| Author | Message | ||
| Ron Leiferman (Ron_in_sd)
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I was wondering if any one has changed their habbits due to the high fuel prices. Are people staying in one place longer? Parking the bus? Adding second tank for genset/heater so you can use off road fuel (about $.50/gal cheaper) Driving slower? etc. | ||
| gillig-dan Rating: N/A |
I have been seriously considering making biodiesel out of old fryer oil to run the bus and heat my home. I contemplated using straight waste vegatable oil also but, the biodiesel would be easier to use in a variety of applications. My wife drives 80 miles a day to and from work so, a diesal car is being considered. The only drawbacks I can see to the biodiesel is the cost of methanol to convert the oil and finding the time to build the set-up. It looks like it would only take a few hours a week to produce more than I could use. It would cost about $.70 - .80 / gallon US to produce. I have located a 100 gallon stainless fuel tank ($0.00!) that would fit under the bed. It's tempting install the tank so I have a ready supply of home heating oil to run my propane furnace ;). The fines are pretty hefty if one would get caught diverting fuel to the engine from this spare tank. There were conversations on this board in the past about Biodiesel. It would be interesting to get some follow-up about actual long-term experience from those running it. Gillig-Dan | ||
| captain ron
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I have a friend with a large amount of veg oil she wants to get rid of in wis. free. I quit taking my bus to the grocery store and dairy queen. I still drive it to the bar though. that way I can't get a DUI. officer I'm already home. | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj)
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Yes it does impact my coach useage. Expect the price of #2 diesel to peak at around $3.00 a gallon. Personal prediction. Welcome to Amerika. | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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I'm practiceing driveing by old ladies & stealing thier purse | ||
| John Rigbyj
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I would think it would hit the fixed income retired people hard.They are who I feel bad for. John | ||
| neomax Rating: N/A |
My personal thinking is that if the price of fuel is going to drastically change your useage, get rid of the bus and buy a VW Vanagan. I also expect that we have not seen the peak. I am currently in the middle of a coast to coast trek and getting accustomed to the $225-275 fill ups. It's so ordinary that I'm pleased when it's only $170 or so. Just to think, 5 yrs ago I got dsl in Wyoming for $0.79/gal, now I'm averaging $2.05 so far for 6k miles. | ||
| Tony H. (Bluegrass)
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And just to think that 4 years ago I passed up a station that had fuel for 79 cents a gallon, thought It was to high, WOW was I ever wrong, but that was just before we had a president and vice president that was greedy In the oil Industry. the bad part Is we will have 4 more years of It and there Is nothing that we can do about It looks like we have a whole bunch of people that like what Is going on so someone voted him back In again, what do you call It GLUTEN FOR PUNISHMENT. Tony | ||
| Kevin Allen, Nebus (91flyer)
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Tony, It's not that Bush is liked, it's just that Kerry was disliked more. It really was a decision of the "lesser of two evils". Neither one was really qualified for the job, so... America picked the one that it thought was more qualified... it was so close, I think the results really speak for themselves... Personally, the only time I ever set foot in the voting booth was to vote for Perot. He footed his own bill. He had a vision that would have brought America back to the front of the line in the world... but Americans just didn't see what we could have had... Most of 'em, anyway. But yea.... I see fuel prices soaring this winter. I just hope it doesn't get as bad as England. Just my 2c. -Kevin | ||
| Jim Stewart (H3jim)
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Fuel prices have not changed my driving and coach usage any. I don't drive that much yet as I'm still converting, and will be for a while. Locally, it just doesn't matter that much, the longer trips - my next one is probably to the Grand Canyon for The Gathering, and its not really all that much $. Next trip after that with be from So Cal up to Rickreal Oregon. I have not yet planned a cross country trip, but that will definitely hurt, but I will not curtail my trip plans due to just fuel prices, its the cost of admission. Maybe they will come back down ( crude has drifted a little lower since the election). Costs me $500 to fill, but I can go 1700 miles on it. Yes, even paying $2.00 in August, I found myself going 65 not 70 or 75, but 65 is a really comfortable speed anyway. Probably what we see in Europe is what we are eventually in store for here.. | ||
| busone Rating: N/A |
I figure If I drive my car I will still be spending more on fuel and the motel prices will probably be higher because of higher energy prices. In the end you just cannot escape the high prices, unless you burn veggy oil. | ||
