|
|
Member
Posts: 18
Location: SC | I am getting ready to make a trip from North Carolina to the VERY bottom of Texas...mileage total one way is 1556... and am wondering how much it is going to cost me to get down there... Here is what I have so far... 1556 Miles one way ( 3112 roundtrip) 12-14 MPG 34 gallons per tank of fuel one way....around 111-129 gallons of fuel or 222-258 round trip... We are GUESSTIMATING average fuel cost to be $2.50 a gallon which puts us at a total cost of $550ish round trip.. Does this sound right? AND does anybody know for sure what the national average is or even the average for the state we are travelling through? NC, SC, GA,AL, LA, MS,and TX.. ANY sugguestions? |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565
 
Location: Michigan | Try these sites for diesel price guestimates: http://www.flyingj.com/fuel/diesel_CF.cfm?state=ALL www.gasbuddy.com www.dieselboss.com Have a fun trip! |
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524
Location: Lone Oak, Tx | Or these:
http://198.6.95.31/sbsavg.asp
http://layover.truckmiles.com/layo_fuelprices.asp
Texas is one of the less expensive states on fuel
Enjoy yourself!! :)
Safe Riding,
Todd
Edited by maccwall 2005-04-27 1:10 PM
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
 
| I just did a 5100 mile trip from Mass to Wyoming and back to Vermont.
The WORST prices were on the NY thru way (their spelling, not mine) at $2.59
I think $2.17 was more typical in Nebraska and I vaguely remember $2.09.
BTW, the big signs with low prices are boasting the exempt price, there is no point in exiting the freeways for prices that are too good to be true.
Yes, the flyingJ site and for a journey like this it is probably worth carrying a CB radio and asking ahead where the best prices are. Also a great tool for emergencies and getting other expert advice - on WEATHER for example.
It might be just the way I am with numbers, but I find it easier to think of fuel mileage the other way up (as a reciprocal).
At 7 or 8 gallons per hundred miles, times 15 (hundred miles) = 105 to 120 gallons - each way. Yes, your arithmetic seems about right and I would budget at $2.50 for THIS week (-:
Enjoy the trip, take your time, don't overdrive yourself, I'd make this 3 days each way with horses.
The mileage seems to go by easier when you have horses back there to think about and stop for regular feedings and waterings.
BTW, give them a drink when you first stop, go get a snack and do your own bathroom stuff, then give them another drink just before you start moving again. They'll drink twice as much as if you only offer them the bucket once per stop (kinda obvious, but not something I figured out straight away).
Edited by Reg 2005-04-27 1:59 PM
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 18
Location: SC | Well unfortunately...with my work schedule...3 days there and 3 back just can't happen...we are leaving Thursday at around 5pm and hope to get there Friday around 7pm...2 drivers rotating... get to hotel on friday evening and sleep..get up Saturday and ride the horse...Leave Sunday early morning and drive to Louisiana to stop for the night ( horse motel) since that is about half way home...get up early monday morning and drive the rest of the way home... Any suggestions for hauling one horse that long of a distance? We are planning to remove one of the partitions in the slant load for a wider, bigger stall for the horse... He is older (17) and a good traveller but i dont want a worn out horse when i get home..maybe some bute for the trip home? Wrapping legs or no? |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
| 1556 miles in 26 hours ?
Poor horse )-:
I seriously doubt that you can AVERAGE 60mph with reasonable stops for water, etc. I certainly wouldn't want to do it with horses, however many drivers are rotating.
I think he will either need to be able to lay down completely for rest, or have the support of stall dividers. He could just slop around in a double wide stall. Yes to wraps, but most of all I think he'll want/need standing rest along the way.
JMAO, etc.
|
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 524
Location: Lone Oak, Tx | I have to agree with Reg on this one. That is a long drive for the horse let alone people. I'm afraid your going to have a worn out horse when you get there. Another suggestion is take some banamine with you as well.
Safe Riding or driving,
Todd |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 1723
Location: michigan | veto on the wraps- if done poorly,wraps can cause more problems than not. Horses standing and balancing in a trailer for a extended period of time generate alot of body heat, wraps can make them feel warmer. |
|
| |
|
.jpg) Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | Here in my piece of S. Texas gas is $2.00(for gas, I don't have a deisl). I filled up this morning. Here is what I have so far... 1556 Miles one way ( 3112 roundtrip) 12-14 MPG 34 gallons per tank of fuel one way....around 111-129 gallons of fuel or 222-258 round trip... We are GUESSTIMATING average fuel cost to be $2.50 a gallon which puts us at a total cost of $550ish round trip.. I entered this info into microsoft streets and trips and came up with (from chesapeke Va since I didn't know where in NC, to brownsville and came up with 1754.8 miles, 29 hours and $320.
