The Next KVD Posted February 6, 2015 Posted February 6, 2015 I'm getting 13mpg towing my skeeter zx185c with my 04' Chevy 5.3L CrewCab. 16mpg without anything in tow. Quote
SSkeeterzx190 Posted February 8, 2015 Posted February 8, 2015 Here is my rig and I'm not sure what I'm getting per gallon, it seems like some trips to the same lake are better than other. Quote
stfreed Posted February 9, 2015 Posted February 9, 2015 2500HD Silverado 6.0L 15 mpg solo, 11 mpg pulling my Z119c, and 9 mpg pulling a 6000lb camper. 180,000 miles and going strong. Bought a 1995 camry 4 cyl beater work car for $3000 and I get 34 mpg and up to 250,000 miles and going strong it paid for itself in under a year and gives me more money for fishing trips. :-) Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 9, 2015 Super User Posted February 9, 2015 I'll add buying a second car to my list of why a 3/4 ton is the better deal. Quote
Super User Maxximus Redneckus Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 A stick shift helps out with stopping. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 10, 2015 Super User Posted February 10, 2015 My auto downshifts…automatically, lol. Good luck finding anything above a compact truck with a stick. No one makes them anymore. Quote
Trek Posted February 11, 2015 Posted February 11, 2015 My auto downshifts…automatically, lol. Good luck finding anything above a compact truck with a stick. No one makes them anymore. That is true. When I was younger most trucks were the other way. Either a stick on the floor or a three on the tree. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 11, 2015 Super User Posted February 11, 2015 Ye Olde 4 Speed… remember when you had to push down and left then up to find reverse? 1 Quote
Trek Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Ye Olde 4 Speed… remember when you had to push down and left then up to find reverse? You mean grind reverse. Quote
bassmaster8100 Posted February 12, 2015 Author Posted February 12, 2015 Well guys I sold my small truck and Monday I purchased a 2003 GMC Sierra Z71 extended cab w/5.3L I have a 3 day weekend coming up so we'll see how she does on the fuel mileage with a boat in tow. I really appreciate all the feedback. Quote
Trent Wilson Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 Ok, now I have to add to my list the time to harvest used cooking oil, the equipment to process this into bio diesel, and the time and effort. Ok, I'll hop in my cheaper truck, fill it with cheaper gas, and go fishing while your busy with that. Lol. Laugh all you want. Last batch we cooked up at roughly 17c a gallon. When was gas that low? Not in my lifetime. Granted, startup cost was disturbing... Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 17 cents s gallon? Apparently startup costs are atrocious and not part of the math. I'd like to see the break down of your biodiesel production. Sounds like a more expensive hobby than fishing. I'm literally lol. Quote
Trent Wilson Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 The tank and chemicals are what makes it so expensive. Being related to an owner of a local race track, the fuel components cab be gotten cheap. Lye on the other hand, very controlled in the amount we buy. Oil is free. Tank ran almost 2 grand. We have since regained what we've spent on all the items. Quote
Trent Wilson Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 If you have a diesel and are willing to do the work and chemistry, it's a great money saver in the long run. And, you can sell the byproducts of the process. Glycerin. Make soap. And sell. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 I guess your time and effort, along with the fuel and mileage to harvest oil didn't figure in either. My cousin has been making bio diesel for over a decade. It's pretty cool. It's a lot of work, unless you are getting it from someone else that's doing all that harvesting and processing. It isn't a good reason to recommend a heavy duty diesel truck for a bass boat. Plus, you smell like French fries. It makes everybody hungry. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to drive a big truck - they're fun, and all the power is cool. But it isn't in the cards. Besides, I'd rather get the less expensive trucks, and have money to buy better gear. Quote
Super User BrianinMD Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 As its been described to me, when figuring the cost of doing something take the hours spent and calculate its value with the per hour rate you are paid at your work. Time is money and make some things done to "save" money not such a great deal. Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 12, 2015 Super User Posted February 12, 2015 Like driving ten miles to save a nickel on gas? Lol. Quote
Lip 'em! Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I'll add buying a second car to my list of why a 3/4 ton is the better deal. If that 3/4 ton is a diesel, then this won't be necessary. We take family vacations regularly in the truck. My auto downshifts…automatically, lol. Good luck finding anything above a compact truck with a stick. No one makes them anymore And if a stick is what tickles your fancy, dodge still offers that option. Diesel for life... Lol. Just stirring the pot a little looks like the OP has already made his purchase decision so mission accomplished. Quote
RustyShackleford Posted February 12, 2015 Posted February 12, 2015 I guess your time and effort, along with the fuel and mileage to harvest oil didn't figure in either. My cousin has been making bio diesel for over a decade. It's pretty cool. It's a lot of work, unless you are getting it from someone else that's doing all that harvesting and processing. It isn't a good reason to recommend a heavy duty diesel truck for a bass boat. Plus, you smell like French fries. It makes everybody hungry. Don't get me wrong, I'd love to drive a big truck - they're fun, and all the power is cool. But it isn't in the cards. Besides, I'd rather get the less expensive trucks, and have money to buy better gear. The oil isn't hard to come by and you can actually put scents in it. I do my own too. Get off at midnight, 20 mile drive usually gets me home at 12:30. 1am if I stop at all the fast food places and ask for the oil. It just feels weird walking into McDonals and saying....Let me get a 20 piece, large coke, and all the used cooking oil you have. Quote
TorqueConverter Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Laugh all you want. Last batch we cooked up at roughly 17c a gallon. When was gas that low? Not in my lifetime. Granted, startup cost was disturbing... Where I'm from law enforcement will go after you for running diesel #2 on the road because it doesn't contain a road tax and is intended for farm use. I can't imagine them being too happy about homegrown biodiesel. Quote
RustyShackleford Posted February 13, 2015 Posted February 13, 2015 Where I'm from law enforcement will go after you for running diesel #2 on the road because it doesn't contain a road tax and is intended for farm use. I can't imagine them being too happy about homegrown biodiesel. They can't do a thing. I do see where you're coming from, but that's only a requirement for actual farm use diesel. And TN state troopers love those tickets. You pay your tax on the methanol. In the last 2 years I've been running it, I've been stopped multiple times, tested everytime, and fined everytime. You're given a reciept for the methanol that has the same tax as any fuel. Show papers and you're clear. If you can prove it's 100% biodiesel, you're free to go. Quote
bassmaster8100 Posted February 18, 2015 Author Posted February 18, 2015 Ok guys I ended up getting 13mpg with the boat in tow and 15mpg without it. Loving the new wheels btw and thanks for all the input again. Quote
Super User Sam Posted February 18, 2015 Super User Posted February 18, 2015 It must take you a while to get to the lake at that rate! haha sorry man, had to do it. 1999 Jeep Grand Cherokee 4.7 V8 Country driving mileage 14-18 Highway 17-20 Pulling a 17' Ranger 13-14 Doesn't seem to matter if it's freeway or otherwise Pulling a 20' Ranger 10-12 WIGuide, I do look odd towing an 18.5 foot boat with my Subaru but we get there safely. What is really funny is looking at the trucks and trailers when parked. The go truck, truck, truck, truck, Subaru, truck, truck, truck........ Quote
Super User J Francho Posted February 18, 2015 Super User Posted February 18, 2015 Congrats! Enjoy the new wheels. Quote
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