Fuel economy

[Gardner Yeaw]

David,
I agree that with a 2002 coach you are still eating the
depreciation at a high rate, but I am looking at mid 80's coaches
where the depreciation is far less. 20k for storage and maintenance
is a pretty big number. I pay about $800 for storage and maybe 1 or
2k for maintenance. I can do most things myself.

Actually I thought the steam engine would elicit more of a
reaction.

Gardner
78FC33

--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com, David Brady
wrote:
>
> Fuel is still a small part of the total cost of ownership.
> For my coach I figure $20K per year depreciation, $10K
> per year for storage and insurance, and another $10K
> for annual maintenance. If I travel 10K miles at a cost of
> .50 cents per mile that's an incremental $5K on top of my
> $40K of fixed costs. Even if fuel doubles in price I'm only
> shelling out $10K, still a fraction of my $40K of annual fixed
> costs.
>
>
> David Brady
> '02 LXi, NC
>
> Don Bradner wrote:
> >
> > I'm not sure whether conservative in this context means
> > over-estimating, or under-estimating, price. I also don't know
> > anything about your personal retirement financial situation.
But...
> >
> > I find $6 per gallon in 2.5 years to be pessimistic (is that
> > conservative?) to a very great extent. Consider the following
national
> > averages for diesel:
> >
> > 2000 $1.49
> > 2001 $1.40
> > 2002 $1.32
> > 2003 $1.51
> > 2004 $1.81
> > 2005 $2.40
> > 2006 $2.71
> > 2007 $2.95 (estimate to date, current at peak 3.30)
> >
> > So, to be an average of $6 in 2-1/2 years it will have to rise
more
> > per year than it ever has in any year to this point. Can it?
Maybe.
> > Will it? Odds and history say no.
> >
> > Those of us with 300 gallon fuel tanks who are out doing 10K
miles or
> > more per year do not pay average prices, we pay less. There is
zero
> > need to fill in high price areas unless you are staying in one
of
> > those areas but still using fuel, as apparently Ryan is. I
arrived
> > home in Eureka, California on Tuesday to find diesel at $3.79
and
> > shook my head - used to have to buy some here when I only had 80
> > gallon capacity in my SOB even if I did get 8.3 miles per gallon.
> >
> > I would say that a more realistic expectation of fuel prices
(average)
> > in 2.5 years is $4 per gallon. I know that looks rosy when
viewed
> > while the national average is $3.30, but remember it was $3.15
in
> > October of '05 and $3.05 in August of '06 also, and that is
simpy a
> > contributing factor to those year's averages of $2.40 and $2.71,
> > respectively.
> >
> > At 10K miles and $4, your difference, even using the unlikely
low end
> > of 5mpg for a PT40, is about $3300. I have a similar situation
moving
> > from 8.3 to 5.2 (and I suspect my 5.2 is on the low end of what
is
> > likely). I've averaged 15K per year over the past 5 years, so it
is
> > not insignificant. It just points out that travel is inherently
> > expensive, something I'm well aware of. I am not now, nor expect
to be
> > in the future, a wealthy man, but I do intend to keep seeing the
> > country as long as I can afford it, and the extra 1000 gallons
of fuel
> > does not put me past the breaking point.
> >
> > Don Bradner
> > 90 PT40 "Blue Thunder"
> > Eureka, CA
> >
> > On 11/11/2007 at 2:24 AM Gardner Yeaw wrote:
> >
> > >With the recent surge in fuel prices I am being forced to
> > >reconsider our desire to upgrade to a PT 38 or 40. My 78FC33
gets
> > >between 8.5 and 9.2 mpg towing my 1995 Jeep Cherokee sport. We
are
> > >thinking around 8 to 10k miles each year for the first few after
> > >retirement. Cutting the mileage roughly in half with a bigger
coach
> > >will put a huge dent in the finances. If I just assumed
> > >conservatively that diesel will be around $6 a gallon in two
and a
> > >half years: at 8.5mpg, 10k miles =$7,058, at 5mpg, 10k miles =
> > >$12,000 (3rd grade arithmetic really was useful after all). And
> > >that's just the first year of retirement.
> > >
> > > Now if I could tow a portable bio-diesel system behind me and
