So far this trip, we have traveled over 4000 miles, (3weeks) and would like to pass on the following observations.

Far less RV's on the road for this time of year. We like to travel before Memorial Day as we generally do not need reservations. ( My racing activity is also this time of the year) But this year a lot less RVs.'

Truckers have slowed down, WAY DOWN! In the past, doing 70 MPH on the Interstates, we would get passed regularly and only occasionally , stay with or pass another truck.

Now at 70 MPH, we are passing most all the trucks and only one or two will stay with us or pass. Clocking some of them they are at or under 65 MPH.

Cheapest fuel we have bought was $3.95/9 and the most expensive bought was $4.29/9 (California!) Most expensive that we saw was $4.69/9. (Grand Canyon area) We have averaged $4.15 so far. I am sure that will go up before we get back in another 10 days.

These are probably the most dramatic changes in driving habits since fuel prices have escalated.

quote:

Originally posted by MWrench:
Truckers have slowed down, WAY DOWN! In the past, doing 70 MPH on the Interstates, we would get passed regularly and only occasionally , stay with or pass another truck.

Now at 70 MPH, we are passing most all the trucks and only one or two will stay with us or pass. Clocking some of them they are at or under 65 MPH.

Your observations are inline with mine.

In regards to the "SLOW DOWN". Companies have initiated fuel mileage bonuses for their drivers and have turned the "Top Speed" down to 65-70 MPH on the rigs. The LTL (Less Then Truckload) Carriers are not moving the trucks unless there is more freight in them.

This translates into...

1) less truck traffic.
2) The rigs that are on the road are being used by the most senior drivers so there should be less rookie mistakes.
3) The rigs are nicer/newer as you wouldn't be band-aiding the older trucks to get the freight down the road.
4) Owner Operators who are in contract to pull freight for $xx.xx dollars are parking their rigs until they get out of their contracts or the shipper re-negotiates a more equitable rate. You can't run down the road for a "Net Loss". Some of these guys are taking day jobs at other trucking companies.
5) Shippers have demanded a higher "Minimum Order" before they will ship products.

.... and many are predicting $200/barrel oil prices in two years. That would place gas prices in the $6-7/gallon range, not unlike Europe now. I'm curious, are there many RV manufacturers in Europe now?

Not having a working speedometer in the Euro has taght me a few things. I know the Publix and Walmart rigs are going 65. They have them pegged and that's all they will do. Works great for me because 65 is a really comfortable speed for me and I often lag a bit back and run for miles behind one of these rigs. The tankers seem to be a bit slower, maybe 58 to 62, so we sometimes pass them. The bus charter that we use for Daytona has a set 72, but I wouldn't be surprized to see them lower that. With the old 454 carbed gasser I won't get more than 6 at anything over 75, but I might squeeze 8 to 9 at less than 65. That's why I always say 7.

... so if prices do continue to rise that would mean you may be paying near a $1/mile to go anywhere in a couple of years.

Yes, if we're looking ahead a couple of years, and your calculations are accurate, it is very conceivable that a buck a mile is in our future. As for me and mine, we'll do what we can while we can and when we can't do any more, Oh well, or Oh hell. I didn't vote for that... oops never mind!

You know, back in the 70's, Nixon put a 55MPH max on the highways. It saved a ton of fuel during a time that supplies were tight. In a 300 mile trip, it added about 45/50 minutes to your drive time. Who cared? I didn't, and I was traveling for a living then. So why hasn't someone in Washington suggested that? If we saved gas, demand would go down and prices would follow, or so goes the economic theory. Or perhaps the Arabs don't subscribe to economic theories and wouldn't drop their oil prices no matter what the demand is. After all, they are out to get us. At least it would be worth a try. I still drive the '85 Regal at 55 and it's amazing how much of the country you see. And isn't that the point, 'it's not the destination, it's the ride'. BTW, that's why I get 10 or more out of that old 454.

I drive at 60 mph, the most economical for the engine/gearing, and get about 11 mpg.

I also read that refineries are cutting back production of gasoline since demand is down and supply is up (I wonder why). So what does this all mean?

Not much. Most modern refineries are what are called "swing refineries", meaning they can "swing" from #2 fuel oil (home heating oil/diesel fuel) to gasoline. However, if the gaso become a glut, they might swing back from the usual spring shift from #2 to gaso and produce more #2. Better for us diesel consumers.

quote:

Originally posted by Bill N.Y.:
In regards to the "SLOW DOWN". Companies have initiated fuel mileage bonuses for their drivers and have turned the "Top Speed" down to 65-70 MPH on the rigs. The LTL (Less Then Truckload) Carriers are not moving the trucks unless there is more freight in them.

This translates into...

1) less truck traffic.
2) The rigs that are on the road are being used by the most senior drivers so there should be less rookie mistakes.
3) The rigs are nicer/newer as you wouldn't be band-aiding the older trucks to get the freight down the road.
4) Owner Operators who are in contract to pull freight for $xx.xx dollars are parking their rigs until they get out of their contracts or the shipper re-negotiates a more equitable rate. You can't run down the road for a "Net Loss". Some of these guys are taking day jobs at other trucking companies.
5) Shippers have demanded a higher "Minimum Order" before they will ship products.

More on truck fuel consumption............

-----------------------------------------

Trade group urges truckers to slow down, save fuel

From the Associated Press May 9, 2008


WASHINGTON -- Struggling with record diesel prices, the trucking industry's main trade group introduced a plan Thursday to reduce fuel consumption and emissions over the next decade mainly by having its members slow down.

The American Trucking Assns., whose members include FedEx Corp., UPS Inc. and Con-way Inc., says adherence to a handful of new proposals could cut fuel consumption by 86 billion gallons and carbon dioxide emissions by 900 million tons for all vehicles over the next 10 years.

The recommendations are:

* Limit the speed new trucks can travel to no more than 68 mph and reduce the national speed limit to 65 mph for all vehicles.

* Reduce engine idling.

* Ease congestion by improving the nation's highways, through A FUELS TAX INCREASE if necessary.

* Support national fuel economy standards for trucks.

Congress repealed the national speed limit law in 1995, and 32 states now have limits of 70 mph or higher on some parts of their highways, according to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety. But the ATA has yet to find a federal lawmaker to champion its cause of reducing the national limit.

"Our proposals are practical, reasonable, and doable," said Bill Graves, ATA's president and chief executive. "But there's no doubt that today's skyrocketing diesel prices give us an added incentive to roll it out across the industry, and for Congress to provide the support the program needs."

Truck drivers haul 70% of all freight in the U.S.

The ATA has said it now costs more than $1,000 to fill a typical tractor-trailer, and that the nation's 3.5 million truck drivers are on pace to spend a record $135 billion on diesel fuel this year, up $22 billion from 2007.