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07-26-2014, 01:17 PM
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#1
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Full Time Adventurer
2007 27' International CCD FB
Nomadic
, USA
Join Date: Jul 2013
Posts: 2,748
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InfoGraphic: Actual Fuel Economy of Diesel vs Gas Towing
Thought I'd share:
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Family of 5 exploring the USA with a Ram Power Wagon & Airstream in tow.
OUR BLOG | INSTAGRAM
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07-26-2014, 02:02 PM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2014 25' FB International
2007 20' Safari SE
2005 19' Safari
Qualicum Beach
, British Columbia
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,096
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Quote:
Originally Posted by BoldAdventure
Thought I'd share:
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Can you post the link? Can't read it on either of my devices and it looks like an interesting read.
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07-26-2014, 07:18 PM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Does this figure in higher initial costs and added maintenance costs as well? I will gladly pay the extra $10 for 1000 miles in a gaser.
Perry
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07-26-2014, 07:59 PM
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#4
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari
St. Augustine
, Florida
Join Date: Oct 2011
Posts: 2,670
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Quote:
Does this figure in higher initial costs and added maintenance costs as well?
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Obviously not since the information is only consumption and efficiency. It confirms what I believe, that a price-conscious consumer would not buy a diesel unless absolutely necessary and that newer gassers are as efficient.
The only oddity I see is in trailer length to mpg. Why does a 21-25 travel trailer require more gas than a 26-40 foot? Could it be in the number of respondents? If you average all travel trailer lengths, the mpg figure is 12mpg towing a travel trailer. Hmm. Dead on for me.
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WBCCI 8653/AIR 60240
2022 Ford F150 PowerBoost Platinum w/7.2KW
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07-26-2014, 08:15 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
2002 30' Classic S/O
Fleming Island
, Florida
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 4,667
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Rodster,
I'm guessing that the proportion of trailers towed by diesels is higher for the bigger trailers and that drives up the average mileage for them.
Just a guess.
Al
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“You cannot reason someone out of a position they have not been reasoned into"
Al, K5TAN and Missy, N4RGO WBCCI 1322
2002 Classic 30 Slideout -S/OS #004
2013 Dodge 2500 Laramie 4x4 Megacab Cummins
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07-26-2014, 08:25 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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It is really simple math at first, diesel has 113% the energy content of gas by volume.
If diesel costs more than 113% that of gas it is less economical from the get go.
Then we have to consider up front cost, loss of efficiency due to greater vehicle weight, and the cost of routine maintenance and repair.
For a pickup truck I practically guarantee that the cost of ownership plus fuel is higher for a diesel.
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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07-26-2014, 08:31 PM
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#7
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2 Rivet Member
ARLINGTON
, Texas
Join Date: Sep 2008
Posts: 41
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It would be nice to know what year model Duramax they used for testing, because my 2011 gets considerably better mileage than what they show for an unloaded truck. The mileage show for a loaded 34' travel trailer of about 12-14 is in the range of what I actually get. But was a good read for comparison sake.
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07-26-2014, 08:32 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
2005 19' Safari
GLENDALE
, AZ
Join Date: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,453
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These graphs are very interesting. However, we have a Toyota Tundra, and 8 mpg is way off with respect to our mileage, even considering our Bambi is only 19' long. We have never gotten less than 11-12 mpg per tank, and our average is 13.5 mpg.
With a 28% to 60% error rate on the Tundra alone (depending on how one figures the difference in mileage), I question the accuracy of the remaining data.
Do you have any details on how this information was collected and how the results were calculated?
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07-26-2014, 09:05 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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My 08 Chey 5.3 gets between 9 and 11 towing my 31 footer, depending on my speed.
At about 60 I will get better than 10.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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07-26-2014, 09:17 PM
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#10
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Rivet Master
2009 23' FB Flying Cloud
Canmore
, Alberta
Join Date: Nov 2013
Posts: 1,762
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While the data may be somewhat disputable, the graphs are very pretty!!
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07-26-2014, 09:44 PM
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#11
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Rivet Master
2005 28' Safari S/O
Paradise
, California
Join Date: Jul 2006
Posts: 3,446
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Phoenix
Do you have any details on how this information was collected and how the results were calculated?
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The references at the bottom of the chart state it was an extrapolation of a Facebook survey in which followers of Hitchanything.com were polled. Not very scientific.
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Steve
"THE OLDER I GET, THE BETTER I WAS"
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07-26-2014, 09:54 PM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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The real answer to the question lies in the energy content of diesel v. Gasoline. Diesel has 13% more for a given volume.
This is going to be the primary factor in a logical approach to to discerning the true economy of gas v. Diesel powered trucks.
