The Price of Gas

OCCAM'S SLEDGE-O-MATIC · Post by **OCCAM'S SLEDGE-O-MATIC** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 1:54 pm

http://www.gasbuddy.com

type in your zip and find out the cheapest prices in your area.

become a super user and win gas cards or other prizes.

Of course, the definition of super user means sitting at home calling 1 gazillion gas stations to ask them what their price is so you can list enough to win a $20 gas card.

so you might be better off using that time to build yourself a solar-powered scooter.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:18 pm

This is something I contend with pretty regularly in my work and will certainly contend with when heading west this August.
My diesel truck gets around 18 mpg around town, almost 20 on the highway. But when pulling a trailer to BRC, it’ll go around 16mpg. I’m betting on diesel averaging $2.80 a gallon by then.

5000 miles round trip / 16 = 312.5 gallons X $2.80 = $875.00
There’ll be three of us this year so that’s $291.67, so just say $300 bucks each. Having these folks along makes it affordable for all of us and provides really good company too boot. I’d be hard pressed to do it by myself, at least in the truck.

Now the reason it’s 5000 miles is we go out through the middle of the US, then on into California, north to Portland, then east along the upper route. I try to make the trip there and back just as much an adventure as the event itself. If fuel costa rise too much, then this could change. It could become an instance of “find the shortest route out and back” instead.

As far as the rest of my situation here goes, I spent a little over $3100 in diesel fuel last year. A rise to $3 bucks a gallon means it’d take $90+ just to fill my tank if it’s on Empty (34 gallon tank). Thinking of raising the shop rate by $5.00 and hour just to make it up. Trying not to, though. Something I’ve noticed that is interesting... The price of oil has not risen, and by that I mean the engine oil I change every 3000 miles. That sucker holds 3 gallons and I’d notice if it increased a lot. It’s held pretty steady for several years now.

Man... if I could only haul steel by the ton with a VW Bug.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:29 pm

Given the gas sitch, Black Kitty, I'd cut back on the scenic route on at least one way. Take the most direct route from Louisville to BRC, you can hold off on the sightseeing adventure until after. The Bay Area is nicer after Labor Day, anyway, less crowds, nicer weather, rates lower.

Also, if I were you, I'd get another tank installed in the diesel truck and do the biodiesel thing, find out where you can get the second tank filled with used restaurant oil along the route. It's often free; use the regular diesel tank for startup and wind down and cruise on the biodiesel tank (which costs nothing to fill).

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 9:55 pm

Yeah, we go straight to BRC, do not pass go, do not collect $200, etc and it's still that far round trip. I’m beginning to research the biodiesel and am very interested. I’ve also seen propane conversion, but have not found dollers/mile figures for that.

One thought that did come to mind after writing that earlier is having a two-speed rear end installed. When you get to interstate speed, you push a button and it’s like having a overdrive for the overdrive. I’m going to call the guys who do my transmission/drive train service about that tomorrow, actually. That could well cut the highway mpg waaaaay down. Seems like they were around $1100 at one time, but that’s getting closer to being cost effective with each passing day.

Time to start digging up some info...

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:15 pm

OUCH!!!

Just checked it out... make that $3000 for a two speed add-on...

back to the drawing board

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:25 pm

If you consider one in the future I hope you look at the Gear Vendors units. You'll pay out the nose for one but you certainly get what you pay for.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Wed Apr 13, 2005 10:35 pm

I hope you look at the Gear Vendors units

Oh, yes... That be the $3000 one right there.

Wind_Borne · Post by **Wind_Borne** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:09 am

It is possible to have too much overdrive. An engine runs most efficiently within a certain RPM range. If, at cruising speed, the engine is turning well below the mid-point of its power curve then fuel efficiency will decrease.

Drag, the thing that the engine is there to overcome, increases rapidly with increasing speed. So driving at the slow end of top gear instead of the fast end will make a big difference -- 55 mph really will save you a lot compared to 70 mph. But of course, you knew that.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 6:40 am

Overdrive is nice...that long stretch of I-80 from Saltair, UT to Wendover, NV is an ideal place for it. But the flipside to that unit would be ideal for pulling Parley's Summit or Soldier Summit...there are times the gears you have are just not right for the climb. Having the splitter option would fix much of that. Last year with the 4x4 and the trailer I kept wishing for one of those overdrive/underdrive boxes so bad. At least this year I'll have the pocket rocket and don't have to think about it so much.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 6:50 am

Kinetic IV wrote:Overdrive is nice...that long stretch of I-80 from Saltair, UT to Wendover, NV is an ideal place for it. .

