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General => General Discussion => Topic started by: LB on May 09, 2016, 10:27:45 AM

Title: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 09, 2016, 10:27:45 AM
Hi,

We are going down to Tassie in July and I am curious if we should be able to get to Melbourne from Orange before needing to fill the car. Petrol prices are always cheaper in the cities then country towns (trust me I know I live in Orange). We have a 2002 4.2ltr Turbo Diesel 100 Series. Its appox 800kms. I think between the 2 tanks its about 145Ltrs but we never let them go below a 1/4. Ive never really worked out the fuel comsumption, plus its hard when you do a lot around town driving as it is very different to 100km roads.

Figured there would be a least a few of you that have done similar travels.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: loanrangie on May 09, 2016, 11:38:20 AM
Will you be towing on this trip ? Best i ever recorded on my then newish and stock vehicle was 900klms for 80ltrs which was Melbourne to Wagga Wagga return on the same day. If you averaged 15/100 then that gives you a range of 966klms but that doesnt include only going to a 1/4 tank or other variables, you could just top up somewhere closer to Melbourne where there wont be much difference if price.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 09, 2016, 12:03:38 PM
No we are not towing. Love camping in winter but Tassie in winter is a different kettle of fish!
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: loanrangie on May 09, 2016, 12:18:07 PM
Is 15/100 achievable in the cruiser ?
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: mumbls on May 09, 2016, 12:31:03 PM
Is 15/100 achievable in the cruiser ?

Should be. I get 12.5/100@ 100kph with no trailer (2001 1HZ GXL). But that goes to 18/100 @ 90kph towing a 1.6t trailer. 20l jerry on the back if you want, just for peace of mind.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 09, 2016, 12:34:34 PM
Should be. I get 12.5/100@ 100kph with no trailer (2001 1HZ GXL). But that goes to 18/100 @ 90kph towing a 1.6t trailer. 20l jerry on the back if you want, just for peace of mind.

We are catching the Spirit and you can only take empty dry Jerry cans. Its not really important if we have to buy fuel, I was curious then anything.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: JSKM on May 09, 2016, 01:02:40 PM
Is 15/100 achievable in the cruiser ?

I have an 80 Series 1HDT 4.2 Lt TD.

Loaded up with gear and not towing I get about 13Lt/100Km on the highway and around the 15Lt/100Km in the City (15Lt is worse case).

Your figures would be simular so you should have over a 900km range for sure (that's worse case at 15lt/100km).
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Bad Scott on May 09, 2016, 02:56:55 PM
Melbourne to Bathurst towing a 2.5t trailer, Ute fully loaded with work gear made it with more than a 1/4 tank fuel left.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: evolution on May 09, 2016, 03:14:52 PM
For what its worth, if you stop at the Apco in Wodonga the fuel there is generally cheaper than in Melbourne.
Diesel has gone up to 95c now, but we were sitting on under 85c for nearly 3 months.
I have found that every time we go to Melbourne Fuel is cheaper for us here in Wodonga.

Cheers
Nick
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Bird on May 09, 2016, 03:27:19 PM
For what its worth, if you stop at the Apco in Wodonga the fuel there is generally cheaper than in Melbourne.
Diesel has gone up to 95c now, but we were sitting on under 85c for nearly 3 months.
I have found that every time we go to Melbourne Fuel is cheaper for us here in Wodonga.
stop bragging.. :'(
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Footy Shorts Shane on May 09, 2016, 03:33:45 PM
Is there only 700ml to a Victorian litre ???
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 09, 2016, 03:50:03 PM
My better half has this thing about Vortex diesel, but I will check it out when we a passing through
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: evolution on May 09, 2016, 04:06:58 PM
Nah, just really competitive since the new servo opened.  :cup:

Cheers
Nick
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Troopy_03 on May 10, 2016, 11:25:05 AM
I've got a 2003 4.2 turbo diesel Troop Carrier, with dual 90L tanks. I get on average 600K per tank mixed driving conditions and loads, before the light comes on. Then filling up is around 140L - 150L, for both tanks. Using the FuelLog app, I average around 12 to 12.5 L/100Klm not towing. So if you use say 13L/100Klm, to allow for whatever,  Orange to Melbourne is around 800Klm, 13L * 8 = 104L - so you should do it easy.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: pinarelloman on May 10, 2016, 11:39:09 AM
I have had diesel Landcruiser station wagons in different engine variants 2H, 3 X 1HZ and 2 X 1HDFTE since 1989. All return around 12-15 lt/100km unless towing.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Rumpig on May 10, 2016, 11:49:11 AM
For what its worth, if you stop at the Apco in Wodonga the fuel there is generally cheaper than in Melbourne.
Diesel has gone up to 95c now, but we were sitting on under 85c for nearly 3 months.
I have found that every time we go to Melbourne Fuel is cheaper for us here in Wodonga.

