Increased air in tires to sidewall max -> +10% mpg

[WackyDan]

I'd like to point out that the actual dollar value difference between 9.0pmg and 9.5mpg is larger than 40mpg vs 50mpg. If you can get an extra 0.5mpg towing, you're saving as much money as if I got an extra 40-50mpg out of my car.

With 1000 tongue weight, 8k-9k pounds of trailer and tires inflated to max stated sidewall pressure there are no fuel savings to be had unless you can flatten the roads and order up a tail wind.

 

[Yuriman]

With 1000 tongue weight, 8k-9k pounds of trailer and tires inflated to max stated sidewall pressure there are no fuel savings to be had unless you can flatten the roads and order up a tail wind.

So rolling resistance goes to zero as you increase weight, leaving aerodynamics and conservation of momentum as the only applicable factors?

 

[xBiffx]

Here's yet another reason why dumb people have no money.

I once knew a guy who commuted 30k miles a year in his truck. I told him to get a used Buick...the ones that get 32MPG all day without breaking a sweat.

I did some quick napkin math for him, but to no avail. He continued driving that truck for another two years, and whining about the cost of gas. He could have easily bagged $9700 in savings not including selling the car when he decided to quit the long commute. So...pretty close to $12k lost to the stupidity tax.

This is on top of the $5k the dealership soaked him for a stripper truck in the first place....he paid full sticker. And then he ran transmission fluid in the engine "to clean out the carbon soot". He did this on the advice of his last rate mechanic BIL. Utterly predictable results. The engine sounded like a metal can full of ball bearings.

So he should have spent money on another vehicle? Sorry, but for some people two vehicles is out of the question. And it doesn't make sense to spend thousands to save hundreds.

I have an F-150 Ecoboost and commute 80 miles a day. I average 19 MPG. I looked into it and say I want to get a vehicle that averages 40 for that same commute. Well, that saves me roughly $1500 a year. Another vehicle costs me almost that in insurance alone let alone the cost of the vehicle. I'm not driving a beater 80 miles a day. I need something reliable.

So for many, commuting with the truck because you need it on occasion is the only possibility and also makes perfect sense.

However, I do have a V-Star that I commute on when it makes sense.

 

[tortillasoup]

So he should have spent money on another vehicle? Sorry, but for some people two vehicles is out of the question. And it doesn't make sense to spend thousands to save hundreds.

I have an F-150 Ecoboost and commute 80 miles a day. I average 19 MPG. I looked into it and say I want to get a vehicle that averages 40 for that same commute. Well, that saves me roughly $1500 a year. Another vehicle costs me almost that in insurance alone let alone the cost of the vehicle. I'm not driving a beater 80 miles a day. I need something reliable.

So for many, commuting with the truck because you need it on occasion is the only possibility and also makes perfect sense.

However, I do have a V-Star that I commute on when it makes sense.

If you use a truck that infrequently, you'd be better served with a car and just renting the damn truck. Anybody who buys a brand new fancy truck is just a stupid poseur/yuppie/asshole. It's possible to own two vehicles for not a lot of money, but that second vehicle better be a beater and not have collision coverage. It costs me about $200 a year in insurance to insure my older vehicles. The important thing is to let the insurance company know that you only drive them like 1000 miles or less per year. Let's face it, most yuppies would put at most about 1000 miles a year of actual real truck usage.

 

[xBiffx]

If you use a truck that infrequently, you'd be better served with a car and just renting the damn truck. Anybody who buys a brand new fancy truck is just a stupid poseur/yuppie/asshole. It's possible to own two vehicles for not a lot of money, but that second vehicle better be a beater and not have collision coverage. It costs me about $200 a year in insurance to insure my older vehicles. The important thing is to let the insurance company know that you only drive them like 1000 miles or less per year. Let's face it, most yuppies would put at most about 1000 miles a year of actual real truck usage.

I use my truck 4-5 times a month which can equate to 10 or so days. That isn't infrequent. In fact, I'm not sure how you concluded anything about frequency from my previous post.

