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Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 09:16 Go to next message
philipswanson is currently offline  philipswanson   United States
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Registered: January 2004
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Senior Member
It is no secret that gas prices are headed for new levels, well above $4 a gallon, maybe $5 by summer. Just curious when folks are going to park it and at what level. Will you drive your coach at $5 a gallon or more? How about long trips to rallies at over $5 a gallon? My cross country summer trips are probably put on hold for a while. How do you feel and at what level do you park it? At $6 a gallon, mine will become a storage pod, only to be started once in a while. What is your limit?

Phil Swanson
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116339 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 09:26 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Dennis S is currently offline  Dennis S   United States
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Registered: November 2005
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Senior Member
Unlike many who use or plan to use their coaches for long trips I have always thought mine would be for shorter/closer to home excursions. Gas will probably average $6 per gallon over the years I use the GMC and will not really affect any plans.

Dennis

philipswanson wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 09:16

It is no secret that gas prices are headed for new levels, well above $4 a gallon, maybe $5 by summer. Just curious when folks are going to park it and at what level. Will you drive your coach at $5 a gallon or more? How about long trips to rallies at over $5 a gallon? My cross country summer trips are probably put on hold for a while. How do you feel and at what level do you park it? At $6 a gallon, mine will become a storage pod, only to be started once in a while. What is your limit?

Phil Swanson



Dennis S
73 Painted Desert 230
Memphis TN Metro
Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116340 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 09:45 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gmcrv1 is currently offline  gmcrv1   United States
Messages: 839
Registered: August 2007
Location: Memphis
Karma: -1
Senior Member
Phil,

That is a good question. For myself, I haven't driven mine since I brought
it home last year. Just trying to be sure it is reasonably road worthy and
comfortable to inhabit.

For some, the prices of fuel may not change their plans. For others, myself
included will mean attending rallies closer to home or more local touring,
which for me is easy as I have only lived in the area for eight years and
haven't done much local touring.

I'm originally from New Jersey and return twice a year. I usually drive and
I average 22 mpg. At 2,100 miles (round trip) the fuel cost at $3 per
gallon is right around $300. Last trip earlier this month, I bought round
trip airfare for $164. Rented a car for a week at $160. Cost $324. Saved
four days of driving and meals and two nights in a hotel.

Why drive 550 miles a day?

That same trip in the GMC - assuming 9 mpg and $3 per gallon = $700. At $4
per gallon = $933. $5 = PRICELESS or $1167.

An alternative way to use the coach is to follow Rob Mueller's lead and drop
the GMC somewhere. Fly in and go. I have a good friend in western North
Carolina who grows truffles on his farm. I could base the GMC there and
harass the Eastern States members - heck I could join them if they would
have me! NC is close to a lot of good GMCers and Bean Station.

Just what I'm thinking - subject to change without notice. Results may
vary.

*Happy Motoring!*

Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN

On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 9:16 AM, Phil Swanson <woodyman1@sbcglobal.net>wrote:

>
>
> It is no secret that gas prices are headed for new levels, well above $4 a
> gallon, maybe $5 by summer. Just curious when folks are going to park it
> and at what level. Will you drive your coach at $5 a gallon or more? How
> about long trips to rallies at over $5 a gallon? My cross country summer
> trips are probably put on hold for a while. How do you feel and at what
> level do you park it? At $6 a gallon, mine will become a storage pod, only
> to be started once in a while. What is your limit?
>
> Phil Swanson
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116341 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 10:03 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gordh1   Canada
Messages: 332
Registered: February 2011
Karma: 0
Senior Member
Hi Phil,
Curiously, I was just writing with a colleague up here in Canada - as I'm not a GMC Motorhome owner yet, I was writing that the biggest issue I have with it at the moment is that (sorry but...) "boat anchor" 455. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_V8_engine

My intent would be to leave from here for a couple of months each winter and go waaayyyy south - that would be a $2k fuel bill alone, and that's just silly, not to mention being terribly environmentally irresponsible.

