Let the games begin...... ::)
Let's see who is the first one to buy fuel at $4.00 a gallon will be.
It's fair to post as it gets closer.
In the Tampa Bay area I've seen $3.87. But, you can't be like me. Not good enough to just see it. Who will be the first Bus Nut to purchase fuel at $4.00 a gallon. We will want to know how many gallons you purchased also.
Bill
Well I guess we won, If you want to called that wining. It is $405 a Gal in Alsip IL.
Pete & Jean
FANTASY
It's 4.19 at my corner. 3.89 across the street. Who'da thunk I should have filled a 50gal drum at 3.25! I think I'm going to take my Govt check of 1500 and just buy fuel for this summer's travels!
Pete and Jan -
I love the Alsip flea market. Stopped there once on the way through to Iowa. Pretty Cool!
Went to 4.059 to day.
Glenn
Been to the flea Market their my self many times. You can alway fine something every time you go.
Pete & Jean
FANTASY
I feel lucky. I had to stop at the nearest station to me this morning because I dumped a bunch of kerosene in the tank and I needed to dilute it. I put in 100g at 3.75g. When I came back late this afternoon, the price was up to 3.87. Funny how that fuel in the tank can appreciate faster than stock in the bank ???
I needed fuel Sunday paid 4.69 a gal at a Chevron at Needles Ca cheapest in town (100 bucks for 21 gals) 20 miles to Az on I 40 fuel was 3.59 at Pilot.Another bus nut told me if cross the river at Needles fuel is about 1.00 dollar cheaper in Az about 2 miles from Needles FWIW
Try Canada. We have been up over $4.40 per US gallon for over a month ($5.05 per imperial or $1.11 per litre)
$4.009 at the Flying J in Barstow today. However, the RV discount took it to $394.9.
A while back there was a thread on whether the fuel prices would affect our travel habits. At the time I said the we would still travel to our trade shows. However, we are starting to plan our cut-backs. We will not make it to BusN USA (been to all three so far :-\). It was a bit iffy at $3.30, but we just can not justify a trip for one event (even if it is a great one).
We had made plans for a trip to the Bus Conversion Rally and then on to Laguna Seca for a big race (Rolex Series and Champ Car). That all went in the toilet. First BC canceled and then Champ car and Indy joined and Champ canceled their Laguna Seca race. I am supposed to be a spotter for the winning Daytona 24 hour GP class team (good friend is a driver for the team). May look at flying out. May just have to cancel altogether.
Bottom line, this fast escalation in price had taken its toll on us.
Maybe this way I can get some business and bus projects done.
Jim
I just took a look at Flying J's website where they post the fuel prices from all over the US and Canada.
http://serv2.flyingj.com/fuel/diesel_CF.cfm?state=ALL
Except for one stray station in NY, it looks like those of us in PA seem to have the market cornered on the $4/gal diesel (here in the US). Doin' our best to catch Canada.
Jim, how are you getting 6 cents discount from Flying J?
Thanks in advance!
Jack
I topped my tank off last Saturday and paid 3.58. I drove past the same place yesterday and it was 3.87. By the time I top off the tank again this Saturday it may be over 4.00. (if they get a fuel shipment)
The place I stop is usually the lowest on the routes of my normal weeks travels. And they only seem to change the prices when they get a new shipment. (good when the price is going up, not so good when the prices drop)
.
I think the last time I bought diesel for the bus it wasn't much over $3 a gallon. Today, $3.69 is cheap.
I am starting to wonder if I should even move forward with working on my bus. Fuel prices are getting so high I'm not sure it will be affordable to drive anymore. My plans for this year call for 5,750 miles of driving the bus on two trips. I have specific destinations so I can't just cut back without cancelling trips altogether.
Jack:
Just get a Flying J Frequent Fueler card. They are free & they give you a discount on fuel & other purchases. It also allows you to get fuel without the "$ amount limit" without going inside & leaving your credit card for a deposit.
Have Fun!
TOM
Tom, I have one, it gives me one cent off, unless I buy a lot of overpriced crap in the store. I will check on one that gives a bigger discount.
