Caravaning up the East Coast of Australia (5,000 KM) - How Can I Save on Diesel Fuel?

Lazoom on 04/09/2015 - 09:22
Last edited 04/09/2015 - 10:04 by 1 other user

Hi All,

I am planning on travelling from Melbourne to mid Queensland with a big caravan, diesel 4wd, should total around 4,500-5,000km.

i expect that this will cost me about $1,300 in fuel.

Does anyone know of a way to get fuel discounts? either through credit card discounts, points or gift cards? like the ewish one for Woolworths petrol?

another thing to consider is that I will be driving through rural areas so i am not sure if there will always be big name petrol stations around.

thanks for your help.

Automotive

Comments

  • cypher67 on 04/09/2015 - 09:32
    +1

    Fuels goes up and down like a yo-yo. If you see a good price, just fill up and don't wait until you're empty.

  • azoom on 04/09/2015 - 10:16

    thanks Cypher,

    I know what you mean, my local petrol station went up 20c overnight last night (for ulp), i may even fill up gerry cans so i can get more in the big cities so i dont have to pay the high rural prices.

  • chartparker on 04/09/2015 - 10:17

    Get some jerry cans and fill them up at major petrol stations/when the fuel is cheap?

    • Happy Bergin on 04/09/2015 - 15:09
      +1

      The extra fuel used carrying the extra weight will totally negate this notion.

      • chartparker on 04/09/2015 - 15:44
        +2

        I didn't mean to carry the entire fuel for the trip, but let's apply some maths to your claim for the fun of it.

        Let's assume that his vehicle is a Toyota Landcruiser Diesel, seeing as they're one of the most popular 4WD vehicles in Australia. That would be a kerb weight of approximately 2200kg. Add occupants and luggage, which will be around 200-300kg mark (depending how many people and what he's taking.) That's a gross weight of 2500kg.

        He's mentioned that he's caravanning with a big caravan. The gross trailer weight (braked) for a diesel Landcruiser is 2500kg.

        In total he's basically lugging 5000kg of mass around. He's already mentioned $1300 in fuel, at a range of 4500-5000km (let's say 5000km to be safe). The average price for diesel today is approx $1.20/litre.

        $1300/$1.20 = approximately 1083 litres of fuel. At 5000km, that's approximately 21.66l/100km fuel economy.

        Owing to the increased fuel consumtpion, let's say he's going to buy 1500l of diesel to take with him. Diesel density is 0.832kg/l. At 1500litres, that's an additional 1248kg of mass (not including jerry cans).

        Now, let's make a huge assumption and say that the fuel consumption will increase linearly with the increase in mass (it's not a linear relationship, but it's a quick and dirty calculation for now). Current new total mass of 6248kg/5000kg = 125% fuel consumption compared to not carrying the extra fuel.

        Therefore 1.25 x 21.66 = 27L/100km. We know he has 1500l to take with him, so 1500/27*100 = 5555km range. More than enough diesel for the trip.

        The increased fuel use isn't the limiting factor, but the impracticality of carrying 1500l of fuel.

        • Happy Bergin on 04/09/2015 - 15:47

          Legality of carrying that much fuel is also a question..

        • chartparker on 04/09/2015 - 15:58
          +1

          @Happy Bergin:

          Or, let's look at a couple hundred litres extra fuel and check whether the saving will be eroded by the extra fuel use

          200l * 0.832kg/l = 166kg extra. 5166lg/5000kg = 103.3% extra fuel use. 21.66*1.033 = 22.38l/100km fuel consumption.

          200l/22.38*100 = an extra 893km of range

          The highest price of diesel today was $1.29. So let's say he's saving 7 cents/litre by filling up at major stops instead of rural stations. (paying $1.20/l instead of $1.27)

          That's $1.27/$1.2 = 105.8% fuel price saving. Seeing as that's still a higher percentage difference than his projected fuel use increase, he might still be better off with a few hundred litres of fuel in jerry cans, though not by much.

          He'd save like $8 in fuel lol

        • Euphemistic on 05/09/2015 - 07:47

          @nytrojen: is like to get diesel for $1.20 in a small outback town.

          It's about $1.40 here in one of the biggest nsw towns.

        • altomic on 05/09/2015 - 19:04

          @Euphemistic: back in may I paid $1.59 for diesel in Walwa. Was on fumes and got 10 litres just to get me to Holbrook where it was $1.28

  • azoom on 04/09/2015 - 10:17
    +1

    beat you by 35 seconds nytrojen :)

    • chartparker on 04/09/2015 - 10:20
      +1

      Darn my fat fingers

  • toniyellow on 04/09/2015 - 12:10

    You can try and predict the yoyo somewhat using https://www.accc.gov.au/consumers/petrol-diesel-lpg/petrol-pā€¦

    I like it because I only drive on the days I finish work too late for public transport, so I'm not always in touch with if prices are rising or falling.