There's so many FWD engines available today that can produce pretty close if not more torque and hp, and even the worst, gets double the fuel mileage.

Bottom line for me is the 455 has to go. It's one thing to pour loads of money in to a coach to make it to your taste, but a whole other thing when you're pouring money in to it at such a rate it's no longer worth doing what you wanted it to do.

BTW, I did see an ad (Craigslist I think) just this week, for someone with a GM looking for info on proven diesel conversions... = I would think if any of the GMC Motorhome suppliers were in tune, they would be thinking really hard about offering some conversion to <whatever>, that would keep these from becoming garden sheds.

Gord Wink
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116343 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 10:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Luvn737s is currently offline  Luvn737s   United States
Messages: 1106
Registered: June 2007
Karma: 2
Senior Member
Yeah, a conversion would be nice, but if it cost $20K to do the conversion, would many people want to do it? I am sure this is the question those capable of engineering such a conversion ask themselves.

History has proven that fuel prices spike and then come back with a little of the residual spike still attached as a new baseline. And up and down they go. More people will stop driving because of other factors like age and the hassles and anxiety of breakdowns both real and imagined than because fuel is too expensive.


Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116344 is a reply to message #116341] Thu, 24 February 2011 10:19 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhb1 is currently offline  jhb1   Canada
Messages: 303
Registered: February 2004
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Senior Member
Hi Gord

We have been down this topic road before myself included the cost of a decent diesel conversion doing the work yourself is going to approach 10-15K and take you at least a year to do and even if you increase your mileage by 50% the payback is going to be many many miles down the road. I had thought of using a V10TDI for Volks but just a good used engine and ECU harness is in the 12-14K range plus adapters etc.. a well tuned 455 will get you where you want to go and can be fixed by Bubba on the side of the road.
JMHO
gordh1 wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 11:03

Hi Phil,
Curiously, I was just writing with a colleague up here in Canada - as I'm not a GMC Motorhome owner yet, I was writing that the biggest issue I have with it at the moment is that (sorry but...) "boat anchor" 455. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_V8_engine

My intent would be to leave from here for a couple of months each winter and go waaayyyy south - that would be a $2k fuel bill alone, and that's just silly, not to mention being terribly environmentally irresponsible.

There's so many FWD engines available today that can produce pretty close if not more torque and hp, and even the worst, gets double the fuel mileage.

Bottom line for me is the 455 has to go. It's one thing to pour loads of money in to a coach to make it to your taste, but a whole other thing when you're pouring money in to it at such a rate it's no longer worth doing what you wanted it to do.

BTW, I did see an ad (Craigslist I think) just this week, for someone with a GM looking for info on proven diesel conversions... = I would think if any of the GMC Motorhome suppliers were in tune, they would be thinking really hard about offering some conversion to <whatever>, that would keep these from becoming garden sheds.

Gord Wink



John H. Bell
77 Royale; QuadBag,Manny OneTon,Honda EV4010, FITech
Montreal Qc.
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116348 is a reply to message #116343] Thu, 24 February 2011 11:06 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Larry C   United States
Messages: 1168
Registered: July 2004
Location: NE Illinois by the Illino...
Karma: 0
Senior Member
WOW! We are all knowing or will have to acknowledge in the future, that fuel is going to raise. With all the unrest overseas, which all happen to be involved with crude in one way or another, this has to have a negative effect to crude and the resulting oil pricing.

Ok, then lets go with this, it has already been predicted that fuel will go to the $5.00 mark. Its true in the past prices fluctuated up and then down, never reaching the low level it was before. But circumstances now may force prices to remain high.

So for the question, AT WHAT POINT DO YOU PARK IT?

Everyone is different and everyone has different comfort zones. The GMC is not generally used as an every day driver. And those that are may see more down time as the dollar tag on the gallon of gas goes up. it is inevitable.

