Go Back   EcoModder Forum > EcoModding > General Efficiency Discussion
Register Now
 Register Now
 

Reply  Post New Thread
 
Submit Tools LinkBack Thread Tools
Old 06-17-2011, 05:48 PM   #1 (permalink)
EcoModding Lurker
 
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: Everywhere
Posts: 1
Thanks: 0
Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts
Suggestions for my live-in Chevrolet Astro.

Hey guys, my name is Kyle. I'm a dirty hippie living in a 2003 AWD Chevrolet Astro while I tour the United States for a few years.

I'm faced with a dilemma. I budget roughly 400 bucks a month on fuel and that gets me about 100 gallons at current gas prices. My van at 55mph on the highway gets about 18mpg, and in the cit about 15, 16 combined. This gives me only 1,600 miles a month I can move.

I'm looking at ways to increase the fuel economy of my van for cheap, or looking for another live-in vehicle or tow vehicle that gets better fuel economy.

The reason I chose my van was for the live-in space, AWD safety net, and the compact nature of the Astro. But now I am considering going to another vehicle and towing my home vs. driving it around unless I can figure out how to squeeze more fuel economy out of my van.

Thanks for help in advance!

  Reply With Quote
Alt Today
Popular topics

Other popular topics in this forum...

   
Old 06-17-2011, 06:01 PM   #2 (permalink)
Engineering first
 
bwilson4web's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2009
Location: Huntsville, AL
Posts: 843

17 i3-REx - '14 BMW i3-REx
Last 3: 45.67 mpg (US)

Blue Bob's - '19 Tesla Std Rng Plus
Thanks: 94
Thanked 246 Times in 157 Posts
Electric bicycle/moped. Will fit in van which should stay parked. Then use the motor assisted, bicycle to get around the local area.

Bob Wilson
__________________
2019 Tesla Model 3 Std. Range Plus - 215 mi EV
2017 BMW i3-REx - 106 mi EV, 88 mi mid-grade
Retired engineer, Huntsville, AL
  Reply With Quote
The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to bwilson4web For This Useful Post:
California98Civic (06-20-2011), Christ (06-17-2011)
Old 06-17-2011, 06:19 PM   #3 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: california
Posts: 1,329
Thanks: 24
Thanked 161 Times in 107 Posts
Not sure what AWD safety is but get something with 2WD. Or rip out the front half of your 4Wd setup.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 09:31 PM   #4 (permalink)
Diesel Addict/No Cure
 
cleanspeed1's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: chicago, il
Posts: 787

StolenHoopty - '90 Honda Accord EX

HvyDrnkr - '93 Cadillac Seville
Thanks: 130
Thanked 74 Times in 49 Posts
+1 for the electric bicycle/moped.

I have another solution, though.

A used diesel conversion van, full size, like a Chevy/Gmc with a 6.2/6.5 diesel or a Ford Econoline with the IDI 6.9/7.3. Or even a diesel pickup with a slide in.

Run it on waste oil in a dual fuel system.

Hey, I know how it is......

I've done the same thing as you, but for work.
__________________
Volvo WIA42 VED-12 / 335 hp / 1300 ft/lbs / 9 mpg

Big n' Boxy, Never met a Hill it Didn't Like
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 10:24 PM   #5 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
larrybuck's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: sw Washington (state), a little north of Vancouver
Posts: 1,142
Thanks: 295
Thanked 111 Times in 82 Posts
An '80's Toyota van comes to mind; should get near 40mpg highway; mount500# capacity cargo holder on a trailer hitch; load a small motorcycle or scooter onto that; and throw on a cheap bicycle maybe on the front bumper. It would be easy to use a cover over the middle of the bicycle to DOUBLE as a front grille block!

It sounds like you have plenty of time for testing. Try to leave the base veh. OUTSIDE of the larger towns and cities.