| Tony H. (Bluegrass)
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Kevin Amen to everthing that you have said,I feel the same as you about the election and the people that was elected. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
Blame the politicians? Why not blame those that are soooooo willing to pay more for gas and oil? (The ones that buy SUVs to putz around in?) The fuel companies can charge $5 per gallon, and those that have the bucks will continue to buy it. The price of fuel will decline when we refuse to buy as much of it. No politician, especially the socialistic minded ones, will care how much we buy or spend for fuel. Why? The more we pay per gallon, the more taxes we pay on each gallon.. Electric bills, anything that uses a fuel charge.. all taxed per unit. Sales taxes on merchandise? They raise more in taxes when fuel costs more and raises the price of the merchandise... No-one's just fueling the SUV, they're fueling the tax base. I'm retired. It's killin' my budget. | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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HOW LONG BEFORE MAD MAX REALLY HAPPENS | ||
| Eddie Wegrzyn (Citykid)
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Hi TWODOGS if are practiceing driveing by old ladies & stealing thier purse. Don't come to Buffalo NY and try that we will have to shot you down. Then you will not need a bus because you will be in a hole. | ||
| Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat)
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MAD MAX HAS BEEN HAPPENING FOR MANY YEARS NOW... it's called "Burning Man". The thunderdome is even there and it's as real as it gets. WAAAAAY C@@L !! Check www.burningman.com that's the primary reason I even got a bus and converted it!! And as for the price of diesel? since my doggy old Crown gets 10-11mpg, it'll have to go up one whole lot before I have to pay as much per mile as a lot of you guys!! Hasn't changed my habits a bit. | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
2D, depends on when and how long people think with their intellect rather than emotions. Tony and Kevin have their opinions but nobody can provide actual facts to back up those expressions of emotion. I agree that GWB isn't batting 1000, but he's a heck of alot better than the alternative. About the fuel oil expense. Has anyone thought to look into what's driving the expense, supply of crude or supply of finished product? FWIU, there's plenty of crude, it's a shortage of finished product that's driving the increased expense. Temporarily because of the Hurricanes, but basically because the politicians listened to the "NIMBY treehuggers" and prevented construction and upgrading of more refineries. If we based our opinions on facts rather than the "vast right wing conspiracy BS", we'd beat up the politicians to apply a per gallon tax rather than a % of total sales tax. They way it is at present, there's no accountability. The politicians have more $$ to control this way. Who's fault is that? It certainly isn't Bush's. He keeps wanting to put money back in our hands so we bump the economy. We have to be responsible to ourselves and we ain't. If we keep asking the living emoticons for facts that popping sound that you would hear supports my opinion of where those living emoticons are hiding their primary sensory organs. Don't respond about it! THINK ABOUT IT Onward and Upward Marc Bourget | ||
| Derek (Derek_l)
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JTNG, you're the second one blaming the SUV's for high prices... "Why not blame those that are soooooo willing to pay more for gas and oil? (The ones that buy SUVs to putz around in?)" Aren't you the guy with the 40' by 96" SUV that gets under 10MPG? Weighing well over 20,000lbs? I hope I misunderstood your statement to mean that you are saying "If you use it, pay for it", and not "It's the SUV guys fault." By the way, I drive a Mercedes SD... Gets better fuel milage than your average Camry or Accord. Diesel, too. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
I don't drive my 96x40 to the market twice a week; to pick up the kiddies after school every day; back and forth to work each day; out to grab a few bottles of brewski after din-din..... And I have a Caravan and a 190e to fuel... biggie deal. I'll wager that my weekly total fuel consumption of -all- vehicles doesn't equal one ugly Hummer's weekly work agenda. Let's get real. Everyone's got a right to own what they want and live as they desire. But usually the ones that do the most complaining are the ones that have helped cause the problem. There's no reason for diesel or fuel oil to cost more than gasoline. But hey.... we've had a few hurricanes and thousands of contractors in diesel powered vehicles..... and diesel powered semi's, all going full-tilt. The demand is there; the price goes up. The 5mpg SUVs are at the pump daily...... the demand is there; the price goes up. That's MY opinion. I'll live with it. | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