If you plan to drive long distance once a year, then its time to start saving for the fuel costs. Its no different than any other vacation. If you save for the trip, it won't as bad at the pump if you have it in reserve.

OBVIOUSLY, at some point, the scale of cost to travel in the GMC will be a lot more than taking a car/train/plane/boat and staying in a hotel. If you travel with pets, you may stay with the GMC longer than others because in my experience, motels/hotels do not like pets, and if they do, you are put into a stinky "smoking room".

If you are not the type to save up the gas money for a trip, you will park it much sooner than those that do.

It is all a personal decision you make as you try to maintain your comfort zone. Everyone will have to make the decision someday in their own way satisfying their own needs.

Shall we mention technology for the moment....
Fuel is being made in the lab out of plants. It is non poluting, clean to the air. They have made it now for test quantities and are considering ways to make it in quantity and at affordable costs to the consumer. ( affordable again is in the eyes of the consumer ). This was on tv and it is very much along the ways of becoming a viable product. So I would not let it sit and rot yet. there are options now and more coming.

I don't see an electric GMC, but the Electric cars are here. true, not so great yet, but the volt saves 50 gallons of gas each charge. At 1000 cars thats 50000 gallons of gas not burnt. As battery technology, and motor technology gets better, that number will get bigger.

There are conservative folks that have parked their GMC already. Becoming mother-in-law rooms and kids play houses.

Ultimately, its all in how you feel about your GMC and how you treat the vacation planning.


Gatsbys' CRUISER 08-18-04
74 GLACIER X, 260/455-APC-4 Bagg'r
Remflex Manifold gaskets
CampGrounds needed, Add yours to "PLACES" /> http://www.gmceast.com/travel
_
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116352 is a reply to message #116348] Thu, 24 February 2011 11:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
philipswanson is currently offline  philipswanson   United States
Messages: 282
Registered: January 2004
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Senior Member
Maybe we should not be so quick to scratch an electric GMC. Given the conditions, I think that makes more sense than a diesel conversion which saves nothing. Diesel used to be cheap but is even more expensive than gas in most areas. I think the oil companies have actually added a diesel surcharge to the price of a gallon to offset the added mileage you might get, effectively cancelling any cost benefit. An advantage to electricity would be high torque. But that battery would be the major problem, both weight and capacity. Battery technology has moved at a snails pace but hopefully will pick up when gas hits $5 + a gallon. Bottom line is, we are all addicted to cheap fuel and that may come to an end sooner than we are prepared to handle. Rallies will need to be held within 30 miles from home or almost no one will go.

Phil Swanson
77GMCPB
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116355 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 11:51 Go to previous messageGo to next message
mike miller   United States
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma: 0
Senior Member
philipswanson wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 07:16

It is no secret that gas prices are headed for new levels, well above $4 a gallon, maybe $5 by summer. Just curious when folks are going to park it and at what level. Will you drive your coach at $5 a gallon or more? How...


It would take very high gas prices to stop me from traveling... when I finally have the time to travel!

-- answering several different posts --

As you make your calculations about drive vs fly and gas to diesel engine swaps, note that the cost of these other fuels (diesel/jet fuel) will also go up. In fact in the past, didn't these other fuels have go up even more than gas? ...percentage wise anyway.

I like the idea of "prepositioning" your coach in the area you want to tour... but it is hard to work on it when it is any distance from you. If you are going to REALLY follow Rob's lead, you need to buy another coach... one for the south and one for the north. (Winter and summer coaches?)

Rob is a special case, I think gas has to get pretty high before his method becomes a good option for most of us.

Engine swaps might get you a small MPG increase but most of the "good mileage improvements" of the modern large pick-ups, SUV's and trucks come from improvements in the TOTAL PACKAGE. Not just the engine. Any swap that could give dramatic improvements would have to include a large amount of the newer drive-train, like the transmission. ... See the problem? I wish there was a good modern replacement for our transmission.