So your answer is to lie to the insurance company. Are you retarded? Or just jealous?

 

[tortillasoup]

I use my truck 4-5 times a month which can equate to 10 or so days. That isn't infrequent. In fact, I'm not sure how you concluded anything about frequency from my previous post.

So your answer is to lie to the insurance company. Are you retarded? Or just jealous?

What would you say, you do? Going to the golf course does not count as "using my truck".

 

[xBiffx]

What would you say, you do? Going to the golf course does not count as "using my truck".

Not sure why it matters. You are going to just tell me I don't need it.

But anyways, here goes. I own a new (to me) house on acreage which means I have a lot of work to do. I haul materials nearly every weekend for the purpose of fixing up and maintaining the home/land (gas, fertilizer, mulch, lumber, sheeting, bird seed, plants). I haul what garbage I can't burn or otherwise reduce to the dump once a month. I tow a trailer for my quad when I want to go somewhere else with it and for my tractor when I need either serviced.

I also use my truck to travel to races here and around the area where I tailgate. That means either towing a trailer or hauling all the tailgating supplies. Tents, chairs, grills, coolers, and other sundries.

My 4x4 truck comes in handy during the winters here as well.

But hey, I probably don't need that truck now do I.

 

[tortillasoup]

Not sure why it matters. You are going to just tell me I don't need it.

But anyways, here goes. I own a new (to me) house on acreage which means I have a lot of work to do. I haul materials nearly every weekend for the purpose of fixing up and maintaining the home/land (gas, fertilizer, mulch, lumber, sheeting, bird seed, plants). I haul what garbage I can't burn or otherwise reduce to the dump once a month. I tow a trailer for my quad when I want to go somewhere else with it and for my tractor when I need either serviced.

I also use my truck to travel to races here and around the area where I tailgate. That means either towing a trailer or hauling all the tailgating supplies. Tents, chairs, grills, coolers, and other sundries.

My 4x4 truck comes in handy during the winters here as well.

But hey, I probably don't need that truck now do I.

It sounds like you have utility for that truck but nothing to justify a brand spankin new truck though.

 

[xBiffx]

It sounds like you have utility for that truck but nothing to justify a brand spankin new truck though.

What difference does that make in an MPG thread? To each his own. You are full of retard today.

Go be jealous somewhere else. Oh, and by the way, I paid nearly $12K less than sticker on my truck.

 

[exar333]

What difference does that make in an MPG thread? To each his own. You are full of retard today.

Go be jealous somewhere else. Oh, and by the way, I paid nearly $12K less than sticker on my truck.

Doesn't sound like you need a truck. Period.

Please sell the truck, buy a Prius and get a donkey/mule for hauling around the property. if it doesn't fit in the Prius, or is too big for the donkey to carry or drag, you probably don't need it anyway.

 

[Tsavo]

So he should have spent money on another vehicle? Sorry, but for some people two vehicles is out of the question. And it doesn't make sense to spend thousands to save hundreds.

You quoted my post, yet did not read it. He would have saved $9700 in fuel costs after paying for the more fuel efficient car, not including what he could have sold the vehicle for after he was done with the long commute. So, right around $12k lost by being too stupid and lazy to save some cash.

I'm surprised how few people consider the cost of fuel of their new vehicle over the life of the note. In the case of this person I used to know, that cost was $40k...$11k more than what he (over)paid for the truck itself.

...and dumb people wonder why they are always broke.

 

[xBiffx]

Doesn't sound like you need a truck. Period.

Please sell the truck, buy a Prius and get a donkey/mule for hauling around the property. if it doesn't fit in the Prius, or is too big for the donkey to carry or drag, you probably don't need it anyway.

LOL. Remember I already have a V-Star. Why waste the money on the Prius. That's just two more tires than I really need.

 

[tortillasoup]

What difference does that make in an MPG thread? To each his own. You are full of retard today.

Go be jealous somewhere else. Oh, and by the way, I paid nearly $12K less than sticker on my truck.