> > >collect vegetable oil from the various food venues along the
way????
> > >Actually, why not use the heat from the retarder and the diesel
> > >exhaust and coolant system to pre-heat water for the steam
boiler to
> > >run a hybrid diesel-steam engine system? Honey, would you throw
> > >another log on the fire, this next hill is a steep one!
> > >
> > >Gardner
> > >78FC33
> > >
> > >
> > >--- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > , "Al" wrote:
> > >>
> > >> Ryan,
> > >> With an '86, you are certain to have to change out all fuel
> > >lines
> > >> in her to make them compatible with your biodiesel. The
biodiesel
> > >> will eat out the fuel lines from within. They will not fail
> > >> overnight and you will start to see them leak. But rest
assured,
> > >it
> > >> will have to be done. Bob Loomis and dropped a 150 gallon
tank in
> > >> mine and I would hate to have to do it will 300 gallons. Word
of
> > >> advice, when you do it, go buy all-thread and use them to
lower
> > >the
> > >> tank with fuel in it. Chances are you will have all the spray
> > >foam
> > >> on the tank. When we did mine, even with some fuel in it, the
> > >tank
> > >> did not budge. We had to top her off and use the weight to
lower
> > >and
> > >> then drain out the fuel. Took us better part of a week but
now we
> > >> could probably do one in a day.
> > >>
> > >> Al Johnson
> > >> '96 BMC B75 ==> B100
> > >> Mandeville, Louisiana
> > >>
> > >> --- In WanderlodgeForum@yahoogroups.com
> > , "Ryan Wright"
> > >> wrote:
> > >> >
> > >> > Jon,
> > >> >
> > >> > On 11/9/07, Jon wrote:
> > >> > >
> > >> > > Dan I think the future of these big units will be only for
> > >the
> > >> guys
> > >> > > who have those extra retirement bucks. Our diesel fuel
> > >prices up
> > >> > > here in Washington are almost 3.60 a gallon and probably
> > >going
> > >> up
> > >> > > further as I type.
> > >> >
> > >> > $3.80 a gallon down the street from me. This is getting
> > >ridiculous.
> > >> > Thankfully, I have found a source of used vegetable oil and
am
> > >going
> > >> > to process my own bio diesel. That will get my cost down
under
> > >> $1.00 a
> > >> > gallon from now on.
> > >> >
> > >> > As for me, my '86 PT-40's (8V92) worst gas mileage so far
was
> > >> 4.13mpg.
> > >> > That was sailing through Nebraska at 80mph with the
generator
> > >> running
> > >> > and four A/Cs on full blast. Later in the trip, when I
slowed
> > >down
> > >> to
> > >> > ~70mph, I got about 5mpg. I believe if I keep my speed down
and
> > >am
> > >> > careful on my next trip I'll be able to coax her closer to
6mpg.
> > >> > Honestly, for a coach that weighs in at 41,000lbs, that's
not
> > >half
> > >> > bad.
> > >> >
> > >> > -Ryan
> > >> > '86 PT-40 8V92
> > >> >
> > >>
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >
> > >Yahoo! Groups Links
> > >
> > >
> > >
> >
> >
> > Messages in this topic
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...36;_ylc=X3
oDMTM3cHJqMW5kBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTE
yNjE4NQRtc2dJZAMyOTA3OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawN2dHBjBHN0aW1lAzExOTQ3NTI4OTkE
dHBjSWQDMjkwMzY->
> > (0) Reply (via web post)
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...3oDMTJybWt
0ZXUwBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQRt
c2dJZAMyOTA3OQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNycGx5BHN0aW1lAzExOTQ3NTI4OTk-?
act=reply&messageNum=29079>
> > | Start a new topic
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...3oDMTJmbGk
1NHNkBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQRz
ZWMDZnRyBHNsawNudHBjBHN0aW1lAzExOTQ3NTI4OTk->
> >
> > Messages
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...lc=X3oDMTJ
mNTQzb244BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4
NQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNtc2dzBHN0aW1lAzExOTQ3NTI4OTk->
> > | Files
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...X3oDMTJnZn
JjaWRqBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQR
zZWMDZnRyBHNsawNmaWxlcwRzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> > | Photos
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...=X3oDMTJmN
m9naTh1BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQ
RzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNwaG90BHN0aW1lAzExOTQ3NTI4OTk->
> > | Links
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...X3oDMTJncz
A2N25xBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQR
zZWMDZnRyBHNsawNsaW5rcwRzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> > | Database
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...lc=X3oDMTJ
kYzNrNjFnBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4
NQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNkYgRzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> > | Polls
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...X3oDMTJnM2
p1OWUzBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQR
zZWMDZnRyBHNsawNwb2xscwRzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> >
> > Yahoo! Groups
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/;_ylc=X3oDMTJlMz...NzE0BGdycE
lkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQRzZWMDZnRyBHNsawNnZnAEc3RpbWU
DMTE5NDc1Mjg5OQ-->
> >
> > Change settings via the Web
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...3oDMTJnajF
1ZzdrBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQRz
ZWMDZnRyBHNsawNzdG5ncwRzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> > (Yahoo! ID required)
> > Change settings via email: Switch delivery to Daily Digest
> > 20Delivery:%20Digest>
> > | Switch format to Traditional
> > subject=Change%20Delivery%20Format:%20Traditional>
> >
> > Visit Your Group
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...JlbXNrZmo3
BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQRzZWMDZ
nRyBHNsawNocGYEc3RpbWUDMTE5NDc1Mjg5OQ-->
> > | Yahoo! Groups Terms of Use <http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/>
|
> > Unsubscribe
> >
> > Recent Activity
> >
> > *
> > 9
> > New Members
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...c=X3oDMTJn
dWlvNDh0BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4N
QRzZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2bWJycwRzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> > *
> > 2
> > New Photos
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...X3oDMTJnYm
NpNGlnBF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQR
zZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2cGhvdARzdGltZQMxMTk0NzUyODk5>
> > *
> > 1
> > New Links
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...X3oDMTJoc2
9yNXU4BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQR
zZWMDdnRsBHNsawN2bGlua3MEc3RpbWUDMTE5NDc1Mjg5OQ-->
> >
> > Visit Your Group
> >
<http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Wanderlodg...JmdmlzdWYw
BF9TAzk3MzU5NzE0BGdycElkAzE0ODE1NTE4BGdycHNwSWQDMTcwNTEyNjE4NQRzZWMDd
nRsBHNsawN2Z2hwBHN0aW1lAzExOTQ3NTI4OTk->
> >
> > Health Zone
> >
> > Look your best!
> >
<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12je914vq/M=...699924.997
7693/D=groups/S=1705126185:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1194760100/A=4430620/R=0/SI
G=11fhbjsi1/*http://promotions.yahoo.com/healthandfitness/>
> >
> > Groups to help you
> >
> > look & feel great.
> >
> > Yahoo! Finance
> >
> > It's Now Personal
> >
<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jt72vn9/M=...333340.867
4578/D=groups/S=1705126185:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1194760100/A=4507179/R=0/SI
G=12de4rskk/*http://us.rd.yahoo.com/evt=50284/*http:/...ce.yahoo.c
om/personal-finance>
> >
> > Guides, news,
> >
> > advice & more.
> >
> > Endurance Zone
> >
> > A Yahoo! Group
> >
<http://us.ard.yahoo.com/SIG=12jqmii6i/M=...710473.867
4578/D=groups/S=1705126185:NC/Y=YAHOO/EXP=1194760100/A=4834088/R=0/SI
G=11ikjqbtm/*http://sports.groups.yahoo.com/group/accelerade/>
> >
> > Learn how to
> >
> > increase endurance.
> >
>
>
>
> [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
>