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I really shouldn't jump into this flamefest almost at a flashpoint, but what the heck... Q4 2003: Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, said fourth-quarter profit surged 63 percent on higher energy prices. The quarter boosted Exxon Mobil's profit for 2003 to $21.5 billion, the most reported by any U.S. company since 1998, according to Bloomberg data. Fourth-quarter net income rose to $6.65 billion, or $1.01 a share, from $4.09 billion, or 60 cents, a year earlier, the Irving, Texas-based company said in a statement. Sales rose 17 percent to $65.95 billion. Q3 2004: 10.28.2004, 10:16 AM Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, reported record third quarter profits and may be headed for all-time marks for annual revenue and earnings, thanks to higher prices for oil and natural gas. The company said it earned $5.68 billion, or 88 cents per share, in the third quarter, compared with $3.65 billion, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue jumped to $76.38 billion from $58.84 billion. Profits from exploration and production jumped nearly one-third, to $3.93 billion, and earnings from refining and selling petroleum products rose by more than one-third, up $490 million to $1.40 billion. | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
Wow. All taxable revenue? (I'd start a revolution, but they say I'm already revolting) | ||
| Derek (Derek_l)
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Now, we can't get too many people revolting, there'd be anarchy for chrissakes... 3 people at a time, they oughta know that's a revolution.. And if they don't, they can damn well fund a committee to find out just exactly what the optimal number of people marching on the government buildings (Hey, we are a multinational board) is... I mean, would you really want to go down to revolution with all that traffic, the buses would be out of commission (oh no!).... Three people. | ||
| MCI Larry (Eurof3)
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Its was $235 for diesel fuel in Michigan last week. WHAT A CROCK. You gotta know. We plan closer runs right now. Only have a 1/4 tank right now. Plan to look for a drop in price soon and fill up. Ya right ! We watch the weather and look for a tail wind....befor hitting the road I voted for Perot too. Whiss poor choices this time ! I am taking donations for fuel if anyone has some extra bucks. Thanks, Larry | ||
| Airless in Mississippi Rating: N/A |
It is hard sitting outside the truckstops with the signs "WILL WORK FOR DIESEL" I think I will get another pair of crutches and better looking casts. Seems that everyone really thinks I will work. ;) | ||
| FAST FRED Rating: N/A |
"Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, reported record third quarter profits and may be headed for all-time marks for annual revenue and earnings, thanks to higher prices for oil and natural gas." If a company is in a business that is so regulated and competative that they only make a dollar on every thousand that is invested , and their earnings "DOUBBLE" to $2.00, Its a "100% INCREASE , in profits, If it was a great place to make MONEY , the stock price should have a PE like Goggles (over 100) rather than where it is, perhaps 8. WE drive as normal , at under 10,000 miles a year the temporary doubbling of fuel prices is meaningless. On our boat which takes 3.5 gal to go 8 nm , the fuel prices only change the speed were willing to travel at.Nothing more. FAST FRED | ||
| Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8)
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I posted about a year ago here as to why the cost of diesel was so much less than gasoline. Interesting replies, but mostly what I gathered is that the supply chain for diesel is perhaps slower, and that the cost of diesel has to "catch up" with that of gas. Of course it did. Funny thing, in my opinion, is in that the liberal media's attempt to oust Bush, the daily news of doom and gloom regarding the oil market, Iraq lies and ememployment stats.....Oil skyrockets, the news from Iraq is terrible,yadda yada yada... The election is over and the price of gasoline is steadily dropping since November 2nd. Amazing about the ememployment and those explosives in Iraq..... I think gas price will decline to about $1.50 per gallon and that diesel will follow in a few months,. Sorry, to answer the questiion, It hasnt changed by diesel consumption. | ||
| Tony H. (Bluegrass)
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Hey Mark are you reading this, I don't know how much proof that you need but I recall when the oil co's started this same thing before these political genius's was In office the president that we had then opened up the reserve and then and only then did the oil co's bring down the price. Tony By ChuckMC9 (Chucks) (66.167.165.183) on Thursday, November 11, 2004 - 12:30 am: Edit Post I really shouldn't jump into this flamefest almost at a flashpoint, but what the heck... Q4 2003: Jan. 29 (Bloomberg) -- Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, said fourth-quarter profit surged 63 percent on higher energy prices. The quarter boosted Exxon Mobil's profit for 2003 to $21.5 billion, the most reported by any U.S. company since 1998, according to Bloomberg data. Fourth-quarter net income rose to $6.65 billion, or $1.01 a share, from $4.09 billion, or 60 cents, a year earlier, the Irving, Texas-based company said in a statement. Sales rose 17 percent to $65.95 billion. Q3 2004: 10.28.2004, 10:16 AM Exxon Mobil Corp., the world's largest publicly traded oil company, reported record third quarter profits and may be headed for all-time marks for annual revenue and earnings, thanks to higher prices for oil and natural gas. The company said it earned $5.68 billion, or 88 cents per share, in the third quarter, compared with $3.65 billion, or 55 cents per share, a year earlier. Revenue jumped to $76.38 billion from $58.84 billion. Profits from exploration and production jumped nearly one-third, to $3.93 billion, and earnings from refining and selling petroleum products rose by more than one-third, up $490 million to $1.40 billion. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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Tony--It's hard for you to make a case when the language that you type is only marginally coherent. We don't use our own reserves because that gives us a strategic advantage in a time of crisis. (Duh) Chuck L, isn't it amazing about the Sudden leap in employment, post election? Could it be that we have to "Realign" under reported employment statistics for the time preceding the election? Hmmm???? You all can respond as you like, but Tony, I wish you wouldn't keep bringing political discussion into a bus converters forum. We have enough pissing contests here without politics. Gary | ||
| neomax Rating: N/A |
Marc: your hypothesis of shortage driving prices is belied by the fact that lack of supply of refined product is not visible. I have yet to find a pump shut down for lack of fuel. Lack of "capable of paying" customers, yes, but not for lack of supply. Lines @ truck stops are noticeably smaller. I have yet to find one where I had to wait for an open pump, which is a departure from a couple yrs. Ago. | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Dear Neomax, How does your observation make it a Gov't conspiracy that is attributable to Bush? I like the fact that you've shared your personal observations. This is what I was asking for. But your reply arguably shows poor analysis. I'm not saying you're stupid, etc., No Way!, just not thorougly thought out. Please don't infer my observation as an insult or even a chide, just my opinion, advanced for the purpose of further discussion! Minor shortages prompt a price spike as middlemen compete and agree to pay more to ensure that they don't run short on supply. It's a "minor shortage" ( or "spot shortage") because the economy or demand hasn't outstripped the supply in an absolute sense. It's just outstripped supply for short term demands like motoring holidays or cold spells during winter. In the two gas "crunches" I lived thru in Los Angeles, the archtypical "motor vehicle economy" Post crunch studies showed that there never was an actual "shortage". Most motorists were found to have been driving on the "bottom half" of their "tank". As did many Gas Stations. This was possible because of the convenience of a ready supply. So the tank capacity was about 2-4 times the actual usage volume. With the spectre of short supply a large percentage of the station owners and the motoring public "panicked" or exercised "prudent pessimism" and the demand for full tanks quickly outstripped the total of available production stream and available storage. It bears reminding that the refineries were always ahead of actual usage, just not the actual, temporary or "spot" demand. Greater production volume would bring lower prices through competition, foster more storage in vehicles and station tankage and provide a greater cushion for short term demand increases. This ain't theory, it's been proven time and again. This is why I attribute the perceived shortage to mollycoddling legislatures and tree huggers. These are the facts that really drive the price of fuel and are worthy of consideration by Bus Converters Onward and Upward Marc Bourget | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
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a political discussion...I'm a Texan ,& don't like anybody saying bad things about a Texan,so far,only thing both Bush's are guilty of is not knowing how to finish a fight...you have to beat somebody enough so they know they don't want anymore....SOOOO glad we don't have that sissy Kerry... | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Neomax, Here's some actual data that might stimulate your interest! Text that follows can be found at: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/business/3997589.stm Ivan's impact is likely to be felt on production figures for October and November. The US Energy Information Administration has revised downwards estimated output figures for both months. About 400,000 barrels were lost per day in October while about 200,000 barrels per day still remain offline. According to the agency's latest estimates, production totalled 4.996m barrels in September, the lowest figure since the 4.972m barrels produced in April 1950. Ivan forced the closure of a host of refineries, accounting for about 13% of total US production. "Crude oil production has been declining for several years," said the EIA's Doug McIntyre. "When you add on the impact from Hurricane Ivan and the lost production, it is not too surprising that production has hit lows related to historical numbers." Check out the full article. Onward and Upward Marc Bourget | ||