In any case, you will have to keep and drive your coach for a very long time for any 'swaps' to make economic sense. Swapping just because you can... go for it, just do not expect a "payback" any time soon.

Over the long term, I expect the problem isn't the cost, but WHAT fuel will be widely available in the future. (Price of ANY motor fuel is going to go up.) Maybe it would be better to look into some type of "flex fuel" engine. I am not talking about an engine that will just "run" on a verity of fuels, but one that will adjust enough to get the "most" out of whatever fuel you find.

I have been looking but I haven't found one...yet. But I have seen something that could be "made" close. But they want $38K for just the motor and turbos.... Shocked Still looking.


Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
(#2)`78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- (#3)`77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
More Sidekicks than GMC's and a late model Malibu called 'Boo' http://m000035.blogspot.com
Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116356 is a reply to message #116352] Thu, 24 February 2011 11:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gmcrv1 is currently offline  gmcrv1   United States
Messages: 839
Registered: August 2007
Location: Memphis
Karma: -1
Senior Member
I do NOT want to make this political, but the high price of gas will
hopefully speed up the search and development of alternative fuels.

We look forward to traveling in a gas guzzler because we want to but, most
people have to pay the high price of fuel just to get back and forth to work
etc. Everyday. They don't have the choice to park it..

In the meantime, don't we have a bunch of oil in Alaska? Great place to
take my Glacier - to visit it's namesake.

Please take this as intended and not to start a political fire. Now, what
tires would be best for my GMC...

Tom Eckert N2VWN
73 Glacier
Oakland, TN

On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 11:27 AM, Phil Swanson <woodyman1@sbcglobal.net>wrote:

>
>
> Maybe we should not be so quick to scratch an electric GMC. Given the
> conditions, I think that makes more sense than a diesel conversion which
> saves nothing. Diesel used to be cheap but is even more expensive than gas
> in most areas. I think the oil companies have actually added a diesel
> surcharge to the price of a gallon to offset the added mileage you might
> get, effectively cancelling any cost benefit. An advantage to electricity
> would be high torque. But that battery would be the major problem, both
> weight and capacity. Battery technology has moved at a snails pace but
> hopefully will pick up when gas hits $5 + a gallon. Bottom line is, we are
> all addicted to cheap fuel and that may come to an end sooner than we are
> prepared to handle. Rallies will need to be held within 30 miles from home
> or almost no one will go.
>
> Phil Swanson
> 77GMCPB
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116357 is a reply to message #116355] Thu, 24 February 2011 11:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gmcrv1 is currently offline  gmcrv1   United States
Messages: 839
Registered: August 2007
Location: Memphis
Karma: -1
Senior Member
Mike,

I agree - especially the part about "Rob is a special case". We should be
hearing from him shortly! (lol)

Also, as the cost of operation goes up, there may be more GMCs on the
auction block so owning several may be rather affordable.