Thanks
Jack
The chevron over at olive dr and the 99 freeway has been at 4.05/9 for the last week. Hold on to your hat I think it will go to $5.00 a gallon buy the end of summer.
Don
$4.19 here in NY for the past week.
I can live with the price of fuel for my bus but it's the other things in my life that is going to hurt like food ,electric power and transportation.The farmers are paying 3 times the amount to grow our food , the truckers are paying a high price for fuel to get it to us and you can bet the electric co's are going to get their share when the times comes and this money is going to come from the citizens.I also look for 5 bucks a gal in June or July
Me thinks that was a trick question... $4.00 a gallon ( Even?? )
You can get $3.99/9 or $4.00/9 but $4.00 even...
Nobody in recent times doesnt't charge that 9/10 of a cent.
But if you round up a $3.99/9 according to your bank it's $4.00
Now the sad part, Flying J has changed their discount plan, You have to spend
a bunch of money in their stores to get the discount on fuel.
I just got that info in the S.E. BusNuts news letter.
That's OK, I don't use Flying J anyway. I go where trucks go.
I always though the F-J fuel was a little higher priced than regular truck stops...???
Dave..... Too Poor to admit dee-feet....
Jack, the Flying J card generally gives you the cash price for credit card plus 1 cent per gallon discount. I have found that it is not uniform among all Flying Js.
Tom, again, I have found that the card does not guarantee a no limit fill. I always just bite the bullet and go into the desk and give them my RV card and my credit card. Scares the heck out of me, but I have had no problem so far after many fill-ups over the past two years.
Jim
Save fuel, my fellow busnuts!
Do not run the engine unless it is to move.
Pre-fill your air with an electric compressor.
Shut it off when you stop.
Accelerate with partial throttle, not to the floor.
Choose a more fuel efficient cruise speed.
Drive with a style that religiously avoids using the brakes.
Coast it in from a long way back.
Buy cheaper refreshments to fuel the bus?.... ok, that's going a bit too far!
DO NOT GIVE UP!!!!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
This situation has been making it very difficult to "sell" the idea of getting a bus anytime soon. I have been toying around and looking here and there but the raw costs are now getting to the point where I really have to ask myself if I can afford to get into this hobby. My wifey is questioning my sanity at this point with the cost of fuel and everthing else associated with the purchase.Factoring in all the costs of a trip in the family van, even with it's gas hotels and food, I think it is tipping the scales for me at least right now. I think I will have a wait and see attitude.
I was looking at an older Prevost in Alabama that is pretty much ready to use, but set up as a tour bus. I figured I would have 5 years to fix it up for our use, that would coinside with my retirement. I am thinking now about putting that cash into the bank and saving up for another 5 years and maybe just getting something ready to roll at that time.
Guess I will be a wanna-be til something else comes along or things change.
Busnuts still rule the cost/benefit equation.
The gas for the family jalopy is way up too, the cost of the restaurant meals will be up because transportation costs are up, hotels only go up...
The bus and the grocery store costs the same as the hotel and restaurant bills. The travel, you get for free.
We've done it both ways, (as have many others on here) and the bus is cheaper, and I don't pay $11.00 for a bowl of Cheerios....
Keep it relative, fuel is only one part of the equation, and divided amongst all the family members, how are you going to have that kind of fun and experience for that little any other way?
Buy the right coach, and have some fun!!!
happy coaching!
buswarrior
I agree with BW!
The good times you will miss and can't get back, ever. I wish I had bought ours years ago. The price of fuel won't stop me from enjoying the rest of our lives together traveling and seeing bus nut friends. By that time diesel will be much more, but the experiences will be worth it. I will be spending our children's inheritance, they can have what's left, if any. ;)
You only live on this earth once, might as well have fun while your here.
