| Author | Message | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 61 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
Not that I want to depress anyone but... geez. I went to Chevron tonight, filled the car up with gas and noticed the price of diesel. 3.51 I was watching a program the other night that said that fuel prices where supposed to level out or possibly even drop for a bit [?] I'm hoping that - A.] Everyone and their dog spot now is going to run out and by hybrid cars and the price of diesel will drop soon. B.] Someone will finally come up with a fairly simple gadget that can be applied to a bus (although I'm not holding my breathe yet) that can efficiently process waste oil. Like a kit they already have on diesel cars. I have never yet [actually seen] a old detroit run on WVO. Not too sure it can handle it without some modification. (not going to start that up.) Anyway. Just whining. Just glad I guess we are not in Norway. [except my medical would be excellent and I could walk everywhere instead in the freezing cold.] (Message edited by design dog on December 04, 2007) | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 62 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
forgot to add my cheesy photos. >>   | ||
| Doyle Gaither (Texasborderdude)
Registered Member Username: Texasborderdude Post Number: 106 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 75.200.71.35 Rating: N/A |
It was $3.51 in Chicago a month ago... it's probably $3.85 there now! At nearly 25 tons, my rig is over 3 times as efficient as a Honda Fit that weighs 2,500lbs and gets 34 mpg. (tons per mile)! dg | ||
| FAST FRED (Fast_fred)
Registered Member Username: Fast_fred Post Number: 112 Registered: 10-2006 Posted From: 66.90.229.166 Rating: N/A |
my rig is over 3 times as efficient as a Honda Fit that weighs 2,500lbs and gets 34 mpg. (tons per mile)! You should have kept the SEATS , dollar cost per seat mile is fantastic! FF | ||
| Austin Scott Davis (Zimtok)
Registered Member Username: Zimtok Post Number: 197 Registered: 9-2006 Posted From: 216.37.73.226 Rating: N/A |
Around here it is just peaking at $3.50, I stop at a little out of the way place every friday and payed $3.41 last week. I drive the bus to work every friday and usually put around 60 gal in to top it off. What I don't like are the places that have a cap of $50-$75 on the pump. I don't mind paying a couple cents more if I don't have to restart the pump seeral times to fill the bus up. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 192 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 72.12.39.78 Rating: N/A |
FF wrote "You should have kept the SEATS, dollar cost per seat mile is fantastic! " __. I get about 12 MPG (4-stroke) and my bus was made to carry 99 people so if I'd kept the seats, I'd be smiling. __. But actually there will only be "good" seating (and sleeping accommodation) for me and "The Management" (she's kinda worried that the bus will be party central for me and my friends and that there won't be much peace and quite or privacy for her -- I'm making it so that there won't be much space for "visitors". We don't have kids or grandkids, so that's not an issue for us.) __. Here in NC we've been seeing $3.40's for diesel, with $3.22 at duh Wawmott -- not sure if there's a minimum purchase in the store to qualify for that price. | ||
| Larry Baird (Airhog)
Registered Member Username: Airhog Post Number: 135 Registered: 1-2001 Posted From: 71.9.81.46 Rating: N/A |
$4.17 in Santa Ana, CA. | ||
| Ed Jewett (Kristinsgrandpa)
Registered Member Username: Kristinsgrandpa Post Number: 352 Registered: 2-2003 Posted From: 64.24.208.193 Rating: N/A |
I wish Krogers sold diesel. I went to the mall with my daughter, grandaughter and son-in-law on Sat. and stopped at Krogers on the way home for fuel. My daughter filled up with reg. gas and the pump price was $2.89 9/10. Everyone else is at $3.19 9/10. Ed | ||
| Brian Elfert (Belfert)
Registered Member Username: Belfert Post Number: 47 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 132.148.80.215 Rating: N/A |
Simon has it lucky with diesel prices versus gas. Here in Minnesota we are at the same $3.51 for diesel, but gas is at $2.79 most places. My car is diesel and the extra 65 cents a gallon for diesel really irks me. I can afford the fuel, but the price per mile is now probably more than a gasoline vehicle. I'm starting to seriously consider getting a high MPG gasoline vehicle and getting rid of my VW Golf diesel. I have recently gotten as low as 32 MPG down from 38 to 40 MPG during the first three years. The VW diesels are selling for a pretty penny on the used market right now. | ||