Tom E

On Thu, Feb 24, 2011 at 11:51 AM, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> philipswanson wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 07:16
> > It is no secret that gas prices are headed for new levels, well above $4
> a gallon, maybe $5 by summer. Just curious when folks are going to park it
> and at what level. Will you drive your coach at $5 a gallon or more?
> How...
>
>
> It would take very high gas prices to stop me from traveling... when I
> finally have the time to travel!
>
> -- answering several different posts --
>
> As you make your calculations about drive vs fly and gas to diesel engine
> swaps, note that the cost of these other fuels (diesel/jet fuel) will also
> go up. In fact in the past, didn't these other fuels have go up even more
> than gas? ...percentage wise anyway.
>
> I like the idea of "prepositioning" your coach in the area you want to
> tour... but it is hard to work on it when it is any distance from you. If
> you are going to REALLY follow Rob's lead, you need to buy another coach...
> one for the south and one for the north. (Winter and summer coaches?)
>
> Rob is a special case, I think gas has to get pretty high before his method
> becomes a good option for most of us.
>
> Engine swaps might get you a small MPG increase but most of the "good
> mileage improvements" of the modern large pick-ups, SUV's and trucks come
> from improvements in the TOTAL PACKAGE. Not just the engine. Any swap that
> could give dramatic improvements would have to include a large amount of the
> newer drive-train, like the transmission. ... See the problem? I wish
> there was a good modern replacement for our transmission.
>
> In any case, you will have to keep and drive your coach for a very long
> time for any 'swaps' to make economic sense. Swapping just because you
> can... go for it, just do not expect a "payback" any time soon.
>
> Over the long term, I expect the problem isn't the cost, but WHAT fuel will
> be widely available in the future. (Price of ANY motor fuel is going to go
> up.) Maybe it would be better to look into some type of "flex fuel" engine.
> I am not talking about an engine that will just "run" on a verity of fuels,
> but one that will adjust enough to get the "most" out of whatever fuel you
> find.
>
> I have been looking but I haven't found one...yet. But I have seen
> something that could be "made" close. But they want $38K for just the motor
> and turbos.... 8o Still looking.
> --
> Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
> '73 26' exPainted D. -- `78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- `77 23' Birchaven
> Side Bath
> http://m000035.blogspot.com
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116359 is a reply to message #116355] Thu, 24 February 2011 12:15 Go to previous messageGo to next message
ejuk8em is currently offline  ejuk8em   United States
Messages: 90
Registered: July 2010
Karma: 0
Member
PARK IT ???
Some of us are still trying to get ours back on the road!!

Lyle A. Rigdon, Retired Superintendent
'73 Pineapple Yellow Sequoia
Pawnee, IL  62558
Pawnee Pride - Live It!

--- On Thu, 2/24/11, Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com> wrote:


From: Mike Miller <m000035@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It?
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Date: Thursday, February 24, 2011, 11:51 AM




philipswanson wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 07:16
> It is no secret that gas prices are headed for new levels, well above $4 a gallon, maybe $5 by summer.  Just curious when folks are going to park it and at what level.  Will you drive your coach at $5 a gallon or more?  How...


It would take very high gas prices to stop me from traveling... when I finally have the time to travel!

-- answering several different posts --

As you make your calculations about drive vs fly and gas to diesel engine swaps, note that the cost of these other fuels  (diesel/jet fuel) will also go up.  In fact in the past, didn't these other fuels have go up even more than gas? ...percentage wise anyway. 

I like the idea of "prepositioning" your coach in the area you want to tour... but it is hard to work on it when it is any distance from you.  If you are going to REALLY follow Rob's lead, you need to buy another coach... one for the south and one for the north. (Winter and summer coaches?) 

Rob is a special case, I think gas has to get pretty high before his method becomes a good option for most of us.

Engine swaps might get you a small MPG increase but most of the "good mileage improvements" of the modern large pick-ups, SUV's and trucks come from improvements in the TOTAL PACKAGE.  Not just the engine.  Any swap that could give dramatic improvements would have to include a large amount of the newer drive-train, like the transmission.  ... See the problem?  I wish there was a good modern replacement for our transmission. 

In any case, you will have to keep and drive your coach for a very long time for any 'swaps' to make economic sense.  Swapping just because you can... go for it, just do not expect a "payback" any time soon.

Over the long term, I expect the problem isn't the cost, but WHAT fuel will be widely available in the future.  (Price of ANY motor fuel is going to go up.)  Maybe it would be better to look into some type of "flex fuel" engine.  I am not talking about an engine that will just "run" on a verity of fuels, but one that will adjust enough to get the "most" out of whatever fuel you find. 

