These fuel costs are depressing...

[Nappers]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

I get 16-17mpg in the Yukon, I drive it (although the it's the wife's favorite) to work, it sits for 12 hours and then home for 12 hours and I try not to go anywhere during my days off or I take the Neon as it gets 36-37mpg average to pick up kids.

We have had to turn down camping trips due to cost of gas. It *****.

I hope you find an alternative, the ideas above sound good, zones, smaller vehicle. See what it would take to haul your equipment and go smaller or V-6.

Give Joe a call and see how he copes with it, I think he has a big Chevy van like you do. Maybe he can give some insight.

Aaron

[CosmoTiki]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

We need Hybrid or EV commercial vehicles. Thats great that most of the auto makers are starting to show a green (other than money) side, but unfortunately commercial vehicle MPG doesnt seem much better. I wonder how feasible an electric commercial vehicle or one with a motor assist would be for our application.

There are a lot of buses that are hybrid electrics and some prototype fuel cells, but not so much in the LCV (light commercial vehicle) segment yet. Battery technology constraints really limit a commercial EV (range, payload, etc.). Hybrid (HEV) is a costly, complex, "interim" technology. Direct injection, turbo-charged diesel ("clean", low sulphur variety) is the most cost-effective, current choice, even with the diesel premium.

Longer term, fuel cell electrics (FCV) offer the most promise, but there are a lot of issues to be overcome. If I recall correctly, even at $4.00/gal, gasoline is still less expensive than it is to produce the same btu equivalent of hydrogen with today's technology.

As for the topic at hand... in addition to the other suggestions on pricing adjustments (which are always sensitive in a shrinking economy), you may want to consider adding a Gear Vendors overdrive to your service truck. It'll set you back a couple thousand (ouch!), but you can do the math fairly easily to see what your payback rate (ROI) would be and when the investment would start paying for itself.

Also, make sure you're only carry the absolute minimum of items you need... no point in hauling extra weight (i.e. do you really need 4 DAs?). It takes a bit more planning up front, but will pay off in time with the lower GVW.

The other choice might be to switch to a clean, used 4 cyl TDI diesel LCV (i.e., small box van).

No easy choices, but at least there are choices. Also know that you're not the only one struggling w/ fuel prices. If you can find a better solution, you'll win in the end.

Best of luck!

[My TT]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Gas prices affect everything, $4.00 a gallon is right around the corner. Lets start a program like Brazil has, they produce fuel via sugar cane, Holland is using hydrogen in their cars and thermo engergy to produce electricity, where is the US in all this? We have the technology now, what are we waiting for?

[Forever New]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

We have to deal with Detroit automakers and an entire economy dependent on crude oil. The whole Flexfuel from GM I find to be a farce, just a way for them to get around federal MPG regulations.

I see biodiesel being a viable option very soon as long as the gov't will help support production and infrastructure development. There are algae farms producing some really promising results in this area.

[Mort Corey]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Gas prices affect everything, $4.00 a gallon is right around the corner. Lets start a program like Brazil has, they produce fuel via sugar cane, Holland is using hydrogen in their cars and thermo engergy to produce electricity, where is the US in all this? We have the technology now, what are we waiting for?

I passed $4 a gallon last week....those were the good old days. Unlike Brazil (which could sell us ethanol cheaper than we can produce it here if it weren't for our tarriffs) we're subsidizing the burning up of our food supply....eating (or burning as it were) our seed corn.

I'm betting on $175 a barrel oil before years end (any takers?)

Mort

[BlueZero]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

I'm betting on $175 a barrel oil before years end (any takers?)Mort

<--- I couldn't find the crying smile.

Not sure what that would make gas prices but I bet we are around $5 a gallon this summer. We are at $3.55 for regular here now.

[roushstage2]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

I am burning about $60-$70 a week in gas in the Roush just to drive to school 2 days a week. That much isn't including how much I am using to drive around town either. I can't wait to buy another Neon.

[spence82]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

3.65 for 87 here in Indy

[roushstage2]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

3.65 for 87 here in Indy

Ha! I can't remember when it was that low. Right about $4 for 87 here. My 91 is costing me about $4.15 to $4.20 a gallon.

[Forever New]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Ouch! Its $3.85 for 93 here in Jacksonville, FL. 87 is still floating around the $3.45 mark.

[J. A. Michaels]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

In New Port Richey, Fl. (just north of Tampa) 3.49 for 87.

[kellyinkc]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

We just hit $3.39 for 87 octane. It has not affected us too much,
We ride the bus to work and the company helps pay for part of bus pass.

Taking a food crop and turning it into fuel is not the best IMHO.

Kelly

[spence82]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Ha! I can't remember when it was that low. Right about $4 for 87 here. My 91 is costing me about $4.15 to $4.20 a gallon.

where you live? i put 94 in my Trans Am didnt see how much it was today.

[roushstage2]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

Far away up in the mountains of the Sierra Nevada's.

Agreed Kelly. We need the food right now, not the cars.

[Tom Weed]

Re: These fuel costs are depressing...

These prices are going to effect my side business detailing, as people wont have the extra cash to want to have this done, and it's made me reconsider just driving to different places... I hate this!!! Do we ever think it will go back down???