| Rodger in WA. Rating: N/A |
In response to Ron L's question, I've canceled my annual trip from WA to AZ due fuel costs. I'm running my Prevost just enough to keep it from deteriorating. Sales of motorhomes in general are way down due fuel prices. My Prevost is for sale at a very attractive price and I'm getting no calls. Diesel prices in SW WA currently vary from 2.369 to 2.419/gal. Regarding the political debate in this thread, IMO, Marc B has it right. | ||
| CoryDane RTSII Rating: N/A |
Well, the high cost of fuel has always been a concern as I have struggled with the conversion. As the conversion moved on, and I changed the floorplan manytimes, I had made some small changes so the bus could be used as a cabin on a property if the fuel would get too expensive. I think the cabin plan is getting closer but will have to se how rediculously high the oil mongers force the price up for profit...... cd | ||
| Mike Giardino (Busone)
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We should all buy stock in the oil companies. | ||
| neomax Rating: N/A |
Marc: if u wish to buy into the lines of bs spoon fed to u by the industry and The Dept. Of Cheney, pardon me, Energy, go ahead. I choose to rely on more tangible factors. I am just now finishing a swing thru the Gulf States: no refineries down from Ivan and a steady stream of full tankers coming ashore, all the way across. Constant spot shortages, as u seem to rely upon as being the case, ultimately would result in end product shortage, which just isn't the case. It's not there and no amount of bs can produce it. Instead of relying on reports and releases by those who have a vested interest in spoon-feeding u, get in your bus and go see for yourself. The oil industry is not coming up with record profits because they don't have product to sell. Want to make a small wager on how far prices recede after the next Congress passes the ANWAR proposal, which has implications well beyond the bounds of a remote region of Alaska? Do u also not think that the record pace of increases of oil into the strategic reserve has a little to do with prices? U should break from your cacoon and make your own conclusions rather than relying on releases from an industry that has a long history of price fixing and gouging, the same voices that told us in 1973 that it would all be gone in 20 yrs! | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Neomax, You appear to have alot of bias, Dept of Cheney??? I don't think anybody is saying that all the refineries are down, but whether one or two are down or not up to capacity is easy to verify. I made a specific point earlier that it wasn't crude supply, it was refined supply and if you think we have all the refining capacity we need, your problems extend beyond bias. Record profits don't mean much if the return on investment is small compared to other businesses as pointed out by FF. That's simply a matter of scale, not profitability or unfair competition. Your point smacks of "entitleism", which I disagree with. Just because somebody benefits from their effort doesn't mean the lazy automatically get to participate or punish. The "record pace of increases into the strategic reserve" is nothing more than an additional short term demand on current refinery capacity and supports my position of insufficient refined production. I'm not in a cocoon and I have made my own conclusions from personal observation as well as other sources. I don't know everything. I happen to think my sources are more valid than yours, but that's an opinion and we would need to sit down and lay out the facts on both sides and see how they all add up. I certainly don't think I have all the answers, that's fer shure! I will take your hint and will check somewhat on the refineries the next time I swing South, Thanks Marc | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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"...buy into the lines of bs spoon fed to u by the industry and The Dept. Of Cheney..." And the outright lies force-fed to you by Michael Moore are somehow more tasty? Gary | ||
| Niles Rating: N/A |
Marc - very sound reasoning. Media invoked perceptions of iminent shortages are the #1 cause of hoarding and the resulting short term shortages - The media reports rumors of a pending shortage of fuel, and then goes and films people waiting in line at the pumps because they reacted to the dubious report - In Fla the recent hurricanes bared shelves and jammed cupboards - not a spaghettio left on the shelf , but a years supply in the pantry - kinda like a self fullfilling prophecy - The long term rise in fuel prices is most directly related to refinery capacity and the manipulation of crude supply by the multi-national corporations - I will believe there is a crude supply problem when the Alyeska pipeline is pummping at an output comensurate at its capacity , not the small fraction of capacity it now operates at. EXAMPLE: In the past Florida elections a constitutional amendment to allow slot machines in dade and broward counties was placed on the ballot - we were deluged with adds to vote against it - these adds promoted the fear of a diminution of the percieved wholesome family friendly reputation of florida - turns out, after the election we find out that the funding of the adds was underwritten by the Seminole Indian Casinos , who are in what business? Niles | ||