    If you are on the road every day you are probably in tune enough with the cycles just by watching prices. Might not be as easy in rural areas though

  • Slippy on 04/09/2015 - 12:46

    bio diesel man you can make it yourself from fat. there was was a show about some dudes travelling AUS with bio diesel :D cant find it but i think this link is similar

    http://www.unsealed4x4.com.au/saved-58000-diesel/

  • na8an on 04/09/2015 - 12:55

    I can't comment on how u save on diesel, but try looking into caravan relocation deals which u get for as much as 1$ a day rental, although this only helps if ur hiring a caravan and u should be making ur own arrangements for return travel.

    • Gotchas on 04/09/2015 - 14:21

      make sure you don't get continuously lost and go the long way around to the destination

  • Happy Bergin on 04/09/2015 - 15:08

    Don't drive start-stop. Keep the vehicle in a smooth motion to increase the objects momentum.

    • Baysew on 04/09/2015 - 16:50

      Can you provide some calculations on that ?

      • Happy Bergin on 04/09/2015 - 16:56

        Yes.
        Braking causes a vehicle to slow down and a loss in forward momentum.
        Then, the vehicle has to re accelerate.
        No problem.

        • Baysew on 04/09/2015 - 18:18

          Can you apply some maths to the problem?

        • Happy Bergin on 04/09/2015 - 18:29
          +1

          @Baysew:
          Yes, everything is climate change
          and carbon change causes more shark attacks.
          Anyone that knows anything knows that my friend.

          You seem a bit slow on the pick up my friend.

          Do you know who said?:

          An object at rest will remain at rest unless acted on by an unbalanced force.
          An object in motion continues in motion with the same speed and in the same direction
          unless acted upon by an unbalanced force.

          This law is often called
          "the law of inertia".

        • teardrops21 on 05/09/2015 - 06:10

          @Happy Bergin: up and down motion, produces white lotion.

        • zerocritical on 05/09/2015 - 07:34

          @Happy Bergin:

          That's still physics. He asked if you could apply some maths.. šŸ˜€

        • Happy Bergin on 05/09/2015 - 09:12
          -1

          @zerocritical:
          I'm answering the question.
          If you don't like it create your own post.

  • PVA on 04/09/2015 - 16:56
    +2

    dont tow a big van.

  • windale on 05/09/2015 - 07:55

    just shop around, there may be an app to show you cheapest fuel around your current location?

    I would look at free camping sites while travelling as this helps to cut your running costs. If you can save the expensive park fees for a good portion of your trip then you are ahead.

  • BargainBagman on 05/09/2015 - 07:57
    +1

    OK, if you've never heard this before it might shock you a bit but here goes… Add 2 stroke oil to your diesel when you fill up… add it at a rate of 200:1 - that should work out to 500ml of oil to 100 litres of diesel. The best oil is for 2 stroke outboards as its ash free and burns completely at lower temperatures. But other users have reported excellent results with cheap brands like gulf western 2 stroke oil from super cheap.

    Adding the oil will lube the injectors pump and upper cylinders, gives a small increase in power and about 5% saving in fuel economy.

    Plus the detergents in the oil will clean everything back to factory condition, including the turbo blades and the injectors, and piston ring grooves and valve seats.

    Also adding 1ml per litre or 1000:1 of Acetone to the tank when you fill up will add another 2 to 5% economy on top of the oil. Why? Acetone reduces the surface tension of the diesel fuel and aids greatly in fuel atomization giving you a cleaner more complete fuel burn.

    Just Google adding 2 stroke to diesel and you'll find plenty of 4wd forums full of happy 2 stroke and acetone users.

    • BargainBagman on 05/09/2015 - 08:12
      +1

      I forgot to add, make sure your air filter element is clean, if in doubt replace it. Wesfil make good OEM equivalent air filters for a fraction of the cost of genuine ones. Also check all your tyre pressures including the caravan, and inflate them to the upper range of what's comfortable. Check pressures after 15 to 20mins of driving. This will help to reduce rolling resistance and fuel use also.

  • suchis on 06/09/2015 - 11:03

    I downloaded the Woolworths petrol app. You can search towns along the route. From memory around Taree is cheapest place from Sydney to border.
    But checking out prices can give u clue as to what to expect. Don't need to use Woolworths Caltex petrol as if u see independent cheap can use them.

    I've been told having windows closed and air con on gives better fuel economy due to less turbulence.
    In that 'vain' getting every off roof in way of bikes ect will save $ too.

    Happy Motoring

  • neil aus on 24/10/2018 - 19:40

    Use the PetrolSpy app

    • brendanm on 24/10/2018 - 21:38
      +4

      To fuel his Delorean so he can go back to 2015?

  • Euphemistic on 24/10/2018 - 21:44

    Just did a similar trip. Driving at 100km/h used 13.1l/100km. Dropped it to 90-95km/h and usage went down to 12.1. Saving fuel is easier than trying to get cheaper fuel.

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