Edited by Terri 2005-04-27 7:44 PM
|
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 18
Location: SC | Okay lets back up and reread my second post and let me clarify... Going to pick up the horse from Texas....so he is only making the return trip and we are stopping halfway in louisana to spend the night and let the horse off to rest. ...stopping every 5 hours til we get to our stoping point.( 12 hours) So for the return trip...one partition removed from the slant load for a bigger stall, hay in a hay bag, bedded with shavings, ( still debating wraps) etc |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 18
Location: SC | Originally written by Terri on 2005-04-27 8:33 PM Here in my piece of S. Texas gas is $2.00(for gas, I don't have a deisl). I filled up this morning. Here is what I have so far... 1556 Miles one way ( 3112 roundtrip) 12-14 MPG 34 gallons per tank of fuel one way....around 111-129 gallons of fuel or 222-258 round trip... We are GUESSTIMATING average fuel cost to be $2.50 a gallon which puts us at a total cost of $550ish round trip.. I entered this info into microsoft streets and trips and came up with (from chesapeke Va since I didn't know where in NC, to brownsville and came up with 1754.8 miles, 29 hours and $320. |
|
| |
|
Veteran
Posts: 140
Location: Colorado | I would definitely not bute. It's really hard on a dehydrated horse's kidneys (it can cause damage), and it's very likely if he's in the trailer that long that he will be dehydrated. Same for banamine. I would keep soaked hay in front of him, and try to keep the GI tract going during the trip. Info on the dehydration link: http://www.horse-previews.com/1196articles/1196vetcorner.html http://www.ruralheritage.com/messageboard/virtualvet/4568-7.htm This is something we are really careful about with distance horses that go into distress, because they are often in some state of dehydration just arriving at the competition after trailering. Hydration is almost always the first step in treatment before administering medication when something goes wrong. If you can just pull over and let him rest for an hour or two in the trailer every 4-6 hours, the trip will be a lot easier on him. Don't let him eat grass around rest stations... It can be treated with herbicide. There are distance riders who have had very sick horses from that as well. Just keep it simple: lots of hay and water (soak the hay in a big bucket before you put it in his feeder so he's taking in water with his hay). Rest him when you can. You'll do fine. Happy Trails, Michelle |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by Terri on 2005-04-27 7:33 PM
Here in my piece of S. Texas gas is $2.00(for gas, I don't have a deisl). I filled up this morning. Here is what I have so far... 1556 Miles one way ( 3112 roundtrip) 12-14 MPG 34 gallons per tank of fuel one way....around 111-129 gallons of fuel or 222-258 round trip... We are GUESSTIMATING average fuel cost to be $2.50 a gallon which puts us at a total cost of $550ish round trip.. I entered this info into microsoft streets and trips and came up with (from chesapeke Va since I didn't know where in NC, to brownsville and came up with 1754.8 miles, 29 hours and $320.
Microslop does windoze (not at all well).
DeLorme does maps, VERY WELL.
1711, 32:38 from Chesapeake VA to Brownsville TX by Street Atlas.
Anyway, I guess I was too critical of (what I thought was) a plan to stand a 17 year old horse up for 26 hours and average 60 mph. In light of more recent posts that isn't the plan and that's not the route (-:
I still think he would be better to either have the support of a stall divider on each side OR be able to lay down completely (and get up again).
A double width stall is something I wouldn't try, but - not my hossie, not my trailer.
Safe and enjoyable trip to you
|
|
| |
|
 Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
Location: Ontario - east of TO | I've done a similar trip with my horse - Toronto to Cape Breton - with an overnight stop with a stall half way (I think it's about 1200 miles each way). This was on a small 2 horse - I removed the partition to give him more room. Hay in front of him - stopped every 2-4 hours and offered water (which he usually took a good drink of - he always drinks a lot). I did wrap - but I don't think it is necessary. He came off the trailer in good shape the first night and hopped right back on in the morning - and was fresh and not tired when we got there. My filly did the same trip in reverse with a shipper at 18 months - tied in a stock trailer - no wraps, lots of hay, bedded in shavings - they did the trip straight through with only short stops to rest and offer water and she was great when she got here too. |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 53
| When I do long trips I also carry electrolyte paste - I have a horse that is great at mild colics and a vet recommended the paste and it's worked great. Also great for those horses that don't like to drink on the road. I agree with leaving the slant in for support. I don't envy your long drive but I do recommend visiting your local library before you go and getting a bunch of audio books. We find the ride to go faster when you can listen to a good story. We're lucky, our library has hundreds of audio books so our road trips will never be boring again. Have a safe trip. |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565
Location: Michigan | " Don't let him eat grass around rest stations... It can be treated with herbicide. There are distance riders who have had very sick horses from that as well." Wow, good point about the herbicides on grass at rest areas. I never would have thought about that. Issue of wraps. It's a toss up. I do wraps, but only do trips of 2-3 hours one way. Have never done anything longer so not sure if I would wrap or not. I also do bell boots on my horse, all 4 feet, to protect the heels and coronet band. Have seen and have had a horse clip himself quite badly while trailering. If the horse is not used to having wraps finding out whether or not he needs them or not on a 26 hour trailer trip is not a good idea, leave them off. For me the wraps are for peace of mind and their safety standpoint over using them for support.
