Effect of High energy /what are we doing about it - Montana Owners Club

richfaa · 07-08-2008, 11:42 AM

" c214dick had a good idea and seconded by Carol" "This thread has been what affects have the prices of high fuel made on your RV experience.

Another, for, how are you combating the high prices probably is in order and it would be good to not have them intertwined.

richfaa · 07-08-2008, 11:44 AM

On this trip to the State College, Pa area via the Ohio TPK then Interstate 80 we decided to reduce our speed from the normal 63/65 to 60MPH and until we got into some hard pulls in PA we were averaging 11.3 MPG. That is 1.3 average better than the last trip on some of the same roads. Our all over MPG was still 10MPg even with the hard pulls. We do use Quicken as our financial program and every expense is categorized. We can see where and how we are spending our money and note any increase over any selected period of time. We do have a travel budget. We have cut things like.. we have no phone land line..we use cell phone..we have no DSL service..we use the Verizon air card. We have cut out all magazine subscriptions..we do not get a newspaper. We have dropped out of some organizations... VFW, American Legion, Loyal Order of Moose..this year AARP, Good Sam and NARFE. We keep our Home A/C at a higher temp and only use it when the humidiity gets to high to be bearable. Dropped our yard service. We can look at our quicken categorized expenses and if we see a 10 % increase in fuel we may cut eating out by that amount to compensate. All of the saving realized go into our travel account.
Oh I drive a bus when I can and Helen works at Disney in the winter..All Travel money. We always know pretty much where we are in our all over budget.. We still have..nice to have expenses that we can cut, Example directtv....of course you must first have such a plan

Mrs. CountryGuy · 07-08-2008, 01:04 PM

Nice job Rich, thanks!!

I have no suggestions, but, am eagerly awaiting hearing some, make em good folks, not turn up the air conditioning, and turn down the heat. I would bet that most of us have already done all that stuff.

Slow down when driving, done that. Less trips, done that.

Could review, I guess what you do to keep your tow vehicle in tip top condition, things to do for best mileage, tires properly inflated, air cleaners clean, etc etc etc. But, bet most of us do that too.

The yorkies are totally fearful that we will make them tow. Saves fuel??

Seriously, I am always open to learn new tricks, and I for one, could really use a few.

Please don't tell me to tow with windows open and air conditioner in the truck off. They are touting that on some of the telie stations. I thought the engineers took care of that situation years ago, with affective body styles, etc. Or, tell me I am wrong about that and why.

Please, we need really good ideas, cause we are grounded right now, cause of the price of fuel.

Bill-N-Donna · 07-08-2008, 02:06 PM

There really isn't very much I can do to save fuel in my truck with the gear ratio and engine size & all. However, one thing I am doing is whenever I get gas I sometimes use a debit card and when the pump kicks off at its limit I stop there instead of re-starting the pump. I actually started doing this because it aggravated me when I found out there is a limit on them. I’m now thinking this may help to conserve fuel if I also try and limit my driving. I try then to stretch what I bought a little further between fill ups by driving a little less with the truck when practical.

Probably the most expensive single item when on vacations is the cost of fuel. If the budget gets too tight we may travel shorter distances on vacations or just simply not make as many long trips.

bncinwv · 07-08-2008, 02:20 PM

AS much as I disdain the idea, I am strongly considering the use of Stanadyne. I would be interested in whether or not anyone has done before and after tests with regards to fuel mileage because I am hearing different stories regarding different TV's. I personally don't monitor MPG but have heard some interesting stories regarding the use of the new ULSD fuels. Namely from equipment repair shops that are constantly replacing fuel injectors on diesel engines and are indirectly attributing the failures to the new fuel and it's supposed lack of lubricity. There Rich, that really ought to get your thread started since I recollect some heated arguments in past threads regarding the use of fuel additives. At the time, I was adamantly against it but I cannot ignore major large equipment repair shops and the problems they are seeing. The fuel mileage difference has been related as 1 to 2 mpg improvement. Any takers???
Bingo

Bill-N-Donna · 07-08-2008, 02:33 PM

As I've mentioned before the mileage on my truck is approximately 10MPG or slightly under but fairly consistent; so, I'm starting to think this way instead of MPG.

