"you can check out all the facts at fullflexint.com a large manufacturer of E85 conversion kits. as far as i know the v10 ford engines are not E85 compatible without the conversion kit. even though E85 has a higher octane the burn properties are different than gasoline so it take slightly more fuel to get the same results as gasoline and that is why you use more fuel. however at 8mpg average using gasoline a 15% reduction in fuel economy would reduce it to 7mpg? ill give that up for an average savings of .60 to .70 per gallon. the average nationwide price of E85 is currently 2.71 per gallon verses an average of 3.21 for gasoline, in colorado where i live the average price for E85 is 2.19 verses the average price of 3.19 for gas. that is 1.00 per gallon"
Thanks Sean!
You are making a good point and I hope E85 stays permanently down in price. It's too bad Ford doesn't now ship it's truck V10's ready to use E85 if the owner so desires.
For what it's worth, I just returned from Death Valley and tried to keep it at 55 to 57 MPH or less down and back on the highways (less inside the park for several days). I didn't keep carefull records, but by rough calculations I got "around" 10 MPG - so it can be done with a V10 if your Class C is small enough. I didn't see any E85 stations along the route here in CA, however.
E85 is a fuel mixture of 15% gasoline and 85% ethanol made from corn mostly but it can also be made from sawgrass or sugarbeets. if you have a vehicle that is a flex fuel vehicle or converted to one you can use it instead of gas and it is cheaper and burns cleaner as well as being a renewable fuel. even if it does not remain permanently less expensive ill continue to use it for 2 reasons, 1 it is sticking it to the big oil companies, and it keeps my money here at home in the US with american farmers. 2 it burns cleaner than gas so it will help my engine last longer.
99 Fourwinds 31QSV Class C and a 04 Jeep Unlimited running E85 ethanol fuel
stations are not easy to find right now as it is a new fuel however there are websites that you can find the stations on and plan your trip around them, i am planning a trip from denver to disneyland CA and will be able to keep the rig fueled with E85 the whole way. however remember that it is called a flex fuel engine because you can mix the 2 fuels E85 and gas in any proportion so if you cant find it just stop and fill up with gas.
dotcom wrote: I am planning a trip from denver to disneyland CA and will be able to keep the rig fueled with E85 the whole way.
It will be really interesting to hear your report after your return home Sean. I hope you will let us all know how the trip went and feedback from your records. I think everyone will be looking for a way to save on fuel cost so we can keep enjoying our rigs for a long time to come. The trip sounds great, don't forget to have some fun between all that record keeping.
The DW and I were worried about the cost of fuel crimping our style. We just bought our '03 Minnie Winnie in August. After much "What iffin'" I wrote a little Excel spreadsheet. I figure the cost of fuel for both the car and the RV. I figure the cost of a campsite for the trip and also the cost of a motel, or SP Lodge. I'm quite surprised at the savings I can get by RVing vs staying in other lodging.
If you're interested in trying this application yourself, PM me and I'll send you my formulas.
Ahhh Hell! It's only money. What are you gonna do? Take it with you in a coffin? I'm sure alot of people said that. But with that said, that's WHY fuel prices keep on rising. Everyone keeps driving when they could carpool. Wasting trips when they don't need to go out. And so on.
We can go RVing this season because we feel that since saving money in heating bills all winter, (by burning only wood), that we have the extra to spend without pressing against the economy. My neighbor has spent over $3500 all winter in fuel oil bills. Us? Just my labor to cut, split, stack, and keep the stove going.(and yes, I go get my own wood) Is it worth it? Yes it is to us. And also to the economy.
So you ask, Are posters in denial? Not us!
2008 Chevy Silverado 4x4 3500 RC/LB 6.0
2007 Chevy GS Conquest Super C 6349
2007 Chevy HHR Toad 2LT 2.4
1990 Chevy G20 Cargo Van 305
1967 Chevy Camaro Pro Street 468/650hp BBC
My 70's Show - Tom Kent Radio Network - K•Hits 106.7
eieioh wrote: The DW and I were worried about the cost of fuel crimping our style. We just bought our '03 Minnie Winnie in August. After much "What iffin'" I wrote a little Excel spreadsheet. I figure the cost of fuel for both the car and the RV. I figure the cost of a campsite for the trip and also the cost of a motel, or SP Lodge. I'm quite surprised at the savings I can get by RVing vs staying in other lodging.
If you're interested in trying this application yourself, PM me and I'll send you my formulas.
ed
that and add the cost of kenneling 2 dogs and 2 parrots for the average week long trip and you have paid for half the fuel just by taking them with you. of course i get a lot of weird looks from people who walk by the rv when they hear i high pitched voice yell out "HI" and "PRETTY BIRD" and "STEP UP" lol its just too funny!
Ok so I did a little playing with $4.00 / gal. on a 14 day vacation vs no RV and taking a plane for 5 people.
Distance 1000 miles, MH gets 7 mpg, cost $571.43 for fuel, Meals cooked in a MH ( Brkfst $3, Lunch $5, Dinner $7) = $15/day 14 days or $210 per person 5 people
= $1050 .
Camp fees 14 days @ $35/day $490,
12 MH payments @ $400.00/month $4,800 - total $4,800.
Insurance, maintenance, toll fees, misc. $750
Return Trip fuel cost 571.43
Grand total $ 8,232.86
Now flying:
Tickets 5 people @ $ 500 a ticket $2,500,
Food ( Brkfst $5, Lunch $7, Dinner $15), total $27 x 14 days 5 people, $1,890.00 Car 14 days, $400,
Sleeping Rooms @$200/night ( this price would equal the MH accommodations, yes you could do Motel 6) also this could be all 5 in a nice room, or two rooms at $100/night. Total rooms $2,800.00 ,
Grand Total $7,590.00
I'm sure I left something out, but still.....Interesting
Quote: Everyone keeps driving when they could carpool. Wasting trips when they don't need to go out. And so on.
According to the nightly news a few days ago, oil consumption in California is actually DOWN a little. they blamed the rising fuel cost to Wall Street speculators.
Paul & Linda
2007 Jayco Seneca HD 34SS Duramax
2005 Saturn VUE
"Monty", "Maggie" & "Murphy" the mighty Shih Tzus
FMCA #F375077
Every time the cost of gas is discussed,I remember when my brother parked his Shelby GT500 and bought a new VW ,the price of gas had hit a whopping 45 cents a gallon-he said if you want to pay for it you can drive it-so I drove it all summer as a junior in high school,wow--- what high speed memories that summer turned into!
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