Re: [A/S] 28/30' & short bed truck

[MJ Worner <wornmatt@xxxx>]

><snip> but the jury is
>still out on where it is worth the extra cost, noise, smell, and trouble of
>dealing with a diesel. I will probably get jumped on for that last
>statement, but I am entitled to my opinion, and it is my $5000 premium up
>front cost, 
>
I went for the bottom end torque that the diesel provides. I am a big 
fan of getting up to highway speed on the interstates.

>$1300 invested in a 45 Gallon fuel tank to replace the 26 Gallon
>one it came with, 
>
I get 300 mile legs on the stock 29 (?) gallon tank. That's enough 
sitting (well, all right then, too much) for these geriatric old bones. 
I always fill at the 1/4 tank mark when traveling the interstates, and 
1/2 tank mark on unknown back roads. Lots easier to find dizzy fuel out 
in the farm states, too.

>me making two or three extra stops some times to find
>diesel, 
>
Been there, done that!

>my $500 invested in oil and filters in just over 12,000 miles, 
>
Got multi-filter and Amsoil to help take the sting out of that. They 
say 2 years/100,000 miles with filter changes at 8k and 12k for the two 
filters. I use 1 year for oil, (60-75k) and 5k and 10k for the filters 
because it's easier to remember. (The bones ain't the only geriatric part.)

>and
>it is my hands that smell like diesel for several hours after filling up at
>a truck stop where the pump handle is dripping with diesel when you grab it
>to fill up. 
>
I carry a pair of rubber dish washing gloves in the truck for just the 
same reason. Recently got a couple of boxes of disposable surgical 
style gloves as well but find the heavier ones more comfortable in 
colder weather.
<snip>

Last trip to Jersey I paid as little as $1.999 and as much as $2.399 per 
gallon on the fuel. Looking into making my own bio-diesel. There is a 
soy bean pressing plant up the road here, and I'm going to find out if 
they sell by the single drum.. Talking to the neighbours about putting 
in a field of rapeseed (canola oil) and getting it pressed, as well. A 
combine and two tractors will burn about 150 gallons a day, and the 
savings on farm diesel is only about $.60/gal. That's about $1.60/gal 
right now. Interesting to note that the federal portion of the road tax 
is ~$.244 while gasoline is only ~$.184
(Read that on a pump sticker is Missouri this week.)

Matt Worner
'75 Sov (et. al.)
2000 F-350 PSD Crew
Hensley Arrow
See the fleet at: http://community.webshots.com/user/wornmatt