| Chuck Newman (Chuck_newman)
Registered Member Username: Chuck_newman Post Number: 245 Registered: 1-2005 Posted From: 63.145.177.245 Rating: N/A |
Bus 11 MPG, Van (gas) 18 MPG, Harley 45 MPG. I recently made up a cost comparison of retiring and fulltiming vs staying where we are. Using today's actual costs for us except fuel, I figured that at $5.00/Gal (10K bus miles/yr) diesel, gas, and propane; it will be 15% less costly for us on the road. If fuel prices get to that, then I expect reduced rates at RV parks since they will be mostly empty. | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 63 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
Brian. My car is gas (actually simple toyota 4 cyl.) and still at 3.29 I'm whining. But your right. That's what I didn't get - and what threw me so much... The difference in price between gas 3.29 and diesel out here. 3.51. Usually diesel is just 5-10cents more. But wondering why now it's such a difference in price, never was before. Not too many happy truckers right now. I found this interesting link on the internet that broke down ratio per barrel. Brian, not sure what diesel car you have, but if I had an old VW diesel rabbit I would definitely put a waste oil kit on it. Be nice to go on a long trip with one. Be even greater if it was a VW diesel truck or cummins truck. I would love to be able to drive distance and pick stuff up. But I do admit sometimes I get lazy and going to the pump and swiping the card is pretty convenient. 2.79 for gas is great out there in Minnesota. I hate to admit it. But the neighbor next door had a super clean Geo Metro for sale (cheap.) Actually, I hate those cars. Too small. Probably rattles apart when you hit 50 mph. But, honestly, from what I can tell, unless I'm swayed. if I ever do pull a car with the bus, it will probably be a little toy car like that. Light to tow, short, and gets like 40-50mpg. I wish the 2 stroke three wheeled cars like they have in Europe where more popular out here. Those are fun to drive although they could use a few airbags. [Which actually brings up a great question - Has anyone ever towed a Hybrid car yet??? Not even sure if you can. Someone has I am sure but hybrids are still overpriced. I saw a 8 cycl. toyota hybrid truck coming out. When you need towing power the electric kicks in for fuel economy. Won't be long before they transfer all that into a bus. ( probably have already somewhere. looks like past news. new flyer has one. So does Gillig. Orion has one, which now owned by Chrysler. One can only hope that years down the road these will eventually be cheap enough to be privately owned at some point. As far as build quality [?] If you ever get to some of the specs, the batteries are on the roof.) I never knew it before but I found the actual page for Flying J diesel prices in each state. flying J prices flying J locations In reference to my question as to why gas is so different in price to diesel. I found this article at USA Today, you might want to read - Lastly. I wanted to post a link to a great article that someone sent me recently. It really has to do with full-timing, but I thought it was a good read with a great perspective. Saving the Earth at 8 mpg. Ironically, ever since I stopped doing the corporate grind over the hill, I laughed recently with my insurance agent not long ago. I told him they are doing o.k. by me. I realized I probably drive less now in my life than I have ever before. I'm like an old lady in Pasadena. Hopefully, when I get my bus on the road from improvements (somewhere in the not so far far off distant future I hope; based on the structural integrity, my air leak, a new floor, sealing up the firewall, new front windows, a toilet and a little fresh water, and, of course, not hitting the house (again!)on the way out the driveway.) -- Somehow I can make up for it by pumping a little low sulfur diesel. Now matter what the cost at that point -- I'll still be smiling. | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 64 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