Cheers
Nick
i noticed on our trip to Tassie via the Newell Hwy, that there were a few cheap servos I saw outside of Melbourne also. Can't recall exactly where they were, but generally fuel was reasonably priced I thought.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Beachman on May 10, 2016, 11:52:23 AM
2 years ago we drove to the snow from Brisbane with no trailer, cold air driving and not pushing the 1HZ Cruiser too hard and I managed to get 995 kms out of the 145L in both tanks. But that was running both tanks down to fumes. 

That was the best fuel figures I’ve ever got out of my Cruiser.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 10, 2016, 01:02:38 PM
Going to do the experiment both tanks currently full will see how many kms I can get leaving 1/4 in each. 
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: tk421 on May 10, 2016, 01:41:22 PM
Why try and go all the way to Melbourne?  Just fill up on the outskirts of Melbourne or in Albury ??

Petrol spy has todays prices for ULP91  in Melbourne around 101-127, Albury 99-114?.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on May 10, 2016, 01:55:51 PM
I think he'll do well.
Lot of highway in that distance.  Constant speed is better than stop start for economy.
Plus you only have to have enough fuel to get it to and off the boat.
I'm sure there's a servo beside the berth in Tassie, wouldn't make much sense if there wasn't.
Hope your trip's a lot more pleasant than the recent one where things in the hold were moved about a bit.

Good luck LB.
You'll have to put up a trip report, now you've let the trip out of the bag.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 10, 2016, 03:09:02 PM
I think he'll do well.
Lot of highway in that distance.  Constant speed is better than stop start for economy.
Plus you only have to have enough fuel to get it to and off the boat.
I'm sure there's a servo beside the berth in Tassie, wouldn't make much sense if there wasn't.
Hope your trip's a lot more pleasant than the recent one where things in the hold were moved about a bit.

Good luck LB.
You'll have to put up a trip report, now you've let the trip out of the bag.

Saw that footage on the Spirit from the other night. Got my fingers crossed that that doesn't happen to us.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: tk421 on May 10, 2016, 03:22:19 PM
My better half has this thing about Vortex diesel, but I will check it out when we a passing through

Vortex diesel is available in Albury/Wodonga at several Caltex servos...

I've heard they've got colour TV and hot water too.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 10, 2016, 03:29:57 PM
I've heard they've got colour TV and hot water too.

Really because we have only just got Electricity in Orange ;D
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: evolution on May 11, 2016, 10:35:56 AM
Vortex diesel is available in Albury/Wodonga at several Caltex servos...

I've heard they've got colour TV and hot water too.

Yeah the hot water is amazing! God knows how we lasted this long with out it. Colour tv on the other hand is a bit overrated. All there is on tv nowadays is those cooking shows. :p

Cheers
Nick

(and yes Vortex is available here lol)
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: staghornflat on May 11, 2016, 11:56:07 AM
Going to do the experiment both tanks currently full will see how many kms I can get leaving 1/4 in each.
Unless I missed something, but why do you need to leave 1/4 in each tank?
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Goose on May 11, 2016, 12:06:04 PM
I just did Sydney to Albury return on the weekend. Towing the camper i got from Western Sydney to Holbrook on 72L before refueling (diesel).

But the good news is once you are on Hume Hwy its pretty good going, some hills at times but you'll be over 100km/h the whole way. The same can't be said about travelling up north along the coast for example.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on May 11, 2016, 12:06:32 PM
LB, I'd be taking it down to the bottom mark on the fuel gauge just as the low fuel light comes on you still have 20 Ltr. roughly in the main tank.
Just as a stand by it'd be worth filling the 20Ltr. Jerry and emptying it into the main tank of the truck when you get to Sth. Melb., or when you have to.
That way you know you've got  20Ltr. of fuel in the tank, for when you get it off the boat.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 11, 2016, 12:14:33 PM
There does some to be some debate on this and I can't tell you the reasons off the top of my head but I'm sure someone else will happily tell us.

Apparently it can cause issues if you run a diesel tank to low to often. When we purchased the vehicle (second hand from a Toyota Dealer) he recommend that we make it a habit of filling when the tanks get down to a quarter and to make sure we alternate between the tanks. Can't remember the reasons he gave at the time, but we have kept to that rule ever since. There may have been the occasional time we have gone below on a trip but rarely.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 11, 2016, 12:16:24 PM
We will be refuelling in Melbourne as from past experience prices in Tassie are somewhat higher.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Troopy_03 on May 11, 2016, 06:09:31 PM
Geez, don't go out west then, you'll get a big shock.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: doc evil on May 11, 2016, 06:25:12 PM
If you're worried about paying a bit extra for fuel whilst on holidays, stay home!!!!!!!!