| degojo Rating: N/A |
My bus conversion projects are merely a hole that I throw my money into. It is one of my better bad habits and I actually convinced my wife that I will make a profit when I sell one of the buses. I have never measured the depth of the hole but rising fuel prices will just make it a little deeper. But trusting my fellow man as I do I have added locks to my fuel filler caps. | ||
| neomax Rating: N/A |
Marc: I fail to see your reasoning that "strategic reserve" is a short-term demand on refining capacity (if I read u correctly). In fact, it is crude that is deliberately with-held from refining. And, if u think my reference to Cheney indicates a bias on my part, your correct. Afterall, he did chair a secret commission and has to this day refused to disclose what he and Kenny Boy (the indicted felon and confirmed thief)discussed and developed as the policy of this gov't concerning energy. Do u not feel that perhaps "We the people" have a right to know? Yes, naively maybe, but I feel I do have an entitlement to their policy foundations. | ||
| Airless in Mississippi Rating: N/A |
The refineries are not slowed down here in South Mississippi at all nor in South Alabama. Folks with oil wells are still being paid NOT TO PRODUCE oil and to cap the wells until they are needed. (dont know who defines "needed") The election is over, JFK lost, Get over it. The new crooks did not get to take over and the old ones are still there picking the fruit. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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"I actually convinced my wife that I will make a profit when I sell one of the buses." You're kiddin? And she bought it? Good one...whew. Gary | ||
| John that newguy Rating: N/A |
(HARF...) Hey degojo..? And |---2"---| is 8"? HAR HAR.. | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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I was thinking that was right up with "Honest Honey, I'll only put it in a little way" Gary | ||
| Bob Oakman (Bobsbus)
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My Eagle gets about 9 mpg highway when empty. My Expedition gets 10 to 12 mpg. Not much difference. Compared to the bus, the SUV is boring to drive. I take the bus to go buy cigarettes, groceries, whatever. She is happiest on the road, so I let her out to play whenever I can. The price of fuel urinates me off, but I can afford it if I can afford to insure and license a bus. Know what I mean? Hell, I could quit smoking and put a couple hundred in the tanks every month. Too bad I have no discipline. | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
Neomax Are you changing tunes, dance partners or horses in mid-song here? You stated: "Do u also not think that the record pace of increases of oil into the strategic reserve has a little to do with prices?" I interpreted this as you stating the Gov't was pumping crude back into the ground. It wouldn't matter if you meant that the Gov't was simply increasing the reserves by executive order. This would be a spot demand because the storage budget and capacity is not infinite. It has to stop sometime and that means temporary. You go on to say that crude is withheld from refining. Duh! you worry about strategic reserve deposit increases (banking for our future, whether by pumping or set asides) when we have tankers steaming in circles, out of sight, off the coast because all the shore tanks are full since the refineries can't keep up with crude delivery schedules??? At the same time there (sometimes, in the short term) is good economic reason to moderate price by controlling surplus. This price control is not the best, most responsible, approach, however. Look, everything you mentioned, if examined under a microscope, with no regard for the "big picture", will appear to be, and considering the linited reference frame, may technically be true [within the defined limits of that reference frame]. Yes, technically, you may be correct as to the limited definition on that point. I won't argue that issue with you. But this is the real world, it's a big one, it's interconnected and you have to take more than the field of the microscope into consideration, That is, unless you're a social parasite like Michael Moore taking advantage of ignorance and laziness in order to make a quick buck! A true, logical, critical thinker doesn't "massage" the truth by such mental trickery, IMHO. Onward and Upward. Marc Bourget | ||
| Gillig-Dan Rating: N/A |
"I was wondering if any one has changed their habbits due to the high fuel prices." ...was the original question. Judging by the response, I guess it's caused ordinary bus-lovin' people to turn into polarized political and economic gurus. Too bad we are spending so much time on the unfixables when my bus has problems that could be fixed with the good advise the board is able to offer. How 'bout the long-term effects of running homemade biodiesel in my Cat 3208? Any experts on that subject? Gillig-Dan | ||
| Chuck-PD4104 Rating: N/A |
I would suggest asking CAT -Chuck | ||