It's also a perfect place to scare the shit out of a carload of newbies who, in the middle of the night, realize that they're on fumes and keep passing exit signs with NO SERVICES on them....I almost kissed the salty ground when we finally got to the gas station in Wendy! Now I always top off in SLC and take that stretch in daylight. (MUCH prettier that way, anyway.)

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:48 am

If you'd prefer to fuel just past Salt Lake City, west on I-80 Lake Point is at exit 99 (Tooele/Grantsville). Cluster of truck stops and such, so far gas there is about the same as in the city.

That stretch of I-80 also has some wicked high winds, enough to knock over fully loaded semis.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:50 am

robotland wrote:It's also a perfect place to scare the shit out of a carload of newbies who, in the middle of the night, realize that they're on fumes and keep passing exit signs with NO SERVICES on them....

Another reason for owning an atlas!!

Two folks who were meeting us in Salt Lake City ran out of gas somewhere in South Dakota in the middle of the night. They were lucky enough to get cell service and very happy about having that large three lettered motorist assistance group.

I carried a 5 gallon jug of diesel at all times just in case. Of all the long, deserted stretches of road we covered, I finally used it. Not in Montana... not in South Dakota... nope, I had to use it in downtown Madison, Wisconsin. There was some kind of foot race thingy going on and we were getting diverted around and around in circles while the gauge kept getting lower. If there’s a station that sells diesel downtown, I couldn’t find it. The sight of myself tapping into my emergency fuel in the middle of a city just tickled the shit out of me.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 9:57 am

*fishy hums the bucky badger theme song on wisconsin mu-sick*

HughMungus · Post by **HughMungus** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:40 am

ThePikey wrote:
bullD wrote:Think of it this way. Now its just that more satisfying to listen to jackasses in their big fat suvs and humvees whine. Gee, maybe you shoulda bought something just a *leettle* more energy efficient, huh?

Or "jackasses" who commute to work while we SUV drivers who live near where we work laugh at you non-SUV drivers bitch about gas prices AND SUV drivers.

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 11:46 am

I think Exit 99 is where the TA is and that's where I always stop for gas. Then I have a tendency to fly across the salt flats to Wendover which means by the time I get into Nevada I'm sweating over the fuel gauge. There's a little hole in the wall "truckstop" past Wendover that has saved my butt more than once. The canopy lights are off but the pumps are on 24x7. 2 am in the middle of the Nevada wilderness is not the place to run out of gas. I've sure cut it close though...real close.

diane o'thirst · Post by **diane o'thirst** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:44 pm

Chat — I mentioned biodiesel because, at least for the moment, the fuel can still be gotten for free

Propane costs.

In terms of rig modifications, I've been thinking about getting a tranny radiator for Nephthys Navajo for awhile now. And I often find that I get better mileage on multi-hundreds-of-miles roadtrips than I do otherwise, probably because I get into a lane, live there, and keep a consistent speed that drinks the miles. When I'm just herking-jerking around town, I gotta tank up before the odometer clicks over to 250 miles; on a roadtrip the same tank will get me up to 360 miles before I gotta fill up.

I *love* the drive through the Oregonian Outback. We can crank 'em up and fly through the pines in a united front. Turn right and K-Falls in an hour and a half, assuming nobody's topload comes loose or nobody's tires blow

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 12:58 pm

[quote="LeChatNoirAnother reason for owning an atlas!!

.[/quote]

Now armed with atlas, GPS, and state-by-state internet printouts. I even know where all the NPR stations are!

What was even MORE scary was last year, coming home and counting on an advertised fuel stop in Wyoming...their power was out, nobody home, and it was a longer trip to the next stop than I had fuel for...I rolled the dice and headed for some little town 50 miles NORTH off of I-80. Rolled in on my last drop. The nice lady that ran the little country store was THRILLED- nobody had filled their tank there in days, since gas was about 25 cents more per gallon.....
Something about carrying reserve fuel freaks me out, even though having it on hand comforts me....I got somewhat badly burned as a teenager, and "fire stuff" still freaks me out a little. Irony?

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 3:16 pm

During WWII there was gas rationing. The orphanage didn't rate gas stamps. Everything was within a one mile walk. It was after VJ Day when we saw the car. It had been put up on block and stored in the garage. The car was a 1934 olds. I got to ride in it on the way church.