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__________________
The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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07-26-2014, 11:35 PM
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#13
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4 Rivet Member
Durango
, Colorado
Join Date: Jan 2014
Posts: 426
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You also need to take into account the re-sale of Diesel vs gas.
A diesel will have a much higher re-sale value than a similar mileage gas vehicle.
So even if better fuel economy doesn't quite make up for higher maintenance cost, re-sale might make up for the difference.
I just prefer diesel over gas because of the better performance in mountainous terrain and high altitude where most of my driving takes place.
In addition the new diesels are much better for the environment than gas.
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07-27-2014, 02:03 AM
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#14
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Rivet Master
Currently Looking...
Vancouver
, British Columbia
Join Date: Oct 2012
Posts: 4,566
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Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
The real answer to the question lies in the energy content of diesel v. Gasoline. Diesel has 13% more for a given volume.
This is going to be the primary factor in a logical approach to to discerning the true economy of gas v. Diesel powered trucks.
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If we are going to consider the volumetric energy content of the fuel as a basis for comparison, shouldn't we also use the thermal efficiency of the diesel cycle compared to the Otto cycle, referencing the compression ratio of each engine? And consider the throttling losses of an Otto cycle (gasoline) engine?
Jeff
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07-27-2014, 08:27 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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InfoGraphic: Actual Fuel Economy of Diesel vs Gas Towing
We should, but i doubt there is much difference in modern gas v. Modern diesel engines.
I doubt that the difference is one percent net one way or the other.
Diesels reached the top of their game in the 90s. Since then unreasonable emission expectations have badly hurt their economy and reliability.
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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07-27-2014, 08:34 AM
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#16
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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I think that the emission control standards of the 90s were more than clean enough for gas and diesel, and the stuff done since then is a net looser.....
But with that said,,,, I seriously doubt that modern diesel engines are easier on the environment than modern gas engines.
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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07-27-2014, 08:39 AM
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#17
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Diesel has another economy edge other than BTU content. Diesel engines are more efficient because of the higher compression. They can extract more energy as a result of the higher compression. BTU content is not the only factor but it is a factor. The EPA putting ethanol in the gasoline does not help the BTU content of gas.
Everything on a diesel is twice as big and heavy because of the higher compression. They are also about 4 times more expensive to fix. There are also more systems to deal with especially with the new diesels. If you get a German made anything and maintenance costs will be even higher than an American made diesel. 20 yrs ago when Diesels were much simpler and diesel fuel was cheap to buy they were probably a good deal. If I want an expensive hobby, I would own a diesel. If I want to turn the key and drive with a couple hundred dollars of maintenance and year, I will drive a gasser.
Perry
Quote:
Originally Posted by J. Morgan
The real answer to the question lies in the energy content of diesel v. Gasoline. Diesel has 13% more for a given volume.
This is going to be the primary factor in a logical approach to to discerning the true economy of gas v. Diesel powered trucks.
Sent from my iPhone using Airstream Forums
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07-27-2014, 08:51 AM
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#18
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Rivet Monster
1975 31' Sovereign
1980 31' Excella II
Sprung Leak
, North Carolina
Join Date: Jun 2003
Posts: 7,172
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I prefer diesel over gas for heavy hauling. I also keep a couple of old diesel trucks on the place just in case. If diesel or gas becomes unavailable or cost prohibitive I will run 100% bio diesel I did some calculations a couple of years ago, I can plant 12 acres of soybeans/rape seed or something similar and produce more than enough bio to cover my needs for a year.
Aaron
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Why are we in this basket...and where are we going
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07-27-2014, 08:53 AM
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#19
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Rivet Master
1972 31' Sovereign
1975 31' Excella 500
Currently Looking...
Benton
, Arkansas
Join Date: Mar 2013
Posts: 5,868
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The compression ratio would be factored into overall efficiency. I contend that a modern gas and a modern diesel will be within one percent net in efficiency.
The engineers have worked very hard on getting the most efficiency possible out of modern engines gas and diesel alike.
Compression ratio makes less difference proportionally as it increases.
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The fact that I am opinionated does not presuppose that I am wrong......
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07-27-2014, 08:54 AM
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#20
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Rivet Master
1981 31' Excella II
New Market
, Alabama
Join Date: Sep 2011
Posts: 6,145
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Can you convert the stuff to biodiesel yourself though?
Perry
Quote:
Originally Posted by wahoonc
I prefer diesel over gas for heavy hauling. I also keep a couple of old diesel trucks on the place just in case. If diesel or gas becomes unavailable or cost prohibitive I will run 100% bio diesel I did some calculations a couple of years ago, I can plant 12 acres of soybeans/rape seed or something similar and produce more than enough bio to cover my needs for a year.
Aaron
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