I have been looking but I haven't found one...yet.  But I have seen something that could be "made" close.  But they want $38K for just the motor and turbos....  8o   Still looking.
--
Mike Miller -- Hillsboro, OR -- on the Black list
'73 26' exPainted D. -- `78 23' Birchaven Rear Bath -- `77 23' Birchaven Side Bath
http://m000035.blogspot.com
_______________________________________________
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Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116361 is a reply to message #116357] Thu, 24 February 2011 12:30 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jhb1 is currently offline  jhb1   Canada
Messages: 303
Registered: February 2004
Karma: 0
Senior Member
HI

Just as a thought when I started (1967) driving gas was $0.22/gal and I was making 65cents an hour so basically I was making 3 gallons an hour do the math for your own situation and you will see it is not that bad and I just filled the car @ 1.26/liter that is approaching 5.00/gallon


John H. Bell
77 Royale; QuadBag,Manny OneTon,Honda EV4010, FITech
Montreal Qc.
Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116365 is a reply to message #116361] Thu, 24 February 2011 12:49 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
Messages: 2337
Registered: March 2008
Location: Mounds View,MN
Karma: 0
Senior Member
I just spent $1700 on new front wheel bearings, $2000 + on a new engine, another $1000 or more on other little things. Then about 10k on the coach itself. So, 15k?

Do you think I'm going to let it sit because I'm too cheap to pay $4 a gallon for gas??

BTW, in the spring of '08 I took the family on a 2 week vacation, from Minnesota to Yellowstone, Grand canyon, Zion etc spent like $3k in gas alone as there were a few times gas was over $4.

So this is not new territory to me.
The change I would make is to not drive so dang much and stay in one place longer to enjoy meself


Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116372 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 14:09 Go to previous messageGo to next message
lqqkatjon is currently offline  lqqkatjon   United States
Messages: 2324
Registered: October 2010
Location: St. Cloud, MN
Karma: 5
Senior Member
http://www.care2.com/causes/global-warming/blog/synthetic-gas-breakthrough-could-eliminate-carbon-emissions/

can't come fast enough!


Jon Roche 75 palm beach EBL EFI, manny headers, Micro Level, rebuilt most of coach now. St. Cloud, MN http://lqqkatjon.blogspot.com/
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116389 is a reply to message #116338] Thu, 24 February 2011 15:41 Go to previous messageGo to next message
carguy is currently offline  carguy   United States
Messages: 498
Registered: June 2006
Location: Coshocton OH
Karma: 0
Senior Member

I have always contended that fuel is the least expensive cost of owning a GMC or any motorhome or boat or airplane or . . for that matter. If I wanted better mpg I'd drive slower and that's not going to happen.

Fuel prices are determined by international politics which is why we need to work toward becoming independent by using our own oil.

Being "green" isn't an issue for me because I don't buy into the myth of human affected global climate change.

End of rant!


Bill Brown - '77 Buckeye Cruiser
Coshocton OH
carguybill@sbcglobal.net
Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116390 is a reply to message #116389] Thu, 24 February 2011 15:43 Go to previous messageGo to next message
cbwoodsr is currently offline  cbwoodsr   United States
Messages: 1063
Registered: February 2004
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Senior Member
I've always thought we were trying to use up everybodies supplies first so we would still have some when they run out, then turnabout;fair play.

CBWood
77 Kingslay
MWC OK
ONLINE PARTS PROGRAM
www.GMCMHParts.com

Re: Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116394 is a reply to message #116389] Thu, 24 February 2011 17:01 Go to previous messageGo to next message
gordh1   Canada
Messages: 332
Registered: February 2011
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Senior Member
carguy wrote on Thu, 24 February 2011 16:41

I have always contended that fuel is the least expensive cost of owning a GMC or any motorhome or boat or airplane or . . for that matter. If I wanted better mpg I'd drive slower and that's not going to happen.


Shocked Ummmm... Bill, would you mind, please recall I'm not yet a GMC Motorhome owner, what other consideration / issue with a GMC Motorhome could perhaps exceed 40 or 50 cents per mile of use?

