYEDGIRL]

We are having a yard sale to compinsate for underbudgeting the cost of the trip this year. Hopefully this way it wont have to come out of savings. We estimate $700 round trip.

that's what we're doing. we did this last year too and made enough to pay for half of our gas. it's great cause you get rid of a lot of junk too.

 

[Rhonda]

Ok - I have cleaned up this thread, but would like to keep it open, since it is a good topic! Please try to keep it on topic, and not resort to attacking each other about drinking, smoking, cats, tigers, ignoring people, or whatever else that does not have to do with saving gas and gas prices.

Thank you!