Paul
we use our bus about 10,000 miles per year and this year it will cost us from 6 to 7 grand.We are out on the road for about 150 days if you stay in a decent motel for 70 to 125 dollars a night and eat out every day that will cost you about 20 grand and I like my own bed so I will just suck it up and pay for the fuel. a few of us have made plans to see the East coast this year and no way are we going to cancel this trip to long in the planning fwiw
Looking into a fishing trip on the West coast of Vancouver Island this summer with my sons and maybe my wife. It will take 2 days to get there. Once there they want $150.00 a night for 3 nights to stay there. That's $450.00. Plus the room on the way there and back. Eating out 3 times a day is pricey as well. The bus burns maybe 30 to 50% more fuel than the pickup. The bus on the ferry is only about $60.00 more than the pickup each way. The bus is a lot more fun.
No brainer: we will take the bus.
No matter which way you travel, it is expensive. With 2 people or more on the bus, you will find it the least expensive.
Quote from: lostagain on March 12, 2008, 12:40:10 PM
The bus is a lot more fun.
No brainer: we will take the bus.
No matter which way you travel, it is expensive. With 2 people or more on the bus, you will find it the least expensive.
Before I bought my first Rv we did the math on the costs vs flying/driving car, rental cars, hotels, meals...etc
Unless your flying from Miami to Seatlle and staying two days, Lostagain has it right on the mark!
The Bus is always the deal!
Multiply that times 4 like us, and theres NO place like the coach...... ;D
Cliff
Thanks for giving me some ammo!
Maybe the wifey will read these posts ;D
Quote from: Green-Hornet on March 12, 2008, 04:13:30 PM
Thanks for giving me some ammo!
Maybe the wifey will read these posts ;D
More ammo! With these ridiculous fuel prices (that we'll soon be used too, and only wish fuel was still that cheap!), bus prices are dropping as fast (well almost) as the price of fuel is going up! FWIW! ;D BK ;D
PS; renting a car here in Dallas today to drive down to Houston to look at SETRA that we may buy!
Why is it that the price per gallon seem to be higher at the truck stops? I would think that with the volume that they pump they would be the cheapest. Just my observation.
Hi Skip, Truckers are a captive audience!
They have no where else to fuel.
If you want to get a good laugh, then go in a fuel stop and check out the prices on items in the store. They are inflated 20% to 40% over an average convenience store.
Jack
Remember the good ol days when most truck stops were owned by mom and pop and they actually appreciated your business and gave you a good deal for the dollar. The food was home cooked and the hospitality genuine. I haven't seen an independent like that since the late seventies on a long dry stretch of highway in the middle of nowhere and the poor owners were hurting because they couldn't compete with the big guys and everyone was just blowing by them. :'( Once the competition got rid of them, well, you know the rest. PP (I'm talking food and convenience items, not fuel)
Oh yeah, Bett's Big T
Jack & Jim,
I don't know what's up with the Flying J card. They started out giving $0.03/gallon off & now they don't. But, so far, I can still fill completely up if I use the card. They probably will change that too.
Talking about Mom & Pop truck stops, one of the best was Ida Mae & Joe's Midway Truck Stop in Midway, Ga. They would cash a personal check for you. Try that at Petro!
TOM
We 400 gallons back when it was $2.38 150 in the bus and 250 in a barrel beside the shop and havn't used more than 50 gallons of it.
You guys don't know how lucky you are. I paid $1.179/litre today - do the math and that's $4.44/yankee gallon. And that was Safeway fuel with a 7c/litre discount. Their pump price was $1.249 or $4.71. Welcome to Canada.
Welcome Quebec, Canada....1.359$/liter...I think that this summer I will put a house fuel (furnace) and running not far....RRRRrrrrrrrrrrr!
Well, I've said it befor and I'll keep saying it.
Our forfathers went to a Full on Killing WAR, over Less..
HINT....HINT.....HINT.....
We are being SCREWED by Those that have the Real power in this land I went to War FOR. I'd go to War again to get it BACK........
Quote from: superpickle on March 16, 2008, 03:26:02 PM
Well, I've said it befor and I'll keep saying it.
Our forfathers went to a Full on Killing WAR, over Less..
HINT....HINT.....HINT.....
We are being SCREWED by Those that have the Real power in this land I went to War FOR. I'd go to War again to get it BACK........