Chuck. Good point. [If fuel prices get to that, then I expect reduced rates at RV parks since they will be mostly empty.] Never thought of that. [it will be 15% less costly for us on the road.] I agree. Take a look at that article I posted about. Saving the Earth at 8 mpg. Larry. [$4.17 in Santa Ana, CA.] is insane. Fred. [You should have kept the SEATS , dollar cost per seat mile is fantastic!] funny. It's true. I see a lot of guys out here buy up old MCI's and seems they are doing short run charter business where the MTA runs short. Not sure if they are making a big profit but... Wish a few times I could have the seats and fill them up and run a few folks around a trip or two. Like maybe a bachelorette party to Vegas. (sure that will be the day.) Too late now. Besides, my insurance co. wouldn't be too happy. Guess they are all family right? Zimtok. Last time I checked, when I went to mix up the fuel tank, the pump out here had a cap shut down at $200 to prevent credit card fraud. $50 is crazy. (Message edited by design_dog on December 04, 2007) | ||
| Jerry Campbell (Jerrync)
Registered Member Username: Jerrync Post Number: 106 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.181.119.118 Rating: N/A |
As far as getting gas milage in a car most of the time there is only one person in it. My self that is me most of the time. My truck is a 04 that I use for sales calls in 4 countys around the lake The best I can look for is 20mpg. So I have been looking for a car that will get better then 40 mpg. The list is very short. BUT I have found a neet little car for two it is called Tango Trike (http://http://www.tangotrikes.com/about-tango-trikes-cars.php) it looks could look better but at 65 mpg it looks better. I am gooding to drive at the end of the month. I have sat in the car(bike) with the little engin but I didn't drive it because it is to slow. this will run 60. What do you think (Message edited by Jerry@nc on December 04, 2007) | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 194 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 72.12.39.78 Rating: N/A |
__. Jerry, I had a VW Jetta diesel sedan ('02 MY) that averaged 57 MPG over the 130K miles that I owned it (it was totalled by a drunk driver so I bought an '03 Jetta wagon) and I was consistently getting 62 MPG/950 miles per 15 gallon tank after it was "broken in". I haven't dialed the new one in so it only gets about 55 MPG best. __. The new body style has a more powerful engine and a heavier body - both make the new car less fuel efficient. | ||
| Paul Lawry (Dreamscape)
Registered Member Username: Dreamscape Post Number: 185 Registered: 5-2007 Posted From: 64.40.222.139 Rating: N/A |
Diesel 3.29 per gal. regular gas 2.92 per gal. here in Abilene TX. Glad we don't live in SoCal anymore, I remember those prices from last December when I filled the bus up heading to TX. It was close to 4 bucks then. Whew! I remember when reg. gas was 20 cents and diesel was around 15 cents. Long long time ago. | ||
| William D. Watkins (Sivrtnge2)
Registered Member Username: Sivrtnge2 Post Number: 147 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.11.181.47 Rating: N/A |
Here jus so you will have it for future use all the majors on diesel and gas!!! PETRO: http://www.petrotruckstops.com/fuel_search.sstg?interstate=&state=&Submit=Submit&search_fo rm=1&sort= LOVES: http://www.loves.com/Default.aspx?tabid=57&ST=QWxs-jX0L4QmieS0%3d TA: http://www.tatravelcenters.com/taweb/home.aspx SAP BROS: http://www.sappbrostruckstops.com/ FLYING J: http://www.flyingj.com/fuel/index.html PILOT: http://www.pilotcorp.com/Locations/Travel_Centers/Complete_Pricing_List.aspx RIP GRIFFIN: http://www.ripgriffin.com/ SPEEWAY: http://www.speedway.com/ If a "fella/fellher" put this stuff in "his/her" favorites, it would be a great tool to have in planning trips!!! -- BILL | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 67 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
Jerry. Me and the misses love that little car. the Tango trike Actually I think it looks great. Not too sure how it holds up engine wise but not a bad looking thing. What impressed me was the chassis. I don't know how congested it gets near you or how much you have to get around but -- that thing would be great for local runs to the store, etc. Wonder how it would tow or fit on a bus. Kinda almost like a adult version of a big wheel or a chain saw motor with wheels - but sure looks great. 65mpg aint bad. I would be sold hands down if it came with a Honda motor (like from a gen or bike) and a tow bar carrier for the bus. Almost makes you want to order a kit and build one. William thanks for the great list. | ||