| Marc Bourget Rating: N/A |
20% BD is standard from various suppliers about the country. If you're talking 100%, Bob Sheaves has a Flx 840 that was built for a test study on BD. It put in lots of miles and still runs well. Of Course, the quality of your processing efforts on the Transesterfication has alot to do with the success you will achieve. O&U Marc | ||
| Gary McFarland (Gearheadgary)
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"I would suggest asking CAT " ROFL Thassa joke, right Chuck? Cat barely acknowledges ever making the 3208, if you tell them you want to run one on vegetable oil they will call the guys in the white coats. Gary | ||
| Gillig-Dan Rating: N/A |
Chuck, thanks, but if their advise on a subject like biodiesel was anything like their advise on engine parts, I would end up with the wrong answer 4 out of 5 times. I'm still waiting on several hundred dollars in refunds for part returns generated from their advise when I rebuilt my engine. Maybe it's just the Carter Cat people here in the Richmond, VA area, I don't know. Sure is tempting to fill the tank with the red stuff buried in my back yard 500 gallon tank... I pay enough taxes, being an hourly worker, to not feel much remorse if I figure out a way around a few dollars in taxes (does anyone here work for the IRS? If so, I'm just joking). I don't get the advantages of burying my money in a corporation that buys whatever I need tax-free (not yet at least). Gillig-Dan | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
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I have been led to believe that at DOT locations there are "sniffers" installed that can detect the red off road fuel being used when a vehicle passes the weight station. Anyone aware of this, fact or fiction? Richard | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
I don't think so...It's just a dye...might be wrong tho...I was part of the 'experiment'..I usually fueled at Flyin' J...cause I liked the way the red diesel looked...back in the early 90's....maybe I have a color fetish...remember back in the 60's ,I only used PURPLE crest shell gas in my harley... | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
I've also...heard that if you put a couple quarts of oil in the 100 gallon of red diesel...they can't see the red...& buy adding more oil..you just increse the power of it.. | ||
| ChuckMC9 (Chucks)
Rating: N/A |
....maybe I have a color fetish... We already know about some of your fetishes, and are fairly sure that our generally wholesome nature would be in great jeopardy by knowing any more...;) | ||
| TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A |
....................  and ...oh yeah...it was GULF purpel crest | ||
| Mike (Busone)
Rating: N/A |
One thing I do know about off road diesel/heating oil is that it has a higher sulfur content since off road vehicles and furnaces don't have to meet the same standards. I have heard rumors that newer engines can get messed up with the high sulfur but older engines like their sulfur. | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior)
Rating: N/A |
Oh, my head and eyes hurt... In constant dollars, oil has to be up to somewhere today around $83US a barrel to match the highest prices of the bad days of years gone by. Since it is around $50 and supposed to be dropping, what are we worrying about? The better automotive journalists have written that the average fuel mileage of the new vehicle fleet is mostly unchanged from 30 years ago, only now they are pick-ups and SUV's instead of big Oldsmobiles (1 million sold in 1973) and Chevrolets.(from underneath, they look suspiciously the same...progress?) If you have to worry about the price of diesel, maybe you shouldn't be in a bus conversion? I'm going to Busin '05 from Toronto, fuel prices be damned! (I love West Virginia for their fuel tax!) happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Richard Bowyer (Drivingmisslazy)
Rating: N/A |
As of 1 November, one of the local service stations has a diesel fuel pump that is labeled Number 1 diesel fuel/heating oil. It is not dyed red and is about $.50 per gallon cheaper than standard diesel. My question is, should I run this fuel in my pickup and the other diesel equipment I have in my rental fleet. I really do not understand why it is so much cheaper per gallon. Richard | ||
| Derek (Derek_l)
Rating: N/A |
Buswarrior; As one of your fellow countrymen (that knows the meaning of cold!), I have to say... What? Surely, driving through WV is about as long as the trek from... Say, Vancouver to Merritt, or so? A well timed fuel stop could keep thier fuel tax money in YOUR pocket.. All in good fun... | ||
| Johnny Rating: N/A |
Richard: That might be K1 kerosene. Honestly, as long as you spike it with a lubricity additive (Power Service, Stanadyne, whatever), I'd run it. I have to say, the 500-gallon tank in my basement looks pretty good about now. The fuel in it isn't even red. | ||
| Tony H. (Bluegrass)
Rating: N/A |
I just returned from Branson Mo. and CT Fuel stop was selling Diesel at $181.00 and Gasoline at $162.00 the cheapest I found Fuel here at Home was $219.00 for Diesel and $177.00 for Gas. Tony | ||
| Johnny Rating: N/A |
Better than here--RI & eastern MA--cheapest gas I've seen was $1.969, diesel is $2.249 and up. |