Even if it's 10c/lt dearer on 100lt it's only $10............ ::) ::) ::) ::)
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Bird on May 11, 2016, 06:28:46 PM
Quote from: doc evil
If you're worried about paying a bit extra for fuel whilst on holidays, stay home!!!!!!!!

Even if it's 10c/lt dearer on 100lt it's only $10............ ::) ::) ::) ::)

I was hoping someone would finally say it...


(https://media.giphy.com/media/14iTl1bBRDcQRG/giphy.gif)
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Troopy_03 on May 11, 2016, 06:37:44 PM
A few years back, in Curtain Springs, diesel was $2.13/L, Yulara was $1.70/L... lucky I was tight enough to just scrape through to Yulara to fill up. We thought we were getting a bargain when we could fill up at less than $1.60/L in Alice, happy days.

It's all relative mate, In a couple more years, you'll be happy to get it for $1.40/L
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on May 11, 2016, 10:19:13 PM
July/August 2012 at William Creek Hotel Bowser, $2.90AUD whatever it was, Petrol or Diesel.
If you wanted Fuel, you paid, simple as that.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 12, 2016, 07:20:37 AM
If you're worried about paying a bit extra for fuel whilst on holidays, stay home!!!!!!!!

Even if it's 10c/lt dearer on 100lt it's only $10............ ::) ::) ::) ::)

To be honest I think your post is a little harsh and quite frankly unfair. Living in a regional town I am very aware that our fuel prices are always somewhere between 10 - 20c a litre more then our city counter parts. Now saving $10 to $20 per 100lts when you are road tripping for just over 2 weeks adds up. This could easily equate to an extra bottle of scotch for those cold Tassie nights.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: pinarelloman on May 15, 2016, 03:20:16 AM
More than likely the salesman was advising you not to run the tank down too low as the rubbish sits at the bottom of the tank. The biggest issue with Toyota 100series factory TDs is not running it so low that it begins to splutter and then changing to the second tank. The reason for this is the pump at that time will be running dry and that means no lubrication and we all know what that means, pump rebuild.$$$$
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: LB on May 15, 2016, 07:20:51 AM
More than likely the salesman was advising you not to run the tank down too low as the rubbish sits at the bottom of the tank. The biggest issue with Toyota 100series factory TDs is not running it so low that it begins to splutter and then changing to the second tank. The reason for this is the pump at that time will be running dry and that means no lubrication and we all know what that means, pump rebuild.$$$$

Thanks for that, think we will stick to the 1/4 tank theory as after just spending $2500 on my baby I don't need any more nasty surprises like fuel pump rebuilds.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Troopy_03 on May 15, 2016, 11:59:56 AM
That's something that cracks me up, the theory that if you run your tanks too low you'll pick up crap off the bottom of the tank. The crap is on the bottom anyway, and guess where your fuel pick up is. So you'll pick up the crap whether your tank is full or nearly empty. Maybe the only thing about running it low, is that the fuel will slosh around more and may have more suspended solids moving around. But that will happen anywhere from half a tank down anyway.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Beachman on May 16, 2016, 08:14:16 AM
Seeing the cruiser has 2 tanks I always run one tank down to the fuel light coming on and then I switch tanks. Like mentioned above I was told how this is bad because all the rubbish is on the bottom of the tank and it will get sucked into the fuel system.

One weekend I was bored and my main tank was down to the fuel light, so I undid the drain plug in the bottom if the tank and drained it into a bucket just to see what came out.

My car was 11 years old with about 175 000 on the clock when I did this and in the bucket I couldn’t find any signs of water and only a couple of miniature specks of rubbish came out.

So I’m continuing to run it down until the fuel lights come son.
Title: Re: Orange to Melbourne without filling Diesel
Post by: Cruiser 105Tvan on May 16, 2016, 11:34:52 AM
I'm with Troopy here.  Unless you fill from a dodgy jerry, or get a load from a dirty fuel supplier, fuel is usually clean.
Nowadays they use plastic underground tanks, so rust etc. will become a thing of the past.
Being underground, they just have to keep the water out.
Besides, Toyotas have a pretty good pre-filter on the end of the pick up.
For you to have 20-50Klm. range when the low fuel warning comes on. 
The p/up. has to be within 10mm of the bottom of the tank structure.
Right in the middle, or lowest point, when vehicle parked and level.