Got a ride in a car in 1943. I helped steal my first car. I was the smallest kid so I fit through windows. That's where the word boosting come from. The other kids would boost me through a window so I could unlock the door. Then I was to small to push the car out of sight. So I would steer\ride.

LeChatNoir · Post by **LeChatNoir** » Thu Apr 14, 2005 8:30 pm

yeah, I hear you robotland. I'd be much more nervous about 5 gallons of gas, but diesel just kinda stinks and is much less volatile.

Irony?

Perhaps catharsis?

I use fire most every day and yet it can flat out terrify me. I’m extremely cautious with it. Maybe that’s a good thing.

robotland · Post by **robotland** » Fri Apr 15, 2005 5:19 am

Why does it have to be so darn PRETTY? It feels so BURNY, though!

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:21 am

How do people bring gas for their genny's then? Do they fill up their gas-cans right before going out on the Playa?
On a similar subject....I sure hope those small propane tanks for lanterns and stoves/grills will be available near there too. I wouldn't want a nice LOUD BOOM in my car!

Kinetic IV · Post by **Kinetic IV** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:31 am

Generator gas? I fill up anywhere along I-80 as the gas pumps at Empire and Gerlach are high priced and usually there's a line from hell.

As for those small propane cylinders I've hauled them from KC and back, over the mountains and more for 3 years without one bit of trouble. As with anything use common sense, keep them out of direct sunlight and you should be fine.

Martiansky · Post by **Martiansky** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 7:35 am

Kinetic, that makes me feel better about those propane tanks. I'd rather buy them before I leave, then have to hunt them down somewhere on the road.

Thanks for the info!!

unjonharley · Post by **unjonharley** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 8:08 am

I'm only two states away. So when I pull out of the drive way i carry eveything needed. To many people plan on buying along the way. That makes for long lines and short supplies. I carry enough to last me about ten days. Never know where you'll get stuck. My campmate spent four days waitig for a fuel pump. I spent two days finding a used rim. We were both set up to camp for the duration.

Lassen Forge · Post by **Lassen Forge** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 9:59 am

I like the idea of buying at least *some* gas in Empire and/or Gerlach, even if they are a bit pricey it helps support the community. After all, we're all part of the same community (even tho they're there all the time and we're not)...

But in general we always bring extra gas & propane... that way we don't run out, and if someone needs it to get out, well... I can't think of how many times I gave away gas at various and sundry events I didn't need but someone else did to get closer to home.

Gifting... it's not jst for BRC anymore...

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robotland · Post by **robotland** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 11:34 am

Martiansky wrote:Kinetic, that makes me feel better about those propane tanks. I'd rather buy them before I leave, then have to hunt them down somewhere on the road.

FYI, you can find them at several places in Winnemucca. I've done my big provision-stop there the last two years- It's at the halfway point between Wendover and Gerlach. Heading West, there's a good liquor store at the second exit and a great supermarket (Like a D&W- I forget the name, though) and non-grocery MalWart at the third or fourth. If you load the cooler with Cold Ones at Winnie, you're good to go when you reach the gate!
I wish I felt more casual about carrying flammables/explosives....I fussed around endlessly with the little propanes for my one-burner, and won't carry gasoline although it would have prevented a couple-hour detour that could have ended REALLY badly....I'll just have to enact a little behavior modification on my compulsion to squeeze the tank dry before refilling.

Post by **AntiM** » Thu Apr 21, 2005 2:02 pm

mylarry likes to keep the jeep topped off, never likes it below half a tank; we fuel in Wendover, Carlin, Winnemucca and Fernley. That's starting off with a full tank in Ogden, UT which is north of SLC. Of course, we're pulling a trailer and sucking down gas bigtime. And I'm a frequent pee-er.

Fernley fueling is the key to a successful exodus. I can't imagine the hassle involde with running out of gas trying to leave the event!

bullD · Post by **bullD** » Sun Apr 24, 2005 7:32 pm

sheesh! gas in reno is at and above $2.55

ThePikey · Post by **ThePikey** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 3:07 pm

Cheapest I saw was some little podunk burg called Applegate, elev>pop, $2.49, somewhere or other between Sacramento and Truckee.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Mon Apr 25, 2005 6:34 pm

Has anyone tried this. the info for the bay area seems pretty spot on.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/

Locates the lowest price by city/zip code