Edited by MIfarmbabe 2005-04-28 7:36 PM
|
|
| |
|
 Expert
Posts: 1391
Location: North of Detroit, MI | Reg - The price of EVERYTHING at stops on the Thruway are always way higher than if you exited. It's because the franchises have you in their clutches, plus I'm sure they have to do a kickback to NYSTA in order to sell at those stops. If you use US20 along the south side of the Thruway, you can get better prices - but you also have to slow down and put up with small towns and villages. At least the Thruway is smooth and cared for. (Can you tell I'm a misplaced New Yorker? LOL) Anyway - it sucks here in Michigan. Diesel has been higher than regular gas for months and months ... my friends with Diesels are griping about it... regular gas was 2.09 last week; this week it's 2.35 and diesel was $2.39 .... |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by gabz on 2005-04-28 5:38 PM
Reg - The price of EVERYTHING at stops on the Thruway are always way higher than if you exited. It's because the franchises have you in their clutches, plus I'm sure they have to do a kickback to NYSTA in order to sell at those stops. If you use US20 along the south side of the Thruway, you can get better prices - but you also have to slow down and put up with small towns and villages. At least the Thruway is smooth and cared for. (Can you tell I'm a misplaced New Yorker? LOL) Anyway - it sucks here in Michigan. Diesel has been higher than regular gas for months and months ... my friends with Diesels are griping about it... regular gas was 2.09 last week; this week it's 2.35 and diesel was $2.39 ....
and here in Mass Rte 20 runs alongside I-90, the Mass-Pike with tolls and high fuel prices for same/similar reasons - GRAFT !
The weather is warming up here, so I'll be able to use the deep fry oil again this week. I just have to strain out the gerbil and hampster hair and mysterious bits of 'crunchy stuff'. Its a hassle, but its already paid for and it doesn't clog filters as long as the weather stays warm.
Dang diesels, they even run on coal dust (-:
|
|
| |
|
Elite Veteran
Posts: 1011
Location: Oregon | Originally written by Reg on 2005-04-28 6:27 PM That's what I need to do. I'm getting tired of paying $2.65 a gallon for diesel!! |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 565
Location: Michigan | Here in "my town" diesel ranges from $2.31 to $2.36/gal and this is NOT a big town. It's ridiculous how one station can be 5 cents more and you go a mile down the road and it will be 5 cents less. I think it's a big joke. When it comes down to it whether I am going to save a dollar to fill up at one station I really don't care anymore. So raise the prices and lower them, raise them, lower them, bring it on! Plus, when my diesel is getting 19 mpg, I won't complain. |
|
| |
|
Regular
Posts: 72
Location: New Mexico | I can't offer any words of wisdom on the long haul; think plenty of good advice has already been given(especially the one about offering water at both "ends" of a stop...and about not letting your horse graze around rest stops;learned something new myself, there-thanks!)I only trail ride my "big", nowadays, and for now, am not hauling long distances to ride! I HAVE hauled those long distances showing(though it was only one way in a day, then the return days later-from Albuquerque area to OK City, to Estes Park, CO and Cheyenne, WY, and to Ft. Worth, to the Will Rogers)-but only with minis, not bigs. Good luck with your trip! Gotta say-I am another who is pretty darn tired of the price of diesel-I am retired and on a very fixed income; last week, diesel was $2.49 here, while reg. unleaded was 20-25 cents/gallon LESS-a total rip-off, charging so much for diesel, IMO!! I went way out on a limb to buy diesel for its power?long life/ mileage/better fuel mileage--and now this!! Margo |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | fry oil ? |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
Location: Ontario - east of TO | Originally written by Reg on 2005-04-28 10:27 PM The weather is warming up here, so I'll be able to use the deep fry oil again this week. I just have to strain out the gerbil and hampster hair and mysterious bits of 'crunchy stuff'. Its a hassle, but its already paid for and it doesn't clog filters as long as the weather stays warm. Dang diesels, they even run on coal dust (-: I've heard of people doing that - how exactly does it work (not that I have a diesel) I've heard you need to start it up on actual deisel and then you can switch to the oil? Is it a large cost to set it up? |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by MBRA518 on 2005-04-29 10:23 AM
Originally written by Reg on 2005-04-28 10:27 PM The weather is warming up here, so I'll be able to use the deep fry oil again this week. I just have to strain out the gerbil and hampster hair and mysterious bits of 'crunchy stuff'. Its a hassle, but its already paid for and it doesn't clog filters as long as the weather stays warm. Dang diesels, they even run on coal dust (-: I've heard of people doing that - how exactly does it work (not that I have a diesel) I've heard you need to start it up on actual deisel and then you can switch to the oil? Is it a large cost to set it up?