Lol, Jealous? Yeah right. Annoyed, sure but Jealous? Nope. As for why it's relevant in an MPG thread, it's because you claim it's too expensive to own two vehicles. Also while I'm glad you paid $12K less than the MSRP, that probably means you still spent a fortune on the truck.

LOL. Remember I already have a V-Star. Why waste the money on the Prius. That's just two more tires than I really need.

Tires on a Prius are a lot cheaper and last longer than those on a truck.

 

[xBiffx]

You quoted my post, yet did not read it. He would have saved $9700 in fuel costs after paying for the more fuel efficient car, not including what he could have sold the vehicle for after he was done with the long commute. So, right around $12k lost by being too stupid and lazy to save some cash.

I'm surprised how few people consider the cost of fuel of their new vehicle over the life of the note. In the case of this person I used to know, that cost was $40k...$11k more than what he (over)paid for the truck itself.

...and dumb people wonder why they are always broke.

No way in hell anyone saves $10,000 in fuel costs at today's price. Check your math.

Like I said, I commute 80 miles a day, which equates to just around 20K miles just for work, not counting pleasure/weekend miles. So I easily put 30K on my truck every year but the commuting miles are the subject because that is the reason to potentially look for another vehicle. My savings for a 40 MPG vehicle is roughly $1500. Check your math.

Here this might help. And this is with fuel at $3.65. It's $2.50 here now.

http://www.moneyunder30.com/commuter-car-with-low-mpg-for-long-commute

 

[Tsavo]

No way in hell anyone saves $10,000 in fuel costs at today's price. Check your math.

Like I said, I commute 80 miles a day, which equates to just around 20K miles just for work, not counting pleasure/weekend miles. So I easily put 30K on my truck every year but the commuting miles are the subject because that is the reason to potentially look for another vehicle. My savings for a 40 MPG vehicle is roughly $1500. Check your math.

Here this might help. And this is with fuel at $3.65. It's $2.50 here now.

http://www.moneyunder30.com/commuter-car-with-low-mpg-for-long-commute

Damn, you are one dense human being. YOU need to do the math on saving $ going from 11 MPG to 32 MPG. I'll give you a hint, since you are pretty slow upstairs...it's a lot of money.

 

[xBiffx]

Damn, you are one dense human being. YOU need to do the math on saving $ going from 11 MPG to 32 MPG. I'll give you a hint, since you are pretty slow upstairs...it's a lot of money.

It's a lot of money but it sure as shit isn't the money you are talking about. I spend $10,000 in five years for fuel in my truck, so how am I going to save $10,000?!? And you call me slow upstairs?

Let me help:

80 mile commute 5 days a week = 400 miles
For arguments sake we'll do that for 52 weeks = 20800 miles/year
F-150 @ 19 MPG = 1095 gallons/year
Commuter car @ 40 MPG = 520 gallons/year
Difference = 575 gallons/year @ @$2.50/gallon = $1437.50/year

Lets use your example.
Car @ 11 MPG = 1891 gallons/year
Car @ 32 MPG = 650 gallons/year
Difference = 1241 gallons/year @ $2.50/gallon = $3102.50/year

Curious where you came up with your 11 MPG figure anyways. My 19 MPG is an actual average. So for me, it makes no sense to get a second vehicle just for commuting.

Even if my average was 11 MPG it wouldn't make a whole lot of more sense to spend around $10,000, not including tax, insurance, and registration on another vehicle. Like I said, I'm not relying on a beater to get me 80 miles back and forth to work, especially in the wintertime.

In your friend's case, it sounded like the commute was temporary. So that's an even dumber reason to get a second vehicle.

 

[Subyman]

Quoted for hilarity.

I also have an F150, but I can count on my hands how many times I use it in a year. Its resale value is practically zero at this point, or I'd probably move over to using a rental when I couldn't pull whatever I needed in a trailer behind my car.

I use mine nearly everyday. Was borrowing a truck for awhile before finally getting to the point in my profession when I needed to own one.