| William D. Watkins (Sivrtnge2)
Registered Member Username: Sivrtnge2 Post Number: 148 Registered: 11-2006 Posted From: 70.11.170.45 Rating: N/A |
Just trying to help "MY FELLOW BUSNUTS"!!! -- BILL | ||
| Jerry Campbell (Jerrync)
Registered Member Username: Jerrync Post Number: 107 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 75.181.119.118 Rating: N/A |
Why build a kit the car bike is only 7000. to start you are right on the eng. They are looking at a 250 cc. I hope with a well know eng. They are also building a tow bar. to pull from the back they do have to work out the wheel lock.I will let you know in Jan how much fun it is. Bil thank you for the list. | ||
| john w. roan (Chessie4905)
Registered Member Username: Chessie4905 Post Number: 768 Registered: 10-2003 Posted From: 71.58.48.5 Rating: N/A |
If you think fuel is expensive ; ask FAST FRED to tell us about the costs of running many boats and what their fuel use is. Don't let it get you down. At least it is not a horse that you must feed, even if you don't use it. Of course, you could at least eat it.When you get depressed about this... think about the ones that bought a new 400 thou SandS that is setting and depreciating. OWWWW!!! See don't you feel better now? If not, let's get together with John MC9 and drown our sorrows with some beer. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 551 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.103.92 Rating: N/A |
HAAA(hic)AAR ! | ||
| David Lower (Dave_l)
Registered Member Username: Dave_l Post Number: 5 Registered: 11-2007 Posted From: 209.29.108.155 Rating: N/A |
Here just south of Ottawa $4.00 a gallon for diesel and about $3.60 a gallon for regular. | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 552 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.67 Rating: N/A |
Travel is one thing, but staying home can be as bad.... This is why I don't miss Massachusetts: Fuel oil Prices We used a 250g tank every three weeks during winter! Florida? We don't use a drop! | ||
| John MC9 (John_mc9)
Registered Member Username: John_mc9 Post Number: 553 Registered: 7-2006 Posted From: 66.217.105.67 Rating: N/A |
Ok, so here's what I'm thinking.... I know this may sound crazy at first, but.... I've been working on this invention... It's like a big sling-shot that fits in your driveway.... You back the car in, against the spring, pulling it back as far as it will go, into your garage.... Fully loaded, it awaits your next departure command, given by a remote control device that also controls your garage door. You want to go out; you've planned your trip, and you are in neutral, and hands on the wheel.... You click the remote.... The garage door goes up, and WHAM --->. You are propelled out the driveway and into the roadway at about 95mph, eventually slowing to around 15mph at your point of destination five miles away! Just enough speed to diagonally park the car in an appreciable way. Now, barring some idiot butt-head that may not move fast enough at that blasted traffic light at WalMart, all things should work fine. I plan to market this for around 2,397.95. (You'll save ten times that, in gas!) BUT WAIT... There's more! We're throwing in a complete set of the 2007 legal library volumes dealing with vehicular homicide, and one "get out of jail free" card, with every purchase! (Shipped in time for Christmas, of course) | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 69 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
John. You had me all the way up to the library volumes of vehicular homicide. Heck, I was ready to buy. I even figured I would suggest or was willing to somehow work in pedel power or something like the Flintstone's as a backup to compensate for the idiot at Wal-Mart on the last .3 miles. [wait a minute...] How do I get back? Wait. Was that you? Didn't you have some other idea about runnin something on cooked mashed potatoes?? Got a few bugs to work out maybe. but looks like it'll be ready Just in time for Holiday shopping. [Thanks. Got a good laugh out of me.] | ||
| Rod Bourland (Roddymc8)