Ya REALLY wanna know ? (-:
There are a couple of ways and some hybrids of them.
WVO (waste vegetable oil) is just that; settled, filtered and used. The biggest DISadvantage is that it tends to gel in cold weather, so you can use a two tank system and/or heat the fuel line, filter and even the tank. This is probably the system that you've heard of, start up on "regular" mineral diesel and get the heater hoses to send heat to the WVO lines, filter, tank, etc., then switch over - switch BACK a couple of minutes before shutting down for a cold night.
BIO_diesel is more of a chemical process (transesterification) in which the oils are reacted with methoxide to produce the interesting esters - the methoxide is first made with methanol and lye. You get to play kiddie kit kemistry and do titrations with this, but the vehicle doesn't need anything special.
Folk are using various hybrids and blends, e.g. B20 is 20% bio diesel and 80% mineral diesel. The US gummint currently regards bio_diesel as a fuel extender, not a fuel replacement or substitute. Do the arithmetic, ALL the crop lands of the US couldn't produce enough seed oil to run all the trucks in the US. It could be a partial solution.
There is controversy about the long term effects on engine life, too much to go into here. I think a lot of the 'against' evidence of potential harmful effects is suspect, btw it has ZERO sulphur and just about everything else in the exhaust is cleaner.
|
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | That's interesting. What ever happened to the gas made out of corn? Ethanol or something like that. There was a station in San Marcos when I went to college, but it was only there for about a year. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 5
| are you buying a horse from Krystal Jones by chance? |
|
| |
|
Extreme Veteran
Posts: 455
Location: Ontario - east of TO | Originally written by Terri on 2005-05-01 12:55 PM
That's interesting. What ever happened to the gas made out of corn? Ethanol or something like that. There was a station in San Marcos when I went to college, but it was only there for about a year. There is actually much more ethanol in the US than Canada, but we have it here to - it's basically a fuel additive at this point - not sure how the % will eventually end up. It's getting more popular and the some 06 GM products will actually have a special fuel package for ethanol based fuels - but any vehicle will run on it. Appearently fuels with more ethanol cause the vehicle to run better and get better milage - but here it is like 10 cents more a litre and is only in the high performance fuel (94 octaine only). |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by Terri on 2005-05-01 11:55 AM
That's interesting. What ever happened to the gas made out of corn? Ethanol or something like that. There was a station in San Marcos when I went to college, but it was only there for about a year.
It is still being made, both commercially and as "home brew".
Bio diesel and ethanol production are fairly simple processes that you can (literally) learn at the kitchen sink in litre or so sized quantities. When you get the process right increase the scale, think in terms of 2 or 3 55 gallon oil drums with hoses between them in the basement.
Probably the biggest difference is that corn stock is more likely than waste oil to be consistent, so you might be able to drop some testing once you've got the process down. Waste oil is likely to be very different with every batch; how much it has been used, what has been cooked in it, etc., so you need to test every batch at every stage.
There's also a possible issue with the disposal of glycerol (glycerine if/when you process it to become useful), this can be regarded as a co-product, you'd probably want to find a market for it if you were to try making say 1,000 gallons of bio-D a year. The other thing is soap, but if you get it you've gone wrong, there shouldn't be any soap to deal with once you get past the 'kitchen sink scale' of operation. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2828
Location: Southern New Mexico | Don't want to make it, I was just wondering what happened to it since I used to buy it. I think the gas mileage was worse, but it was cheaper and wasn't from oil. |
|
| |
|
Expert
Posts: 2689
| Originally written by Terri on 2005-05-01 2:18 PM
Don't want to make it, I was just wondering what happened to it since I used to buy it. I think the gas mileage was worse, but it was cheaper and wasn't from oil.
OK, nothing "happened to it", it is still around and doing well.
Expect more interest as {fill in the blank} progresses and mineral oil based products ALL get even more expensive )-:
|
|
| |
Average cost of deisal right now....