Here in TN a few years ago the state govt. was discussing adding a state income confiscation (tax). While they were in session, a large group of protesters (rednecks) surrounded the assembly building and threw rocks at the windows breaking them out. Yup they got arrested. But the state house of misrepresentatives that had been viewing the confiscation favorably, suddenly changed their position and the whole topic died quickly. Funny thing, it has been several years now without the added tax and none of the things they said would happen, have happened. We still have schools, law enforcement, state parks, etc. We have a high sales tax, but even though they were discussing reducing it when implementing the income confiscation, it would have eased right back up by now and we would be taxed double and they still wouldn't be able to balance a budget.
Bob and Le Mirage...ya'll want to join our rebellion? 8) It won't be long before the civil disturbance begins....hungry people get mean. >:(
A good beginning might be the Sierra Club and Greenpeace's home offices. Next...AlGore.
Hope someone will bail me out after I get arrested for inciting a riot. ???
Reckon our politik apparatchniks are monitoring busnuts websites? Now I scared.
JR 8) incogneeter ::)
3/15/08 Breezewood, PA
$4.79 gal. diesel
Finally happened here in my neighborhood. I went to lunch with my wife and noticed it at $3.99. When we came back about an hour later we are at $4.01. :'(
Tampa Bay reporting in.
Sunday 3/16/08
I manage to save a 100 bucks for fuel, that bought me 25gallon.
$3.99.9
Bill
Quote from: NJT5047 on March 16, 2008, 06:48:04 PM
Bob and Le Mirage...ya'll want to join our rebellion? 8) It won't be long before the civil disturbance begins....hungry people get mean. >:(
Many years ago now a good friend of mine told me that we would live long enough to see the day when we would have to defend our property with weapons. I thought he was over-reacting at the time (probably 25 years ago now) but as I get older I'm not so sure he was.
Keep your powder dry and your weapons unregistered.
Bob, the scariest part of your statement is who we'll be defending our property from :(
Quote from: bobofthenorth on March 17, 2008, 02:53:51 PM
Keep your powder dry and your weapons unregistered.
Amen. When 'they' come for your firearms, you'll know that the end is near.
However, a rather sporting and effective arsenal could be created with a little LP and gasoline...our pop guns may be the least of worries.
Us Yanks (more aptly, our cash bleeding government) must understand that our living standard has been subsidized by the oil and Asian moneychangers of the world. They ain't loaning us any more cash. This may be a good thing in the long run. It's going to be painful as hell in the short...for us, and the rest of the world. Even though we use an inordinate amount of energy, we are also the best of consumers...the world's marketplace if you will. The rest of the world will sorely miss us! :P
Another thing...who's going to protect the Arabs and their 'effing oil fields? That's what the USA has done for more than a half century. Suppose the French...or Chinese will step up? Not a chance.
signed, Paranoid (aka JR)
Speaking of guns.....
The Supreme Court heard argument today on the 2nd Amendment. The first time in 70 years to hear this subject.
Bill
Last two fill ups here in L.A.- 4.19 and 4.11. Nothing like putting 15gals in for $65.00. Good Luck, TomC
Gentlemen,
There is no shortage of oil and the oil companies are making the largest profits in history. The economy is taking a beating, independent truckers are putting their rigs up or sale and getting out of the business, and there is no telling where it will end. Some of you on the board own diesel automobiles because of the efficiency. That was a great move, but what do they turn around and do? Raise diesel to prices above gasoline. There has to be a shakeout, and improvement in the climate, but who knows how far down the road that will be. I've been pretty happy with a fishbowl suburban with 8V-71 and Spicer, but now I'm sorry I passed up on a couple of 4103s over the years.
I'll keep my Diesel Mercedes-Benz and will buy another Diesel car when they come available (which they will because of the superior fuel mileage Diesels get). I figured that my 25 mpg car costs the same to run as a 21 mpg gasoline car. Still a bargain, and I'm doing my small part in not driving a gas hog-which would be expensive considering I drive close to 25,000 miles a year.
With another analogy, with my 5mpg bus, I could have a gasoline engine getting 4.5 mpg. Which at nearly 35,000lb won't happen. I think that the old Crowns with the Hall-Scotts, got around 2-4mpg with not the same power as my turbo 8V-71. Good Luck, TomC