GMCforum
For enthusiast of the Classic GMC Motorhome built from 1973 to 1978. A web-based mirror of the GMCnet mailing list.

Home » Public Forums » GMCnet » Gas Prices- At What Point Do You Park It?
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 previous message
mike miller   United States
Messages: 3576
Registered: February 2004
Location: Hillsboro, Oregon
Karma:
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
 
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Read Message
Previous Topic: moving fresh water fill port
Next Topic: [GMCnet] Tolls & Axle was Hensley GMC Motorhome Airbag Solution
Goto Forum:
  


Current Time: Sun Jun 23 14:05:41 CDT 2024

Total time taken to generate the page: 0.00823 seconds