How many days can I get from this fill up?
Can I stretch it out for an extra day or two?

Plain & simple: The less I drive the more I save.

dsprik · 07-08-2008, 03:26 PM

Our approach is similar to Rich's: work more in our "retirement" years". BUT and it is a big "but" (No reference to anyone's tv is meant)... Make sure it is something you enjoy. Part time preferably.

As mentioned before, Cheryl and I both work part time at stuff we like/love doing. Disney in FL for both of us and Cheryl is working this summer 2-3 days a week at a restaurant making very good money and working with people she likes. I am currently looking for summer seasonal part time employment - that I will enjoy.

c214dick · 07-08-2008, 03:43 PM

I checked out additives, electronic "deals" and airtabs. Airtabs were reported on awhile ago in another forum. I have had them on my truck and 5ver since March. I have yet to drive many miles towing so the jury is still out on that part of it but my mpg for the truck, around town, is consistantly 16 mpg for which I'm very happy. Considering I'm driving a 3500 with a 4:10 rear end that ain't bad. FYI, that's up 2.5 mpg.

We have not taken a long trip as Louise is still working and has extended her retirement date by another week. Once she finally takes the plunge we will be on the road with or w/o Monty and I will be able to "report" back on our mpg.

Additionally my credit card offers 3% rebate on the top 3 categories for purchases, auto expenses being one of them. There are others with a better deal and Marathon offers a prepaid card with a 4% savings.

richfaa · 07-08-2008, 04:41 PM

I do use Diesel Kleen fuel additive in my 08 Ford 6.4 and have since day one because the diesel guys at my dealer recommended it.

skypilot · 07-09-2008, 04:23 AM

Can't talk about the 08 Dodge 3500, haven't driven it enough to test this but on my 06 3500 DRW it made no difference whether I ran with AC on or off with windows open. Have read several documents where they say that newer vehicles are designed to run best with windows closed and AC on and given the long drives we made with the 06 Dodge, I'd have to agree that you might as well run the AC and be comfortable. Without AC running and windows closed (i.e. Cool weather), mileage improved by 2.5 to 3 mpg over 100 mile runs (by the overhead display). With windows open we dropped to the same as we got with the AC running (about 16.8 avg doing 68 to 70 mph in KS). Now, I also drive a 96 Jeep Cherokee and it makes no difference whether I run with AC or windows open -- mileage is lousy either way -- I get better mileage using my truck (wife says I'm prejudiced -- I just want to drive the truck!!

)..

c214dick · 07-09-2008, 04:28 AM

For what it's worth, I don't wait until the tank is empty. I fill up around 3/4 full or just under. That way I don't feel the pinch of a complete fill up and with prices the way they are they just might drop(LOL). I only drive local for the most part now that I'm completely retired and not doing real estate photography any more so 1/4 tank lasts me 1 - 2 weeks.

richfaa · 07-09-2008, 07:09 AM

I have logged no difference A/C on..A/C off on the 08 6.4L Ford.

c214dick · 07-09-2008, 10:14 AM

Same analysis with us. If it's hot, the A/C is on. If not the windows are open or the fresh air vents are on. We're not going to sacrifice all of our creature comforts at one time.

**Rondo** · 07-09-2008, 10:15 AM

Took a short trip to North Platte, NE from Omaha a couple weeks ago and averaged 12.4mpg both ways with the cruise and air on and at 60mph. Picked up the pace and mileage went down about .1 to .2 mpg for every three mph. The 2007 new bodystyle Chevy Duamax/Allison is the only thing we drive since the sister-in-law has barrowed the Buick. We average 12-14 city and 20-24 highway without the Monty behind us. I've tried the additives and put some in every so often but they don't seem to make a difference. The mechanic at the dealer said the new Duramax is set up for the ULsulfur so I guess I'll take his advice and not use it or add it every so often just for my own satifaction. Been using the name brand diesels and they seem to give me the better mpg that the cutrate places! Actually found a BP station here in Omaha that has diesel for $4.549! Cheapest in the area and surprising since it is just off the interstate!