Carefully ask if you can wash someone's car or mow their lawn as PAY to let you Park/sleep in your van overnight. Don't ask after about 2PM! Build a relationship...don't come across as just a TAKER!
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-17-2011, 10:53 PM   #6 (permalink)
Rat Racer
 
Fat Charlie's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Route 16
Posts: 4,150

Al the Third, year four - '13 Honda Fit Base
Team Honda
90 day: 42.9 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,784
Thanked 1,922 Times in 1,246 Posts
AWD is a great safety feature if you have to drive in blizzards, so sell it to someone who sees that as a feature and get something with better mileage. Google "stealth camper" and work on turning it into a home. The moped is a great idea for getting travel done without having to burn fuel hauling everything you own everywhere you go.

As for your van, live-in space and compactness work against each other and I think they meet badly in an Astro. You can find something less compact (more liveable) without taking too bad a hit on mileage or you can go a little more compact and get a real minivan that'll do better on mileage. For your purposes the Astro looks like it's got all the wrong compromises- the inefficiencies of a big vehicle without the benefit of space.
__________________

Quote:
Originally Posted by sheepdog44 View Post
Transmission type Efficiency
Manual neutral engine off.100% @MPG <----- Fun Fact.
Manual 1:1 gear ratio .......98%
CVT belt ............................88%
Automatic .........................86%

  Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2011, 12:17 AM   #7 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442

2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 19.36 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,422
Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts
No Astro is all that great for mileage. The AWD seems nice but one pays a penalty. To give you an idea, my wife and I travel in a Dodge diesel pickup pulling a 34' travel trailer and average 13-16 mpg highway. The truck, solo, does from 18-20 city and 24-26 highway in the south central US.

I see the appeal of a van. Once knew an architect who had a Chevy half-ton (rear windows only), a big propane tank underneath and some very basic living accommodations. He used it to travel from Texas to Colorado, camp out for a few months (besides backpacking), and live cheaply while on the road as he could park it anywhere anonymously. Pay $7 for a shower at a truckstop when need be.

There is a single vehicle out there that will do better than the Astro. Frankly, pulling a trailer is better still (CASITA, SCAMP, etc) as one can use a quite small tow vehicle.

Look to the rigs owned and modded by KAMPERBOB on this site for an excellent approach.

.
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2011, 12:39 AM   #8 (permalink)
Moderate your Moderation.
 
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: Troy, Pa.
Posts: 8,919

Pasta - '96 Volkswagen Passat TDi
90 day: 45.22 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,369
Thanked 430 Times in 353 Posts
Ot: SEVEN BUCKS FOR A SHOWER? I always paid 2, if at all...
__________________
"¿ʞɐǝɹɟ ɐ ǝɹ,noʎ uǝɥʍ 'ʇı ʇ,usı 'ʎlǝuol s,ʇı"

  Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2011, 10:51 PM   #9 (permalink)
Master EcoModder
 
JasonG's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Charlotte NC / York SC
Posts: 728

05 DMax - '05 Chevrolet 2500HD
90 day: 18.48 mpg (US)
Thanks: 120
Thanked 56 Times in 52 Posts
Paid $5 at a state park last month. Goes up constantly.

I lived some for work in the back of a pick up with a fiberglass topper.
Used construction scraps to make a bed on one side level with the screened window. It had storage underneath.
Bins on the right and front for clothes, stove, tools, etc.
Left the center open for walking and my bike.
Saved hotel fees.

Think it got around 21 MPG. That was an 80s model with a V8.
The Toyota van mentioned above would probably be my choice as well.
__________________



I can't understand why my MPG's are so low..........
21,000lb, 41' Toy Haulers are rough on FE!
  Reply With Quote
Old 06-19-2011, 11:14 PM   #10 (permalink)
Banned
 
Join Date: Oct 2009
Location: Fort Worth, Texas
Posts: 2,442

2004 CTD - '04 DODGE RAM 2500 SLT
Team Cummins
90 day: 19.36 mpg (US)
Thanks: 1,422
Thanked 737 Times in 557 Posts
Quote:
Originally Posted by Christ View Post
Ot: SEVEN BUCKS FOR A SHOWER? I always paid 2, if at all...
At a truckstop? Your vehicles can take over 100 gls per fill to qualify for that "free" shower?

  Reply With Quote
Reply  Post New Thread


Thread Tools




Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Content Relevant URLs by vBSEO 3.5.2
All content copyright EcoModder.com