Glad I don't have one

[ColoradoSwany]

Considering inflation seems to be rampant throughout the world, I’m not sure how much control our politicians or the Fed has to influence inflation on our shores. Not saying they shouldn’t try, but I am saying we are not alone in this debacle.

[Crazypill]

Originally Posted by ColoradoSwany

Considering inflation seems to be rampant throughout the world, I’m not sure how much control our politicians or the Fed has to influence inflation on our shores. Not saying they shouldn’t try, but I am saying we are not alone in this debacle.

How much of the world uses the USD as their reserve currency?

[ColoradoSwany]

Originally Posted by Crazypill

How much of the world uses the USD as their reserve currency?

Yes, the fed can tighten the screws to tamp down demand, but we are in a global economy and a large portion of our products are partially or entirely sourced from other countries. Not sure monetary policy has the effect on inflation that it did decades ago.

[emers382]

Seeing more Escapes for sale recently also reflects the fact that there are so many out there now compared to just a few years ago.

Seeing more RVs for sale in general is not only because of the high price of fuel but also because it's getting harder to get campsites. That's certainly the case in southern ON where friends of ours sold their fifth wheel because they could not get sites.

[WillyB]

When I become King of America I'll solve all of our problems.

Free Gas & Camping for All!

[HABBERDABBER]

Originally Posted by WillyB

When I become King of America I'll solve all of our problems.

Free Gas & Camping for All!

I already am MASTER OF THE UNIVERSE. No time or energy right now to solve all the problems that abound.

[NEWYORKHILLBILLY]

Originally Posted by WillyB

When I become King of America I'll solve all of our problems.

Free Gas & Camping for All!

Well already have free cell phones, free food, free rent, free Heating fuel ,free transportation,free daycare, free lawyers and you can even get a free funeral with a plot. Oh wait its not for all

[YakRV]

Originally Posted by Ooshkaboo

Let me help you on this one-you left out a few other media excuses, weather, covid, previous administration-and anything else they need to come up with…

Those certainly seem like some of the causes for our current situation. Thank you for posting them.

All I can say is I sure hope we get to the other side of these crazy times soon.

[bborzell]

We just ignored increased fuel prices as the cost of doing the camping business.

But, we also reduced our overall fuel costs by replacing my wife’s ICE ride with a car we now call “Sparky”.

[ColoradoSwany]

Originally Posted by bborzell

We just ignored increased fuel prices as the cost of doing the camping business.

But, we also reduced our overall fuel costs by replacing my wife’s ICE ride with a car we now call “Sparky”.

Very nice!

[Doug2000]

Originally Posted by Telescopist

Stripped most of your explanation except for the part I have a question about...



I'm planning a camping trip in mid-September. The final destination will be Utah. I could take a 'southern' route from Lancaster - via I-76/I-70/I-40 - through Albuquerque, or a more northern route via I-76/I-70 through Denver. I'll cut @280 miles off the drive if I go through Denver. But I'll have to deal with the Rocky Mountains.

1. Would it be prudent to take the southern route? I'm towing a 21 with a 4 Runner.
2. Referencing higher octane gas, you wrote: There are times / conditions when that may be a beneficial compromise rather than a "waste of money".

Might your statement apply If I decide to take the route through Denver? In my situation for example, would it make sense to use a higher octane fuel in elevation?

Thanks for a very lucid explanation regard octane and what the ECM/PCM does.

Stay away from Colorado if you have a 4Runner and a 21. I had a 2007 Escape 17B and a 2017 4Runner. Climbing out of Denver was crazy. I got stuck behind a slow cattle truck while all the other traffic was doing 80mph. I had the 4Runner in third gear to the floor climbing from Georgetown up to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Again the traffic was crazy.

I might suggest driving west to east on the way back but don't go east to west.

Make sure your using a ScanGauge2 to monitor transmission temps. I pulled over 3 times when my temps got to 230F.

Want to see how hard a tow it is. Watch TFL The Fast Lane Truck on YouTube. They do the worlds toughest towing tests. The test is called the Ike Gauntlet and goes from about Georgetown to the Tunnel. 7% grade for 8 miles. Listen to the motor scream. The new Tundra did very well on this test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFg6eDuZ85E

[Dcboyd]

Originally Posted by Centex

Perhaps of interest, this the applicable text clipped verbatim from the Owner's Manual for my F150 with 3.5l Ecoboost V6:

Selecting the Correct Fuel - Gasoline

Your vehicle operates on regular unleaded gasoline with a minimum pump (R+M)/2 octane rating of 87.

Some fuel stations, particularly those in high altitude areas, offer fuels posted as regular unleaded gasoline with an octane rating below 87. The use of these fuels could result in engine damage that will not be covered by the vehicle Warranty.

For best overall vehicle and engine performance, premium fuel with an octane rating of 91 or higher is recommended. The performance gained by using premium fuel is most noticeable in hot weather as well as other conditions, for example when towing a trailer. See Towing a Trailer (page 403).

This engine is not a "Flex Fuel" engine, so in a separate note we find:

Do not use:
• Fuel containing more than 15% ethanol or E85 fuel.

______________

I happen to be of the same thought as several previous posters .... 87 for daily driving, run the 36 gallon tank low and switch to higher octane when anticipating a towing trip.

My F150 4x4 Supercrew owner’s manual says the same thing.
I run premium in mountainous areas. Here in Texas not so much.

[Telescopist]

Originally Posted by Doug2000

Stay away from Colorado if you have a 4Runner and a 21. I had a 2007 Escape 17B and a 2017 4Runner. Climbing out of Denver was crazy. I got stuck behind a slow cattle truck while all the other traffic was doing 80mph. I had the 4Runner in third gear to the floor climbing from Georgetown up to the Eisenhower Tunnel. Again the traffic was crazy.

That had to have been fist-pounding-steering wheel stressful.

Make sure your using a ScanGauge2 to monitor transmission temps. I pulled over 3 times when my temps got to 230F.

Did you install an auxiliary transmission cooler?

Want to see how hard a tow it is. Watch TFL The Fast Lane Truck on YouTube. They do the worlds toughest towing tests. The test is called the Ike Gauntlet and goes from about Georgetown to the Tunnel. 7% grade for 8 miles. Listen to the motor scream. The new Tundra did very well on this test.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFg6eDuZ85E

[/QUOTE]

They got 2.6mpg on the 8 mile ascent..... I definitely leaning toward taking the end around to the south.

[cpaharley2008]

I love those towing video tests.....

[Crazypill]

Because I simply must proselytize my unorthodox tow vehicle I am obligated to inform you that I did that route when coming east from Vegas in a 2021 Ridgeline at MAX GCVWR and though we had to go 50-55 in 3rd, and at times it became minimally stressful mainly due to road conditions, it handled it just fine. Zoomed past 18 wheelers and motorhomes.