Keeping to the OP's topic, I think it would be neat if the big truck manufacturers offered a HFE model that was lowered, had air dams, high efficiency tires, and an engine retune. I bet a full size could get near 30mpg when those modifications.

 

[xBiffx]

I use mine nearly everyday. Was borrowing a truck for awhile before finally getting to the point in my profession when I needed to own one.

Keeping to the OP's topic, I think it would be neat if the big truck manufacturers offered a HFE model that was lowered, had air dams, high efficiency tires, and an engine retune. I bet a full size could get near 30mpg when those modifications.

The ecodiesel is close at like 28 MPG now. Plus there is a lot of work going on for hybrid trucks. The problem is do any of these have the power/stamina to do truck things for any length of time.

 

[cabri]

A 20 mpg increase for even 20000 miles is 1000 gallons of fuel less used.
At an price average of $3 that is $3K per year in fuel savings.

you would have to be comparing 3-5 years of driving for the savings that is being spouted.

Whether the extra cost of the new car (vs an existing vehicle) will also be included; It will take at a minimum of this time to recoup in fuel savings alone.

 

[Subyman]

xBiffx, seems like you are in a unique position. Sounds like you have a city job, but like to live in the outskirts. I think approaching a car/truck purchase with 100% logic is kind of dumb. If we were 100% logical, we'd still be using 1950's trucks with airbags and crumple zones.

An accountant in your position would probably buy a 1995 F150 for $3500 and a ~2000's Honda Civic/Accord for the commute. But you know what? That would be boring as hell. Then again, they'd probably also live in an efficiency apartment and eat manager's specials.

Money is meant to make your life better and I'm sure working in the brand new F150 is much better than commuting in a shit box for 30 years.

 

[xBiffx]

A 20 mpg increase for even 20000 miles is 1000 gallons of fuel less used.
At an price average of $3 that is $3K per year in fuel savings.

you would have to be comparing 3-5 years of driving for the savings that is being spouted.

Whether the extra cost of the new car (vs an existing vehicle) will also be included; It will take at a minimum of this time to recoup in fuel savings alone.

Not necessarily true, but your point still holds true.

 

[JimKiler]

I don't get the battery thing. The alternator has to charge it one way or another. Unless the guy charges the deep cycle through his garage socket and doesn't use the alternator at all.

Agreed, I had a deep cycle battery to power my car stereo back in the day but i am under the impression it will last longer without a charge but still needs a charge.

Also as far as over inflating tires go, I have been doing it for years with my 2003 Mazda Protege5. I tried going down to manufacturer PSI but the ride was not stiff enough for me. I want to feel the control i have on the road, bouncy ride makes it harder to do.

 

[xBiffx]

xBiffx, seems like you are in a unique position. Sounds like you have a city job, but like to live in the outskirts. I think approaching a car/truck purchase with 100% logic is kind of dumb. If we were 100% logical, we'd still be using 1950's trucks with airbags and crumple zones.

An accountant in your position would probably buy a 1995 F150 for $3500 and a ~2000's Honda Civic/Accord for the commute. But you know what? That would be boring as hell. Then again, they'd probably also live in an efficiency apartment and eat manager's specials.

Money is meant to make your life better and I'm sure working in the brand new F150 is much better than commuting in a shit box for 30 years.

Exactly my situation. I decided not to live in the urban environment anymore. I needed room!

And to you point. I won't buy a beater not only for reliability but also for the fact that I'm spending nearly 8 hours a week commuting. I want some comfort as well.

I subscribe to your philosophy. Why spend the time commuting to not spend the money on nice things. :thumbsup:

 

[repoman0]

Lol, Jealous? Yeah right. Annoyed, sure but Jealous? Nope.

It must suck to get so easily annoyed at how strangers on the internet choose to spend their money. Seems like it'd make for a stressful life

 

[tortillasoup]

It must suck to get so easily annoyed at how strangers on the internet choose to spend their money. Seems like it'd make for a stressful life

Thank you for your understanding.