Mrs. CountryGuy · 07-09-2008, 11:26 AM

Keep em coming,

OKKK, we got going back to work as an idea, pads the wallet.

Drive less, that does not get me on the road, as we hardly drive now, barely 400 miles a month while in Texas and while at home. I still gotta go get the groceries once a week.

Sorry to say, I have yet to see an idea or hint that will get me back on the road, other than rejoining the employed population. Lets see, drive 10 miles each way for work, at a minimum, drive the Escort, 30 miles per gallon, Work part time, 4 hours a day, make what is minimum??? $6.00??? Sooo, big part of the first hour goes just to fuel. Well, you are slightly ahead at the end of the day. How many of those 3 hour a day paydays will it take to get me to Texas?? Or even across the state, last year to run to the lake and back, yes, 2 vehicles to tow boat and Tana, was well over $200.00. This year there was no lake trip. Lets see, I would have to work about 11 hours. Guess that ain't toooooooo bad. OHhh, forgot Uncle Sam's part, add a few more hours. And that was at last years fuel prices. Add more hours.

Don't have a diesel, so chatting about additives is not gonna help us either. Might help a lot of the rest of you MOCer's tho. So, that is a good comment.

Does not matter on windows and Air conditioning, so, no gas $$ there.

Seriously, anyone got something other than robbing a bank or going back to work that really help us out here?? Someone HAS to have ideas??? TELL ME!!!

FLSTS03 · 07-09-2008, 01:32 PM

High fuel prices have had no effect here, installing new hardware and software at the office has had a major impact. Maybe by the time the office goes live and we've been there for a few months, I'll get my life back and fuel prices would have settled. I do leave the hitch mounted in the bed to remind me there is suppose to be something back there. Steve

TLightning · 07-09-2008, 02:38 PM

Quote:

quote:Originally posted by richfaa

I have logged no difference A/C on..A/C off on the 08 6.4L Ford.

Same here...on these big powerful diesels, I can't see where running the A/C would make much difference at all.

richfaa · 07-09-2008, 04:45 PM

Carol. Don't know if you use a financial program like quicken or not to track expenses .We do with every dollar spent logged in a category. Example we can tell you exactly what we have spent thus far this year on "entertainment" Can tell you what we have spent on fuel camping, fuel not camping. Organizational dues..We just figured our home utilities will go up about 200.00 this year because of rate increases so we have to find 200.00 somewhere . We can see we are spending 52.00 per month on "entertainment" thus far. We will cut that back to 30.00 per months and find the rest in another category.When we can see were we are spending it we can better find a area to cut back. Of course that can only go so far till you run out of non essential items to cut. However part time work seems to be the best money maker.....IF you can find something suitable..

Hemlockusa · 07-09-2008, 05:47 PM

I have talked to over fifteen folk's that are staying north in the cold this year instead of heading to the RGV, Florida and Arizona.
Rich, I think you have the right Idea and doing the saving right now along with the part time driving insures your travel money when the SNOW FLY'S.. That is good thinking my friend.
We find when we go out to eat, we will split a meal you be surprised how much you can save there and also if you pick a place to eat that doesn't require a waitress there you save on tips. So there are a few things you can do when eating out to save some pennies. I talked to a couple that are already set up to work camp their way to to the RGV, and have tentative work camping position in the Valley so they are very happy, he told me it was either that or have to stay home..
I am afraid there is going to be a lot of folk's staying home this winter/spring. and that is SAD.
Safe Travels John

dsprik · 07-09-2008, 05:48 PM

I agree with Rich, Carol. The only way I can see to tip the balance sheet towards increasing travel expense funds is to increase your household income. Several ways to do that. Part time job (that you like, or don't do it - not at our age...) or maybe something you can do out of your house/Montana.

Home based business at something you have a talent for. Some are good at crafts. Some can tutor/teach lessons. I just saw someone post here that they do photography for real estate companies. Consulting, etc. Even something for cash. $100 - $200 a week would definitely help cover the increasing cost of travel.

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