Thread: Water & Fuel conundrum

I always fill up all my jerry cans with the same fuel I fill up the main tank with when I leave home on any long trip.

That means I know I have x amount of good fuel, and dont risk getting a complete load of bad fuel if I fill everything up from the same bowser in the middle of nowhere.

As for carrying a few extra kilos, and it using a bit more fuel, or saving a few dollars. Couldnt really care less tbh!

It would probably depend upon the terrain. Lots of flat country means basically accelerating the load to cruise speed is where you pay the price (mostly) whereas going up lots of hills the extra weight will cost you dearly, and you don't get much back on the downhill bits.
You would have to get fuel consumption figures at different weights in order to do the calculation for any particular journey.
Certainly this is a significant calculation for large aircraft. While it is possible to fly some large passenger jets non-stop from London to Sydney, most usually don't because of the extra fuel they burn simply lifting the huge fuel load into the air. You run into the Law of Diminishing Returns. However, I'd be surprised if there was enough difference with cars to make it worth leaving the purchase until later. My gut feeling is that the price difference is large enough to make it worth hauling the fuel from the city.
Putting some numbers on it (I have no idea if these are realistic):

(A)5,000kms at 10l/100km equals 500 litres. This costs you $750 at $1.50/l. You then buy 500l at $3:00/l equals $1500.
(B )5,000kms at 15l/100km equals 750 litres. This costs you $1125 at $1:50/l. You then buy 250 litres (to replace the extra fuel you burned) at $3:00/l, but you don't need to buy any more because you still have the 250l you bought with you. Cost:$750.

So person A spent a total of $2,250 and person B, with a 50% increased fuel consumption, spent a total of $1875 to get to the same place with the same amount of fuel.

In this case, person B wins, but there's not much in it. And this is a very large increase in fuel consumption to drag the extra fue over a very long distancel. It probably wouldn't be that bad.
As for the water, that's just a matter of personal preference....

Coop

I'd say buying fuel at better prices outweighs the cost you incur to carry it. Driving at 90 is probably more relevant to economy than weight.
Filling up at high prices, particularly more the 50lt is a real pain. Isn't it partly the reason we put long range tanks in, so we can drive past the expansive fuel and onto the better priced stuff.

I'm with Pete, fill up when you leave. What if you change your during the day to take a detour......bugger need to find fuel or water first.

I always fuel up at the end if the day if fuel is around regardless of how much I have onboard, just means I can get away in the morning.

Originally Posted by newhue

I'd say buying fuel at better prices outweighs the cost you incur to carry it. Driving at 90 is probably more relevant to economy than weight.
Filling up at high prices, particularly more the 50lt is a real pain. Isn't it partly the reason we put long range tanks in, so we can drive past the expansive fuel and onto the better priced stuff.

Driving at 90 is just plain wrong!

100 minimum! Flow with the trucks

Originally Posted by Tombie

Driving at 90 is just plain wrong!

100 minimum! Flow with the trucks

I travel at 90 all the time and plan to on our way around Australia.

I do however radio trucks which come up behind me and let them know I will slow and let them past.

as for fuel and water...
FYI my setup includes 150L of water and 210L of fuel

I would always fill up to the brim with water if I'm in a big town or have access to rain water as it can be a pain to find a good easy filling point some times. it also can take up to 30 mins some times as I push all my water through a filter.

As for fuel it depends where I'm going.

I would always fill up to miss the middle of nowhere roadhouse or small tourist only town as they charge loads

I always carry enough for a spur of the moment detour

Thanks for replies,

Fill up at home it is.

What got me thinking about this is on a few previous trips I've bought the same full 20l Jerry home that I filled up at home 3 months earlier, (At least I used the other one)

And Ive been scrambling around getting rid of a Kg here and there.

Meybe I should just go on a Diet, I can easily do with losing 20kg myself !!

I generally travel at the speed limit, meybe I should put a big "UHF 28" sticker on the back of the van, then I'll have an license to travel at 90, - will give it a try