From 15 to 23.75mpg in a 5500lb work truck

[JacobAziza]

Originally Posted by theunchosen

Jacob have you tried brewing your own biodiesel?

There's a bit more to making biodiesel than just filtering it.
If its just filtered its referred to as straight vegetable oil (SVO).
SVO will turn to a solid at low temperatures (but well above freezing) making it more complicated to work with - you have to start it on regular diesel and switch back to regular diesel a few minutes before ending a trip (using 2 tanks).
In order to turn it into biodiesel (which requires no vehicle modifications and stays liquid until below freezing) requires processing the oil using methanol and lye, to very toxic chemicals.
Plus finding the oil and chemicals, transporting it, filtering it, processing it, storing it (I don't have any extra space)...
Also, in my area the idea has caught on, so restaurants are charging for used oil now.

Given the right circumstances, homebrew is definitely the way to go.

For me, its worth it to pay for it, and just have to pull up to a pump, and I'm done.
Plus the engine runs a lot better on the commercial stuff than on home brew.

[theunchosen]

It does have some pretty serious issues, but the guys I know that are doing it intentionally find trucks that come standard two tanked. Not many of those anymore, but two of them use its a Ford Extended cab and long bed I can't recall the model(no the chrome badges are not on the truck). But it has two tanks stock.

They start the car do all the crap we have to do before driving and then pull up to the edge of the road and switch.

[JacobAziza]

Actually, mine does have 2 tanks (although one is a little sketchy, no fuel gauge, fills really slowly, cap leaks a little - so I only keep 5 gallons in it and use it as a reserve).
Odd that they need to pull over and switch, mine came with a tank selector built in, right beside the heater controls.

[theunchosen]

I'm sorry that was a little non-descript. Where the truck is parked is a little bit of distance from the road and its a semi-high traffic so it has to sit for a little while before getting on the road. This extra 30 seconds waiting for traffic to clear is when they switch.

[Big Dave]

Good work, Jacob.

[Southcross]

haha, awesome!

I want the "Hypermiler" bumper stickers! They being sold somewhere?

[JacobAziza]

Originally Posted by Southcross

I want the "Hypermiler" bumper stickers! They being sold somewhere?

There are a lot more choices than just the ones I have:

save Gas Stickers - CafePress

http://www.zazzle.com/drive_slow_bum...84299299959385

Hypermile Bumper Stickers

Hypermile Stickers - CafePress

[Southcross]

Originally Posted by JacobAziza

There are a lot more choices than just the ones I have:

save Gas Stickers - CafePress

Drive Slow Bumper sticker from Zazzle.com

Hypermile Bumper Stickers

Hypermile Stickers - CafePress

Question.... do you do any towing? I'd be currious how your mods and hypermiling would affect towing economy

[JacobAziza]

Originally Posted by Southcross

Question.... do you do any towing? I'd be currious how your mods and hypermiling would affect towing economy

Yes, but not regularly or often.

I haven't done any since I began deliberately making changes to increase mileage.
My guess would be that the effect would be much smaller while towing. Trailers aren't often very aerodynamic, and I'd be worried how it would effect handling to use the driving techniques.

[elhigh]

Originally Posted by JacobAziza

Yes, but not regularly or often.

I haven't done any since I began deliberately making changes to increase mileage.
My guess would be that the effect would be much smaller while towing.

I'm guessing your best results with towing would come from saving up all the towing projects until you can combine them as much as possible - one multi-stop trip with the bed and trailer both full, and get all that low-economy work done in one bad day. Then the next day, boom, back to thrifty.

23.5mpg is awesome. My wife's Forester only does 26.9 on its best day and it sure as heck isn't going to tow what your big Ford will.