Gas Prices and the Toon

[Woody]

The only thing I may change is keeping the 55 gallon tank topped off, instead of filling it from empty, so it won't "seem" as bad....

[bassn386]

Roland, I'm sure you are probably aware of this, but driving a mile each way is the worst thing you can do to a vehicle's engine! I know you live in a (mostly) warm climate, but it takes a few miles for the engine to get up to optimum operating temperature. Only running it for a few minutes let's moisture build up in certain key points in the motor-not good. At least once a week you or the wife should take the 4Runner out and run it at highway speeds for a good ten miles or so. And get the oil changed (or do it yourself), along with the filter at least quarterly. Keep in mind that the oil change interval shown in the manual is for "Normal" service. I believe that's a mix of about 80% highway, 20% city, not operating on gravel roads. What you have now is the most severe of "Severe" service situations.

[JohnO]

I've already paid for the slip for the year. If worst comes to worst I'll still be sitting in the boat at the dock and enjoying the lake. BUt since my favorite cove is only about a mile or so from the dock, I can spend the whole day on the lake and only burn a gallon or so of gas.

This summer, I'll be on the lake!

[chill'nthemost]

I rarely burn more than a tank a year too. About the only time we run at high RPM's is heading in at the end of the day. A good day is with both anchors down in a nice cove, stereo and bbq on, refreshing beverage in hand and good friends on board. (and hopefully not some dumb ass at the launch when we get ready to leave )

Now you are asking too much... There is ALWAYS a dumbass at the launch!!

Sad but true. There seems to be two types of DA's. There's the ones that just don't know any better. I don't mind cutting them some slack and giving a hand if I can, but the ones who just don't give a shit can really ruin the start or end of a great day.

[rrhodes]

I rarely burn more than a tank a year too. About the only time we run at high RPM's is heading in at the end of the day. A good day is with both anchors down in a nice cove, stereo and bbq on, refreshing beverage in hand and good friends on board. (and hopefully not some dumb ass at the launch when we get ready to leave )

Now you are asking too much... There is ALWAYS a dumbass at the launch!!

Sad but true. There seems to be two types of DA's. There's the ones that just don't know any better. I don't mind cutting them some slack and giving a hand if I can, but the ones who just don't give a shit can really ruin the start or end of a great day.

I also have no problem helping out the guys that need it but I always run into at least on asshat that knows everything but takes 30 minutes to get his boat on the trailer and gives attitude when you offer a hand.

[chill'nthemost]

I always run with the muffs on BEFORE we leave just to make sure there's no issues. We have everything pre-loaded at the house and stop at the top of the launch BEFORE I back down and remove the back straps. My wife gets in, I stab the trailer in the water and in 5 mins I'm driving out. Same deal in reverse loading. I sure don't mind my wife is the one driving the toon on the trailer. I hope like hell she never learns how to back a trailer. Sometimes I almost think there should be instructions on common sense and courtesy posted at the dock, but nobody would read them.....and I'd just get even more pissed off that there would have to be another in spanish

[badmoonrising]

I always run with the muffs on BEFORE we leave just to make sure there's no issues.

I always do this with my Starcraft prior to going fishing. Ramp is 3 miles from my house so it's still warm by the time I launch.

[ROLAND]

Roland, I'm sure you are probably aware of this, but driving a mile each way is the worst thing you can do to a vehicle's engine! I know you live in a (mostly) warm climate, but it takes a few miles for the engine to get up to optimum operating temperature. Only running it for a few minutes let's moisture build up in certain key points in the motor-not good. At least once a week you or the wife should take the 4Runner out and run it at highway speeds for a good ten miles or so. And get the oil changed (or do it yourself), along with the filter at least quarterly. Keep in mind that the oil change interval shown in the manual is for "Normal" service. I believe that's a mix of about 80% highway, 20% city, not operating on gravel roads. What you have now is the most severe of "Severe" service situations.

Hi Bass... thanks for the note... yep, I am aware of what you mentioned. Toyota recently changed oil change intervals for the 2010 4 Runner to every 10K...but I still change ours at 5K ( that's using synthetic oil )... plus especially during the spring and summer months we always add mileage to her vehicle because that's the one we use to pull the boat.. so on boating weekends we'll add 30 to 60 highway miles

[lakerunner696]

I always run with the muffs on BEFORE we leave just to make sure there's no issues. We have everything pre-loaded at the house and stop at the top of the launch BEFORE I back down and remove the back straps. My wife gets in, I stab the trailer in the water and in 5 mins I'm driving out. Same deal in reverse loading. I sure don't mind my wife is the one driving the toon on the trailer. I hope like hell she never learns how to back a trailer. Sometimes I almost think there should be instructions on common sense and courtesy posted at the dock, but nobody would read them.....and I'd just get even more pissed off that there would have to be another in spanish

We have some cards we made that say

HEY DUMBASS IF YOU FUCK LIKE YOU LAUNCH YOU WILL NEVER REPRODUCE

We put them under wiper.

[Woody]

We have some cards we made that say

HEY DUMBASS IF YOU FUCK LIKE YOU LAUNCH YOU WILL NEVER REPRODUCE

We put them under wiper.

I think I will have to copy that idea ! That's great !!

[chill'nthemost]

I always run with the muffs on BEFORE we leave just to make sure there's no issues. We have everything pre-loaded at the house and stop at the top of the launch BEFORE I back down and remove the back straps. My wife gets in, I stab the trailer in the water and in 5 mins I'm driving out. Same deal in reverse loading. I sure don't mind my wife is the one driving the toon on the trailer. I hope like hell she never learns how to back a trailer. Sometimes I almost think there should be instructions on common sense and courtesy posted at the dock, but nobody would read them.....and I'd just get even more pissed off that there would have to be another in spanish

We have some cards we made that say

HEY DUMBASS IF YOU FUCK LIKE YOU LAUNCH YOU WILL NEVER REPRODUCE

We put them under wiper.

Nothing less would be expected from you!

[Towdaddy]

Higher fuel prices won't affect us much. Typically, a tank will last us two to three weekends.

[1roadking]

I get spiff money on a special debit card. I let that build up and use it for gas. Then it doesn't feel like real money. Kind of silly, but it works. Lol. Its like monopoly money, I don't account for it on my budget. I use alot of fuel. We tube and ski alot and travel to get ice cream and food on our boat. The lake we are on is huge and fun to travel, lots of coves andnarrow pass throughs. Its an adventure.

[WaltF]

We'll still be doing the same ole thing!

Course thats always included hanging in a cove with 4-5 other friends all tied up n tossing some back.

[GXPWeasel]

We'll still be doing the same ole thing!

Course thats always included hanging in a cove with 4-5 other friends all tied up n tossing some back.

This is all because he doesn't have to worry about the gas for the tow rig...