Registered Member Username: Roddymc8 Post Number: 10 Registered: 8-2007 Posted From: 24.20.217.157 Rating: N/A |
John, thanks alot! Now I have to clean up all that danged coffee I blew out my nose...I'm put'n on brakes, so I needed a laugh...thanks | ||
| Simon Ayriss (Design_dog)
Registered Member Username: Design_dog Post Number: 76 Registered: 3-2007 Posted From: 69.227.189.77 Rating: N/A |
I don't usually go back and post add ons to old posts but a funny thing happened the other day... Somehow I ran across across a copy of a January 2008 Popular Mechanics. On the front cover is a lead in to quite an interesting story. It's a short read. Maybe you can read it at a newsstand. Get this. The title at the top reads: "New Diesels Blow Away Hybrids" - What? new diesels blow away hybrids?? How could that be? Well if you turn to page 70 you can find out. Let me just say, to put it lightly... According to this article ... The diesel engine is going to make a come back in a BIG way! (yeah. Sure. right.) Well how about this. Audi. BMW. Cadillac. Honda and Saturn are ALL coming out with diesel models of new cars in 2008. Yep. 2008. (not a coincidence all these guys are coming out with a diesel after many years - all at the same time.) Why? Well one of the reasons I was getting at in the beginning of this post. Why is the diesel so much higher than gas??? the new Low Sulfur Fuel requirements. Engineers have redesigned new technology diesels and used that in combination along with the New low sulfur fuel to ... get this... Come up with a Honda Accord that put out LESS emissions than a Hybrid and - Does... Get this --- 75mph!! [no kidding. read about it in the Popular Mechanics article.] Oddly enough. In correlation to all this, you can even go back to an old thread from this board regarding low sulfur fuel back in 2000. Diesel Fuel News FLASH This is why this board is so great. As of this day of posting, The same gas station that I posted at $3.51 per gallon has gone down to $3.29 - So diesel has gone back down. The question is: And it's a good one. If diesel engines are making a come back, what does this actually mean over the next 5 years to the price of diesel?? It's stated that if 33% of Americans switched to diesel then that would reduce overall oil consumption by 1.5 million barrels a day. As much as I hate to put a twist of everything, and although I don't want to bring it up. But with no decline of the diesel engine soon, it looks like the whole issue of biodiesel and even making alternative diesel from waste oil, isn't going away either. It should be very interesting to find out what direction the actual price of diesel will go, and in fact be, in 5 years. Also, over time, if low sulfur diesel is used, just exactly what effect, if any, it will have over old engines like Detroit's and the like. | ||
| Bruce Henderson (Oonrahnjay)
Registered Member Username: Oonrahnjay Post Number: 207 Registered: 8-2004 Posted From: 69.143.60.204 Rating: N/A |
Simon, I've driven diesel cars over the past 5 years. Every year, diesel goes up in the late autumn/early winter and falls later. I drive from NC up to the Northern VA area often - on my last fillup, diesel (at the big truckstop) was less than Premium Gas and only about 17 cents more than Regular Gas (diesel was $3.07). Across the border in NC, price was 30 cents higher for both fuels. For 8 months this year, diesel was less than regular (where I usually am). For those of us who are looking at gas/ versus diesel, it all evens out. The big problem is the International situation (and the Silent Killer -- the speculators who bet of futures and drive the price up) and the price per barrel. It's unheard of for diesel to drop before Christmas but I've seen a 20-25 cent drop this year. The weather-guessers are calling for a "La Ni~na" winter, which should mean warmer temps, in the Middle Atlantic states and Home-Heating-Oil/Diesel futures have been falling. __. But what means the most for bus owners is the price of diesel. Here, the big thing is the International situation (China/ India/ other places buying up oil) and to some extent the war/instability in the Middle East. This is going to keep prices high for the short and mid-term. If we're gonna play, we're gonna pay! | ||
| Mitch Wright (Gyrocrasher)
Registered Member Username: Gyrocrasher Post Number: 12 Registered: 5-2006 Posted From: 68.102.119.87 Rating: N/A |
That $3.51 is looking pretty good now! |