Quote:


Fuel prices are determined by international politics which is why we need to work toward becoming independent by using our own oil.


Shocked Ummmm... Bill, and if you don't have it or it runs out?

Quote:


Being "green" isn't an issue for me because I don't buy into the myth of human affected global climate change.



Shocked Ummmm... wow! (Did I say wow?) Shocked I'm speechless!

Thanks Bill,

Gord


Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116398 is a reply to message #116341] Thu, 24 February 2011 17:46 Go to previous messageGo to next message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Gord,

I do not mean to be confrontational or a smart ass but could you please cite
the FWD engine / trans / final drive combinations that are installed in 26'
12,000 lb Motorhomes that get double the mileage?

Dave Lenzi has installed a state of the art 8.1 liter Vortec (L18) engine in
his GMC.

http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=36474

I drove it when I visited him the year before last and it has more than
ample power. I couldn't remember what his mileage was so I called him just
now and he noted "with the way I drive - 10 mpg max not towing and 9 towing.
However, if I drove more conservatively I'm sure I would get better
mileage."

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Gord Hubbell
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 3:04 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It?

Hi Phil,
Curiously, I was just writing with a colleague up here in Canada - as I'm
not a GMC Motorhome owner yet, I was writing that the biggest issue I have
with it at the moment is that (sorry but...) "boat anchor" 455.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oldsmobile_V8_engine

My intent would be to leave from here for a couple of months each winter and
go waaayyyy south - that would be a $2k fuel bill alone, and that's just
silly, not to mention being terribly environmentally irresponsible.

There's so many FWD engines available today that can produce pretty close if
not more torque and hp, and even the worst, gets double the fuel mileage.

Bottom line for me is the 455 has to go. It's one thing to pour loads of
money in to a coach to make it to your taste, but a whole other thing when
you're pouring money in to it at such a rate it's no longer worth doing what
you wanted it to do.

BTW, I did see an ad (Craigslist I think) just this week, for someone with a
GM looking for info on proven diesel conversions... = I would think if any
of the GMC Motorhome suppliers were in tune, they would be thinking really
hard about offering some conversion to <whatever>, that would keep these
from becoming garden sheds.

Gord ;)
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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It? [message #116399 is a reply to message #116357] Thu, 24 February 2011 18:12 Go to previous messageGo to previous message
USAussie is currently offline  USAussie   United States
Messages: 15912
Registered: July 2007
Location: Sydney, Australia
Karma: 6
Senior Member
Tom,

I assume you are talking about me but I'm surprised that you noted I was a
"special case" and not a "nut case!" ;-)

In a "nut shell" petrol here in Sydney is $1.25 AUS per liter which converts
to $4.88 US per gallon.

I consider myself lucky here in Australia, check out the link below!

http://www.usa-vs-uk.com/petrol.html

Will fuel prices ever stop me from driving Double Trouble? Nope, we bought
it to tour the USA and will continue to do so until I feel I am not capable
of driving it safely.

Regards,
Rob M.
USAussie - Downunder
AUS '75 Avion - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428
USA '75 Avion - Double Trouble TZE365V100426


-----Original Message-----
From: gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org
[mailto:gmclist-bounces@temp.gmcnet.org] On Behalf Of Tom Eckert
Sent: Friday, February 25, 2011 4:58 AM
To: gmclist@temp.gmcnet.org
Subject: Re: [GMCnet] Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It?

Mike,

I agree - especially the part about "Rob is a special case". We should be
hearing from him shortly! (lol)

Also, as the cost of operation goes up, there may be more GMCs on the
auction block so owning several may be rather affordable.

Tom E



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Regards, Rob M. (USAussie) The Pedantic Mechanic Sydney, Australia '75 Avion - AUS - The Blue Streak TZE365V100428 '75 Avion - USA - Double Trouble TZE365V100426
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