diesel is getting expensive

[pteubel]

Peter,
  Last time I checked. Five gallons of the cheapest veggie oil at Sam's Club was $4.00/gallon. But you need to heat it up before it will work in a regular engine(you have to install a pre-heat tank). If you remove the glycerin( make it into biodiesel) you have to add the cost of lye.

Mike

I was actually thinking more along the line of 500 gallon quantities. I wouldn't bother using it in my truck nor even converting it into biodiesel. After many, many years of wrenching I no longer have ANY desire to work on my primary mode of transportation. But as a replacement for home heating oil or for stationary/off-road engines, that's something I'd consider.

 

[pteubel]

On the plus side:  The high cost of fuel HAS forced me to stick to the posted highway speed limit. 2004 Dodge 2500 5.9L Diesel, auto trans. By driving 65-67mph on the highway, I'm getting a combined average of 23mpg....or WAS until I re-installed my ladder rack. That dropped me down to 21mpg.  Still quite respectable for a 3 ton truck. When I was averaging 75mph on the highway, it was down to 17mpg combined.

It only costs $.02 more per mile in fuel costs than my wife's AWD Subaru.

We won't talk about economy when I'm hauling a trailer with 4 tons of logs or when I have the slow plow on...

 

[John Stevens]

just remember this percentage level of taxation is MUCH LESS than was imposed on tea to (what was called at the time the american colonies)

BEFORE they decided that enough was enough

more power to their (american) elbow

I generally think it's best to stay away from political discussions, especially on a moderated internet chat forum, but this topic is very timely as we in the U.S. approach a presidential election that could lead to another rapid expansion of socialism in the U.S., at least similar to the Johnson years.  Thanks for sharing that, DD.  I'll shut up now--there's plenty of food for thought in what you've written for those willing to really think about what you've said, let alone look further.

Regards,

John

 

[dirtydeeds]

my comment was a compliment not a political comment

if its offended anybody i apologise

 

[John Stevens]

my comment was a compliment not a political comment

if its offended anybody i apologise

Well, with this many American readers, practically anything one writes is bound to offend somebody 

That said, (a) I don't think your comments would offend a reasonable person, (b) I was referring to what I had written, and (c) economics and politics are virtually inseparable, so whenever a comment is made on an economic issue, there's always a political implication for those willing to think about it. 

Regards,

John

 

[dirtydeeds]

ned's geography / distance comments make sense

we have a different problem caused by the other side of the same coin

i live 16 miles from central london, it takes 1 hour (route planner)

it CAN be done.............  if you are on the road at 06:30

getting home is a nightmare, rush hour starts at 3:30pm with chelsea tractors doing school runs

(opps............ "chelsea tractor" could be construed as a economic/political comment  : )

geographical sizes arnt boasting and the grass isnt greener

 

[dirtydeeds]

the ultimate accessory for your chelsea tractor ?

spray on mud.....................  ;D

this is not a joke product
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/jun/14/uknews

 

[dirtydeeds]

more pain on the way  :-\

the opec chief is warning that 200 dollars a barrel is possible, its already 120
http://business.timesonline.co.uk/tol/business/industry_sectors/industrials/article3830383.ece

 

[Woodenfish]

from what i can see the price of fuel is a political atom bomb in america

it isnt the same here

our politicians dont give a monkeys (in fact they love it) because the tax raised gives them the power to do whatever they want

When oil was $60/barrell Goldman Sachs had a report threatening the price was likely to rise to $105.

Goldman Sachs now states we will see oil in the next 4 years hit $200-250/ barrel.

How is it that 2 Democrat presidential wannabes raised a combined $420 million to date during an ongoing PRIMARY election during a recession?

From ordinary working class people?

I think not?

The $420,000,000 does not include the money needed for the general election in November. That will need more fundraising!

Many bankers lost their shirts in their own housing scandal, not Goldman Sachs though.

We will soon see in the US gasoline prices up to $10/gallon and home heating bills of $1000/month thanks to all of our lovely politicians!

KABOOOOM!!!!

 

[John Stegall]

Back to the original discussion, while visiting my daughter in Luxembourg, I would see the French lined up at the pump across the border in Belgium filling up. Another point, is that most cars in Europe run on diesel and get more mpg than Toyota's Prius.

I would love to be able to buy something like the Renault Kangoo. Sure would get better mileage than my old Aerostar (used to haul Festools).
Link below to electric version:http://www.evworld.com/images/index.cfm?image=kangoo_lg

 

[dirtydeeds]

fuel tax varies a lot over on the continent, when i was regularly driving to spain from england we avoided buying diesel until we got to france, and spanish fuel was cheaper again

continenental artics (semis) fit long range tanks and fill up at continental ports to avoid buying fuel in england

some english truck companies register their truck fleets (perfectly legally) in europe to avoid our taxation system   

artic is the most common term in england for articulated trucks

 

[semenza]

the ultimate accessory for your chelsea tractor ?

spray on mud.....................  ;D

this is not a joke product
http://www.guardian.co.uk/science/2005/jun/14/uknews

Hi,

  I've got some Throw On Dirt that I could let go for  $5.00 a pound.   

Seth

 

[dirtydeeds]

does "let go" refer to the installation charge   

dont worry seth, there will be some stupid limey who will pay your price

it will of course retail in the uk at 10 dollars

 

[semenza]

does "let go" refer to the installation charge   

dont worry seth, there will be some stupid limey who will pay your price

it will of course retail in the uk at 10 dollars

The shipping to Europe is a killer though.  I will custom install , but that gets pricey.

Seth

 

[Ned]

the ultimate accessory for your chelsea tractor ?

spray on mud.....................  ;D

There are pickup owners in the US that will not put anything in the bed for fear the paint would be scratched.

I do understand the hesitation, which is why with every new truck I've put a dent inside the bed with a hammer immediately on taking delivery.  "There, it's not new anymore."

Ned

 

[Ned]

  I've got some Throw On Dirt that I could let go for  $5.00 a pound.   

Don't go for it!  Seth's mud is inferior!  The best US mud is Georgia Red Clay!  Accept no substitutes!

I have no mud.  Best we can do here is sand, gravel, and something that looks like thin peat moss.

Ned

 

[graphex]

Politics get mentioned, and instantly the mud slinging begins!

Hadn't heard the term Chelsea Tractor before. Not sure if there is a US equivalent... "giant SUV driven by a soccer mom" doesn't have the same ring.

 

[Eli]

In Melbourne they call a Range Rover a "Toorak Tractor", no doubt the English influence there. Toorak Road is where the mansions are.

 

[joraft]

There are pickup owners in the US that will not put anything in the bed for fear the paint would be scratched.

I have two trucks, the F250 will haul anything and I don't care what I put in the bed. The F150 is more dainty, it has a lid on the bed, which is completely lined with carpeting. I keep that one highly polished and don't allow anything in it that's even slightly dirty.

Trucks are kinda like boots, you have a pair to work in that get torn up, and a pair you take good care of so you can go anywhere without being ashamed to be seen in them. 

John

 

[mastercabman]

There are pickup owners in the US that will not put anything in the bed for fear the paint would be scratched.

I have two trucks, the F250 will haul anything and I don't care what I put in the bed. The F150 is more dainty, it has a lid on the bed, which is completely lined with carpeting. I keep that one highly polished and don't allow anything in it that's even slightly dirty.

Trucks are kinda like boots, you have a pair to work in that get torn up, and a pair you take good care of so you can go anywhere without being ashamed to be seen in them. 

John

i rather be in a,not so clean truck anyday!!!!!